The first thing (needed) in any change, is for you to change your mind. ~ Joyce Meyer
When L. and I decided to escape from NYC to expand our territory in New Mexico, we were excited about the changes to come.
Yet, many people responded to the news by asking, “New Mexico? Why New Mexico?,” as if we were about to do something strange or frightening, or both.
Check out the featured image above. It didn’t seem to matter to them that the city we were moving to looks like this.
Blue skies, most every day, day after day.
Nor did it matter that from our future Southern New Mexico home we might have a view like this one:
Well, from at least one of the rooms, depending on how far out of the city we ended up finding a place.
Not even hearing that the cost of living in New Mexico is way lower than New York and that we would never-have-to-shovel-snow-again-in-life moved this crew toward a show of support. (And after the northeastern snows of last winter, that’s saying something.)
Nothing seemed to impress these people.
Instead, comments designed to discourage came fast and furious:
“Are you sure you’ll like it?“
“Don’t they have scorpions?“
“Don’t they have snakes?“
“It’s real hot there!”
And my personal favorite:
“Are there any black people there? You’ll be the ONLY ONES!“
Hmmm. Opposition and hysteria.
Isn’t that what you come up against anytime you get ready to step out into something that is new and unusual? If what you want isn’t a part of someone else’s plan for their own life, they don’t think it should be a part of yours either.
So what should you do about changing their attitude?
Absolutely nothing at all. But you must keep them from infecting yours.
If your heart is calling you away to far away places, more than anything, you’re excited. And your number one job is to stay excited.
Doing that can be more difficult when you haven’t come this way before and the details of your transition are so uncertain.
When all around you, people are doing and saying crazy stuff.
5 GUIDELINES to GEOGRAPHIC FREEDOM
Following the five basic guidelines discovered while making our transition will help you, too, to stay on course no matter what they throw your way. Here they are, in order, to aid in your journey to geographic freedom:
1) Expand your territory. (This post’s challenge to you.)
2) Be anti-social when making new friends.
3) Never let your past limit your future.
4) Brave new worlds, ditch “the usual suspects.”
5) Choose a location that fits since this is all about you.
We’ll touch on the experiences of others as well as my own in the discussion of each topic. Would love to add your experience to the mix, so do tell . . .
This is so funny, I know I when I first read it I was one of those people thinking some of the things you listed but now I have a new understanding for New Mexico:-)
Monique
Glad to be a part of your “reformation”, Monique –
It really is beautiful out in New Mex. Do make some time for coming out here as soon as you can!
You are correct when you said “If what you want isn’t a part of someone else’s plan for their own life, they don’t think it should be a part of yours either.” Unfortunately that’s the problem in some relationships. You want to grow, stretch, experience something new and they want to stick to what is familiar – but you want to ‘upset’ the apple cart. There’s a great book on this subject told in the form of a parable by Bruce Wilkinson called “The Dream Giver”. I love it!
Hey,Terry,
I’ve only read a portion of The Dream Giver, but in that excellent little bit, I did see the character named “Ordinary” taking his first steps toward living an extraordinary life. Sweet.
Does “Ordinary”, in fact, end up with the name “Extraordinary”?
Yes, some folks do want to stand still or just tread water – keep things the way they are – but we must grow and stretch to be healthy- emotionally, mentally, spiritually, as well as physically. Otherwise, atrophy sets in.
“Upset” the apple cart? My preference is to kick the whole thing over, but for the sake preserving a truly loving relationship, I could see removing one apple at a time!
Ahhh, I can’t reveal what happens to Ordinary…you have to read his tale for yourself! 🙂
You’re on!
Won’t get to it right away – other reading underway – but once I do, let’s compare notes.
In the meantime, here’s a recommendation for you that is about living remarkably with no regrets: In the Pit with a Lion on a Snowy Day: How to Survive and Thrive When Opportunity Roars by Mark Batterson.