I lived in Ukraine for quite a while. This experience has given me a different perspective, so I’ve decided to write down my thoughts on this trip today.
- The power of accepting change:
No matter it’s an official seasonal change or not, there are cycles and seasons within our lives. Nobody can hold on to one kind of season simply because they love it more, hoping to stop the other seasons from coming around. Whether on a seasonal, personal or global level, acceptance of change clearly allows life to flow more naturally, bringing new joys and seasons, ones you and I may never have imagined before.
Every successful person that I know values their time most. Reminding yourself of your mortality only gives you wisdom – realizing that there was so much you intended to do, yet now time can run out. Therefore, get on with it now. You must make the most of living. Bravely face your unavoidable death. You are probably not going to be the first immortal person on this planet. Just be grateful for your life and your ability to make choices in your own life.
- The worst is now behind
After studying and living in Ukraine for a year, I have healed from the pain and I have realized that the storm has passed already. Although there is still cleaning up to do after the ugly storm, things to put in place, I realize that now I have the strength and clarity to live well. If needed, help will come for the cleanup. I always stay open to that possibility.
I need times of surrender and rest in order to experience my feelings and allow them out. Growth happens during these miraculous times. A beautiful morning can’t be noticed and savored without the comparison of storms and darkness.
Every day brings the opportunity to absorb and appreciate the newness of the morning to realize that I am ready to move forward. This gives me renewal and hope. A new day has come.
Now it’s all about letting go of the need for total control. I acknowledge the fact that I never have complete control of my life. Flexibility is the key to a satisfying life. This is the most important lesson that I’ve learned while living in Ukraine.
Whenever I remain flexible and open to change, I embrace new opportunities more easily. It is said that no outcome is guaranteed, except for change and death.
Therefore, though routine may serve me well to some extent, I should be okay with flexibility and change.
Since now I work on the Internet, I don’t have to go to the office every day (I work on my own computer). I enjoy managing my own time every single day. Sometimes I have a day off midweek, catch up with friends in Ukraine for brunch instead of dinner and go to see a movie all by myself. These are all forms of being flexible and letting go, which is very important to my health and wellbeing.
Flexibility brings pleasures and surprises that could only come about by not being too rigid. Hence, if you plan to do your usual thing over the next couple of weeks, see whether you are able to loosen things up to some degree. Ask yourself when else you may do it, and then choose something very different to do instead. Alternatively, don’t even choose anything; just go out for a walk and see how the time unfolds without any routine, rigidity and control. Sometimes you will find something extremely valuable in this process. For example, Darren Hayes figured out most of his songs while walking around in the street (he usually came up with the melody before writing lyrics, and that’s why a lot of his songs have a walking tempo).
“Traveling to Eastern Europe means daring to step out of self-imposed conformity – this brings rewards and pleasure.”
