I had never really thought of going to Australia before. I didn't know much about it and I was fascinated more with ancient cultures and ruins. When I was in college, some of the girls had talked about taking schooling and working there. I never thought much of it. Then my instructor mentioned that it is easy for Canadian massage therapists to get a job there. That is when I began planning a future in Australia. I had originally thought about going there later in life, after I had worked in massage more and gained more experience. It seemed more like a pipe dream than an actual reality. I was never really sure I would even get to the point where I was ready to move there.
This year was the biggest influence in my decision to move there, and sooner rather than later. In January, I went to a workshop that focused on what 2012 was to bring and do some goal setting. We discussed that 2012 is the year of the black water dragon in the Chinese calender and this meant that the year was full of change and uncertainty. I have found this to be true, whether as a result of my knowledge of this or the influence of the year of the dragon. I have personally gone through a lot of change, uncertainty and growth. This year I have really developed and gotten into my yoga practice, changing my body and mind through flexibility and strength. I have given up eating meat, improving my overall well-being. I have also explored and come into my spirituality which has helped to give me joy and fulfilment in life. I have also gone through a lot of uncertainty with what I want in life, my relationships and my career. I spent a good solid month reflecting on all of this and made the decisions necessary and everything worked out and fell into place. The biggest decision of these to be leaving my amazing job, wonderful clients and loving family to follow my heart and dreams.
Also, after going to Mexico in March, I felt the need to travel again. This feeling was not satisfied by compromises to move to another place in Canada, it needed a bigger move. When I looked at and considered Australia, it felt right. I had gone for a tarot reading in hopes to get some direction in life because I didn't know my next step. My reading was very positive. She told me I would be travelling somewhere hot and sunny and that no matter where I did end up going, everything was going to work out and anything I needed would be provided. I truly believed that this message from the universe gave me the courage to start the process of moving to Australia. I feel no fear or apprehension with this journey, I trust the universe and I believe this is what I need to do.
I have been blessed that my wonderful and supportive boyfriend is willingly coming along on this adventure with me. I was honestly expecting this to be the end of our relationship as it was because we had different goals in life, and I was saddened by this but accepted it. He surprised me completely when he told me he was just as uncertain about his future as I was and of his own will, chose to join me. Our reasons for the this journey are the same, we just came to it by different conclusions.
The amount of support I have gotten with this journey really makes my heart happy. My parents have been so supportive and excited even though I know the thought of me on the other side of the world worries them. My friends and clients have also been extremely encouraging of this, always telling me to "go for it" and "now is best time to do it". I know my clients have mixed feelings on this because it means that I am no longer able to treat them but their supportive responses are such a gift.
My ultimate goal with this trip to Australia is to challenge myself to live in the moment, accept each day as it comes, not to worry and to gain a life changing experience. I am taking the time to focus on me and better myself as a person. I want to work in an orchard and pick fruit to be able to spend more time outside in the sun shine. I am really wanting to reconnect with nature, something I feel that gets so easily lost in our day to day life. I am actually quite surprised by my planning, or should I say lack of planning with this trip. I am normally the type to plan everything down to the last minute but with this, I want see what happens and make my decisions from day to day.
Step one of this journey has been completed. I have my flights booked and I am landing in Sydney on Jan 23. I have been selling off most of my stuff, which by the way has been a wonderful purge, and I am moving in with my parents to save money for the next 3 months before I leave. My brother is willing to share some backpacking gear with me which will be a huge help. Everything is falling into place and I trust it will all work out as it needs to.
