March 31, 2013
Once you start recognizing the truth of your story, finish the story. It happened but you're still here, you're still capable, powerful, you're not your circumstance. It happened and you made it through. You're still fully equipped with every single tool you need to fulfill your purpose.
Steve Maraboli
Wow did this inspirational quote in today's email hit home. I just arrived back in Costa Rica to finish the TEFL program I started last November. As most know, my husband of 25 years had asked me for a divorce the end of September, first part of October. Yes, I was paying attention! It is just that it was not real clear exactly when straight out divorce was mentioned rather than seperation. He came for a visit the middle of October and that is pretty much when he decided it was over. I'm not going into the gory details as at this point, I really have moved on quite abit from that and don't want that to be the focus of this blog. I have to warn you though, it will be a factor mentioned periodically in this blog. After all, if he hadn't done that, I wouldn't be here in Costa Rica.
So after his brief and surprising announcement, I got this crazy idea to look into teaching TEFL (Teaching English as a Foreign Language). I had read about it years before and always thought it sounded interesting. Also years ago I was on a plane seated beside a woman who was in the process of moving to Costa Rica to be with her fiance. I thought that sounded exoctic and exciting. So what better place to be trained in TEFL than Costa Rica. And yes, I was totally trying to run away from my problems. But if you are going to do that, Costa Rica is a pretty nice place to run to.
Within about 2 weeks of hubbys announcement, I had found and signed up for a TEFL training course in Costa Rica, bought a plane ticket, gotten immunizations and was ready for my new life. Ha ha, not so fast there sister! While loved the TEFL program, the country, the people, my host family and all the change. There was a problem. Namely the TEFL program, the country, my host family and all the change.
I just wasn't ready yet. I hadn't come to any kind of terms with myself about the divorce and I threw myself into learning a new proffession, learning at least some Spanish, dealing with a totally new culture, a totally new language, living with a family that did not speak any English and to top it all off. I didn't have very many options to connect to my support system back home. I did not buy an international phone plan. I could only text on FB and send and receive emails when I was at my school.
I eventually literally "panicked". I had a few anxiety attacks, became suicidal and totally distraught. So I called my oldest daughter, Jen, and begged her to call the airlines and get my ticket changes. I was back home in 9 days. So much for my great defiant adventure.
However, as I tried to get a paralegal job back home, even with over 20 years experience, I could not for the life of me, find a job. Not even a temporary one. God kept directing me that I was meant to go to Costa Rica. I argued a bit with God. Been there, done that! I actually did get the t-shirt too. But God or the universe or whatever you want to believe, directed me back to TEFL and Costa Rica. I called the school where I started the program, Maximo Nivel. They assured me that if I came back to the program within 6 months, I would not lose any money and would be able to start the program again. Wow!!! Thanks God.
I wasn't quite sure how I would do with studies though and being out of country again for a month, away from my support people, my friends and family. No problem, they had a hybrid program. I could do my first two weeks at home and then go to Costa Rica for my last two weeks. Perfect! Sign me up! And they did! And I did! I completed my first two weeks in the comfort of my Colorado apartment. I got encouraging and positive feedback from my TEFL instructor who I Skyped with to go over the homework I did. I still hadn't found a job so yes, God is definitely wanting me to go back to Costa Rica.
At this point you should read today's inspirational quote again. Now you understand. I have to finish this story. The pre-story, the husband leaving, happened. But yes, I am still here. I am still powerful. I am not my circumstance. I made it through it and I have the tools to fulfill my purpose!
So here I am! I am going to finish the story. Hopefully it will have a happy, magical, fairy tale like ending. Maybe I will find the man I am truly meant to be with here. That would be great but to tell you the truth, I have learned that my story is within me. It has other characters in it but I am the main character. I control my life, I control my happiness, I control my destiny.
Look out Costa Rica, here I am!
Once you start recognizing the truth of your story, finish the story. It happened but you're still here, you're still capable, powerful, you're not your circumstance. It happened and you made it through. You're still fully equipped with every single tool you need to fulfill your purpose.
Steve Maraboli
Wow did this inspirational quote in today's email hit home. I just arrived back in Costa Rica to finish the TEFL program I started last November. As most know, my husband of 25 years had asked me for a divorce the end of September, first part of October. Yes, I was paying attention! It is just that it was not real clear exactly when straight out divorce was mentioned rather than seperation. He came for a visit the middle of October and that is pretty much when he decided it was over. I'm not going into the gory details as at this point, I really have moved on quite abit from that and don't want that to be the focus of this blog. I have to warn you though, it will be a factor mentioned periodically in this blog. After all, if he hadn't done that, I wouldn't be here in Costa Rica.
So after his brief and surprising announcement, I got this crazy idea to look into teaching TEFL (Teaching English as a Foreign Language). I had read about it years before and always thought it sounded interesting. Also years ago I was on a plane seated beside a woman who was in the process of moving to Costa Rica to be with her fiance. I thought that sounded exoctic and exciting. So what better place to be trained in TEFL than Costa Rica. And yes, I was totally trying to run away from my problems. But if you are going to do that, Costa Rica is a pretty nice place to run to.
Within about 2 weeks of hubbys announcement, I had found and signed up for a TEFL training course in Costa Rica, bought a plane ticket, gotten immunizations and was ready for my new life. Ha ha, not so fast there sister! While loved the TEFL program, the country, the people, my host family and all the change. There was a problem. Namely the TEFL program, the country, my host family and all the change.
I just wasn't ready yet. I hadn't come to any kind of terms with myself about the divorce and I threw myself into learning a new proffession, learning at least some Spanish, dealing with a totally new culture, a totally new language, living with a family that did not speak any English and to top it all off. I didn't have very many options to connect to my support system back home. I did not buy an international phone plan. I could only text on FB and send and receive emails when I was at my school.
I eventually literally "panicked". I had a few anxiety attacks, became suicidal and totally distraught. So I called my oldest daughter, Jen, and begged her to call the airlines and get my ticket changes. I was back home in 9 days. So much for my great defiant adventure.
However, as I tried to get a paralegal job back home, even with over 20 years experience, I could not for the life of me, find a job. Not even a temporary one. God kept directing me that I was meant to go to Costa Rica. I argued a bit with God. Been there, done that! I actually did get the t-shirt too. But God or the universe or whatever you want to believe, directed me back to TEFL and Costa Rica. I called the school where I started the program, Maximo Nivel. They assured me that if I came back to the program within 6 months, I would not lose any money and would be able to start the program again. Wow!!! Thanks God.
I wasn't quite sure how I would do with studies though and being out of country again for a month, away from my support people, my friends and family. No problem, they had a hybrid program. I could do my first two weeks at home and then go to Costa Rica for my last two weeks. Perfect! Sign me up! And they did! And I did! I completed my first two weeks in the comfort of my Colorado apartment. I got encouraging and positive feedback from my TEFL instructor who I Skyped with to go over the homework I did. I still hadn't found a job so yes, God is definitely wanting me to go back to Costa Rica.
At this point you should read today's inspirational quote again. Now you understand. I have to finish this story. The pre-story, the husband leaving, happened. But yes, I am still here. I am still powerful. I am not my circumstance. I made it through it and I have the tools to fulfill my purpose!
So here I am! I am going to finish the story. Hopefully it will have a happy, magical, fairy tale like ending. Maybe I will find the man I am truly meant to be with here. That would be great but to tell you the truth, I have learned that my story is within me. It has other characters in it but I am the main character. I control my life, I control my happiness, I control my destiny.
Look out Costa Rica, here I am!
