Last night, I sat in the Street Bean in Seattle, reflecting on what seemed like a past life. In 2006 and 2007, I was your regular Seattleite. I lived a Greenlake, worked for “the man”, and hung out with friends in Belltown. I cared about money, retirement, and being heard. I worked 60 hours a week, had an engineer’s dream job, and drank way too much coffee.
Now, I’m your regular transient nomad. I live out of a van, work with my friends, and hang out with anyone I meet along the way. I care about valuing people, being present, and speaking for those who aren’t heard. I work 24/7, live out my dreams, and still drink way too much coffee.
It’s odd coming back to see the people who “knew you when”. They know the person you were and see the person you are, but have no connective thread between the two people. I’m not the same person I once was.
Sometimes people ask me if I’ll ever go back. The answer is, I can’t. I’ve seen the individuals living in poverty as mothers and daughters and fathers and brothers, and that changes everything. Their story changes everything.
Maybe you resonate with this, and if so, share your story so that others can see that in stepping out, they aren’t alone. If you think this all sounds crazy, you’re probably right. But, I challenge you to find the thing that turns your world upside-down, the story you can’t stop telling, and let it change you. It may not be easy, but I promise you it’s worthwhile.
Looking forward to hearing your stories,
Tiff