On Fear

People in New York and in Beijing tell me they'd be scared to quit their job, give up their apartment and move to the other side of the world. They say it as if I wasn't. As if I'm not.

I am scared of what I've done, of what I'm doing.

However, if I never did things that scared me I'd rarely get out of bed in the morning.

I'm scared to be starting my life all over in a new city, a new country, a new culture, somewhere where I don't speak the language.

But, I also know that I would have been dreadfully unhappy to stay in New York and not be living the life I want to live. I love New York, and I can go back. I love my friends there, but they will still be my friends no matter where I am in the world. It is far better for me to be far away and happy, exploring a new country and culture and learning new things every day than for me to have stayed in New York and feel like I am mentally stifled.

Yes, I'm scared. I'm also exhilarated by the life that I am living and grateful that I am one of the lucky people in this world who can make the choice to do what I have done.