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Keeping the Flame Alive
Submitted by: Marie
EuropeMother, teacher, and now, new migrant. I had to let go of my old dreams and goals to let a new, much bigger life unfold.
I have posted a story to this website before about how my dreams of world travel became possible by believing and focusing on the places I wanted to visit. Several years on, and another seemingly impossible dream has come true for me.
Almost eight years ago now I had an accident which left me in a lot of pain and made it very difficult to work in the profession I had loved. I had to let go of so many of my dreams. I felt crushed and my whole life changed. I went through some very difficult times and could not earn the salary I was used to, so as a single parent it was a struggle.
Then, one day, after I had helped a new migrant to my country, I had the opportunity out of the blue to travel to their country for free. I really fell in love with the beautiful old cities, the culture and the food of this lovely European country. I felt determined that one day I wanted to live and work there too. Being there had ignited a small flame within me, and even though it took some years to fulfill, the light never went out because I kept my flame steadily burning in my dreams and visions.
Many people told me it would be too difficult, that my health was not good enough, that my language skills were not good enough and that it would be too tough to emigrate at my time of life. Yes, there were so many challenges to overcome and many tests along the way. So many times I felt like giving up, but I just held my flame quietly burning of one day living and working in my dream country.
I held a steady vision of myself teaching Business English in a big company there and earning a good salary. To reach my goal I had to become qualified in this specialist area and many people told me how tough the training courses would be, especially for someone with a minor disability. It took time to find the financial means to take the courses, but through a series of chance meetings with the right people at the right times, I felt like I was being guided and encouraged along the way. Every time I was about to give up, something or someone would come into my life and open another door for me, that is just how it felt.
So now here I am, living in my dream country on the other side of the world, and not long after I arrived I was offered a job in a big company here teaching Business English.
The company classrooms look exactly like the ones I saw in my vision, and I am really enjoying finally living my dream.
Even when people tell you it’s too hard and impossible, don’t give up! Keep the vision of where you want to be and what you want to do steady in your mind even through the darkest times, like a candle flame which never goes out.