I'm about to start on a new journey, a new path and a new opportunity.
I've moved from my childhood home in country Victoria to the big smoke of Melbourne to finish my course. Settling into Melbourne has been interesting to say the least, and it has definitely been a busy time. But amongst the seemingly chaotic past few weeks I've been reflecting on why I've moved, the 'moving' process and the implications it will have for me in the future.
What does this all mean? Have I simply chosen a turn in the same road or am I on a completely different highway?
Richard Rhor says, 'What isn't transformed is transferred'. In other words, whatever experiences you don't learn from now, you're bound to end up going through it again and again until you do.
I love and hate this quote at the same time; because it holds so much truth. I'm hurt by the realization of what my life is – a lot of repeats and unlearned lessons repeating over and over like a broken record. Yet, I love it because it reminds me that by acknowledging the past and reflecting on lessons learnt God can help me to transform from these experiences.
It's a bit like Einstein's definition of insanity: 'Doing the same thing over and over again and expecting different results'. We can't expect a new journey or a newopportunity to fix everything. Our behavior and thought patterns will simply repeat themselves in the new situation – until we have the courage to address our challenges.
So why do I want, like so many others, to move on, to try something new, or to have a go at my life's dream? It often seems that when something gets too hard society screams out 'Just quit and do something new!' I don't feel this is the answer, and certainly not one that will produce lasting character.
But in this instance, my move to Melbourne, I don't think I'm making a rash decision. I have genuinely felt God's call to move and in the many other situations we find ourselves in, we would also probably come to the conclusion we are leaving for the right reasons. But are we?
I often lie awake pondering this and here are some reflections on my ongoing journey.
Each experience has its own culture/perspective
With every new experience comes a new culture, a new set of people, a new landscape and a new perspective on life.
We all have lenses through which we see the world and whether they are rose-tinted or not, they are our own shade. So, with each different experience, it's like putting on a new pair of sunnies – we see everything a bit differently. It might just be a new pair with the same lenses, but a new piece of glass is a lot clearer!
Each move brings clarity
Moving on reveals which issues are the results of a certain context and which issues are about you personally.
It can be an awful thing to realise, but if you're anything like me, you start to discover that there is a LOT that we carry around. Moving on provides a way to discern what has been a challenge with the last place, or something problematic you're holding onto.
'The only source of knowledge is experience'
Another Einstein quote, but I think it's so true! The hardest and most valuable lessons that I've learnt to date have all been through experience.
Lessons learnt through what I've read, what I've been told or what I have concluded are often questioned and discarded in the face of – you guessed it – experience! I don't think there's anything that changes our minds so quickly as an experience that contradicts what we think about something.
Where are you heading?
So, with this in mind, where are we all heading? What I'm thinking so far is this: new experiences won't only help us to better identify and fix our own personal challenges; they may also give us a new perspective to see and understand the world.
As a mechanic, I've found one of the quickest ways to stuff a job up is to think you are the only person who knows how to fix it. Getting God's ideas and input into our lives, and suggestions from others usually results in either a quicker or simpler solution to the problem.
So here's to Melbourne and all the adventures that it entails – Cheers!
Michael Enderby is currently an Intern with SU Victoria in their schools program, while studying a Diploma of Youth Work with Praxis Victoria. He has a heart and a passion for walking alongside youth and helping them realise their potential. He resides in the Eastern suburbs of Melbourne. Michael Enderby's personal blog is here http://www.scot262wh.wordpress.com
His previous articles are at http://www.pressserviceinternational.org/michael-enderby.html
