I’ve started three female communities here in Paris (w/ 8-9 women each) and I’ll be adding a 4th.
We need friends, yes, but also, as we’ve all shared with one another, we want connection points that are deep(er) or more meaningful as we traverse the change of country *and* the myriad of changes we’re going through. It’s rediscovery day every day…
I call each of the groups a life quest group.
Expat or not, we’re all on a life quest — whether we call it that or not.
We’re always looking to BE more of this, or DO/GROW more of that or are just simply going through the birth or death of SOMETHING. Neither are easy.
What I got clear on about 12 years ago is that if I chose the challenges I wanted to experience in life, I was stronger both emotionally & physically to handle **the challenges that came chosen for me by life itself.**
What I share w/clients: “Choose your challenges and you’ll suffer less at the hands of the challenges that come chosen for you by life.”
It’s helped SO much. Moving abroad is the latest life quest / chosen challenge (wondering if my next visa will be approved on the daily ~> chosen challenge!).
Starting a business here and starting these communities are that, too, because putting yourself out there in any way is a chosen challenge.
The last 12 years, whether I’ve been climbing a mountain or jumping out of a plane or only drinking water on a spiritual quest for four days on another mountain (or whatever else I’ve loved doing under the ‘chosen challenge’ umbrella), choosing my own hard moments has helped fortify my roots to withstand more of the wind (increasing creativity, too).
For the tough things happening, take this approach. Think of it as [another] chosen challenge or life quest and that knowledge alone can make the blood, sweat and tears move through you more easily…
Know that you CAN control the mental part — think of it all as your training ~ as purposeful pain. It might just lighten your load!
To the best of the rest of your life!