Decisions, Gratitude and Orange Juice

Most days life is filled with the same mundane tasks. I wake up, I shower, I get dressed, I make fresh squeezed orange juice, I go to work, I complain about work, I complain about Rome, I go home, I drink wine, I do it all over again. Now admittedly I have probably made my life sound much worse than it actually is. I enjoy my fresh squeezed orange juice very much. And lately I have really and truly been enjoying my social life in Rome.

I have made the mental decision to leave my current job this December. While I will still work with my team remotely for a bit, I have no intention of returning. Many people at work laugh every time I say I’m leaving. They do not believe me and they fully expect to see me back in my office in January. But I have made a decision to walk away from my current role and look for other opportunities. In this economy people think that I am foolish to walk away from a job, but I have always done things that others would perceive as irrational so what makes this any different.

I am not sure where I am going or when I will get there, but I know that I am at peace with my decision and I am actively searching for my next adventure. In the meantime I will have more time for blogging, traveling, hanging with friends and being grateful for all that life has to offer.

Thanks to a dear friend from college, I have been writing gratitude lists on and off for four years now and it really helps to put things in perspective. Just to give you an idea, I have included today’s gratitude list below. It is a great practice that helps to keep me grounded and to remind myself that even when I am unhappy I have a lot to be thankful for. Have a great week.

I am grateful for the great friendships that I have created here in Rome.
I am grateful for fun casual nights full of laughs and interesting conversations.
I am grateful for the strength of K through these trying times.
I am grateful for the spirit of children. It is nice to hang out with kids sometimes. I love seeing the world through their eyes.
I am grateful for solitude.
I am grateful for music.
I am grateful for M. We proved yesterday that no matter how long we go without talking we can pick up right where we left off.
I am grateful for finding a fellowship opportunity that aligns with my interests, experience and geographic preferences!
I am grateful for life.