Tag: challenge yourself

Posted in Alternative Lifestyle, Colombia, expat life, Uncategorized, Villa Migelita Ecolodge

Considering a move to another country? Colombia has been wonderful for me.

Posted on by hummingsfromparadise

If you could live anywhere in the world, where would it be?

I have been there, and I have done that.  I decided to move to South America in 2011 and don’t regret my impulsive decision. I encourage anyone considering moving to a new country to do so.
I enjoy this beautiful life I have created, and my days are always interesting, never dull, and filled with happiness and friendship. This may sound over the top to some, but I write my truth.

I don’t want to simplify my move because learning a new culture and language requires much work and perseverance, as I have written in my past blogs. However, I did it, and I am reaping the rewards every single day. I wake up to a beautiful view, go to bed with the lights of Cali, Colombia, in the distance, listen to birds singing all day, and sleep without needing heat or air conditioning.

I opened my hotel in 2015, and it is successful now. You must plan for your future in advance and be able to adapt to changing situations. When I bought my Villa in 2012, I had the idea of a hotel. It slowly gained customers, and I am always busy and occupied. My family and friends came here to see me. I have no desire to return to live in the United States.

I read a lot about those who want to relocate during these uncertain times in the United States. It can be done. I am a testament to that. The funny thing is, life is similar to where I once lived, to how I live now in my small town in the countryside of Colombia. I have a lot of friends, and they always return once they visit the beautiful resort I have created.

My days go by fast, and my life seems to go by too fast as I get older. I want to cling to my life like a life preserver, to enjoy every second of every single day. I always envisioned a time when I would be retired. I thought it would be days to do whatever I wanted without stress. What I have found is very close to that vision. I do what I want, but I am always energized.

Being one of a few foreigners in my area of Colombia gives me a reason to practice my Spanish and allows those who engage with me to practice their English. I always go to the bank or a store and have someone come over to chat with me. They always ask where I am from. I love to reply; I am from Colombia now. The Colombian people are the most engaging people; I am so grateful for that. I always have a business card because everyone is intrigued by my story. I love to explain that I am applying for citizenship now. Colombians love that for me.

Amazingly, my story still surprises me, and I am proud of my accomplishments. I have a life that many would yearn for. If you are considering moving to another country, please write a question for me in the comments. I will answer any questions that you may have.

Posted in Uncategorized

The Unpopular Move

Posted on by hummingsfromparadise

<a href=”https://dailypost.wordpress.com/prompts/unpopular/”>Unpopular</a&gt;

A problem that many take part in which can be easily rectified is bending to what appears to be the popular choice of what is societal standards.  Communal standards are established by following the crowd; of which many engage in. I gave in to that lifestyle when married to both of my husbands. I was always so worried about what others thought of me. However, to be content in life we need to let go of what we think our life is supposed to be based on societal standards, and look inside ourselves for how life should be based on our own approach. We have the power inside ourselves to find our destiny. Not completely of course, but at least to a certain extent. We must challenge ourselves. It is that simple.

When I moved to Colombia, I surprised many people, but more than that they were judgmental. I found myself more alone than ever before in my life, which is interesting when you delve into this subject. Why do so many people feel they have a say in someone’s decisions in life? Is this societal behavior or something else? Here I was bereft from a horrible divorce and loss of a child, yearning for change, but I encountered really bad reactions to my decision. They were subtle, but definitely there. I had friends of many years ignore my emails I would write from Colombia telling them of my adventures and happiness. People who were like family to me. They just didn’t answer me. It was hurtful. They judged me, even when they knew what I had gone through for almost three years. That is the most interesting part of my unpopular move. They knew if I had stayed and found a house in Florida, my life would not have changed, it would have remained the same. It would have been a continuation of the hell I had gone through. Yet, they felt that was the best way for me to live my life?

I based my decision to move on many factors, but the most important one was I needed to find me again. I could have stayed in Florida and done nothing to better my lifestyle, and conformed to others opinions or move to a new country and follow my dream of opening up a bed and breakfast. A dream that had not really taken shape, but it was there inside of me, deep inside with a solid foundation of anticipation. I had to remind myself of this over and over during the past years. I did not want mediocrity, a life waiting for others to change while I stood by and watched. I wanted to live. I had learned in a very hard way life is short when my daughter was murdered. I knew that I no longer could stand by and wait for others to come to my way of thinking. I just did what I needed to do for me. It didn’t fit in to others thought processes. I understand that. I really took a wild leap into the unknown. But it was my wild leap, just a short 3 and 1/2 hour flight from where I used to live. If I had moved back to Newport, Rhode Island where I lived when I married my first husband I imagine it would have been more acceptable, and a lot farther away. It would take me twice the time to get there from South Florida, then coming from South America. But it was acceptable to the standards of those who felt for some unknown reason they should have a say in what I should do for my future life. I image that moving with a guy who was younger than me also played into the detriment surrounding my move also.

Now here I am in Colombia which just made the list of Forbes Coolest Places to Visit for 2016. I have been in two articles, one in Yahoo Finance and the other in International Living Incomes Abroad and my Bed and Breakfast called Villa Migelita is open and running. I have regular guests and am meeting new people who have enriched my life. I have learned Spanish. I have continued my dream without worry of others opinions nor suggestions. My unpopular move has turned out to be just the thing I needed to do, not only for myself, but for troubled relationships with those people in my life who were wounded during a very difficult time. I have found that time and patience brought me what I needed to heal. I stopped thinking about what could go wrong, and started thinking about all the things that could go right. Is my future certain? No. Of course not, we can never have a perfect life. I understand that from my past. I just know I have made the best out of a situation that was going in the wrong direction, and I am happy I did. It has turned out well for me, and for that I am grateful. I will never know what the future will bring to me, but I am making the best out of my present moments. That is all we can do in this life, make the most of what is given to us, and then move forward from there.