San Francisco, California
With my sabbatical wrapping up, I’ve been reflecting a lot on the last eight months, and I’m overwhelmed with gratitude. Gratitude for all the amazing experiences I’ve had. Gratitude for all the incredible sights I’ve seen. Gratitude for all the delicious food I’ve sampled. Gratitude for fulfilling a dream of volunteering with an amazing nonprofit. Gratitude for the opportunity to live overseas again. Gratitude for landing a dream job afterwards. And most importantly, gratitude for all the incredible people, new friends and old, that helped make this such a special and memorable experience. I’m truly blessed.
2013 started off a little rough for me. A relationship ended; I was going to be out of a job; I was being kicked out of my apartment (because of the landlord was filing for bankruptcy); I didn’t get a job that I thought I really wanted (but knew in my gut wasn’t right). The universe could not have been sending any clearer sign that it was time to pack up and go.
So I took the opportunity of having literally zero commitments to fulfill a longtime dream of taking a sabbatical. It took some courage, and it certainly required a leap of faith that the finances would be there to carry me through and that I’d be able to find a good job when I returned. But I’m a bigger believer that you shouldn’t avoid doing something just because it’s scary or difficult. Big risks, big gains, right? And I trust my gut, and my gut was telling me to go for it.
And so I did. And I’m infinitely glad I did. It has been by far the most enriching experience of my life, and I will always cherish the wonderful memories. I started making a list of all cool moments I had to remind myself how much I have to be grateful for, but I think pictures tell a better story. 2013 is a good year, and I’m very grateful!
One Girl's Wanderlust Adventures 
I think it’s wonderful that you took time for a gratitude session–you have much to be grateful for! Your experiences with Kiva, all of your traveling and the sights you have seen and new friends made, your SAFETY, plus a wonderful new job that you are looking forward to! I’d say that’s a lot to be grateful for! Good luck in your new job in San Francisco–I’ll be looking forward to hearing about it when I see you!