A couple three people actually know the behind-the-scenes details in my life. Close friends. A few family members. Half a handful of colleagues (2.5?).
I thought I might catch you up, if you care to know. Here’s a glimpse of what has been going on recently in the #lifeofGreg.
I had a pretty sweet gig working from home for a Fortune 100 company right out of college, thanks to the world’s greatest recruiter (love you Bruce) and a firm handshake. I got to keep my long hair. I met some amazing people from all over the world (seriously). I visited New York City. I got to drive a nice car. I ate several red steaks. I bought a camper. I learned from one of the best in the field. Things seemed great–the problem was, most of my days were spent completely alone, doing paperwork. Unexpectedly, what had initially felt like freedom started to feel like chains. Weekdays bled into weekends. There was no closing time. Social stuff was falling into the shadows of closing reports (using a frustrating system, which will undoubtedly improve over time…because it has to).
I felt the corporate world for the first time, from my dining-room-table-turned-desk, on a corner in Mt. Pleasant. I hope it wasn’t the last taste of it; I just wasn’t ready.
I could have adapted better. I could have made some concessions in a few places where I chose not to, and fallen in line with the “give and take” and the “win some/lose some” mentality. I loved the engineering portion of the job; I miss that regularly. But, the solitude was killing me. There was an assortment of options I could have sought out to improve the situation; instead, I chose to take a break to examine my life. This move was not made on a whim. I didn’t leave for another job or a better company. I didn’t leave because of any person at work. I didn’t leave because I was relocating to Alabama. I didn’t leave because I prefer driving my broken truck or eating oatmeal.
I left because I needed some time to evaluate what I want out of my days.
Prior to leaving my job, I had decided to go meet my friend Joe in Liberia. We are friends, but we’ve never met. Joe lives in an orphanage. I get to sponsor him through an organization called Standing Side by Side (Phil. 1:27). I get to send some money that helps with important things like food and clothes. I also send him letters and pictures a few times each year. I have a feeling these things encourage Joe, and I thought a hug and a handshake might also be an encouragement.
I had also committed to spending some time in Puerto Rico (my home away from home) with some awesome men I have had the joy of knowing for the past 3-4 years. These three are now in college, which is ridiculous to think about. They decided they want to share some love in the place they had heard me talk about nonstop, so we will go. Whatever is laid out in front of us, that’s what we will do. Construction. Cleaning. Painting. Feeding people. Basketball. Cooking…not cooking. Home repairs. Camp help. All is fair game (excited to see you Matt).
At first, I was trying to make less of these two opportunities. Time-wise: I was trying to condense them. I thought I was about to fire up my job search, but these two trips would be a hurdle. You definitely leave an impression when you mention that you would need extended time off, early on, in an interview for a job you may or may not be qualified for; that impression is not a good one. I wasn’t going to cancel either trip. After a few days of thought, I decided to make as much of these two opportunities as possible, before searching for other opportunities.
I made flight changes to allow backpacking time in Europe prior to visiting with Joe in Liberia. I’ll be traveling fluidly. I hope to find some people I can encourage as well as good work to be done. I want to meet people and maintain contact. I’ll mainly be in hostels and homes, with friends of friends, and complete strangers. I also made arrangements to extend my stay in Puerto Rico, allowing me to help out down there where needed during a time of transition that is underway.
So, last night I packed up a suitcase with flip flops, toothpaste and toothbrushes, and NEW clothing that was collected to bring to the kids we will be hanging with in Liberia. I’m hoping to gather a few jump ropes and soccer balls today. I’ll start packing a few things for me, and pretty soon I’ll be looking out another airplane window.
A few people asked me what monuments I will visit in Europe. I don’t even know exactly what countries, never mind cities, never mind monuments, I will visit. Also, are there monuments over there?
I’m sure I will see some beautiful, historical, eye-pleasing stuff, but I’m more interested in the people. I hope some strangers will have a coffee with me, and just talk. I’m all about the stories. Listening, and sharing.
I want to experience the different cultures and different regions while taking in the landscapes. I don’t want to be one of the people that makes the claim that they want to experience the culture, then never makes any move to actually experience the culture. I’ll see the sites, but I want to see the smiles, the needs, the families, the frustrations, and all the emotions of the people I meet. I’ll hear the bustling of the city streets, but I want to hear the laughter and the stories of the people I encounter. I want to see how people live, apart from the “American Dream.”
Excited to begin this adventure. Ready to soak it all in, and pour myself out. Need to begin packing… I don’t know what tomorrow holds, or what August holds following this adventure, but I know the One who does.
If you decide you’d like to contribute to the coffee fund, you can do so through PayPal. {paypal.me/greghelms}
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#LETMEINTRODUCEYOU 