NOT a tree.

“If you don’t like where you are, MOVE. You are not a tree.”

-Jim Rohn

This quote has always spoke to me. Travel is something that intrigues so many, driving them to start something new, see something new, experience something new. At this point in my life, in my late 20’s, many of my friends are going through what you might call a quarter-life-crisis, not being happy where they are, not liking their job or living situation.

For me, I couldn’t wait to get out of the suburbs of Chicago when I was 18 and experience...Kirksville, Missouri. Though some might go somewhere more exciting for college, I loved K-Vegas and its many oddities. My time there opened many opportunities to go to Bulgaria and Texas for my summers and various other states during the school year for forensics (not the CSI kind, the speech kind). I continued my travels and went to Texas for a few years in grad school. After all of that, It was time for me to pack up my life and move back to the place I called home: Wheaton, Illinois. I felt like that is where I was meant to be and was excited to grow my roots there. When I started this blog I was dead set on staying in the Chicagoland area, only working at a church, only working in student ministry. I got my wish...well...kind of. A year later, I find myself questioning “what’s next?” when I stumbled upon this quote.

I spent my time right out of seminary discouraged because my search was so focused on one place to a specific group of people and seemingly getting nowhere. Being the stubborn person I am, I refused to look anywhere else. This time around, though I came here to deepen my roots, I realize that despite my desire, I am not a tree. I have the chance of going anywhere, and so many places that are willing to open conversations for work. This support has helped me realize how much I’ve limited myself in the past. With that being said, I do not regret any of my experiences. On the contrary, it is those who I have met in all of these moments that have loved and lifted me up during this new time of transition. It’s also helped me see that the world is a lot smaller than I once thought it was and deepening roots in one place doesn’t mean I can’t grow somewhere else as well.

Though I still am just as stubborn as ever, I believe that Christ has, is, and will continue to take me on insane adventures and I’m excited to say I no longer want to be limited to one place. Who knows, maybe I will end up staying here and thrive...or maybe I end up in California or Tennessee

. Regardless, I know I will not be alone wherever I go.

Check back in on Thursday as we discuss Christ’s view of moving.

Cheers!

Sam Jo.