Cornfields of Gold

It was exactly one month ago. My first ever flight was coming to a close. As the plane was about to land, I had a lot going through my sleep-deprived mind. What was I getting myself into? What would a new country be like? What would the new country look like? On our descent, I got my first glimpse of foreign soil.

It was a bunch of innocuous, bland cornfields. I remember being a little underwhelmed at first. I was coming here to experience a new culture, and those cornfields just reminded me of Nebraska.

But after giving it some more thought, I realized that the cornfields represented a new beginning in my life. The start of my immersion into a brand new culture. After all, corn is yellow, and cornfields are yellow. Yellow symbolizes a brand new beginning. The sun coming up over a new day. Hope.

I knew that, if I was able to see the good in a bunch of cornfields, I would really have a good time when I got to see Old Town Square, Charles Bridge, and the countless cathedrals. The Czech culture is so rich and diverse that it would be very difficult, if not impossible, to experience it all in a month.

And that’s why I’m not leaving.

To put it mildly, it was the most difficult decision I have ever made. I lost a lot of sleep and gained a number of gray hairs on my head. The lure of going back home to my family, my own bed, and Taco Bell was appealing. Not having to go through the rigorous Czech visa process would have saved me a lot of stress and a lot of money.

That all sounds nice, but does anyone ever benefit from taking the easy way out? I know I never have. One month away from my 30th birthday, I understand that I’m not getting any younger. I have to put myself out there. I have to bet on myself.

I have to walk outside my comfort zone and be the person that I would want my children and grandchildren to be. Could I picture myself saying 50 years from now, “You know, kids, grandpa Mike had a chance to live in the Czech Republic, but he moved back to New York?” No. Of course not. Life is about taking advantage of opportunities. You need to grab the bull by the horns. Why would I go back to the only thing I’ve ever known for three decades when I can spice up my life and have the opportunity to teach in whatever country I want? Why go back to my old culture that I already know and was so bored with? I did get a one-way plane ticket, after all.

Bull, meet horns.

It’s crazy how life works sometimes. A year ago, I was at a crossroads. Was my next step education, or was it something else? What was my calling? How could I, a seemingly average middle-class guy, find a way to make a difference in the world?

It all came back to teaching. Teaching was it.

As my wonderful TEFL program comes to a close and I prepare to say “see you later” to a number of new friends that I will miss terribly (but some are staying here, which I’m thrilled about), I know that I am on this planet for a reason. Actually, for a few reasons: to educate, to inspire, and to lead. Yeah, that sounds good.

I’m anxious, but also at peace with my future. The weeks and months ahead will be strenuous, but well worth it.

I think it’s a good time to plant my own cornfield.