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Opening New Doors.
Submitted by: Kana Ueki
Various cities - New Jersey and Chicago, IL, JapanI grew up in Japan and America, in two different cultures. All my life I struggled with identity crisis and it influenced my general outlook, thought patterns, and behaviours. I couldn't fit in anywhere. In 2008 I followed my instincts.
In 2008 I was miserable, restless, and generally felt no motivation. I was just watching every day pass by. I told people I was feeling dead inside. I felt I needed to do something about it.
I recently traveled to India a couple of times on my own and with a friend, and both times I had good vibes. Perhaps seeing people in another culture, doing unexpected things with different common sense was inspiring. I just turned 30 and felt I was missing out on life. I looked back at my life realizing how I kept writing about the same stuff for 10 years. I had a good life, a steady income, a nice apartment in a big city, plenty of friends, and plenty of socializing yet I was not fulfilled. I was confused, lost, and angry.
I then stumbled upon The Secret and realized I had to change from within. To attract excitement I needed to do something exciting. To wake up I needed to mentally wake up. To attract more amazing things in my life I needed to eliminate what no longer worked for me. Without me overthinking it, I started immediate action. I started feeling really good the minute I decided to do so as well!
The next day I told my boss I was leaving my job. He worried about me and said he would give me a day or two to rethink my hasty decision. I said no, I am pretty sure of this but felt the need to provide a reason why in the next two days. I hopped online using the three keywords I kept writing in my diary for the past 10 years which were ‘writing’ ‘overseas’ and ‘travel’. I found a webpage that advertised volunteering in India which piqued my interest. Within an hour I sent that to a friend who knows me well to ask if he could see me doing something like this. He said absolutely. That is all I needed to make this leap.
After two days I told my boss, who couldn’t believe it. It felt liberating! After a month or so, I left my job, left my old apartment, sold my things at the flea market, waved goodbye to family and friends, and hopped on a plane to India.
Ever since then my life has been full of serendipities. During my few months stay there I met the CEO of an organization that did business sending young students and professionals to developing countries. He offered me a job to open the Asian market. I opened up businesses in Japan, Korea, and China for them. I sent off 500+ students and professionals overseas to make a difference in this world and felt fulfilled for being part of their development. I felt proud every time someone asked me about what I do and was astonished that I had a dream job. The work really aligned with my passion.
I do not think this is a coincidence. I received new opportunities because deep down inside I was longing for them and finally took action to move towards them. The Universe answered by giving me more opportunities that aligned with my passion and view.
Thank you, thank you, thank you! Thank you so very much!