Continual Development - Final Post

Sadly, on Tuesday I board a plane and return to the United States. I'm excited to see friends and family, but slightly depressed that I have to leave my adopted home. I want to thank all of you that continued to read my blog. I have received many e-mails of enthusiasm over my writing during these four months, and it has really meant a lot to me.

You have allowed me to fulfill a secret desire of mine, which is to write and actually have people be interested in what I have to say. I have always been a fan of the written word, much more then spoken. Maybe it’s because I am a lot funnier in writing then in real life. I truly envy those that seem to have that perfect delivery.

I find though that writing is a lot more gratifying. It allows you to be more open, and express yourself. Written verse also means something different to all of us. You can read this passage, and add your own emphasis, imagining what it would be like to sit down yourself and say it to another person. Better yet, to compare it to your own life, and inspire you to apply it in some fashion.

Last summer, I started thinking about another semester long study abroad experience. It was in my mind before I applied to Carlson, but became a reality about a year ago. I was fortunate to spend the majority of the 2001 summer in Valencia, Spain, living with an old Spanish widow and speaking Spanish as a first language. I was even more fortunate to spend a semester in London during the spring of 2002. Both experiences were invaluable to my personal development. First, 9/11 was sandwiched in-between both trips, giving me an interesting pre and post foreign perspective of the event. Second, and most importantly, it showed me that there is a world outside of MN.

One thing I struggled with a bit was how I was going to try and sell the idea to those around me. Getting married, having kids, and becoming a home owner are all things I look forward to. Bearing good health, would my life be judged any differently though if I choose not to begin that journey until two years from now, or ten years from now? I don't think so, because in the long run, my life will ultimately be judged by how good of a person, husband, and father I was. At least (as a man) that is how I look at my father's life. Sure he served in the Navy, and became a pretty successful businessman, but in the end, was he a good person, husband, and father? I think so, and that's all I really care about.

All along, I focused on this experience as a continual development of myself. The decision on my part to fulfill a desire in life I know will bring me happiness and make me a better person. I'm lucky to say that in my life so far, I have no regrets. Of course, there are things I've said and done that I wish you could take back, but in the overall picture, it is hard for me to feel any regret. After five years of work, and another 35 ahead of me, I would have regretted not spending these four months in Cologne.

Of course, I should thank the city of Cologne. I appreciate it letting me hang around and learn. Although I've been here for four months, I don't think I could dare say I truly 'lived' in Germany, (or Spain or England for that matter). I believe that to truly live in another country you must go to work everyday, speak their language, and face their same hardships. Istead, I merely studied abroad for four months out of my life. I had a chance to come here and live a happy fantasy life. If I was to say I lived here, I think it would only be to make myself sound more important then I really am. On an elementary level, I like to compare my experience to that of a petting zoo. Not only did I get to see some pretty cool things, I got to open the door and play with them for a while.

In closing, I came across a British fellow during my travels who absolutely loved America. When I asked him why, he simply stated that people believe they can be and accomplish anything they want to, even if they know it may be out of reach. He made me smile because I couldn't agree with him more. I've been amazed at what has come to me simply because I got up and did something. Those that choose not get up and do something will walk in place, and then continue to blame others for the outcome of their life.

In the end, we all share the same fate. It is up to you to determine what you want to make out of your time here. We all have opinions on how to live our lives properly, and I assume that changes over time. I can't say that in my late 20's I know everything because everyone older then me will say that I am in for so much more. At this point in time though, all I can offer to people for advice is to simply 'do something'. Educate yourself, travel, help someone in need. Do what you need to do to diversify yourself to make yourself a more knowledgeable and better person. If you do that, I can only imagine that life will treat you that much better.