The Rut of Life

You know how you feel like sometimes your life is in a rut? And when it's in a rut, you want to shake it loose a little? Maybe make a change? Well, my life was in a rut once... did the same thing day in, day out. Went to work, came home to the family and the house, cleaned the house on the weekend, shopped at Home Depot, the Mall, etc., maybe went to a movie, or out to a restaurant, got up and went to work again on Monday. So when this happened for a very long time, I felt like I was in a neverending rut. Or on a very straight road with no detours. And then I moved to Italy.

Italy has been a roundabout in my life. A 4-year roundabout. Can't get off, can't go anywhere permanent, can't do anything "progressive" for my life, home, etc. Everything is temporary, including my job (which I obviously don't have anymore). It's kind of like being on pause. Okay, so maybe since Italy is a very, very cool place to live, it's better than just a roundabout. It's the Alice in Wonderland teacup ride at Disneyland. Or since I live near the Alps, the Matterhorn ride. Or the "Pirates of the Caribbean" in honor of nearby Venice. Or, maybe still that isn't fancy enough... how about an antique, beautifully painted, carousel (like the one at Lagoon) with vibrant colors, flashing lights, and great experiences of up and down, and I get to rent it for a while! Fun, isn't it? A truly great experience! Yes, it has been one of a kind.

Four years later, I yearn for that rut. I'm a bit dizzy from all the round and round - I can't wait to feel balanced again. Ah, to be settled, to own our own property, to be able to plan a future around a locale and mostly to experience again the wonder of that thing called the American lifestyle that I used to have, and that so many, many want! Right now I'm preparing to exit the roundabout and go straight in a new direction that points to "Destination Freedom, USA". I'm very grateful to be able to have this future, even if I used to think of it as a rut. The grass isn't greener, folks. I will never take the rut for granted again.

Rachel

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I wrote this last Summer. We moved back to the USA in early November. I thought it being New Year's Eve and all that I share my wonderment at being able to start a new year in a new rut! Yaay! I LOVE MY RUT!