March 22, 2015 – Saint Paul, Minnesota

My adult life has always felt a bit serendipitous.

I tend to trace this feeling back to when I was 18, eager to get out and embrace new experiences. Most notably, though, was at age 19 when my best friend asked me to move to Iowa City with him. This whimsical decision led to many great opportunities, such as my discovery of the mental health field, which dramatically changed my perspective on life. And women. And booze.

I had made plans with Mari to stay with her until the end of May, but my summer was still up in the air. I wanted to head north in an attempt to see more of Minnesota. I would also need to make a lot of money at my next spot due to my potential remote hosts in the fall. A lot of money.

One day during the lunch hour, Mari had come home and asked me about my summer plans. I told her, and then she really surprised me by offering a summer stay with her parents in the Brainerd area. People of which, by the way, have never participated in this type of work exchange. I didn’t have to think too hard to accept her proposal – it could essentially meet all of my requirements for the summer months. Not only that, but by staying there, I would also continue to see Mari and Syr during visits. Could it get any better?

Am I just a lucky person, or is there something to be said about letting go of control and opening your world up to potential opportunities? There are only so many hosts online; will more reach out to me as I continue on this journey through the people I meet?

One can certainly hope.

It is not often that a man can make opportunities for himself. But he can put himself in such shape that when or if the opportunities come he is ready.” – Theodore Roosevelt