So here we are on day 3 of the challenge and on to the letter C. Thank you for all the wonderful comments I have recieved so far. I have really enjoyed reading eveyones posts. I comment as much as I can and I think I have done a good job of working my way through the blogs. Over 1200 entries, Isn't that fantastic? I think that the people hosting this have really done a great job and as a new blogger I am grateful to them for opening the door into a whole new world. I was sceptical about blogging and about this challenge, which brings me to todays challenge.
CHANGE
Doing the same thing over and over again when it is not working, and expecting different results is a sign of stupidity. I read that some where and it stuck. Sometimes we just have to change our tactics, change our perspective and change our lives. Lets face it, change is not always easy and it can be terrifying at times. We don't even always have the choice.
The scariest change I ever made was my choice, but moving to another country was a hard choice to make. I left most of my family and all of my friends. I left everything I owned and a good job. I came to Norway with two suitcases, and the only Norwegian words I knew were, "Takk for maten" and "Jeg elsker deg" which means, "Thank you for the food, and I love you." Since I planned on doing more than eating and falling in love, I knew that I would have to learn another language. My mother did not speak Norwegian to us while growing up, and as you can probably guess by my name, I am Norwegian. While we are on the subject of my name, it is pronounced Seev, like Steve without the T. I stress this because while growing up in the states it really irritated me when everyone always said my name wrong. To this day when I hear people mispronouncing the name of Liv Tyler, or any other Liv, I cringe.
Getting back on track, after my mother got a divorce she moved back to Norway, and after I got a divorce I went on a "vacation" to visit her. After a short trip home again, just long enough to get my affairs in order and pack a bag, I returned to Norway and love has kept me here ever since. I have been happily married to the same wonderful man now for over 20 years. So what is the biggest change you have ever had to make? Was it scary? Did you have a choice? I believe that through all the changes in my life I have become a stronger person and a less frightend one.
32 comments:
I learn that change is one way to clean the debris of life. We realize what truly matters. Here's to facing change head on! :)
How awesome for you! I actually wish I'd backpacked through Europe when I was younger. I'm still determined to see as many countries as I can. I love Minnie, by the way... ;)
Oh this is fabulous! I am 'Norsisima' or so I joke... being an American mutt, I am a lot of things, but have always felt closest to the Norwegian that my maternal grandmother was. One of my writer's group is Norwegian (Cruella Colett) so I've gotten to learn a lot more as an adult than I knew growing up (as my Norwegian grandma was actually from Iowa)
Yeah, I'm working on making the rounds too. I actually put all of the participants into alphabetical order in word and only visit the ones starting with today's letter. Friday was 'A' blogs but between the ones that start with 'A something' and ones that actually start with 'A', I haven't finished checking them out. Saturday was 'B' and today is 'C' blogs. lol. As for moving to a foreign country- I moved to france in 2004 and still live here. It was a big change but one that has helped shaped who I am.
Hi Siv .. good to meet you .. I sort of feel at home .. as I'm reading The Girl with a Dragon Tattoo .. while I sit with my mother at her bedside (when she doesn't want to talk) .. so feeling 'Scandinavianie' .. and understand you wanting to look after your mother ... See you around .. Hilary
What a fantastic story! Change is hard. For me, the biggest change was moving to Poland and then onto England.
Thanks for a real thought provoker. I've gotten so used to change over the years (military dad and husband who changes jobs a lot) that it's not such a big deal. Who am I kidding? Of course it is. We learn to deal with it. Writing is key!
Change. Hmmm, I don't think it's easy for anyone, including me. Biggest change in my life was becoming a mother after thinking I'd never get to be one. I had been married for 18 years at the time. Our life was spontaneous, we had money to do and go. We were military when we got married, lots of travel and countries with that, then good careers.
But being a mother has been my greatest blessing and challenge. I love it. But it did mean quite few changes and one of those was to leave a high profile job and become a stay at home mother. Never regretted it.
Love your story of change, Siv.
It sounds like your change turned out to be wonderful. I was forced to change something once and I still haven't gotten over it. I think this experience allows me to give a deeper depth to my characters. So, all is good.
Nancy
N. R. Williams, The Treasures of Carmelidrium.
I think losing my eyesight is the hardest change I've had to go through. Not kidding here walls are super hard and don't budge. Chairs are good though cause I just fall on my face haha
Oh and your welcome. Those things drive me nuts too and never made a bit of sense. Of course spammer's can type those letters in. Probably better than I can. Thanks for the help.
My biggest change was also moving to another country. In some ways I felt I had no choice. I needed change and distance. I agree with you on the comments. I try to get to as many as I can, but there are just so many now. Everyday I find new favorites that I have to visit so my time for going through the list keeps getting shorter and shorter.
Dafeenah
Big, big change, moving to another country. I don't think I've had anything as big as that happen in my life. I've had upheaval at work lots of times, but I adapt.
You're so brave.
I hope I'll get to visit Europe someday. ;)
I was born in May, and as a stubborn Taurus, I used to LOATHE change. But in my thirties, I came to the realization that nothing stays the same, ever, no matter how much you wish it would. So I choose to embrace change, and try to get the most positivity out of every one that comes my way.
I grew up in the UK and in 1987/88 took off around the world and spent 9 months in Auckland, New Zealand, working and travelling.
In 1994 I ended up moving from London to Indiana, spent 12 years there, 3 in Florida, then returned home to the UK almost 2 years ago, having fallen in love with an English Rose who lived only 30 miles from where I grew up.
Thursday will be our 1st wedding anniversary, a day we thought would never come, after Debbie was diagnosed with a Brain Tumor back in January. Guess what my "B" post is about.
The biggest change I've had to make was breaking off an almost ten year relationship. It was unhealthy and I'm glad I finally made that decision because I'm the happiest I've ever been.
to respond to your comment on my blog Siv. Ive done much worse. I had a 22 yr old guy that kept stealing my food so I crushed up two viagra and put it in a burrito and let him eat it. It didn't go what it was suppsed to however as he started having hot flashes and was sweating like a woman going through menopaus. He never stole my food again though. lol
Great post; Lots of changes in my life, being a military spouse and so many moves. One big change was forging my way back into a creative world; I love. I am so glad I did~
Great post and a great name. I had to make a serious career change, not because I wanted too but because there were no opportunities in employment and thus far my new career path is not working out, so I am pretty much hating change at the moment. But you wrote a great post and I am truly happy that change brought you good fortune.
Change is hard for anyone, but when one door closes...one usually opens. I loved reading you blog!
I found you through the A to Z challenge.
Hi, Siv,
Nice to meet you.. Thanks for stopping by my blog today.
A very much needed C.... Change is always around us and if we don't adapt we are in BIG trouble. So you picked a good one.
BTW you look AMAZING! I thought I'd let you know...
What an interesting music video. Change can do you good!
Yes, change is good, I agree. I've moved several times and cringe at the thought of remaining in one spot for life. It would be difficult to pinpoint which change in my life was the most important or the hardest.
Congratulations to you for 20 years of marriage!
Ahhh, ,nice! Let's see, I've always looked at change as an invitation to adventure! When I was 26, I left an abusive relationship in FL. I packed my car with my cat, and drove to NC with no job, no place to live and knowing no one! Talking about change! I never question my strength :)
Congrats on being married for 20 years :) Marriage is hard work but well worth it!
Change is tough, but keeps you growing.
Have you ever read the book, "Who Moved My Cheese"? :) It's all about change, and how when you are stuck in life, the only thing left to do to make you happy again is to change :) Nicole
Change...what a great topic for today's letter! I've been through so much change over the last several years that I'd be confused if there wasn't change! And, I was always the one who hated change when I was younger. Go figure! Someday, I would love to live in another country but that's a lot of "change" for me to swallow. Envious of you for doing it!
Nice post, thought provoking. I went to Norway three years ago with my brother to visit some family and LOVED it! It is absolutely beautiful and the people were so nice!
Wow! I am impressed with your decision to pick up and move like that. Congratulations on being married for twenty years. Here's to many, many, many more. The scariest thing I did was pick up and move out of state from Chicago to the Seattle area.
Change can be so scary, but so worth it. Change is inevitable too.
Wonderful post, which I enjoyed very much,
Thanks for the visit and comment,
Yvonne,
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