When I think about my recent move to Kinross in the outer, Northern suburbs of Perth, Western Australia, it was not a location that I intentionally chose. So I was surprised at just how right the destination was for my family, and I am so grateful I had the courage to make the change. It was definitely a sea change and it wasn't until I moved that I realised just how close to the water I now was and how much of a blessing it would be to our lives.
You see, Kinross chose us. The opportunity came quite by surprise and from left of field, as anyone living Perth will verify that there is a huge housing shortage and the price of rentals has skyrocketed. So to be offered a house, at about $100 under current market value, was indeed truly a miracle. Furthermore, it was a private rental, with no inspections to endure and a very long lease opportunity.
How it came about was that I had sent out an email to let friends know I wanted to move, as I’d been living in a one bedroom granny flat at my in-laws with my husband and four children. It was a bit too cosy for my liking and after 12 months I was screaming out for some space from my children and my in-laws! Love them all, but sometimes you just need your own personal space.
A great friend of mine, sent me an email responding, that she knew about a house that was coming up for rental in Kinross and to phone and tell the owner she’d sent me. Kinross was 30 minutes from where I was currently living in the inner suburbs of Perth and a totally different area to what I was used to. I hadn't even considered looking for a rental there.
I even considered not phoning up because of the location and even after I’d been offered the house, considered not taking it.
But once again, my great friend showed me all the potential positives of the move and her encouragement gave me the courage to make the move. This was more than just a phsyical move, as I had made the decision to also leave my husband behind as we both needed to sort out some personal issues that had surfaced due to our situation.
Up until this time our life had been locked into a certain geographical area as that was where the children went to school. In fact, everything about our life had been dictated to by the school’s location and if it hadn’t been such a great school, I’m convinced we would have made a change much sooner.
So here I was, with an offer to move to a location that was way outside of my comfort zone. This opportunity was both exciting and daunting all at the same time, as my husband and I agreed to amicably separate.
The funny thing is that I had worked at Joondalup in 2005. I distinctly remember standing in the grounds of the Police Academy and saying to myself, I’d really love to work in this area and live locally. Even more amazing is that I am now working across the road from the Academy at West Coast TAFE, teaching the Police Preparation Course and I live less than 6 mins from Joondalup.
In accepting the house it mean that my life was like a kaleidoscope where you change one thing and the whole image shifts.
To my amazement, everything instantly became easier. The school was now located less than 2 mins drive and work was less than 10 mins from home. There was an evening family day care that could care for my children while I worked, which was a major benefit as I’d not been able to get childcare previously. The house was gorgeous, with wonderful landlords. And furthermore, the community we lived in is filled with children to keep my children company.
The parallel I want to draw to life is that sometimes we can be very comfortable in our lives, doing the same old same old, putting up with the same barriers to progressing and we just need an outside influence to shift our focus slightly, to paint a new picture of how our lives can change for the better.
Further, we may just need someone to help us to see the benefits of the change and to stand beside us, easing our transition period and providing the support to make the change. This is what Deanna Shand did for me.
You may be at a crossroads or quite simply stuck in a rut. Whatever your current position on the map, I encourage you to make the most of the opportunities that each day presents to you. Each day there is someone knocking on your heart's door inviting you to participate, but what are you going to do with those invitations? It may be the person you drive past that is standing on the side of the road with broken down car, or the neighbour you know is depressed and struggling with small children. These little opportunities to participate in life surround us everyday. Then there are the larger opportunities. The opportunities to make a major change that we currently feel too frightened to tackle. Sometimes it's like jumping off a bridge, you just have to commit yourself wholeheartedly to the change and see what comes.
When I spoke to the owner of that house on the Tuesday night, I said, "Yes, please" to the offer. I went up on the Thursday to see it and even before I had seen the house I'd contacted the local school and made an appointment to get my children enrolled as that was the last day that they could enroll. I totally committed myself and it all worked out for the best, in fact, better than I could ever have dreamed up for myself.
If I hadn’t made the change we’d not have the benefits of our new location—beautiful scenery, community, proximity to school and work. What opportunities are you missing out on?
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