I’ve never been one for using quotes on my blog and I rarely write about my personal life as I’m quite a private person. I feel compelled today though to get a little personal and tell you that I have just left a very demanding executive role I’ve held for many years. I’m going to use a few quotes to explain why.
I’ll start with Mark Twain who once said:
“Twenty years from now you will be more disappointed by the things you didn’t do than by the ones you did do. So throw off the bowlines, sail away from the safe harbour. Catch the trade winds in your sails. Explore. Dream. Discover.”
Many years ago when our children were still quite young, my husband and I purchased our first house in Melbourne which we had planned to immediately renovate. But we also wanted to travel overseas. Our heads were telling us to spend our money wisely. We had young children, a mortgage … we needed to be sensible. Our hearts however were saying go … take your children, be adventurous.
So we followed our hearts, flew to London and spent an amazing seven weeks travelling all over England, Scotland, Wales and Ireland. We eventually renovated that house but never forgot our trip.
My husband passed away a few years ago and I KNOW he would have deeply regretted not ‘sailing away from the safe harbour’ had we not done so in those earlier years of our lives together. We travelled many more times – mainly around Europe and the US. Our children are now independent young women who also love to travel and explore the world.
It’s now time for me to leave that safe harbour once again. To Explore. Dream. Discover.
The second quote is from Oscar Wilde:
“I don’t want to earn my living. I want to live.”
I know I’m very fortunate to be in a position where I can choose to leave my job as many don’t have this option. So what will I do with my time? I’ll do a little freelancing but I’ll also take some time to do what I love most. I’ll write, take lots of photos, travel, do some more writing, and take some more photos. I might take some short courses in things I’ve always dreamed about doing. I may also try to learn a new language. I’ll finally learn how my camera works. I’ll learn to sail a yacht rather than just crew. I’ll spend some time living in cities I love – Paris, Barcelona, New York, London – and others I haven’t been to yet.
I will live.
And finally, a quote from Voltaire –
“I have decided to be happy, because it’s good for my health.”
Enough said.
This Melbourne Life 
Michelle, How wonderful that you are going to be able to “live” and are in a position to do so. It is too late when you get to Ross and my age to think about these things. We wish you every success and happiness in all of it and I still sure as heck look forward to that book and a book of your photos, remember me on your to be sold to list. Good Luck and God Bless you in all you do
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Thanks Sandra. It’s never too late … X
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Well said Michelle. Enjoy the next chapter xx
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Thanks Lyn. x
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I’m looking forward to see the photos you’ll be taking.
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Thanks Cardinal. Just heading out to shoot a few for the next Changing Seasons post.
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Well said. Wish you every happiness in all you do. Enjoy your travels,. Catch up with you soon after. Look forward to the photos.
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Thanks Mary. Look forward to it. X
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Sob. Beautifully said Michelle. I wish you every happiness in your new adventures. Welcome to the next chapters. Lyn. Xxxx
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Thanks Lyn. I’m looking forward to sharing some of them with you. xx
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Wow, a very brave step indeed. I applaud you and wish you all the very best 🙂
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Thanks so much for your kind words and good wishes.
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Congrats Michelle! I am so happy for you that I have a tear in my eye. I cannot wait to see where this next chapter takes you, so glad to be able to follow you along your journey x.
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Thanks DJ. I’m actually off to visit friends in Brisbane this weekend so will have a chance to photograph your beautiful city. x
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Fabulous! Looking forward to seeing those!
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Such beautiful words Michelle, enjoy every moment of your journey. I will enjoy watching and reading your posts. Rach xx
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Thanks Rach. X
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Go for it!!!
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Thanks Francesca.
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Inspiring
I look forward to seeing and hearing about your adventures
Embracing life should be on all of our priority lists
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Sorry – did not mean for it to be anonymous – I am at time technology challenged
Cora
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I was wondering who ‘someone’ was. Look forward to seeing you soon. X
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Thank you!
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Brava Michelle, embrace the change!
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Thank you!
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Beautiful wording to start your next amazing adventure.
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Thanks Jennie. x
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Hey Michelle,
This is such a beautiful post xo
K
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Thanks Kate. x
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I was soooo excited to read your news in this blog post! You will not regret it. If you’d like to meet folks in New York, London (and Chicago ???) when you are traveling there give me a shout and I will make some introductions.
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Thanks Lisa. I’m really excited to be moving onto the next phase on my life. Thanks so much for the very generous offer to introduce me to friends in the US. There’s a photography conference in Chicago late June that I’m very tempted to attend. Will let you know if I decide to go.
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Do it! June is the best month to visit Chicago 😃
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I’m trying to find some cheapish airfares. I’m not sure why but they’re quite expensive around that time – it may have something to do with 4 July or school holidays. I’ve never been to Chicago but have heard it’s very beautiful and has stunning architecture.
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So many things to love! The architecture is as amazing as you’ve heard, and there is Lake Michigan, Wrigley Field, The Art Institute, the neighborhoods, the history, and wonderful people 😃. So much to photograph! I hope fares go down.
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Darling Michelle we are so thrilled to hear your plans. We are currently cruising from
Amsterdam to Zurich so we will contact you after we get home which is on
Anzac Day. Love from us both. Val
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Thanks Val. So lovely to hear from you. Your trip sounds wonderful. I’m heading off myself for a little while to Hong Kong and Shanghai and will be back mid-May. It would be wonderful to catch up with you both sometime after that. x
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Beautifully put and such team of well-wishers. Thanks for letting me house-sit your glamour flat. It’s very peaceful.
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