Share Your Boldness – Your Stories!
I Quit My Job To Travel the World!
By Angela M. Petitt
Those were the reactions I got when I mentioned my plans to quit my job during the throes of the recession to my family and friends. Although they meant well, I just felt that there was more to life than a winning corporate existence. Moreover, life is just too short to not do what you want to do. So, my response to them was “If not now, when?” I knew that even with a successful career in information technology and an MBA, I wanted more…I wanted freedom!
Wheels up!!
Hello…My name is Angela Petitt and I am a 44 year old native Houstonian. During the recession in August 2009, I took a bold step of faith - I quit my corporate IT job to travel the world. In spite of the concerns and economic climate, I knew I had to make a bold move in order to make change to see my dreams come true. Yes, I know that this is something that Europeans or young adult backpackers do...not an established over 40 professional with a winning corporate resume. But in the words of author Jim Rohn, “Time is more valuable than money. You can get more money, but you cannot get more time.”
Making the decision to opt-out of corporate America for a while was the first step in my journey. The notion of quitting was several years in the making, being fueled more and more every time I went on vacation. When I came to the realization that I really wanted to see the world and was ready to move beyond the cubicle, I knew it was time to make a change.
As a single professional, I wanted my sabbatical to be different. I did not want to sell anything to make it happen. So in my planning, I made sure I had enough to cover my mortgage, car, expenses for my teenage nephew, and other responsibilities. I wanted my sabbatical to be a true rest from the ordinary and an escape to the extraordinary. For me, that meant living life to the fullest and making time to do the things that I enjoy. Actually, when I made the final decision to quit and put in my resignation, I really had no clue as to what was next. But, a few days after my last day at work, I was on a plane going to Italy! And, I haven’t looked back! It seemed like once the decision was made, opportunities opened up!Initially, my sabbatical was only going to be 6 months. Then, that turned into 10 months and now it has been 2 1/2 years and counting. I have flown a Cessna airplane, learned (ok, learning) to play golf, attempted horseback riding - twice, joined day time bible studies, sharpened my photography skills, and have volunteered in my community. I even returned to school and am pursuing my Doctorate in Organizational Leadership.
Beyond my wildest dreams, I never imagined that I would embark on a different trip almost every month!! It has been 
an amazing sabbatical!! My travels have led me to awe inspiring destinations such as China, Siberia, Egypt, Israel, Colombia, Panama, Honduras and many other exciting places. I have zip lined in Cabo, narrowly escaped the earthquake in Japan, went cave diving in Punta Cana, played with monkeys in Roatan, glared into the mouth of a steamy volcano in Nicaragua, stared in amazement at the Pyramids of Giza and the Sphinx, got caught in a downpour atop the Acropolis in Athens - twice, received a huge surprise bouquet of flowers from an admirer in Italy, and had many other awe inspiring experiences. I visited the 30th country of my sabbatical on a Mediterranean cruise visiting Croatia for the first time. By the way, Croatia is absolutely beautiful!!
In addition to my travel adventures, I was presented with the 2009 WHS Wall of Honor Service and Leadership award by my alma mater, recently featured in ESSENCE magazine as a "Power Player!", and was invited as aguest speaker for the national Meet Plan Go! Career BreakTravel conference that inspires others in their quest for sabbaticals and extended travel.
So yes, I learned to live without a paycheck and budget accordingly. Recently, I read that uncertainty isn’t a cost but a catalyst for creating a better future. I can attest to the truth of that as it captures the heart of my journey. Granted, it has indeed been scary at times and several unexpected things happened. But, it has been worth taking a chance on me rather than continuing on in the ordinary daily grind. I have no regrets.
Since starting my sabbatical journey, I have grown in courage, faith, confidence, and wisdom. More importantly, I have come to understand my God given uniqueness and that life is truly precious and too short to waste. Furthermore, my time away has instilled in me the renewed desire not to merely survive, but to authentically thrive!
With hopes of inspiring other people to be bold and go for their dreams, I have been blogging (and speaking) about my
experiences (good, bad, and otherwise) at http://www. sabbaticalscapes.com/. One thing for sure - "with God ALL things are possible!" Where will your dreams take you?
Learn more about Angela's Journey in the following video!
"Climbing" Brisbane's Story Bridge by Hillary Kane
I’m kind of a dork. I love factoids. I turn straight away to the “let’s do the numbers” part of every newsletter that I forgot I signed up for on the 
internet. I must not be alone because every person visiting Brisbane is bombarded with Story Bridge Statistics such as: “The Story Bridge is the largest steel bridge designed, fabricated and constructed in Australia by Australians.” [That is a direct quote from the www.sbac.net.au site.]
I also learned that just like the Hoover Dam, the Story Bridge was a public works project that created years of employment during the Great Depression. I must include the engineering numbers as well: The Bridge is over 1,072 meters long [.67 miles to you and me]; 22 stories high; 39,100 cubic meters excavated for foundations; and four men lost their lives during construction. OH yeah, it cost about £ 1.5 million but then sold by the State Government to the Brisbane City Council for £750,000.
Sorry, I couldn’t help myself. By far the best tidbit is that there is a bend in the bridge because it was built around a pub that would have had to be demolished if the bridge was built according to the original plan. You can see why I like Australia!!!
But WHY? Why climb the bridge? Why not simply observe it from the shore or from one of the many water tours? Sir Hillary [no relation :-)] understood that we climb things because they are there. We make lists just to cross things off. You go to Sydney - you climb the Sydney Harbor Bridge. You go to Brisbane - you climb the Story Bridge. It’s just what we do.
So after a week of working in lovely Brisbane, I set out with a colleague and one of his friends to climb the Bridge. After a putting on a jumper and listening to a safety talk and passing a breathalyzer test [I’m serious] we clipped ourselves to the Story Bridge and started to climb. I had read every word on the Website. All the talk about heights and people being afraid of heights, made me anxious.
I am NOT afraid of heights, never have been, but WHAT IF the phobia struck me suddenly atop the Story Bridge? What if I had a panic attack smack dab in the middle of the Brisbane River? For two days I stressed and dreamt about the horrors that might come to greet me as I climbed the Bridge.
So…our little group of 10 [4 locals and 6 tourists], led by our guide, clipped on and began to climb. “Climb.” We were going UP. A steel staircase had been retro fitted to the bridge on either side – as well as the guideline to which we remained attached for the duration. We climbed, we moved forward…forward and up…we climbed very steep tiny steps and not-so-steep big ass steps. Stopping strategically to catch our breath or so the guide could direct our eyes to various points of interest. It was lovely. It was not strenuous. It was NOT climbing…but it was cool.
About half way into the climb, I realized that about ½ of the people I know would NOT even consider climbing the Story Bridge [or any bridge] including my colleague’s wife and one of his three sons. I suppose I too have things I categorically would NOT do… I just can’t think of one at the moment.
As we headed back up the other side, we realized that the sun had set and the lights of the city and the Bridge were now lit. It was breathtaking… I wanted to do it again. I just may…