It’s not easy all of this “taking a bite out of life” business. As I think back to my days sitting at a computer desk in what many refer to as a “comfort job” I am reminded of just how not comfortable I felt – day in and day out sitting in the same office in front of the same computer. This was not comfort at all! I had decent pay as a mechanical engineer and worked my butt off to get there but I couldn’t be more grateful to have made that leap of faith to do what my heart told me to do.
Everyday I remember reading and rereading a quote from Deepak Chopra, “When you are making a decision… wait for the response from the heart. Only the heart knows the right answer. People think it is mushy and sentimental, but it is intuitive, holistic, contextual, relational. It is not win/lose. It taps into the cosmic computer and takes everything into account. It may not seem rational, but it is accurate and far more precise than any rational thought.”
I remember thinking, “Alright Deepak – you better be right on this one .” – because I just took out a huge line of credit, quit my job, rented out my place and moved in with my parents ready to depart to New York City in 3 weeks to go to Holistic Chef School at the world renowned Natural Gourmet Institute. I wanted to share with the world that being healthy wasn’t about limiting what you eat, but exploring new and better tasting opportunities – in food and in life.
The week before I quit my job was supposed to be a big celebratory time. I had just received my framed certificate that I had passed my Professional Engineering Exam and would be receiving my official stamp in the mail to seal documents. The same day I received my letter of acceptance to the Natural Gourmet Institute in New York City to attend their Holistic Chef Training Program. It was like a scene out of a movie or something. I sat in my car opening my big framed certificate and next my letter of acceptance. And I cried. I actually cried. I felt all kinds of excitement and pride to have attained such an accomplishment, and a little guilt and sadness to be letting go of something I had worked so hard for, all the while trying to convince myself “It’s not letting go, it’s just moving forward.” But really all I was thinking was “Maybe I’m giving up. Maybe I didn’t work hard enough, etc. etc.” A lot of mixed emotions. But somehow I know it was right. Even with the people in my life who weren’t so sure.
Arriving in New York City was just how I had envisioned. I got dropped off in Brooklyn at my sweet little pad. Of course, my roommate turned out to be a male model/photographer. That’s what happens to every soon to be 30 year old female that quits her job to move to the big city right? She gets to live with a beautiful model/photographer? Then came Hurricane Sandy! And the adventure began! From meeting incredible people, to learning how to make incredible food and gain my own confidence in the kitchen I will never look back. There were always great signs along the way to keep my spirits up or friends to talk me through any struggles. No matter what comes of all this training I have found the experience to be invaluable. The life lessons, the new friends, and the food – oh my, the food!
Life has never tasted so good.
Follow more of Kristin’s adventures at: http://www.innerglownutrition.ca/
@broad_world
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