Home Is Where The Heart Is

I was just reading Iman's blog . She was talking about her move from the States to Egypt last year , her new marriage, and her adjustments to life back in Egypt . It brought to mind things many of us have gone through when we just jump off the deep end of Life to live away from our homes .

These new places become our homes , most times slowly but surely .Take Moe and I for instance , we lived here in LIBYA off and 3 different times over 37 years . We lived in the States 3 different times as well. Here , there, and it seems sometimes , everywhere . We once tried England , but both of us are true southerners and can't take the cold , the long dark winters , and the chilly summers there . England is so beautiful though. Just not our cup of tea .

One thing I found out ... no matter where you move to , who you are , and where you are from , when you move away you will be home sick . Regardless of how much you wanted to move .Here is the trick I learned when going through this process of adjustment ...... don't go " HOME" for at least 2 years or more . Give your self time to adjust to your new home .

Every place has it's own quirks .The town just one away from where you live would be different to you , let alone a major move to a different country .You need the flavor of the new place to seep into your bones . Discover the people , the food , the weather , the smells . Let it become you .Tell your self " this is my home now ." Believe it and live it . Stop saying ... " well back home " this or that happens , or we have this or that, because now this new place is your home . Embrace it . If you do all that then you will be happy to come back " HOME" after your visit to you old home .

I see and hear of expats that are never happy no matter where they live or how much luxury they live in because they never adjust . Many don't even try to make the changes .They are happy to be miserable . I feel sorry for those people . What a wonderful chance they are throwing away .

And by they way I am not speaking of only Westerners living outside their countries , but other nationality's as well .I have seen Libyans living in the laps of luxury but totally miserable because they are not " HOME" . The constant comparison to "HOME" holds their joy back . SO , long story short , try to adjust to the new place and learn all about it from the locals point of view . One day you might wake up and realize it has become a part of you too .