As I write, I
am hurtling through the German countryside on InterCity Express. And I mean
hurtling as the speed reading is 248 kilometres per hour.
I have just
been served a cup of tea and 50 minutes in to the journey, I am feeling relaxed
and contemplative.
The view
outside is a sea of green, all shades of green. The blight on the landscape
comes in the form of power lines and their supporting steel structures. I have
never before so starkly noticed this visual pollution.
I leave
Berlin with a heavy heart. I loved Berlin and if I was 30 (or more) years
younger, living there at least for a period of time would very attractive.
It appears
to have a lower cost of living than many other so called major cities. It also
has a lower cost of living than Sydney, Melbourne and possibly Brisbane. In
several conversations with people from other countries who have chosen to live in
Berlin, relative low rent was mentioned as an attraction.
Our group
from MND and ME referenced the low cost of restaurants and other services and
goods. One item I pay $8.00 for in Brisbane was 2 Euro.
Berlin is a
City I felt very at home in, language aside.
I made new
friends in the MND and ME community and re-connected with others I had met
previously.
I was also
hoping to establish new contacts in relation to my business plans and at least
two people I met will become the focus of future projects.
There was an
unexpected unfolding that initially challenged and subsequently energised me.
On the first
day in Berlin, a lady from Canada asked me what I do for a living. My answer was
initially less than articulate. It was the first time this question had been
asked of me since I departed my past Corporate Life. I eventually replied that
I am a “freelance writer” and further discussion followed.
It was most
liberating and exciting to answer this question on a dozen or so other occasions,
and far more instantly articulated too.
It also
provided unexpected reinforcement of my decision which on Sunday, will have
been in effect for 3 months. It has gone quickly and I cannot recall a single
moment when I have wanted to be back at my old desk.
It is
surprising the opportunities that arise from nowhere. Perhaps the most extreme
came from a conversation with a most interesting, successful and high-profile
gentleman. He asked me a few questions about my writing before asking to swap
contact details, adding he is seeking a ghost writer for his book. I
reluctantly explained that I was not a book writer, however further discussion
revealed other opportunities for collaboration including content for his
website.
As much as I
would like to spend longer in Germany and Europe, I am looking forward to
heading home. There is a collaborative project I am working on and we will be
launching before Christmas.
There are
several other ideas I am keen to “pitch” as well as following up opportunities
coming from this trip.
Melbourne
beckons in a few weeks’ time and there is a bike ride in the Snowy Mountains in
December to ensure life is not all work and no play.
My question
to you is, if you could answer with anything you wanted, how would you answer
the question “What do you do for a living”?
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