What makes this move even harder is that my friend wants to go someplace where the frogs sound different. Not only does he have to find a new lily pad and make new friends, he must also learn a new language. It's all quite terrifying for him. I told him it would be worth it in the end. But right now, I'm not sure he believes me.
Change is always hard but without it, there is no growth. I like to say, "If it doesn't challenge you, it doesn't change you." How often have you been scared to death to try something new, only to find out it was the best thing you ever did? Take me, for example; I was frightened to try my hand at writing, but I did, and now it's like second-nature to me. I found out that I was born to be a writer. I wouldn't have known that if I hadn't tried. I might have spent the rest of my life wishing I was a writer, instead of actually being a writer!
Anything worth having, is worth a little work. And, certainly, worth mustering up a little courage to make it happen. I'm sure that when my friend finally moves and gets settled into his his new swamp, he'll find that the cultural experiences, the new friends he'll make, and all the wonderful new and exciting things he'll see will be well-worth the trouble. The biggest hurdle is getting started; taking that first, big hop.
Striking out on your own, whether it's your first time or the tenth, will always be challenging. You'll have doubts and reservations, sure. But change is good and healthy. My friend can always move back if he finds out that this new swamp really isn't for him.
If he does decide to stay, his friends and family here in Lily Pad will welcome him home whenever he wants to visit. There's a famous line that goes, "The only thing we have to fear, is fear itself." And don't you find that events very rarely turn out as bad as we think think they will? I hope my friend seizes this wonderful opportunity; for the day you stop worrying is the first day of a new life. New possibilities come with an open heart and mind.
Now I'm going to go do something REALLY scary...clean out my closet!