The decision was easy...

When I was in Italy, I had the amazing fortune to meet a wonderful new friend, Lisa.

Lisa moved from the United States to live with her husband in Switzerland about six years ago. She knew no one in her new home, she barely spoke the language, and she was leaving behind her friends, family, and her whole way of life. But she did it, because she knew that she was in love with this wonderful man, and that this was the right thing. She has never looked back.

We talked a lot about life in our few days together. About taking leaps, chances, and risks. She told me how she knew that she was doing the right thing, and that a new chapter in her life was opening up. And the she made a statement that really resonated with me as I toyed with certain crossroads that I new would eventually come my way.

"The decision was easy, the doing was hard."

She was in love with her husband, and knew beyond a shadow of a doubt that he was this was where her life was going to go. But that didn't mean that it was easy to quit her job, leave her friends, and adjust to a new way of life.

This is exactly how it has been for me. I will probably never forget the moment that I was offered this amazing opportunity in California. We were all sitting at a table, and the idea that we had been knocking around casually for a while was officially verbalized. I felt a huge knot in my stomach, and I within three seconds I expelled the knot out through my mouth into a gasped "Yes!"

I said yes right away, because in that split second I knew many things. I knew that this was my destiny, the opportunity that I had been wanting, and the most perfect scenario imaginable. I said yes right away because I was excited, and high, and flying on adrenaline. I said yes right away because I didn't want to give myself any time to do something stupid - like talk myself out of it.

So, just like with Lisa, the decision was easy.

But of course the doing is hard. I just quit the best job I've ever had. I'm packing up yet another apartment. My mother has cried at least twice. Tonight I sat and had wine with two great friends in a familiar scenario that I truly cherish, which will probably only repeat itself a handful more times.

But I know that it is time to do all of this. A new chapter is opening for me. I am happy, and sad, and sentimental, and excited... and many more things that I can barely categorize. But most of all - I am alive.