2010 Annual Review: Year of Transition

Photo: Sunset at the foothills of the Western Ghats in Ujire, India

We cannot kill time here on Earth. It's the other way around: Time kills us. And we never know when that will happen. It could be tomorrow or this time next year. For all I know, this could be my last annual review.

Last year, the Year of Realization, I recognized that I was letting time kill my sense of purpose and direction. I was ignoring what my intuition was telling me in return for social validation and the security of a familiar lifestyle.

"Twenty years from now you will be more disappointed by the things that you didn't do than by the ones you did so. So throw off the bowlines. Sail away from the safe harbor. Catch the trade winds in your sails. Explore. Dream. Discover." - Mark Twain

This was the year I threw off the bowlines. I flew away from the safe harbor that I had called home for the first 28 years of my life and I caught the trade winds of reality. I explored places that I had previously only dreamed of, witnessed extreme inequality, and discovered millions of people who needed help.

When I themed this the Year of Transition, I meant it in a literal sense: I was transitioning from the 9-to-5, cubical-dwelling lifestyle to that of a world traveling, location-independent digital nomad.

Little did I know the real transition would come from within; a transition of life purpose and meaning.

Sure, the external stuff happened too: I quit my job, sold most of my possessions, and lived alone in a foreign country with one bag on a tiny budget of $250/month. But those pale in comparison to what I witnessed and what I learned about the world.

At the beginning of the year, I created a fancy spreadsheet with all my goals for 2010. I also tried something new and defined a list of lifestyle changes that I wanted to apply.

As I looked over the spreadsheet with goals separated into sections like Health, Learning, Writing, and Travel, that lifestyle section stood out. It was the only section where every single item (except for financial independence) reflected exactly how my lifestyle changed this year:

Lifestyle Changes for 2010

  • Location independent; nomadic; frequently moving around
  • Minimalistic; few possessions; everything on my back
  • Active; frequently outdoors; hiking and exploring
  • Frugal; financial independence; online income
  • Writer; blogger; improved quality of writing
  • Value provider; helping people

Going through this list, I realized how closely linked our lifestyle is to the journey of life. Our lifestyle defines how likely we are to evolve: It can restrict us from taking big leaps or open the doors wide open.

Our lifestyle can mean the difference in life between a stroll down a familiar street and an epic journey through an unfamiliar land.

On the last day of my six month trip, the day before I returned to the United States, I wrote in Starting the Journey to Ithaca that my journey had seemed so epic that it felt on par with the Lord of the Rings or The Odyssey.

But it wasn't just an incredible journey. It also helped me understand what life should feel like:

My Ithaca will be that moment before I die where I look back on my life with a sense of contentment; that moment before my last breath where I say to myself with confidence that I was happy for everything I had done, everyone I had met, and all the people whose lives I helped change along the way.

There were times this year when I felt absolutely content, fully ready to face anything life could throw at me, including death. But it was the people I connected with, both in person and online, who really defined this year.

The Odyssey and Lord of the Rings are not about a magical ring or a place called Ithaca. They're about everything that happens on the journey in between here and there. They're about the people, the stories, the lessons, and the experiences.

Life isn't about delaying death for as long as possible, checking things off a bucket list, or writing down a bunch of goals.

Life is about everything that happens before time decides to end our journey.

It's about the things we've done to change the world and the legacy we leave behind for those who come after us. It's about the people we meet along the way and how those people change our lives in the process.

It's about connecting with people like you.

Every single one of you have enriched my life and brought more smiles to my face than I can count. Your comments, emails, and messages have reached down and touched my soul. You've helped me grow as a writer, a friend, and a human being.

This year has shown me what is possible when we overcome our fear and truly follow our hearts. It has taught me that no matter how alone we may feel in our quest, there are a thousand people ready and willing to stand by our side.

As my journey through India, Vietnam, and Nepal was changing who I was inside and instilling within me a passion for finding a way to help remove the inequality in the world, you gave me the strength and validation I needed to recognize that I wasn't alone in my desire to create real change.

You have made this year -- this small part of my journey -- a huge part of my life. I feel honored to have been given the opportunity to share it with you and I want to thank you, from the bottom of my heart, for a beautiful and life-changing 2010.

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34 Comments

  1. Raam,
    The transformation you caused in your own life had a profound difference on so many. How do I know? Because I’m one of the many but also, time and again I’ve read the comments left here for you. You touch people and you do it naturally, authentically and such heart.

    I feel blessed to be one of the many and look forward to what’s to come. Thank you my friend.

    xoS

  2. Raam,

    It has been an amazing journey to travel along with you through this life-changing year. To see the world through your eyes, through your heart, through your words, through your photographs. To be a small part of your inspiring, profound, and life-affirming inner transformation. You’ve made 2010 a year of transition for all of us.

    I’m deeply honored to know you. And, I can’t wait to see what’s cooking for 2011. I bet financial independence will be on the plate.

    • Hi Sandra,

      Financial independence is definitely at the top of my list for next year, along with lots of traveling!

      You may not be aware, but the emails we’ve exchanged have been a big inspiration for me and I’m so grateful we connected this year. Thank you for being you!

  3. Hi Raam,
    Life is always full of change. A close friend of mine has just been diagnosed with Colon Cancer and I reach out as much as I can to help. As I do I remember it is always so important that I am grateful for what I have. The most important gifts I have are health and friendship.
    Thank you for sharing all your wisdom this year.
    All the best to you for 2011,
    David

    • Thanks David,

      I remind myself daily that our health is our wealth. Health and friendships are indeed so important.

      Wishing you and your family all the best for 2011!

  4. It’s great to see how far you’ve come Raam – I only started catching your blog during your trips but just within that limited time I can honestly say that you didn’t just change in the one of your voice but in whole.

    2010 was a remarkable year full of ups and downs. Although we all want to stay up; sometimes having the downs can be an equally rewarding life experience.

    This was the year that I really started to figure out which direction I want to go in life; previously, it felt like I was without a steering wheel.

    You’ve given me so many great ideas and inspiration over the last year so I want to thank you deeply for all the wonderful work you’ve presented and insights you’ve shared.

    Take this momentum and let’s all create 2011 into a year with even greater experiences – see you on the flip side!

    • It’s been great connecting with you this year too, Murlu, and I’m looking forward to following your journey in the years to come!

      You’re so right about life needing those ups and downs — they are an essential part of the process and they give us the opportunity to appreciate and learn from both sides.

    • Thanks, James! We will definitely meet one of these days. 🙂 I already bought my ticket for February 2nd to come watch Discovery launch. Even if it gets delayed again, I’m not missing the launch… no matter how many times I have to try (NASA has extended our special passes, so it’s really a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity)! Let’s try to meet in February if possible.

  5. I just started reading your blog toward the end of 2010 but really inspired on how you have changed. I’m at a pivotal point myself and really need voices like yours that help me make the right decisions in my own life.

  6. Raam, it’s been amazing connecting with you and following your journey! You have the gift of teaching others the profound and inspirational lessons you’ve learned along the way. One thing I’ve learned this year is that knowledge is sacred – it can be freely given, but it can never be taken away once you already know.

    I am incredibly grateful and honored to know you, and am excited to continue connecting and sharing insights! Thank you for all you do, cheers to a new year full of new adventures!

    • Lynn, the feeling is mutual! Your passion for community has really inspired me to reach out and push my(introverted)self to do more and consider things that I thought were out of my reach.

      The importance of your lesson that knowledge is sacred cannot be understated. Not only is knowledge sacred but it’s extremely powerful when channeled through a clear vision. One philosophy that has really started developing this year for me is that all education should be free. I believe it’s through education that we can really remove poverty from the world and until it’s entirely free and accessible by every human being, we won’t be able to rid the world of inequality.
      I look forward to reading what awesome projects you get involved in (or start!) in 2011. 🙂

    • Thank you, Jasmine! 🙂 I’m always excited to read your posts — your way of seeing the world and method of travel seem so similar to my own and I love reading about your adventures!

  7. Raam, Congratulations on the changes you’ve made this year.
    I am a relatively new reader but I have enjoyed reading so far and
    can’t wait to see what’s in store for you in 2011!

  8. We have not met, but I consider you a friend, an amazing and gifted friend, one who soars with eagles. Thank you for your writing, your help, your insights, and may 2011 be full of amazing blessings for you!

  9. Dear Raam, Thank you too for providing us with this wonderful blog. I love to read your posts, they are very thought provoking and sincere. It is always a joy to read them and to hear from you with what you are thinking and doing. I’m so glad I found your blog and look forward to reading more in 2011. Best wishes x

  10. Hi Dear Raam!

    I really feel blessed with all the inspiration that you have given to my life with your blog and your passion in every single article that I read in this amazing corner.

    Change is a big word and a big challenge to achieve. For me, means a metamorphosis of our mind and attitudes; and it’s a decision to take with self-esteem and self-confidence. I made changes in my life this year too, in some it was tough to leave the routine and in others, it’s difficult to leave the pattern that not wants to go, but I’m trying hard and I know that I will survive. That’s the important thing 🙂

    Finally, I want to thank you for being a good friend with all your best wishes, and for motivating us to seek our change in ourselves and in this world. I hope to keep reading your beautiful inspiration in your blog, and in any place that you want to share it with us.

    I thank God for giving me the opportunity to meet a new friend in 2010.

    ~ * Happy New Year *~ 2011

    Best,

    Viviana ~ xo

    • Hi Viviana!

      You’re so right about change being a big challenge — and it’s a challenge on so many levels! It requires us to stay open-minded and open to new possibilities; it requires us to free ourselves form the clutches of our ego and ridged thinking. But in striving for all that, our self-esteem and confidence go through the roof. We realize how much potential is within us to do whatever we set our minds on.

      Thank you so much for all your kind words, your love, and your inspiration in 2010. I’m so happy we connected this year and I look forward to sharing more together in the 2011!

  11. Ok now that I have dried up a few tears, I can write a few words! Raam, you are a genuine, and very special person. If anyone else had gone on your journey to India, Nepal and Vietnam, they would not have seen as much as you, it takes a special soul to see it. I think YOU were meant to go on these trips. I really believe it. Not me, not anyone else, but you at this time in your life. I did not know you before but seeing you at the cafe yesterday, I could see such a calm, grounded, and peaceful person immediately. You exude amazing energy and I loved being in your presence….! I am so happy you had a good year and I know 2011 will bring you even more transitions and realizations….be well and keep us posted on your next adventures!

    • Forgot to add: I started reading Lord of the Rings – it’s been slow and I have not even put a dent in it – but after watching all the movies for first time a couple of months ago, Raam. You mention it a lot here, have you read Tolkien in its entirety?

      • I haven’t read Tolkien, but I’ve watched the movies. If I was going to read LotR or The Odyssey, I’d definitely pick The Odyssey… there’s something about that story that really speaks to my core!

    • Dear Farnoosh, you have an amazing energy and vibe about you that ignites the world wherever you go! Every time I see a comment with your name, I know it’s going to put a smile on my face. 🙂

      I thoroughly enjoyed our chat and I wished it could’ve lasted longer. I look forward to another opportunity next year and I hope you and Andy have a wonderful New Years and a very adventurous 2011!

  12. Raam –

    It’s funky how things happen. Because I left FaceBook, it opened up this WHOLE WORLD that I knew nothing about –which was blogging. There are so many wonderful blogs out there that I have really become inspired by and really encourage me to leap for what I feel is right for myself but I have to say your blogs have truly been most inspiring and thought-provoking for me. Who would have known your adventures in India would not only be benefiting yourself but benefiting hundreds and thousands other people you become in contact with? So lovely 🙂 Will continue reading your stuff, while you continue helping me create this new change inside me…thanks for your wonderful writings
    Natalie

    • Hi Natalie, thank you so much for your kinds words!

      The blogosphere never ceases to amaze me with its ability to connect like-minded people and create a real sense of global community. I feel so humbled that I could affect so many people by simply writing things on a computer and pressing publish. The global reach — the individual potential we have with the Internet — is truly mind-boggling and awe-inspiring!

      I’m so happy that I could play a small part in your big journey and I look forward to seeing what amazing things you do in 2011! 🙂

  13. I really admire you, Raam. You have made the hard choices in life to go after what you really wanted and not use the time-old excuses to hold you back from your Year of Realization. You did what you said you were going to do in 2010 and achieved some amazing self-knowlege and wisdom about the world.

    I can’t wait to see what else you have in store. I know that you look upon your travels last year as a cornerstone, but you have so many wonderful years ahead of you that will make 2010 pale in comparison 🙂 The skies the limit!

    All the best to you in 2011,
    Karen

    • Thank you, Karen. My travels are indeed far from over… I just have to remind myself that there is no competition — even with myself — for traveling or gaining new experiences. I keep reminding myself that life is a journey, not a race! 🙂

      I’m so happy that we connected in 2010 and I look forward to meeting you in person someday soon!

  14. Raam, I’m really grateful for you and your blog. You’ve inspired me with your life and what you write. You have a passion in you Raam that drives you on to overcoming the challenges in life. What this makes me think is that you might just have that gift for a greater purpose than you’re even aware of yet. Be prepared to live a life without limits, and know no boundaries(because in reality there aren’t any). I’m grateful for our friendship and I really hope that you’ll make it up to northern NH to see me and see a community of amazing and loving people that I’m a part of. I wish you a fruitful journey in 2011 and I hope our paths do cross.

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