India Journal: Where No One Knows Your Name

Even if you haven’t seen this bing commercial yet, you most certainly have felt this way at one time or another…

There was a time when I felt completely overloaded.  It seemed as though it was never quiet enough to hear myself think, to hear that voice inside.  There was always a distraction.  Television.  Internet.   iPod.   Radio. Busyness. Conversation. Meetings.  Even the squeal of the subway.  Distraction found me with ease…and sometimes, I was looking for it.

But then something happened.  I remembered a time when I could hear myself.  When I recognized my own voice and learned to use it, trust it, believe it, enjoy it.

I was an introverted, quiet, studious woman.  And then I moved to Italy, a place where no one knew me or the roles I played in life.  No one knew I was the shy sister, the serious student, the sensitive daughter.  Being in a place where I was no longer expected to be a certain way, I learned who I actually was…extroverted, humorous and strong! More importantly, I learned what I liked, what made me curious, what inspired me and what made me tick.

Somehow, as I navigated out of my twenties and into my thirties I became consumed by new roles that had little to do with the lesson I learned in Italy.  The noise in my life was a way to hide from the fact that I was living according to an inherited definition of success, rather than my own.  I decided to take time out to hear myself and move beyond my roles.  It is ironic that I chose India to find my peace and quiet – but somehow it did the trick.

The key to my joy was stepping out of a life that didn’t fit to start becoming more me…and it all started with finding a place where no one knew my name.

Each time I see this commercial, I smile to myself…maybe next time I want to hear myself I’ll try Michigan!

Over the next few weeks I will look back on my India Journal in hope that the stories will open a door for you.

In the meanwhile, check out some of the other great messages in Pure Michigan Ads.