Traveling was never appealing to me. Why should I spend money to visit places that millions of people already visited and take pictures to bother my relatives with?

But it was also a matter of fear. I resolved very few situations on my own. There were always enough parents, teachers and older siblings to handle it. Avoiding responsibilities was convenient.

Once after a meeting, I went to grab a pizza with my fellows and one of them said: “I’ve always been afraid of making decisions on my own… but I decided that I will do it this time and go to the Ireland convention.” And I said to myself: “Dang! If he can break the habit, why couldn’t I?”

Okay, there were several relevant reasons why. I knew nothing about airplanes, buying tickets and staying abroad. I nearly broke down when I tried to choose the correct plane options, and after all that suffering I realized I couldn’t buy them because I don’t have sufficient bank limits. One of my biggest fears is bureaucrats, and I had to face them! Luckily (with God’s help?), that bureaucrat helped me and I bought my tickets.

However, there was one more problem. Family. In my great providence, I hadn’t told them anything about this journey. I hoped that it would somehow resolve itself. But it only got worse. My mom told me that my cousin, the only one I’m talking with, has a wedding on the date of the convention. I think there is no valid reason for skipping such an event. But I bought my tickets without the possibility of a refund. So I had to go.

My lame thinker was already cooking up plans. “I will tell her after breakfast because she will be well fed and less aggressive,” that’s the way I was thinking about my mom! When I told her that I cannot attend the wedding because I’m going to Ireland, she clapped her hands and joyfully said: “You are finally going somewhere!” gave me money and wished me good luck. Needless to say, I was surprised and relieved. God provides solutions where I only see problems.

I stepped out of my comfort zone and had a wonderful time. I traveled across Ireland with my SA friends and attended the convention with amazing, recovering people. They let us stay one extra night for free. And one of the members took us to the Cliffs of Moher, despite having other plans.
I had an amazing trip. All I had to do was let go and let God.