Ask my kids and they will embarrassingly admit that I often burst into sporadic song. And one of my all time favorites is Peter Allen’s “I still call Australia home.” Well, next month, after ten years in the US, it will be again.
Yes, I’m moving!
Moving kids. Moving house. Moving state. Moving country. Moving hemisphere!
Down Under!
After a decade living and thriving and LOVING the USA, I’m heading back to my homeland, back to my ‘hometown’ of Melbourne. Closer to Grandpa’s farm, closer to cousins, closer to the beach!
Weeks after 9/11 when I moved with my husband and three very young children to Texas, I thought we’d be in the US for just a short time. Ten years (and one Texan – our 4th child) later I’ve become so at home in America that I feel like I’m leaving one home to move to another. After all, I have only lived in Melbourne briefly since heading off to live in Papua New Guinea 17 years ago.
I’m guessing you’re surprised. Well let me tell you, so am I!
Basically my husband got a job offer he simply could not refuse! While it’s likely we will only be back there for a few years, who knows? Right now I’m keeping focused on the year right ahead. As of today, I have one month to pack up my home, sell and give away lots of “Stuff,” find a new home, and, of course, say farewell to our many fabulous friends before we catch that plane.
But don’t worry, I WILL BE BACK!
Regularly! The irony did not escape me that he day after we decided to make this move, I was asked to speak at three conferences across the US in 2012 and firmed up a meeting to contribute to a national TV show that will air next year. So I think its fair to say, if you live in America, you haven’t seen the last of me yet! I’ve gone global!
I have long thought of myself as a Global Citizen. Yes, I’m Australian by birth, passport and accent. But borders are easier to cross, air miles easier to accrue, and people easier to connect with than ever before.
Of course my passion for empowering people to live courageous lives never wavers. In fact, if anything, as I spread my wings to the other side of the globe, I feel more strongly than ever about the importance of living courageously in a climate that has become so fearful. I truly believe there has never been a more important time to discern those fears that are serving us from those that are stifling us, to refuse to buy into dogma that drives us to create barriers rather than bridges, and to resist pressures to play safe, think small, stick with the status quo and settle for less from ourselves, and life, than serves us.
There’s no doubt about it, lots of change lies ahead for me in 2012. But I also know that nothing is truly permanent and that life’s biggest changes, also present its greatest opportunities. So, with that said, I embrace the words of Helen Keller that have always inspired me so much:
“Life is a daring adventure or nothing!”
Indeed it is. New Year, New Hemisphere… New Adventures await! This next chapter will undoubtedly involve more sun, surf and sand. Likely a few more swear words too (those bloody Aussies love to swear!)
I look forward to you joining me on my life adventure as I continue my life’s work in supporting you in yours.
In the meanwhile, wishing you a very Merry Christmas and a bold and bodacious start to the year ahead.
Hi, Margie<
welcometo the club of global citizenship. I have been 'on the go' from the time I was in my mothers womb, from East to West Europe, from Germany to California, from California to New York.
To define us human beings by nationality is a form of separation. As humanity is moving closer into Oneness, peoples' homes will be where they are, where they make their home, where they feel at home. It's all a mindset and matter of beliefs and perceptions. Being one with oneself and the One (however a person wants to define t God, Buddha, Mohamed, Creator, the source), means being at home in whatever time zone or space one occupies.
My best wishes for you personally and professionally as well for you wonderful family.
Diana
You are so right Diana. It really is about mindset… something I'm writing about in my next book!
So happy for you Margie. You'll be missed! If you need "an extra you" to get ready to push off or when you return. I'd be honored to help with errands, packing up or most anything "legal or moral" (LOL)…if I don't do it I'll make sure it gets done!
Thanks Rebekah! Appreciate your offer of help and will let you know if i need an extra hand.
Wow! How wonderful and at the same time courageous!!! You certainly apply your prinicples to your own life. Wish you and your family all the best. Thank you for all the great stories and helpful advice you have given folks over the years. Looking forward to keeping in touch and seeing what 2012 will bring.
Thanks Adele. Think I will accrue some new stories from the new year ahead about life outside the comfort zone!
Margie W – good luck to you! I've printed out multiple copies of your Ten Commandments of Courage and will be putting them in each family member's Christmas stocking to spread your inspiration. I met you when you spoke at the Women in Technology mentor-protege program this fall and you have certainly encouraged me to reach high in my future endeavors. Well done! Margie O
Great to hear! Keep it up Margie O!
Congrats! What a great opportunity to live in Down Under. I'm going to do it myself one day! I think the Aussies would dig authentic bluegrass from a guy like me!
Tony Stephan
(the mandolin guy)
You do that Tony!
Hello Margie, congratulations and I wish you much success on your upcoming move back to Australia. I am sure this will be a tremendously busy time for you. Best regards and I look forward to hearing from you.
J.Davis
Thanks Janice
Best of luck to you Margie and safe travels. Thanks for your guidance when it was really needed, and all of your inspirational messages. We do hope to get to Australia again soon to visit good friends there, so I may be in touch again.
Would love to hear from you if you make it to Oz Jodi. Stay in touch and keep living the message of courage
Wow, Margie. Huge news.
We have been in Singapore for two and a half years and moving back to Australia would feel a bit like leaving a home. So I can only imagine what it feels like after ten years.
Happily though, you have your wonderful family to embrace you. I’m sure they are so thrilled about the move.
I love reading all your updates.
Good luck
Judith x
Thanks Judith. Yes, a pretty big change awaits. All good though. It will be great to broaden my perspective yet again and that of my kids. Merry Christmas to you in Singapore!
Global it is.. 🙂
Good for you ( I mean you in plural as a family)…only childs have to adjust, adapt and understand…work allways on the "love languages".
May God bless you, your family and bless you with wisdom, easy travelling, easy packing and happiness at all moments.
The best in 2012 and Christmas
Estuardo
Wishnig you all the best from your NJ fan…your inspiration travels from you to me to my students who I counsel to their parents to our community…what a fine thread you have woven! Merry Christmas…Happy New Year…Happy Adventures…..Joyce Nahama
So wonderful to hear that Joyce. Blessings to you at Christmas time and for the year ahead. Live it boldly!
Margie – I wish you all the best. You are truly an inspiration to us all. Please keep in touch. Happy holidays to you and your family. Have a safe move and fun time going home.
Thanks Amanda. Yes, lots of fun awaits.
How incredibly exciting Margie! I can't wait to hear more about the transition for you and your family. Bold and courageous indeed! What an opportunity for your kids as well! Have a wonderful and exciting holiday season!
Thanks so much Liz. Same to you!
Margie…. we will really miss you but we were so glad to have you for the last 10 years at least! You represented in the U.S. for the cousins down under! Now we will just have to go visit you…. (my mom just mentioned the other day that we needed to make another family trip there). What an adventure and it will be good to be close to your family!
Looking forward to your visit Allison!
Margie Congrats on your next adventure! You inspire all of us to live with Courage everyday. I look forward to hearing about your Aussie adventures, but the DC area will miss you! I am living life with more Courage everyday because of you! Thank you.
Margie – Best wishes on your move back to Australia. If during your travels you are ever in Southern California, please let me know. I so enjoyed our phone conversation a few months back and I would love to meet up with you. I read every newsletter you send out (one of the only two I actually read through, of the hundreds I receive each month)…love your messages…they are fantastic and so aligned with what we espouse at Business Women Rising and Business World Rising.
I too am embarking on a TV show adventure in 2012…too early to disclose, but very exciting and hopefully we will help people everywhere become better leaders…in a big, bold and broad way.
Merry Christmas to you and your family and all my best for a very prosperous 2012.
Deb
Deb Boelkes
CEO and President
Business World Rising,
Keep me posted on your new venture Deb Great to connect with you this year and look forward to supporting each other as we work to help others lead more bravely
Margie
Hi Margie,
Best Wishes on your Move!
Have a Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year!!
Ken
Thanks Ken!
Best wishes on the move to Melbourne! I was looking forward for your newsletter every month. Thanks for give me courage every time I read your messages. I have been leaving in different countries over the years..Melbourne always will be my number one! Good Luck!
Margie – keep living courageously. Your life depends on it!
Safe, happy travels my friend! I look forward to keeping in touch. Your move sounds fabulous!
cheers,
mary
Congratulations on your move and the next, exciting chapter in your life, Margie! You have truely been an influence in mine through the course you taught for ASAE, then your book, and all of your blogs and videos I've had the priviledge of reading and watching. Keep on pursuing your dream and encouraging us in ours! You are doing great work!
Thank you for your kind words Kyle. Really appreciate you sharing that and wishing you a year of living boldly in 2012!
Congratulations on your next adventure! Moving is always a great time to clear out the old and bring in the new! I really enjoy your newsletters.
Thanks Allison
Hi Margie, I live in Melbourne and so happy that you’re moving here. I hope to meet you soon in Melbourne.
Thanks for your newsletters. I do enjoy reading them and always looking forward to seeing the next one.
Thanks Maryam. Hope our paths cross in 2012!
Hi Margie
Well America's loss is our gain! I hope the challenge of moving goes smoothly. I look forward to catching up with you in 2012. Hope you have time to discuss some work opportunities in Oz.?
Much love, Kaye Fletcher
Thanks Kaye. So appreciate your kind words and encouragement and yes, of course, I'm all for exploring new opportunities in 2012 and beyond. Been a long time since I worked in Oz (decade in Fact!) so time to get the wheels cranking again!
Merry Christmas!!!
Look forward to seeing you when we return!
Welcome back to Australia!! Looking forward to catching up once you get back! Ana xx
Thanks Ana. Yes, will be fun to catch up again!
Hi Margie! You have been an inspiration! Congrats on your new endeavors and to your move back to hometown. It must be pretty exciting for you 🙂 Keep us posted please…
And Merry Christmas and Blessed Year ahead!
Margie, I'm glad we had the chance to meet and work together while you were here. Best of luck and lots of happiness to you and your family! Julie
Thanks Julie!
Margie – best of luck. I met you through WIT, when you spoke to the Mentor-Protege folks in Reston. You were an inspiration then, and I continue to leverage your guidance and tips. Your words about being courageous in all that you do really resonate with me. I am currently struggling with the internal battle to make a leap of faith and trust myself to build a brand new business, or stay with the current, successful, easy career. I know the path I want to take, but stirring up the courage daily to stick with it is always a bit of a challenge. Thanks for everything. Amy
Truly happy for you to return home to Australia. Enjoy being close to your family again! Sounds like you"ll be logging a lot of airline miles for those USA conferences. Good luck with the move.
hi Margie!
Well welcome home!
Good luck and strength! I too know the rigours of changing countries and moving… so I wish for you smooth
I look forward to your next instalment 🙂
Kind regards
Paola
Adelaide
Hi Margie:)
Congrats on the next big adventure and chapter in your life! YOu have definitely been on of the influences to live the best life that I can. I have remembered to live life boldly but also to let a lot of things go that were not serving me:) Since we met I continue to grow! That chance meeting at the Reston Town Center during your book signing of Live Life Boldly(I think) was just what I needed…along with the prep talk you gave me. Continue to do what you are doing because you look younger now than in 2007! I heeded your advice as well….eat well, exercise, and be surrounded by fun, energetic, & uplifting people! I vacationed Australia (Sydney) once but I hear Melbourne is also a great place to visit and live. Enjoy your adventure & Happy Holiday.
With love,
Shalonda
Hello Margie,
I want to thank you for the wonderful messages you share and for inspiring me to live boldly and fearlessly. Your stories have moved me deeply and helped me reflect on all things big and small.
Here’s wishing you and your family a magical Christmas and new year! May all your manyanas back home bring you peace, joy, and love!
I lived in Australia as a 17 year old exchange student and have extremely fond memories. From vegemite to ‘barbies’ to arnott’s raspberry shortcakes and the beautiful beaches to the friendly people…from Central Australia to Falls Creek to Rutherglen (where I stayed), I had the best time ever J
Take care and God bless!
Anitha
My Dear Margie,
Don't be suprised with the word 'Dear' used above. You know what? You are the best that happened to me in Year 2011, because I came across your book on courage. My courage rating before I read your book was 20%, the good news you will love to hear is that I am living courageously. I can boldly say NO to issues and take full responsibility for my actions and inaction. I now sleep well and have enough time to focus more on strategic issues that will impact positively on my career advancement. I thank GOD and Margie.
Keep it up! You are quietly changing your generation for good.
God will continue to protect you and family.
I say a big thank you.
So happy for you! I look forward to reading your global e-mails! You have inspired me immensely even though you don't know it! Enjoy being back with all your family.
Beverly Shatzen
This is very exciting and I wish you all the best! looking forward to carrying your thought and wisdom with me always in spirit!
Happy and warmest of holidays,
Dayna
Margie – so glad we connected while you were here.. looking very forward to keep in touch… excited for you and yes it is right in line with courage!
Margie – you walk your talk better than pretty much anyone I know. Continue to inspire me and so many others with your messages of courage, hope, passion and purpose. We all need to be reminded again and again and you do it with such grace, humor and authenticity. THANK YOU. I know your fellow Aussies will benefit as much from your wisdom and passion as we have here in the USA.
Becky Neihart, Soho, NYC
Margie – you walk your talk better than pretty much anyone I know. Continue to inspire me and so many others with your messages of courage!
What adventures await you Margie. Just remember that Australia needs to have people like you sharing your message of courage as much as America has. Remember your Tall Poppy Courage!
Sally S, Hawthorn
Welcome home, enjoy your continuing daring adventure – and life's unfolding mysteries.