I Moved My Cheese…Now What?

I had been a Hem since my move to Atlanta. You’ll know what I mean if you read the book, “Who Moved My Cheese?”

Initially, I was excited for the change. After all, it is what I had wanted. Just six months after being recruited by one of the largest media companies in the world, I was given my choice of relocation cities: New York, L.A., or Atlanta. This choice was on the heels of successfully completing a global project in less than three months, saving more than $1.5M for the company.

I reviewed my goals, and the answer was a no-brainer: Atlanta. However, upon arriving in Atlanta, I experienced racism, discrimination, and harassment. Not having had experiences like this before took a toll on me.

A relocation is considered one of the biggest life changes you can make. Add racism, discrimination, and harassment to the mix, and even the strongest wouldn’t feel like being a ‘Haw.’ That was until I read “Who Moved My Cheese?” It further changed my perspective.

Before reading the book, I had already addressed the impacts of racism, discrimination, and harassment. This alone empowered me because I spoke up against what wasn’t right and didn’t feel good. However, I wasn’t sure how to exactly navigate Atlanta after this…

Then I read “Who Moved My Cheese?” I learned I was a ‘Haw’ more than I gave myself credit for. Although I anticipated change, I feared it more than I enjoyed it. I learned to look back at all the changes I’ve had before Atlanta and how each change brought something even better. I realized that although my goals shifted throughout the years, I always achieved each one.

I moved my cheese, and I know it will keep moving, but I will enjoy every bit of it this time. I can do this because I’m no longer attached to “a particular cheese” — the cheese will keep moving, but this time, I will anticipate it, monitor it, adapt quickly, move with it, and enjoy it repeatedly. Change is inevitable, and I am invincible.