One of my favorite quotes that has inspired me throughout my journey of life is: “Do not allow those with limits to limit you.” I found this quote to be a necessary part of my everyday strength when I decided to leave the U.S. and begin a teaching career in Thailand.
Most people encouraged me and thought the idea of moving to Thailand was great. However, there were a couple of naysayers in the background. You know the people who doubt everything—the ones who discourage you based on their own fears and doubts.
I realized that most people are afraid of the unknown. People will have only heard secondhand accounts but will deter you as if the experience is theirs and theirs alone.
Facing Fear and Doubt with Confidence
I prepared myself for the “naysayers.” I knew they would line up and give their opinions as if they were researched, undisputed scientific facts. I was armed with passion, determination, and purpose. Driven by ambition and courage while focused on change. Most of all, I kept repeating to myself, “Do not allow those with limits to limit you.”
A few months before my departure to Thailand, I received a phone call from someone who, until that moment, I considered well-traveled and knowledgeable about the world. When I say knowledgeable about the world, I don’t mean knowing places but actually understanding and embracing people, their cultures, and backgrounds.
She and I had traveled abroad many times. We shared similar views of the world and the need to be a part of it and not just live in it. Upon answering, I could hear the fear getting ready to leave her voice and be swallowed up by my ears.
“Oh my god!” she screeched as I barely said “Hello.” “Girl! Did you see the news? Oh my god. Please tell me you saw the news. It’s bad! Very bad.” she continued to repeat overly in an alarmingly aggressive tone.
“What happened? What happened?” I begin to yell over her, “Oh my gods.” Still, I have no clear understanding of what she is so up in arms about. I repeat again, calmer this time, “What happened?”
The Chaos of Misinformation
She responds, still in panic mode, “You can’t move to Thailand. It’s bad over there. Girl, you need to wake up and turn on the news. Turn on CNN right now.”
I replied with a hesitant, “okay.”
As I reached for the remote, barely processing my own thoughts, let alone her mode of panic, “Damn” slipped from my mouth subconsciously in a moaning tone. All I could think of is ‘it’s always something. What could have happened now?’
My mind slowly catches up to my body, and I start to process honest thoughts and questions as CNN announces the breaking news.
I brace myself for the bad news. My friend is still on the phone, sounding both panicked and alarmed. I can’t concentrate or focus on what she is saying. I am trying to watch the breaking news and hear about this awful tragedy. The news will be life-altering. News that will stop me in my tracks and take away any hopes, dreams, or desires of Thailand.
As I keep listening and watching the news, I repeat to myself silently, “One monkey doesn’t stop a show. Whatever it is you are still going. It will be okay.”
My thoughts suddenly get interrupted with, “Oh no! Are you watching CNN? I feel so bad. There is so much damage. And the people. Man, the people seem devastated,” my friend utters in a sad but firm tone.
Before I get a chance to reply, she goes on to say, “Given how bad the earthquake was this morning, it probably will be months before it’s safe to go to Thailand. Hell, even if you tried to leave, they may not let you in since the roads are unsafe.”
With my mind overloaded and beyond a state of confusion, I rudely interrupt her and say, “Ummm, I’m so confused right now. What news are you watching? Didn’t you tell me to turn on CNN?”
Without hesitation she asserted, “Yes, I know we are both watching CNN because I can hear your TV. Didn’t you just see the clip about Thailand’s strongest earthquake in the past 25 years? Buildings and houses collapsed. People are trapped, and the streets are damaged. They keep saying things are already back to norma,l but I still think it’s unsafe.”
Now fully awake and in awe, I slightly turned over and reached for my glasses. I could definitely hear the TV, and I thought I was seeing the news clearly, but just to make certain, I put on my glasses.
As I began to read the caption at the bottom of the TV screen, the reporter announced, “We have an update on the earthquake in Taiwan.”
Choosing Courage Over Fear
Before I could control the words, they escaped my mouth: “Whew! Okay, it’s Taiwan. It’s TAIWAN. He did say Taiwan.”
I could not contain the happiness and sheer joy I felt knowing I was hearing and seeing correctly. The breaking news at that moment was about Taiwan. TAIWAN not Thailand.
“Do you know where Taiwan is located?” I asked with a tone of shock and disbelief in my voice. “Now you know damn well I know where Taiwan is located. Asia! The country you are headed to in a couple of weeks.” She replied with certainty.
“Oh wow, of all the people I expected this from, I can’t believe you. You really heard me say I was going to Taiwan and not Thailand. I AM GOING TO THAILAND. THAILAND. I can’t believe you called, like, seriously, picked up your phone and called alarmed about a country I am not even going to.”
Quickly, she rebutted, “Well, it’s a country that starts with the letter T. Both are located in Asia. Damn. Give me some credit for knowing that, at least. I don’t want you to go. And all I saw was an earthquake in Asia. Knowing the right country didn’t matter at the moment.”
The tone of the conversation changed from unease and distress to one of love and concern.
Teaching in Thailand: A Life-Changing Decision
“I want you to go and be happy. I want you to experience new and exciting things. I can’t wait for me to visit you in Thailand but…I just wish I was going to.” she stated with such sincerity.
“Okay, start packing. You can come. You already have a passport, so it would be a great change for you—probably a change that you need right now.” I asserted in a serious but jokingly playful manner, which is how we usually spoke.
Even though I was surprised by what I thought at the moment was her lack of knowledge about geography or miscommunication about exactly where I was going at that moment, I realized it was her fear speaking to me. Or I should say at least that is what it seemed to be.
With my assumptions growing, I could hear my friend start to sob. Not wanting to interrupt or ask any questions, my voice, as soft as I knew it, whispered, “It will be okay.”
She was afraid of me stepping into the unknown, just as many people fear making big changes in life. But I was ready. I had already set my heart on teaching in Thailand.
Overcoming Doubts and Unlocking Potential
To my surprise, with tears still in her voice, she said, “Don’t allow people with limits to limit you! Isn’t that what you tell me all the time? That includes me.”
We sat quietly on the phone for about another 10 minutes, crying to each other. No words were ever spoken. The feelings and emotions that filled the air also filled the void of speaking. I could feel the support and knew that her apprehension of me going to Thailand turned into admiration and inspiration for my new journey in life.
That conversation ended with both of us reminding each other, “Do not allow those with limits to limit you.”
I knew at that moment that my decision to teach English in Thailand was not just about me—it was about inspiring others to push past their own barriers and embrace new experiences.
Final Thoughts: Take the Leap and Teach in Thailand
Stepping out of my comfort zone and moving to Thailand to teach was one of the best decisions I have ever made. The fear of the unknown will always be present, but we cannot let it dictate our choices. Teachers in Thailand have the unique opportunity to grow, inspire, and truly make a difference.
If you are considering a change or looking for a new adventure, teaching in Thailand might be exactly what you need. Just remember: Don’t let anyone’s fears—especially your own—hold you back.
Your journey starts now. Take the leap and teach in Thailand.
