Catching Greenlights
What if I told you that the wise words of Matthew McConaughey have been shaping my life? Now, before you say “alright, alright, alright,” let me explain.
When my husband, Zach, and I started dating, we quickly bonded over our shared love of family, great food and wine, laughing through life’s challenges, and exploring new cultures. Over the years, our love—and our adventures—have only grown. Our travels have taken us from the rolling countryside of Scotland to the breathtaking Great Barrier Reef in Australia, with countless unforgettable stops in between.
In late 2021, we listened to Greenlights by none other than the great 21st-century philosopher himself, Matthew McConaughey. And that’s when everything started to click.
“Catching greenlights is about skill: intent, context, consideration, endurance, anticipation, resilience, speed, and discipline. We can catch more greenlights by simply identifying where the red lights are in our life, and then change course to hit fewer of them.”
- Matthew McConaughey, Greenlights
While listening, we pondered on our hopes and dreams together. The “greenlights” that brought us together after meeting years earlier and the “greenlights” that kept us together, living life to its fullest. Through the opportunities and diversity that we had been faced with previously, we had unknowingly developed this skill of “catching greenlights” that McConaughey discussed so eloquently.
But why Switzerland? Why now?
In 2014, I took a leap of faith and left the familiarity of Oklahoma State University to study abroad in Florence, Italy—an adventure that would change my life in ways I never expected. At the time, I craved a change, but what I found was something far more profound. I formed lifelong friendships with people from around the world, navigated the quirks and challenges of a foreign culture with plenty of laughter, and discovered more about myself than I ever anticipated—all while picking up a bit of Italian along the way. Those six months of living and learning every day ignited a deep desire to one day call Europe home again.
A few years later—after a dog, a house, and getting married—Zach decided it was time to take the next step in his career by pursuing an MBA. After months of research, he came to me one evening and said, “I think I’ve found the perfect program… but it’s in Switzerland.”
The thought of leaving behind the life we had built was daunting, but I knew this was an opportunity we couldn’t pass up and it would finally get me back to living in Europe. So, I encouraged him to apply.
Weeks after his interview, we received the life-changing news—he had been accepted! And just like that, our adventure of moving overseas began. I could almost hear McConaughey’s voice reminding me to catch the greenlights and take the leap.
We sold our house, secured our visas, and set off on this incredible journey. Simple, right? Not exactly. The process was anything but straightforward—every document was in French, a language we barely spoke at the time. But that’s a story for another day!
“Life is our resume. It is our story to tell, and the choices we make write the chapters. Can we live in a way where we look forward to looking back?”
― Matthew McConaughey, Greenlights
Nearly 11 years ago, while living in Florence, I started a blog to document my adventures and share travel itineraries for far-off destinations. Over the years, I’ve continued creating travel plans for friends and family, offering tips and tricks for hidden gems around the world. Now, after a year of calling Switzerland home, it feels like the perfect time to revive this passion.
So, I invite you to say Bonjour and Guten Tag, Switzerland! Join me as I search for the best lakeside cappuccino, uncover hidden museums, and explore charming, tucked-away shops you won’t want to miss!
