Most of the time, we have firm plans in our lives. We often have expectations in terms of how and what we want to achieve. Yet, often, we are forced to make adjustments in our life journey. The same happened to me. I have a family, a beautiful wife, kids... I decided to become a professional football coach in my country. I left behind the life of the cruise ship industry. I took a UEFA coaching course, first a National C license, then a UEFA C license, and recently, I have completed a UEFA B license. Despite working around 12 hours per day in the local football club, my monthly income was around $400. At that point, I was working as a U19 head coach. Aside from my coaching job, I was doing some individual coaching training, but in total, my monthly income was at most $500. For a family of 4, this was not enough even for food and basic bills. When I looked at another part of my coaching job, many other things did not make much sense.

Most of the football games in my country were pre-fixed in the mafia deal with betting companies. As a coach, I was only a sacrificing goat for the corrupted mafia members and presidents of the football clubs. There were no fundamental values in the sport; everything was just about the game-fixing, and club presidents profited from betting on pre-fixed games. While working in the cruise ship industry, I was taught about some values: discipline, hard work, commitment, and loyalty. As a football coach, nobody cared about those values in my country. It was important to be involved in the game-fixing between the football clubs, and that was the only way to get your slice of the cake. I was never like that, so this job did not last long in my career. I was a loyal, hard-working, friendly, committed person with the desire and willingness to work hard. But those values in my country were not important, and it was time to think about going back to the cruise ship... After the COVID-19 pandemic, I applied to a few cruise ship companies. It took almost two years to get a job on the cruise ship again. River ships often have benefits packages, but I decided to return to the ocean cruise line.

Cruise ship work is not for everyone. You have to have a positive mindset and the willingness to overcome many stressful situations. You have to be brave to explore, to go beyond familiar, and often to step into some unknown waters. The truth is that the only way to make progress and grow as a person is to go outside our comfort zone. The cruise ship environment represents exactly that. The ability to bend, adjust, go beyond, around, underneath, but never to quit. Many crew members resigned immediately upon joining their vessel on the very first contract. Those people were not weak. They needed help to adjust to the hectic living and working environment on the cruise ship. Day to day, you are expected to smile and be polite to everyone around you on the cruise ship. You might feel sad once in a while, but you have to master self-control, suppress your emotions, and remain strong. That is rule number one in the cruise ship industry. If you talk to a bad manager or some rude customer, remember life goes on. It's not about you; it's about them. And like anybody else in this world, you are unable to control other people's words, actions, and behaviors. So instead of getting mad… Just take a deep breath. A new day will come, and the sun will rise again. Not everything in this world requires your reaction; choose your battle and choose to control your emotions for the sake of your well-being. I met some amazingly calm crew members while I was working for one big cruise line company for more than 10 years. Those people taught me a lot: how to remain calm under pressure and how to manage the situation in the right way.

If you are working on the cruise ship and still considering finding a land job, that's fine. But always remember, for all of us, it seems greener on the other side. Just take a moment to appreciate what you already have: your job, earnings, and health that allow you to work and provide for your family members. I can guarantee you that a million other people would love to have your job on the cruise ship. Many people around the world are dreaming of getting an opportunity to work on a cruise ship and provide a better life for their families back home. Absorb this unique moment, regardless of whether you are currently on the ship or you are maybe about to join the ship. The opportunity to travel and to go beyond your comfort zone is the best way to grow as a person. Yes, it might be a painful experience at some point. Sometimes, you will probably be tired, fatigued, and questioning your decision to work on the cruise ship rather than some land-based job. But remember, it's true when they say, "It's always greener on the other side." Nobody's life is perfect, and nobody is able to achieve perfection. Yet, there is one little secret. If you want to be happy… Start today. Write down ten things that you are grateful for. Please put it on the paper next to your bed. In the morning, just after you get up from your bed, read it loud and clear for yourself. Let it sink in your mind; there are many reasons for all of us to be grateful in this world. Yes, there are many obstacles, I know. And there will be in the future. But do not fall into a common trap like other people who are waiting for all the pieces to settle before the puzzle is completed and "they can start to be happy." Do it now; regardless of all circumstances, write down the reasons that make you grateful and happy. Focus on the positive side of life. Do not wait until you have your new car or new house as a precondition to your happiness. Please do it now. Put that smile on your face and remind yourself that you are loved and blessed!

Beginning of the journey-airport departure

My friend picked me up and drove me to the airport. We arrived around 4 am, and my flight was at 6 am. Every journey is a new chapter in your life, no matter how many times you have flown before. Traveling is a sensational opportunity to change and improve your knowledge, meet new people, and get to know more about yourself and others. The two connecting flights went really accurately, and I arrived in Miami, Florida, in the early afternoon.