As a family, we made a big decision last month — the decision to leave the comfort and familiarity of our hometown and move to a completely new and unknown city.

Today, my family and I are about two weeks into the repercussions of this decision — we shifted lock, stock, and barrel to our new address in a city known as Amravati, in Maharashtra, India.

It is a stereotype that moving to new a place is always painful and problematic. I have very different thoughts after this actual experience.

I visited this beautiful city three years ago, and at that time I didn’t even imagine that I would move here someday. Initially, when my dad announced his transfer opportunity, I was a little upset. My heart was not ready to be dislodged from my happy little nest; I had emotional attachments to everyone and everything there — my school, my friends, and even the lanes and by-lanes of my hometown.

But then I did some thinking and attempted to find my happy spot in this decision. All that my mind told me, I reasoned with in more depth.

I thought, “Is moving only painful?” I drew energy from imagining that I would meet new friends and start at a new school, which could open doors to great joy and happiness.

I can proudly say that now I am completely engaged in my new school — my supportive friends and teachers have helped me become a part of this new community very easily. If it wasn’t for the support extended to us, we would still be grappling with the “what’”and “how to” of this experience. Our housewarming was filled with warmth from our enthusiastic neighbors who have accepted us as a part of their ecosystem with love and compassion. The city, our neighborhood, the markets, local facility providers have made this transition so smooth.

I am inspired by the words of Mother Teresa —

“Spread Love everywhere you go. Let no one ever come to you without leaving happier.”

So if any of the readers of my article need to move, don’t panic — trust and have faith! Plan and go for it!