The Grass is Greener Where You Are

Finding My True Self Between Two Worlds

There’s something uniquely powerful about coming home after an extended journey. As I stepped off the plane at LAX, breathing in that familiar California air, an epiphany struck me. For three years, I had been searching for a part of myself overseas, hoping to find a deeper connection with the country of my birth. But what I found instead was a renewed appreciation for the place I had come to call home. California was more than a geographical location—it was the place where my soul felt rooted, and where my truest self thrived. They say, “The grass is greener on the other side,” but I learned, in my heart, the grass is truly greener where I stand.

The Call of Adventure

Driven by a curiosity for adventure, I decided to take a job overseas. The opportunity felt like an invitation to step out of my comfort zone and into a world that was, in many ways, my origin yet strangely foreign. Los Angeles, with its kaleidoscope of diversity, had shaped me in ways I hadn’t fully realized. I wanted to feel the raw essence of my birthplace without the filter of familiarity. I remember the excitement of immersing myself in local markets, overwhelmed by the sensory flood of spices, colors, and languages that had once felt so familiar. But reality is often far different from our expectations, and the culture shock hit harder than I had anticipated. Though my surroundings were filled with familiarity on the outside, inwardly, I was a different person.

The Split Identity

California had changed me. Though I looked like everyone else in my birth country, I had grown apart from the rhythm of that culture, so deeply ingrained in my Californian identity. In the stillness of that new place, I realized I was carrying two identities—one rooted in my birthland and the other, grounded in my chosen home. There was a moment, standing in a bustling crowd, when I felt oddly out of place, as if I were watching life unfold from the outside. Romans 12:2 came to mind: “Do not conform to the pattern of this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind.” This verse spoke to me, reminding me that while cultural ties are significant, it’s my heart’s alignment with my inner truth that defines who I am.

Homesick for My Chosen Home

Though I was miles away, California felt as close to me as ever. The warmth of the Californian sun, the familiar hum of city life, and the mix of cultures were all things I missed profoundly. The sensation was unlike any homesickness I’d ever felt—this time, I wasn’t longing for the place of my birth, but for the home where my soul felt understood. I missed the easy mix of cultures on every street corner, the familiar lilt of casual conversations, and even the ocean breeze on a foggy morning. My heart belonged to California, and being away only magnified my appreciation for the place I once took for granted.

The Return: A Heart Full of Gratitude

When I returned, I was overwhelmed with gratitude, feeling as if I had found paradise. California truly felt like “the land of milk and honey,” a place that embraced me with open arms and where my soul could breathe. In the stillness of those first few days back, I realized that I had been looking for peace outside, but peace had always been right here at home. 1 Thessalonians 5:18 reminded me to “Give thanks in all circumstances; for this is God’s will for you.” That verse became my anthem as I reintegrated, realizing I had gained more than just memories from my overseas experience. I had gained clarity about what mattered most.

Soul Insights

1. Identity Transcends Geography

Home isn’t about coordinates; it’s about where your heart feels most alive. While birthplace shapes us, our chosen paths often define us even more deeply. True identity is found in our choices, not just our roots.

“We are more than where we come from; we are where we grow.”

2. Appreciation Grows with Distance

Distance truly gives perspective. It took leaving California to fully understand how much it meant to me. Sometimes, stepping away is the only way to see what we value most.

“The farther I traveled, the closer my heart came to home.”

3. Belonging is an Inside Job

It’s possible to feel out of place even in familiar surroundings. Belonging isn’t about fitting into a location; it’s about feeling comfortable in your own skin. Only when we embrace our unique blend of experiences can we feel at peace wherever we go.

“In the quiet of our souls, we find our truest home.”

4. Contentment Comes from Within

No place will ever be perfect, but we can find perfection in moments of gratitude. As I learned, the “greener grass” isn’t about where we are but how we view where we are. With gratitude, every place becomes a paradise.

“The grass is greenest where I choose to see it as such.”

5. Home is Where Growth Happens

Growth requires challenge, and sometimes that challenge is learning to appreciate what we already have. As I returned, I realized the journey was as much about inner growth as it was about exploring new places.

“Home is the soil where our roots grow deeper, even in the stillness.”

Final Thoughts

Returning to California wasn’t just a physical homecoming—it was a spiritual revelation. My time abroad taught me the irreplaceable value of home, identity, and belonging. Sometimes, we need to venture away to realize that the blessings we sought were within us all along. In the end, I didn’t find a different version of myself overseas; I found the clarity to appreciate the life I already had.

So here’s my question for you: where does your heart feel most at home? If you’ve been waiting for the perfect place to feel at peace, consider this—maybe you’re already there. Look around, be present, and remember that the grass is greenest where you choose to water it.

Soul Path Insights