Have you ever come across the phrase «work in progress»? And if you came across it, did you ever stop to think about what it means?

A common explanation of this phrase, is something that isn’t quite finished yet… Something that needs a little adjustment before it’s no longer «in progress». If you google the phrase, you’ll get approximately 502 000 000 results given in 52 seconds. One of the most common explanations to «work in progress» is one from the world of art and entertainment. Whenever a theatrical or artistic production is close to being done, they will often open up to an audience while still working on it. That way, they can showcase and get feedback before opening night and change those bits and pieces that didn’t work out so well. Hollywood does it as well when they pre-screen movies for select groups prior to the premiere, so the final result can be as big of a blockbuster as possible! Another way to use «work in progress» is whenever you speak of any talent that still haven’t peaked at the top of his or her ability, such as an athlete. But how does «work in progress» relate more specifically to you?

Regardless of your talent, your participation in an audience or as a cast member in a production, you are a living example of work in progress! From the moment you were born till the moment you die, you will continue to change and develop. You will experience all the challenges that is life and you will make a lot of different choices, some that will benefit you and others that you’ll wish you never made! Some people will probably appear to be forever in progress, while others will seem like the perfect example of a person who can handle anything. It doesn’t matter which one of those you are! What matters is that you recognize the fact that you are indeed a «work in progress»! When you realize this, you have the power to make the changes that are good for you and that should always be your number one priority! Someone once said that we are born as originals and die as copies. If you allow yourself to be that work in progress and accept that you’ll make choices that might not always be the right ones, you’ll be better equipped to remain the original throughout your life! I don’t know about you, but I’m perfectly content being a work in progress and I have every intention of being an original for as long as I live…

The best year of my life, was the year I spent working at Walt Disney World in 1995/96. I landed in Orlando on september 10th as an innocent 21 year old, not quite knowing what to expect and ready for new adventures… I was fortunate enough to be one of six Norwegians to be part of the Fellowship Ambassador Program at EPCOT, a year that gave me many different experiences and also provided me with knowledge I still use to this day. Being around so many people from all over the world, gave me a new outlook on life and forever changed my view and respect for diversity. I worked at the Norway Pavilion, had internships and represented both Norway and Walt Disney World at several events. I was able to visit the parks whenever I wanted and there was fireworks every night at closing. Basically, it was the perfect place to be!!

Like all dreams, it came to an end… For me it was a brutal end! I went back to Norway and wanted nothing more than to return to Florida. I felt like I had left a big piece of my heart behind and would try my best to find a way to return. I applied for the Green Card Lottery a few times after returning to Norway, but was never the lucky winner… As the years went by, I had several different jobs within the service/travel industry at home. However, I always had this longing to return to Disney and could never settle down like I wanted to. Whenever my life was tough, I would dream away once more and Walt Disney World became my escape.

As part of a downward spiral, I experienced what most people would call a mid-life crisis. At age 37 I was a conductor with the Norwegian Railroad and had been for a few years. I had a good job and I was good at it, but I wasn’t feeling so good… July 2012 was the summer that changed my life completely and was the start of a long healing process. It took me a couple of years and involved therapy, frustration, regret for dreams that was never realized. But most importantly, I was able to find the strength and courage within myself to get back up! As a result, I went back to university in August last year to finish a degree that had been 20 years in the making. And having gone to therapy every week for six months last year, I was able to change something important in my head: escape from problems is never a good solution, because the problems will always be there when you return…

So what about that escape? Instead of living in broken dreams of the past, I try to utilize my experience from the past into something good here and now. Life needs to be lived in the present, where all opportunities are open to those who look for them. Walt Disney World is still the symbol of the single best year in my life and always will be. But I have learned how to deal with my problems and I no longer need to escape when life is difficult!