"What is REAL?" asked the Velveteen Rabbit one day... "Does it mean having things that buzz inside you and a stick-out handle?"
"Real isn't how you are made," said the Skin Horse. "It's a thing that happens to you. When [someone] loves you for a long, long time, not just to play with, but REALLY loves you, then you become Real."
"Does it hurt?" asked the Rabbit.
"Sometimes," said the Skin Horse, for he was always truthful. "When you are Real you don't mind being hurt."
"Does it happen all at once, like being wound up," he asked, "or bit by bit?"
"It doesn't happen all at once," said the Skin Horse. "You become. It takes a long time. That's why it doesn't often happen to people who break easily, or have sharp edges, or who have to be carefully kept.
"Generally, by the time you are Real, most of your hair has been loved off, and your eyes drop out and you get loose in the joints and very shabby. But these things don't matter at all, because once you are Real you can't be ugly, except to people who don't understand... once you are Real you can't become unreal again. It lasts for always.
-the Velveteen Rabbit
I am lucky to have a lot of very real people in my life. I too have found myself balding and shabby, and losing an eyeball every now and then.
Since I have been in Africa, shit has been "real". I've seen, experienced, and felt things that have made me keenly aware of the "real-ness" within both myself and others.
Here is a collection of my thoughts on a few things that make us, and have made me REAL:
~Having to say goodbye before your ready.
Can be to a person, a place, a habit, a part of your life. No matter what- it's hard.
Today was my last day on project. I don't think that I will ever be ready to say goodbye to the incredible children I have met and worked with along m journey in Nomzamo. Tears streamed down my face (and they are now) as I tried to explain to the nursery kids that I would not be back on Monday because I had to go on an airplane. After giving them a smooch on the forehead and a hug, all 53 waved goodbye.
Like with all goodbyes, it may mean that you never meet again in this life time, but those little ones will ALWAYS be close in my heart.
~Recognizing and accepting when you hit a wall, doing what you need to do to move past it, even if that means you have to sit and stare at it for a while.
I've hit my share of physical and mental walls since I have been in Africa. I learned it was possible to puke and cry at the same time. By Day 2, hour 19 of a 3 day hike I wanted to find something, anything to sit on and find a way down the last mountain of the day that involved anything but walking. After seeing 9 kids with raw real fear in their eyes get beaten with a metal rod by their teacher for incorrect test answers, I had to leave the classroom and cry for an hour. And just like everyone else around the world I've had days where I wanted to say "I can't do this". But you press on, for the only way out is through. No matter how long you have to look at the damn wall, or how much hair gets rubbed off, it eventually breaks down. Then you find freedom, and become that much more REAL.
~Embracing people and cultures for their differences, rather than judging them.
It's much easier sometime to judge from afar than to actually get to know someone and discover who they truly are. The beautiful thing about the world is that no two people are alike- if we were we wouldent need each other. It can also be frustrating, difficult, and require patients. But once you begin to accept differences, rather than resist, a collaboration manifests into something marvelous and greater than yourself.
~Having feelings so strong it's painful.
Joy, happiness, anger, fear, gratitude. Letting yourself feel, rather than ignore and go numb, creates a REAL and beautiful heart. And usually the more it hurts, the more important it is to feel.
~Most importantly, loving and accepting yourself just as you are so you can unconditionally love and accept others.
You cannot fully love someone else until you love yourself. no matter how shabby you are or loose or eye balls may be, show compassion for yourself and your love will shine through to everyone else.
One of my favorite quotes is "be yourself in this world, everyone else is already taken." so be yourself with love, be different, it makes you REAL.
Tomorrow i begin my next journey traveling a week through the garden route in South Africa, then up to Zimbabwe, Botswana, and Zambia to continue keeping it real!
Xoxoxoox
Friday, November 16, 2012
Tuesday, October 30, 2012
10 Universal Kid Things
In the past five weeks I've spent in Africa, most of my time has been with children. So much so that I will probably need a re-introduction on how to socialize with those over the age of 7.
Here in South Africa I've been on project at an orphanage, an educare center (nursery), a kindergarten, and gotten a glimpse into an elementary school. Both on and off project I have noticed habits, quirks, and enthusiasm in the kids here that I have seen in kids back home and in other parts of the world.
Here we go:
1. It's always way cooler to pee outside than in the bathroom. Weather it's behind a tree or out in the open field, dropping your pants outdoors blows peeing in a toilet out of the water.
2. Trading at the lunch table-Someone else's snack is ALWAYS better than yours.
3. Eating candy, coloring, pissing off the chior ladies, making faces at the lady in the pew behind you- ANYTHING is better than sitting still in church.
4. All songs sound best when shouted as loudly as possible and sung as fast as you can, while spinning around in circles.
5. Leg hair, facial hair, gray hair- all fascinating and quickly pointed out.
6. Non-edible food is the best kind to eat, especially when you are daring a friend to do it.
7. Kids are quick to join in the trouble, but even quicker to sell you out when "who did it?" time rolls around. Every rascal for themselves.
8. Poop and all humor surrounding it is hallarious in any language.*
* This one, while annoying, is also a good humbling reminder that whenever you start to think your better or more worthy than someone- at the end of the day- everybody poops.
9. "No" in any language is enough to make up the vocabulary of a two year old.
10. You can teach them how to cover their mouths and their noses as much as you want- your still going to get sneezed on.
Sending the LOVE from south africa!
Xoxoxo
Here in South Africa I've been on project at an orphanage, an educare center (nursery), a kindergarten, and gotten a glimpse into an elementary school. Both on and off project I have noticed habits, quirks, and enthusiasm in the kids here that I have seen in kids back home and in other parts of the world.
Here we go:
1. It's always way cooler to pee outside than in the bathroom. Weather it's behind a tree or out in the open field, dropping your pants outdoors blows peeing in a toilet out of the water.
2. Trading at the lunch table-Someone else's snack is ALWAYS better than yours.
3. Eating candy, coloring, pissing off the chior ladies, making faces at the lady in the pew behind you- ANYTHING is better than sitting still in church.
4. All songs sound best when shouted as loudly as possible and sung as fast as you can, while spinning around in circles.
5. Leg hair, facial hair, gray hair- all fascinating and quickly pointed out.
6. Non-edible food is the best kind to eat, especially when you are daring a friend to do it.
7. Kids are quick to join in the trouble, but even quicker to sell you out when "who did it?" time rolls around. Every rascal for themselves.
8. Poop and all humor surrounding it is hallarious in any language.*
* This one, while annoying, is also a good humbling reminder that whenever you start to think your better or more worthy than someone- at the end of the day- everybody poops.
9. "No" in any language is enough to make up the vocabulary of a two year old.
10. You can teach them how to cover their mouths and their noses as much as you want- your still going to get sneezed on.
Sending the LOVE from south africa!
Xoxoxo
Sunday, October 14, 2012
Five very eye opening, culture-shocking, and noteworthy things I saw this week
As I anticipated and began my travels to South Africa I did my best to assume and expect as little as possible. Knowing I could not possibly predict what I was going to see or experience, the only real expectation I had was that things would be different. And different they are.
Each day I find my self observing and trying to absorb all that is going on around me. At times I can relate things that are universal and similar at home, but most of the time, the difference is overwhelming. I've witnessed something new every day, if not every hour, that I have been traveling. This week, I felt particularly present and aware of my surroundings. I tried to take note when I could in attempt to remember everything (not possible) but found 5 things in particular that stood out.
I found these to be particularly impactful, provocative, and eye opening each in their own way.
1. Over fifty children under the age of 4 lie down, row by row, and take a nap next to each other.
So I moved over to Naced.... Educare (nursery) center this week. There are over 50 toddlers there and their staff was down to three carers as opposed to the normal 6 or 7. Would be an understatement that 3:50 is an unfair ratio.
We arrived at the nursery Monday morning while all of the kids were having their breakfast (porridge, looks and smells more like cement). The best way I have come up with to describe the nursery is: zoo-like, with the noise level of 1,000 screaming 8th grade girls at a Justin Beiber concert. And all 50 kids jump on you like you are Justin Beiber.
My initial reaction: a. Get. me.out.of.here.now. And b. if that can't happen, where can I hide?
Luckily for me my only option was C. None of the above. The bus was gone and when there's 50 kids in a building of 3 rooms, there's no such thing as hiding.
But as I observed and began to settle into the day, I realized that what seemed at first like absolute mayhem was actually very organized chaos. The children respected their carers as well as their daily routine. After a morning of "organized play" each of the kids sat quietly (I swear) waiting for lunch, ate, took their shoes off outside, and went inside and laid down in rows of about 20 to take a nap. Almost every child was silent and still (always a few token squirmers). I was in complete awe. And then they stayed there for an hour.
From one extreme to another, just wild.
2. Multiple children's story books on AIDS displayed in a classroom.
When you pick up a book off the shelf in a children's classroom you expect it to be a nice fairy tale, have some cute animals, and maybe a lesson on sharing or being nice to your sibling (at least that's what I expect). You don't expect it to be about AIDS.
Call me ignorant, but it had never crossed my mind that AIDS would have such a presence that it needed to be explained on a child's level through a story book. I read stories about ballerinas, hungry catippillers, and if it was something with depth it was most likely about potty training.
Opening that first book unknowinglyand figuring out what it was about by page 3 was my biggest culture shock this week. Maybe even thus far.
3. A high schooler (in a kilt and knee socks) pick up her 2 year old son from nursery school.
In America we use teenage pregnancy as a hit topic or theme for reality tv, a statistic to frown upon, a scare tactic for health education, and as a wrong.
Here, it is the norm.
4. Two billboards for "safe and pain-free" abortions in a 3 block span.
Pro- life? Non exsistant. Especially in a place where rape is as common as a Starbucks in the U.S.
A truth so raw, you almost don't want to admit it in silence, let alone outloud.
5. Seven Great White Sharks. Up close.
While Humans may be the most evolved creatures on the planet by most standards, they are certainly not the most powerful.
Reality check: we are little. Sharks are big. iPhones, a good job, or a hot new pair of shoes can't help you if a shark wants you for lunch. Even with our intelligence and material loves, we're still powerless over nature. Chomp chomp.
And just a few other noteworthy sightings this week that I probably would not have seen walking the battery: - a kid on the side of the road wearing one timberland boot and one roller blade (he's got his shit figured out) - a south African highway police chase - the big dipper upside down (since I'm in the southern hemisphere) - a mother and a baby whale -a set of class rules, for 4th graders, that included not bringing pornography to school - and a Curves (no men, no mirrors is global... Thank goodness).
Much love to you all!
Xoxoxoox
Chels
Each day I find my self observing and trying to absorb all that is going on around me. At times I can relate things that are universal and similar at home, but most of the time, the difference is overwhelming. I've witnessed something new every day, if not every hour, that I have been traveling. This week, I felt particularly present and aware of my surroundings. I tried to take note when I could in attempt to remember everything (not possible) but found 5 things in particular that stood out.
I found these to be particularly impactful, provocative, and eye opening each in their own way.
1. Over fifty children under the age of 4 lie down, row by row, and take a nap next to each other.
So I moved over to Naced.... Educare (nursery) center this week. There are over 50 toddlers there and their staff was down to three carers as opposed to the normal 6 or 7. Would be an understatement that 3:50 is an unfair ratio.
We arrived at the nursery Monday morning while all of the kids were having their breakfast (porridge, looks and smells more like cement). The best way I have come up with to describe the nursery is: zoo-like, with the noise level of 1,000 screaming 8th grade girls at a Justin Beiber concert. And all 50 kids jump on you like you are Justin Beiber.
My initial reaction: a. Get. me.out.of.here.now. And b. if that can't happen, where can I hide?
Luckily for me my only option was C. None of the above. The bus was gone and when there's 50 kids in a building of 3 rooms, there's no such thing as hiding.
But as I observed and began to settle into the day, I realized that what seemed at first like absolute mayhem was actually very organized chaos. The children respected their carers as well as their daily routine. After a morning of "organized play" each of the kids sat quietly (I swear) waiting for lunch, ate, took their shoes off outside, and went inside and laid down in rows of about 20 to take a nap. Almost every child was silent and still (always a few token squirmers). I was in complete awe. And then they stayed there for an hour.
From one extreme to another, just wild.
2. Multiple children's story books on AIDS displayed in a classroom.
When you pick up a book off the shelf in a children's classroom you expect it to be a nice fairy tale, have some cute animals, and maybe a lesson on sharing or being nice to your sibling (at least that's what I expect). You don't expect it to be about AIDS.
Call me ignorant, but it had never crossed my mind that AIDS would have such a presence that it needed to be explained on a child's level through a story book. I read stories about ballerinas, hungry catippillers, and if it was something with depth it was most likely about potty training.
Opening that first book unknowinglyand figuring out what it was about by page 3 was my biggest culture shock this week. Maybe even thus far.
3. A high schooler (in a kilt and knee socks) pick up her 2 year old son from nursery school.
In America we use teenage pregnancy as a hit topic or theme for reality tv, a statistic to frown upon, a scare tactic for health education, and as a wrong.
Here, it is the norm.
4. Two billboards for "safe and pain-free" abortions in a 3 block span.
Pro- life? Non exsistant. Especially in a place where rape is as common as a Starbucks in the U.S.
A truth so raw, you almost don't want to admit it in silence, let alone outloud.
5. Seven Great White Sharks. Up close.
While Humans may be the most evolved creatures on the planet by most standards, they are certainly not the most powerful.
Reality check: we are little. Sharks are big. iPhones, a good job, or a hot new pair of shoes can't help you if a shark wants you for lunch. Even with our intelligence and material loves, we're still powerless over nature. Chomp chomp.
And just a few other noteworthy sightings this week that I probably would not have seen walking the battery: - a kid on the side of the road wearing one timberland boot and one roller blade (he's got his shit figured out) - a south African highway police chase - the big dipper upside down (since I'm in the southern hemisphere) - a mother and a baby whale -a set of class rules, for 4th graders, that included not bringing pornography to school - and a Curves (no men, no mirrors is global... Thank goodness).
Much love to you all!
Xoxoxoox
Chels
Monday, October 1, 2012
Happily Humbled
If you had told me three weeks ago that I would use the words "excited" and "public shower" in the same sentence I would have assumed you had gone nuts. How quickly things can change. After excessive use of waterless shampoo and baby wipes, I hop into that shared shower with more eagerness then I could have ever imagined. Swift kick in the ass from humble right off the bat.
There is nothing glamorous or sexy about life here in Gordon's Bay, but I couldent have a bigger grin on my face. Theres no more fluff, no more distractions, just raw real life.
I spend my day at Ikhayalethemba Orphanage, in the Nomazamo township located just outside of Gordon's Bay. Townships, or informal settlements, are plentiful there. In a nutshell they are an extremely large collection of shacks. It's hard to explain, but try to imagine 1,000s of tiny wooden and metal huts smushed together as close as possible with no proper roads, electricity, plumbing, sanitation, and lots of roaming goats. It is free to live there, so people build their houses wherever and however they can. Needless to say, I felt like a real jerk driving in the first morning after I had bitched about having to drink instant coffee with my breakfast.
23 of the happiest, most loving, and most resilliant children I have ever met live at Ikhayalethemba. On a high horse? Spend five minutes with these children and you'll hop off really quickly. Here you cannot impress with your job, your wardrobe, how much you have, or how much you have done, you are soley loved for being present and being you. They greet you each day with a huge smile and a hug like no other, just because you are there to be with them. The love given by these kids give is an amazing and humbling phenomenon to witness.
In just a week I've been hugged on, jumped on, peed on, colored on, snacked on ( my fingers look tasty? ), drooled on, and just about everything inbetween. I kicked off this week getting peed on by Anelle who then proceeded to jump in the bath tub fully clothed, twice, half an hour into the day. So if I wasent humble or present enough, I certainly am now. But still smiling hard.
I am eager to see what the next few weeks hold, and to let the rest of my journey unfold. but for now I am starting off this week with a humble and happy heart.
There is nothing glamorous or sexy about life here in Gordon's Bay, but I couldent have a bigger grin on my face. Theres no more fluff, no more distractions, just raw real life.
I spend my day at Ikhayalethemba Orphanage, in the Nomazamo township located just outside of Gordon's Bay. Townships, or informal settlements, are plentiful there. In a nutshell they are an extremely large collection of shacks. It's hard to explain, but try to imagine 1,000s of tiny wooden and metal huts smushed together as close as possible with no proper roads, electricity, plumbing, sanitation, and lots of roaming goats. It is free to live there, so people build their houses wherever and however they can. Needless to say, I felt like a real jerk driving in the first morning after I had bitched about having to drink instant coffee with my breakfast.
23 of the happiest, most loving, and most resilliant children I have ever met live at Ikhayalethemba. On a high horse? Spend five minutes with these children and you'll hop off really quickly. Here you cannot impress with your job, your wardrobe, how much you have, or how much you have done, you are soley loved for being present and being you. They greet you each day with a huge smile and a hug like no other, just because you are there to be with them. The love given by these kids give is an amazing and humbling phenomenon to witness.
In just a week I've been hugged on, jumped on, peed on, colored on, snacked on ( my fingers look tasty? ), drooled on, and just about everything inbetween. I kicked off this week getting peed on by Anelle who then proceeded to jump in the bath tub fully clothed, twice, half an hour into the day. So if I wasent humble or present enough, I certainly am now. But still smiling hard.
I am eager to see what the next few weeks hold, and to let the rest of my journey unfold. but for now I am starting off this week with a humble and happy heart.
Saturday, September 22, 2012
Five Things I've Learned So Far...
I made it! In one piece! Happily sitting in Capetown now, and will head to Gordon's Bay this evening. My travles have already been incredible and far from describible, but here is a short list to give you insight on my learning experience thus far...
1. VISA is accepted everywhere. Except for Ansterdam tram busses. Marketing flaw on their part. Lesson #1: no matter how long the currency exchange line is at the airport, wait in it. It's less painful than being reemed out in Dutch by a bus driver for trying to ride for free.
2.Weed and prosititutes are the norm in Amsterdam ( which, full disclosure, I did neither of). Lesson #2: I would need to learn how to hold my drugs, start smoking cigs, and date ridiculously well outfited men to hang with the Europeans.
3.Flight Tracker: friend quickly turned foe. Lesson #3: Dont torture yourself, go for the three movies and old episodes of Friends instead.
4.Window seats seem ideal...until you remember you have a baby bladder. After the 9th time of getting up to use the restroom on a flight, seats B and C no longer accept your apologies. Lesson #4: I'll go for the asile seat on the way home.
5.Lesson #5: Any shower is a good shower. After a 12 hour flight, sleeping in a hostel bed, getting sweaty, then rained on, sweaty again, going to the beach, and then windblown, that public shower looks awesome (and yes, thats a long time to not shower, dont judge).
and many more to come.....
xoxoxo
1. VISA is accepted everywhere. Except for Ansterdam tram busses. Marketing flaw on their part. Lesson #1: no matter how long the currency exchange line is at the airport, wait in it. It's less painful than being reemed out in Dutch by a bus driver for trying to ride for free.
2.Weed and prosititutes are the norm in Amsterdam ( which, full disclosure, I did neither of). Lesson #2: I would need to learn how to hold my drugs, start smoking cigs, and date ridiculously well outfited men to hang with the Europeans.
3.Flight Tracker: friend quickly turned foe. Lesson #3: Dont torture yourself, go for the three movies and old episodes of Friends instead.
4.Window seats seem ideal...until you remember you have a baby bladder. After the 9th time of getting up to use the restroom on a flight, seats B and C no longer accept your apologies. Lesson #4: I'll go for the asile seat on the way home.
5.Lesson #5: Any shower is a good shower. After a 12 hour flight, sleeping in a hostel bed, getting sweaty, then rained on, sweaty again, going to the beach, and then windblown, that public shower looks awesome (and yes, thats a long time to not shower, dont judge).
and many more to come.....
xoxoxo
Tuesday, September 18, 2012
A Friend is a Present You Give Yourself.
Keeping this one short and sweet.
We encounter all sorts of friendships in our lives. Best friends, childhood friends, when-i-see-you-out-ill-awkwardly-say-hi friends, college friends, and maybe even an imaginary friend from back in the day. But there is nothing in life quite like a good friend. Someone you can laugh and cry with, tell your secrets to, and someone you can love knowing they will always love you back no matter how outrageous you looked dancing at the bar last weekend.
I have an incredible group of good friends, and for that I could not be more thankful. No one is like another, and I have learned something new from every single one of you. I have friends that make my heart happy and cheeks hurt from laughing so much. What more could a girl ask for? In the past few months I have felt such outpouring and unconditional love from all of my friends. Your love has shown through in hugs, phone calls, glasses of wine, stupid jokes, the list goes on, but be assured no small act has gone unnoticed. And as I head into this next journey, I am confident that I have never felt as supported or loved by a group of people as I do now. The feeling is overwhelming, and is sending me off with a full heart and a huge smile on my face.
So think of this as a thank you. A big huge hug, abundant gratitude, and a big fat kiss for being my friend. I will carry you all so close in my heart throughout this journey.
Flaps up tomorrow, next post will be from South Africa!!!!!!
We encounter all sorts of friendships in our lives. Best friends, childhood friends, when-i-see-you-out-ill-awkwardly-say-hi friends, college friends, and maybe even an imaginary friend from back in the day. But there is nothing in life quite like a good friend. Someone you can laugh and cry with, tell your secrets to, and someone you can love knowing they will always love you back no matter how outrageous you looked dancing at the bar last weekend.
I have an incredible group of good friends, and for that I could not be more thankful. No one is like another, and I have learned something new from every single one of you. I have friends that make my heart happy and cheeks hurt from laughing so much. What more could a girl ask for? In the past few months I have felt such outpouring and unconditional love from all of my friends. Your love has shown through in hugs, phone calls, glasses of wine, stupid jokes, the list goes on, but be assured no small act has gone unnoticed. And as I head into this next journey, I am confident that I have never felt as supported or loved by a group of people as I do now. The feeling is overwhelming, and is sending me off with a full heart and a huge smile on my face.
So think of this as a thank you. A big huge hug, abundant gratitude, and a big fat kiss for being my friend. I will carry you all so close in my heart throughout this journey.
Flaps up tomorrow, next post will be from South Africa!!!!!!
All my love,
Chels
Tuesday, September 4, 2012
God, Grace, and Gratitude
I believe in God. I live through grace. I live in gratitude.
God, grace, and gratitude- An unfailing trifecta of G's. While each may be viewed as independent concepts, the three together have the ability to create things far beyond our abilities.
While I may not have rockstar attendance at church and haven't dutifully read scripture, I still have faith. I strongly believe there is a Higher Power greater than us all. Call it God, call it Allah, Krishna, whatever resinates with you, its there. I believe God has put all of us on earth with purpose and a plan. Everything we encounter in our lives is perfectly timed (even though we may not always think so) and for a reason in accordance with His intention for us. I also believe in science. I am fully aware and not ignorant to the fact that everything that happens can be explained by a scientific truth. But, if science was the only way I explained things that have happened in my life, I would have a titanium heart and an encyclopedia series of both shitty and happy facts. You can logically reason and fact your way through any situation, but God gives you hope for them. He gives you a guide, a reason, and a purpose to work through and carry on. He may not give you the "why" right away (or ever), but faith provides encouragement and reassurance things are happening according to plan. For things we don't understand, think are fair, or don't want to do, he gives us grace.
Grace can have many meanings and come in many forms. Some view grace as good manners, others as something spiritual, and if your five maybe as something you eat before you can have your mac and cheese. Grace can be in the form of a thing, a person, an experience, an emotion, or a freedom. I view grace as a gift. An unconditional gift from God, given with no strings attached. You don't have to be fearless or have endless courage to receive grace. It comes to those who are grateful and humble. Its not something that can be repaid, but it is a gift to be lived out. We live out our grace through faith and gratitude.
I have abundant gratitude for many many things in my life. Life without gratitude would be like s'mores without the chocolate. So not tasty. Marshmallows and graham crackers are average, chocolate is the extra delicious goodness that completes the picture. Gratitude comes from within, allows you to appreciate all that you have and grow your heart. As my trip quickly approaches ( 15 days) my awareness of all I have to be grateful has been heightened, especially thanks for God and Grace. I know I will need all three to guide me through my adventure ahead. God and gratitude for grace and grace to be grateful. But until I leave in two weeks I have much to be grateful for here in Charleston and in my life today. So here is my gratitude list for today, I encourage you to take inventory of what your grateful for every now and then and jot some things down. It feels good. You may have a lot more to smile about than you think.
If your grateful, your happy. If your not, your not.
Today I give gratitude for:
-Family (first and always)
-Yoga
-Dellz lunch dates with Beth, Sarah and Jess
-Walks with Emily Chess
- My dogs Max and Putter
-Chocolate coconut water (holy delicious)
-Faith
-Friends
-Phone calls from my sister who hates to talk on the phone
-Sneakers
-Laughter
-Big Bang Theory
-Jumble Cookies
-Open hearts
God, grace, and gratitude- An unfailing trifecta of G's. While each may be viewed as independent concepts, the three together have the ability to create things far beyond our abilities.
While I may not have rockstar attendance at church and haven't dutifully read scripture, I still have faith. I strongly believe there is a Higher Power greater than us all. Call it God, call it Allah, Krishna, whatever resinates with you, its there. I believe God has put all of us on earth with purpose and a plan. Everything we encounter in our lives is perfectly timed (even though we may not always think so) and for a reason in accordance with His intention for us. I also believe in science. I am fully aware and not ignorant to the fact that everything that happens can be explained by a scientific truth. But, if science was the only way I explained things that have happened in my life, I would have a titanium heart and an encyclopedia series of both shitty and happy facts. You can logically reason and fact your way through any situation, but God gives you hope for them. He gives you a guide, a reason, and a purpose to work through and carry on. He may not give you the "why" right away (or ever), but faith provides encouragement and reassurance things are happening according to plan. For things we don't understand, think are fair, or don't want to do, he gives us grace.
Grace can have many meanings and come in many forms. Some view grace as good manners, others as something spiritual, and if your five maybe as something you eat before you can have your mac and cheese. Grace can be in the form of a thing, a person, an experience, an emotion, or a freedom. I view grace as a gift. An unconditional gift from God, given with no strings attached. You don't have to be fearless or have endless courage to receive grace. It comes to those who are grateful and humble. Its not something that can be repaid, but it is a gift to be lived out. We live out our grace through faith and gratitude.
I have abundant gratitude for many many things in my life. Life without gratitude would be like s'mores without the chocolate. So not tasty. Marshmallows and graham crackers are average, chocolate is the extra delicious goodness that completes the picture. Gratitude comes from within, allows you to appreciate all that you have and grow your heart. As my trip quickly approaches ( 15 days) my awareness of all I have to be grateful has been heightened, especially thanks for God and Grace. I know I will need all three to guide me through my adventure ahead. God and gratitude for grace and grace to be grateful. But until I leave in two weeks I have much to be grateful for here in Charleston and in my life today. So here is my gratitude list for today, I encourage you to take inventory of what your grateful for every now and then and jot some things down. It feels good. You may have a lot more to smile about than you think.
If your grateful, your happy. If your not, your not.
Today I give gratitude for:
-Family (first and always)
-Yoga
-Dellz lunch dates with Beth, Sarah and Jess
-Walks with Emily Chess
- My dogs Max and Putter
-Chocolate coconut water (holy delicious)
-Faith
-Friends
-Phone calls from my sister who hates to talk on the phone
-Sneakers
-Laughter
-Big Bang Theory
-Jumble Cookies
-Open hearts
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