Wednesday, January 21, 2015

Jumping Joy for Jeans...


"One of the main reasons that we lose our enthusiasm in life is because we become ungrateful..we let what was once a miracle become common to us. We get so accustomed to his goodness it becomes a routine."

They never cease to amaze me. Here they have an opportunity, a very rare occurrence of being taken out to the markets and being able to buy what they want. Yet, they put down the pair of jeans a second ago they were gleaming about and walk away. Why? Because they tell me they are to expensive. They were $10. And they don't want me paying that much. Considering there were 9 girls with me, it was going to add up to a fortune for them. I could understand their whisperings and chatter as they tried to negotiate what they should buy to keep my cost down. But I sensed they were also sad as they had their hearts set on jeans. 
I called a few friends to make sure I wasn't being ripped off with the $10 price and once confirmed it was the local price, I just bought them each the jeans they wanted. 
Have you ever seen a 17year old jump and down on the spot with a huge grin on her face at the prospect of getting the jeans she wanted? I have. Today. And it broke my heart and warmed it all at the same time. 
Which teenager back in my fortunate world would literally jump for joy at a pair of new jeans? 

It's funny how, in this journey of life, even though we may begin at different times and places, our paths cross with others so that we may share our love, compassion, observations, and hope. This is a design of God that I appreciate and cherish.





Friday, January 9, 2015

Joy is free, unrestrained passion


On the back of the motorbike, after surprising my amazing children with my return visit, I ponder the clouds: A cloud does not know why it moves in such a direction and at such a speed, it feels an impulsion perhaps? An impulse that this is the place to go now.
But I think the sky knows the reasons and the patterns behind all clouds.

And in the same way, I know, too. When I am here, I feel like I have lifted myself high enough to see beyond horizons. And I know.... I know the true meaning of joy and happiness, I know what it feels like to be truly present and in the moment, I know what type of person I am and who I strive to be. I feel gratitude running through my veins at all I have and all that I can do here. I am blessed, every time I look into my children's eyes.... I feel blessed. 



http://youtu.be/cGYWMTnGmvY