I think my fellow American, Claire, summed it up when she said "I came here to learn Spanish and all of a sudden, I'm learning life." I couldn't agree more with her statement and for that reason, I want to do a special post about the life I've been learning down here in South America, a few of of the most valuable lessons I've acquired this far.
I apologize in advance for the lack of humor in this post. It's still a good one!
As we all know, I love to talk. I'm used to the life full of humor-induced English that effortlessly rolls off my tongue. However, I stepped off the plane from New Jersey to Colombia and entered a world where every word counts. I had to think about every single word I said, what it means, how to use it, and if it's actually communicating what I really mean to say. I'm in this constant place of thought and reflection about what I'm saying now and how it compares to what I've been saying for the last 20 years. There are many instances in which I realize that I've been say something for a long time now that I just don't mean. Before this semester abroad, I've been really quick to talk about how much I don't love the United States. But being here, I realize that that's what I say, but it's not what I mean. What I mean is that I love where I come from, but I'm a seeker. I'm seeking out more in life - a more exotic culture, a more warm and hospitable community, a more natural and thrilling lifestyle, and more adventure, and I love the idea of finding these things in different places around the world. It took until we had to plan the USA portion of the International Student Fair for me to have this AHA moment. It was clear to us what the Chinese students would put on their table, same for the Germans, the French, and the Koreans. But the US ... we're one big melting pot. What's actually ours? We all put our heads together and decided to do a good ol' fashioned cook out with yard games, burgers on the grill, country music, popsicles, and all of our favorites. I learned a valuable lesson through all of this.
LESSON #1
Don't reduce people to where they come from. Life is what you make it. I'll never again hate on the United States, Americans, or any other group that could fall into a similar category. There's good and bad in every person, every community, and every location. To say the least, I have a newfound appreciation for my country. And I never thought I'd be saying thank you to Colombia for revealing this to me.
I apologize in advance for the lack of humor in this post. It's still a good one!
As we all know, I love to talk. I'm used to the life full of humor-induced English that effortlessly rolls off my tongue. However, I stepped off the plane from New Jersey to Colombia and entered a world where every word counts. I had to think about every single word I said, what it means, how to use it, and if it's actually communicating what I really mean to say. I'm in this constant place of thought and reflection about what I'm saying now and how it compares to what I've been saying for the last 20 years. There are many instances in which I realize that I've been say something for a long time now that I just don't mean. Before this semester abroad, I've been really quick to talk about how much I don't love the United States. But being here, I realize that that's what I say, but it's not what I mean. What I mean is that I love where I come from, but I'm a seeker. I'm seeking out more in life - a more exotic culture, a more warm and hospitable community, a more natural and thrilling lifestyle, and more adventure, and I love the idea of finding these things in different places around the world. It took until we had to plan the USA portion of the International Student Fair for me to have this AHA moment. It was clear to us what the Chinese students would put on their table, same for the Germans, the French, and the Koreans. But the US ... we're one big melting pot. What's actually ours? We all put our heads together and decided to do a good ol' fashioned cook out with yard games, burgers on the grill, country music, popsicles, and all of our favorites. I learned a valuable lesson through all of this.
LESSON #1
Don't reduce people to where they come from. Life is what you make it. I'll never again hate on the United States, Americans, or any other group that could fall into a similar category. There's good and bad in every person, every community, and every location. To say the least, I have a newfound appreciation for my country. And I never thought I'd be saying thank you to Colombia for revealing this to me.
LESSON #2
It's hard to create change in your life when you're comfortable because change is uncomfortable. Put yourself in an environment where nothing is comfortable, that way change fits right in. Being here, I've been able to change my eating habits (I even eat crunchy peanut butter now!), my levels of organization, the amount of courage that I use in my daily life, etc. all because these changes are no more uncomfortable than the completely unfamiliar environment that I am already in. The tricky part is how quickly the unfamiliar transitions to to the familiar. It's crucial that we continue to spend time, intentionally, in our discomfort zones, because ultimately, that is where we grow.
LESSON #3
What you can do in life is independent of what I can do. What you can do in life is dependent on the effort you put forth and the people that are helping you to accomplish what you desire. It's a waste of time investing your effort into deciding who you're more capable than, because effort + networks can accomplish a lot. It's a great use of your time to make sure your effort is always ready and willing to be used, and your support system is firmly intact. A special thank to my great friend, Chris Fevry, for teaching me this one.
LESSON #4
We take ourselves with us wherever we go; our downfalls, our tendencies, our views, our talents, our joys, our passions, and everything in between. I left the US thinking I'm "starting new", but even Colombians hate that I don't answer their text messages and wonder why I'm always red. Even Colombians appreciate my impressions of people and find my theory of being "naturally drunk" an acceptable one. Even Colombians know that I'm a mix of curious and cautious, that I always lose my ID, and I stinking love ice cream. You can't leave your location and leave yourself there, which is a great reminder to keep working on yourself wherever you may be!
LESSON #5
"I'm in a place where I have no answers and no directions, and in 5 months, I'll probably be saying it's the best place I've ever been." That's a quote taken directly from my first blog post in Colombia. After a month and a half of this answerless, directionless lifestyle, I can confidently say that it is 15x more exciting to live a less-than-predictable lifestyle. It's as simple as meeting people as complete strangers and not asking to be Facebook friends after one interaction. You run into them again somewhere in the city and it's the coolest feeling in the world. It's as simple as have a friend who ALWAYS changes your plans at the last minute, but meeting their ridiculous tendencies with your newfound "why not?" mentality. Spontaneity is so good for you, both as a useful skill and a lifestyle choice.
LESSON #6
"Few are those who see with their own eyes and feel with their own hearts." For the first time in my life, I'm consciously in a place where everyone has their own blunt, calculated thoughts, opinions, plans, decision making styles, and life strategies. I'm no longer in an environment where I know everyone - how they think, what choices they would make, how they would handle a given situation. Every day here I'm learning and being reminded to see with my own eyes and feel with my own heart, forming my own opinions, lighting my own path and deciding where my own feet will step and where they won't. I left the US as an individual, but will return home with a true understanding of what it means to be an one.
"Knowledge comes from learning. Wisdom comes from living."
Though it doesn't need to be said, I'm out here living!
It's hard to create change in your life when you're comfortable because change is uncomfortable. Put yourself in an environment where nothing is comfortable, that way change fits right in. Being here, I've been able to change my eating habits (I even eat crunchy peanut butter now!), my levels of organization, the amount of courage that I use in my daily life, etc. all because these changes are no more uncomfortable than the completely unfamiliar environment that I am already in. The tricky part is how quickly the unfamiliar transitions to to the familiar. It's crucial that we continue to spend time, intentionally, in our discomfort zones, because ultimately, that is where we grow.
LESSON #3
What you can do in life is independent of what I can do. What you can do in life is dependent on the effort you put forth and the people that are helping you to accomplish what you desire. It's a waste of time investing your effort into deciding who you're more capable than, because effort + networks can accomplish a lot. It's a great use of your time to make sure your effort is always ready and willing to be used, and your support system is firmly intact. A special thank to my great friend, Chris Fevry, for teaching me this one.
LESSON #4
We take ourselves with us wherever we go; our downfalls, our tendencies, our views, our talents, our joys, our passions, and everything in between. I left the US thinking I'm "starting new", but even Colombians hate that I don't answer their text messages and wonder why I'm always red. Even Colombians appreciate my impressions of people and find my theory of being "naturally drunk" an acceptable one. Even Colombians know that I'm a mix of curious and cautious, that I always lose my ID, and I stinking love ice cream. You can't leave your location and leave yourself there, which is a great reminder to keep working on yourself wherever you may be!
LESSON #5
"I'm in a place where I have no answers and no directions, and in 5 months, I'll probably be saying it's the best place I've ever been." That's a quote taken directly from my first blog post in Colombia. After a month and a half of this answerless, directionless lifestyle, I can confidently say that it is 15x more exciting to live a less-than-predictable lifestyle. It's as simple as meeting people as complete strangers and not asking to be Facebook friends after one interaction. You run into them again somewhere in the city and it's the coolest feeling in the world. It's as simple as have a friend who ALWAYS changes your plans at the last minute, but meeting their ridiculous tendencies with your newfound "why not?" mentality. Spontaneity is so good for you, both as a useful skill and a lifestyle choice.
LESSON #6
"Few are those who see with their own eyes and feel with their own hearts." For the first time in my life, I'm consciously in a place where everyone has their own blunt, calculated thoughts, opinions, plans, decision making styles, and life strategies. I'm no longer in an environment where I know everyone - how they think, what choices they would make, how they would handle a given situation. Every day here I'm learning and being reminded to see with my own eyes and feel with my own heart, forming my own opinions, lighting my own path and deciding where my own feet will step and where they won't. I left the US as an individual, but will return home with a true understanding of what it means to be an one.
"Knowledge comes from learning. Wisdom comes from living."
Though it doesn't need to be said, I'm out here living!