Wow! It has been a while since I sat down to write a blog. I must admit that I have felt guilty not keeping up with this, but on the other hand I want each entry to a have depth to it with a real point. I’m sure I could find something to say on a daily basis, if not weekly. I think it is more important to write a blog when I feel compelled to share a thought or point, not to have a long list of blog entries.
So, hello again, it has been a while and I have something to share.
I have mentioned in previous blogs that we are hosting an exchange student this year, Carl from Sweden. It will be three months on October 22nd since Carl arrived. It sure feels like Carl has been here more than 2 months; I mean this in a good way. I’m sure I will feel moved to talk about our experience in more detail at another time, but for now there is one thing in particular that stands out. It was about a week ago or so that Carl said, “I’m starting to appreciate my country more now that I have been here a while.” We had a discussion following Carl’s statement that focused on the difference of schooling and public transportation (Sweden has many transportation options and North Texas has very little). Can you imagine the thoughts and images Carl had regarding America before he arrived?
We have all had our days of thinking we would like our lives to be different, or that life would be better if . Since the time I was a kid I can think of a variety of times I thought my life would be better only if…I had an older brother, my parents didn’t divorce, I lived closer to family, I was taller rather than shorter, I didn’t have to pay for my own college education, etc. Bottom line…in those moments of thought I was thinking the grass would be greener if my life was different.
Back to Carl, it was exciting to see Carl make the connection and realization that life in Sweden has great things to offer him. What is even greater, Carl took the opportunity to take a step (or I would say a leap across the Atlantic) to see and experience first hand whether the grass is greener. I ask myself, when have I taken that step or leap? Yet, there are times it does not matter what is on the other side, it is more important to be in the moment and appreciate what one has. There is a fine balance between going after something to see if it enhances one’s life or appreciating what one has.
RISE AND SHINE!
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