Tuesday, March 12, 2013

Gratitude

One of the things I got from living in a mud hut for 10 months was a sense of gratitude. For what, you ask? Well, a few things. For shelter, clothing, enough to eat, medicine, people that care, a few good books. For what else really is there?



Home sweet home!


It's like the proverb "One who has never tasted a lemon does not know how sweet sugar is."

Even before Peace Corps, living simply and frugally has always felt right to me. Maybe it's personal or how I was raised but buying things to feel good has never struck right with my soul.

Practicing having gratitude is something I try to be mindful to work at. Reading about the international news is one way I accomplish this. It seems we have to be reminded how good we have it. I don't get my water from a well or live in a tent as a refugee!



NOT how I get my water!

Sometimes I get the sense people pity me for living where I do (Auburn) and doing what I do (full time, low (almost no!) pay volunteer work with Americorps). And yet I feel lucky to have a decent place to go home to and to do work that I enjoy and enough (just barely!) to stay afloat. People seem to think I couldn't be happy with this situation, and yet strangely enough, I am!

I mean, I don't want to be a youth worker for the duration, for these kids are kinda wearing me out. And living closer to Seattle would be nice. But I think what I'm doing is right for right now. There are worse places I could be.

I still come home everyday from work, lie on my bed for a few restful minutes, then pick up my Ipod, get up and DANCE!



What's he doing...


So it goes! Be thankful folks!