I'm not one to frown upon Western society or the way I live. Sure, we aren't great at many things, but we do some things well. However, today I think the Western society has failed us through the use of the English language. Let me explain.
Say I'm walking down the street and I see someone I know. Too frequently it goes like this:
Me: Hi! How ya goin'?
Other: Good! Yeh, and you?
Me: Not too bad thanks.
All this occurs while we are both still walking. How darn disrespectful, but how darn common is it? We aren't a very personal bunch of people. Think about it, no one is likely to say anything deep and meaningful during that conversation because it is just a shallow 'Hi'. Most people, myself included like to have control over the setting and have mildly prepared what is to be said. It might just be my personal experience, but I have found it incredibly uncommon for people to say heartfelt words in every day conversation. It's sad, but I get excited when I overhear an 'I really respect you', 'I love you', 'I think you are beautiful', 'You are such an example to people', 'I wish I was more like you', or just 'You are my favourite person!'. Sad hey.
So this is going somewhere, I just enjoy talking and thinking too much. The Nepalese and Indian people have got it down pat. They don't have a ridiculous language with rigid constraints or pride that prevents them from giving love to others. "Namaste" is probably overused, commercialised and captioned, but rarely explored, understood and appreciated. Sure it's used as a means of saying "Hi, how are you?", but at it's core it identifies that there is something so holy and divine with in us, and furthermore serves to honour that. It translates into "I salute the spirit in you". As I said, I like and appreciate all I have and the Western society I am apart of, but gee whiz do I feel ripped off by not having such a beautiful word such as "namaste" in the English language. How beautiful and simple it is.
So, namaste. You are a truly beautiful person, with a big future. Your spirit is strong, willful and all things good. I truly respect you and the spirit in YOU!
xx
Sunday, 22 May 2011
Saturday, 7 May 2011
In the beginning...
So I write this knowing that no one will be reading it. A little like a journal, but much more like a letter to the future. I'm no blogger. I like to talk and write essays, but typing my thoughts and experiences? That's a whole 'nother world.
The title says it all, but this is how it happened.
I am a God made midwife. I have dreams placed in my heart of working overseas to help end the tragedy of maternal deaths thats are uncharacteristically high in comparison to the Western world. This 'trip' would not last for weeks, not even months, but years. I have this blessing, that I am extremely grateful for, that gives me a vision for my future, a purpose, a hope. It's a hard task to just jump on a plane one day and not return for years. This would need preparation. Nepal is the first stair of a spiral, climactic staircase.
I 'stumbled' upon this opportunity (but we all know it was no accident) to head overseas to do volunteer work for a minimum of 4 weeks in a Third World country. I chose hospital work and community work, which gave me three country options: India, Ghana & Nepal. Who currently has the least stable government situation at the moment and who posed the greatest risk? Nepal.
It was a decision made. In the space of 12 days I had sent of my application, been accepted, got another job, sorted out my finances, prayed and recieved prayer, sent off my booking form with my deposit, bought travel books and tagged about 62,379 pages, signed up for Anaconda, Rays Outdoors and Kathmandu rewards club cards; 90% decided on dates and flights; researched hiking packs, vaccinations, the language and customs. The point being, everything fell into place without me trying. My only concern? My Mama worries her pants off about anything and everything about day to day life, let alone me living in Nepal for a decent period of time. What's the best and most amazing part? She's cool with it. Miracle!
So let's see where this goes.
One thing I know for sure is that I am sent. (Isaiah 61)
The title says it all, but this is how it happened.
I am a God made midwife. I have dreams placed in my heart of working overseas to help end the tragedy of maternal deaths thats are uncharacteristically high in comparison to the Western world. This 'trip' would not last for weeks, not even months, but years. I have this blessing, that I am extremely grateful for, that gives me a vision for my future, a purpose, a hope. It's a hard task to just jump on a plane one day and not return for years. This would need preparation. Nepal is the first stair of a spiral, climactic staircase.
I 'stumbled' upon this opportunity (but we all know it was no accident) to head overseas to do volunteer work for a minimum of 4 weeks in a Third World country. I chose hospital work and community work, which gave me three country options: India, Ghana & Nepal. Who currently has the least stable government situation at the moment and who posed the greatest risk? Nepal.
It was a decision made. In the space of 12 days I had sent of my application, been accepted, got another job, sorted out my finances, prayed and recieved prayer, sent off my booking form with my deposit, bought travel books and tagged about 62,379 pages, signed up for Anaconda, Rays Outdoors and Kathmandu rewards club cards; 90% decided on dates and flights; researched hiking packs, vaccinations, the language and customs. The point being, everything fell into place without me trying. My only concern? My Mama worries her pants off about anything and everything about day to day life, let alone me living in Nepal for a decent period of time. What's the best and most amazing part? She's cool with it. Miracle!
So let's see where this goes.
One thing I know for sure is that I am sent. (Isaiah 61)
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