Its the day after an absolutely landmark election in America and while I share some of every ones enthusiasm for the future of this country. I also feel that anytime people place so much hope/faith in any one person, they run the risk of some huge letdown. Still the historic significance of the U.S. electing an Africa-American President is undeniable and remarkable.
Though to be honest, I did not vote for the man, but never the less, I'm hopeful in many ways for the future of the country. I would love to write about how I am also slightly worried about the nature of the change that is coming, but its not really very constructive to saturate my mind with those thoughts.
So while change is coming for the Nation, I am also looking for change in my life over the next few months, I don't know what form its going to take yet, but its time for something new. I have been home for almost a year now and my heart aches for something deeper and more fulfilling. I have lost some of the passion that God placed in my heart during my travels last year and I want to again feel completely alive.
I want to awaken my sense of adventuresomeness. I want the desire to again just go out on the streets and meet people, get to know and listen to them, and tell there story in pictures. But I think what I need first, is simply the constant desire to spend more time loving those around me better. Not just the random people God places around me, but the ones he has specifically put in my life for a reason. But not with my own love, because my manufactored love is empty. I want to be a real reflection of God's love to the world around me through living a life full of life, generosity and kindness.
Hopefully this will be just the first of many more blogs, as I really think that for me it is important to write so sort out the scattered mess that is my mind. I just picked a random photo of a lady in Ethiopia praying, think I took this more than 4 years ago.
3 comments:
i understand how you feel about the election. last night, when they made the announcement that he won, i was disappointed because my choice wasn't "The Choice" but still very moved because of what Obama has accomplished by defeating the racial barrier. i cried a little out of emotion because of his great success and also from fear of the unknown. my heart is also hoping that the people who follow him so closely do not get let down. he has sparked a new compassion in people, a new hope for a better life, for a solution to poverty and environmental issues. i pray that people will take this new compassion and act on it even if it doesn't come to pass through washington; and if that's the case, that they won't be full of resentment.
i like what you said about personal change and a desire for adventure...you're right we do need to learn to love those around us so that we can love those who we randomly meet even more...even though they seem so much easier to love! i need to tell this to myself as well... thanks for your words timbo
Keep blogging! We share sentiments.
While reading this, I thought of a clip from The Ordinary Radicals, a documentary I have. I think it articulates a better response than I could:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=bJbeavo9n8w&feature=related
I'm in this constant state of on the verge of something new, too. God's doing something. I either don't know what or I'm stuck in thorns, but I'm excited. (When not mildly horrified.)
-Arleen
I hope you'll write again soon. I would love to hear more about how God is developing you to love those he's placed in your life. I think we all need to learn how to do that better. I know I do, anyway. I hope to find inspiration in the lessons that you learn (and share!!!) with us. :-)
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