Well, for anyone that doesn't know. I'm leaving, going away for awhile, on holiday, or whatever else you want to call it. I'm going to Africa; West Africa to be exact. For many of you that follow this, it won't make a whole lot of sense on why I am going, but for a few people that know me well enough this will make more sense than a lot of things I've done in my life. Even though I am going to volunteer over there, this is probably the most selfish thing I've done in 2 years. It's kind of ironic that this trip is going to have a lasting selfish connotation in my eyes. I had to do this for myself, because to be honest I've lost what my self is since that morning on February 3rd, 2008. The further irony is that without that important day in my life, I wouldn't have the means or drive to do the most important thing I've ever done. Although I am more excited for this than anything else that I've experienced, I'd rather not have this opportunity at all (if you don't get it, ask someone). Life is a paradoxically funny thing sometimes.
To add further incongruity to this whole trip, quest, or whatever it ends up being...I hate being alone. Yeah, yeah...I know what some of y'all are saying you're never truly alone and all that. I believe that, trust me I really do, but I still don't like not knowing anyone. Nevertheless, something tells me that this is the only way I can figure out all the things I need to (there's a lot). I've always been a big fan of meeting new people though. The main reason is because everyone looks at this life, and the next one for that matter, differently. Everyone can teach you something different about the way the world works (if you open your mind and heart enough). Aside from her, I learned the most out of life from a 4 year old boy in Soweto. He understood more about it than the majority of people I've ever met, myself included. Even though we didn't speak the same language, he taught me more in that short hour we spent together than any class or lecture I've ever attended. He didn't know he was teaching me the biggest life lesson I had received since that day in February. He will never know how much he changed my outlook on life. But for the wisdom he bestowed on me I am forever indebted to him.
For those that are worried, I know there are a few (or many), let me reassure you that I'm going to be fine. I'll be a hell of a lot better off than if I didn't end up doing this. That scares me way more than anything or anyone I might come across in Africa. I am going off the beaten path from what I've been told. However, I decided I wasn't going to shelter myself or do this with blinders on. It would take away from everything I am trying to do with this trip. Please don't worry though, I've been told that I've been blessed with not only stubbornness, but also a strong will and resilience that was bestowed upon me by her. On top of that the best compliment I have ever received from someone was that I am the living embodiment of her. If that is true, than you should all know I am going to be fine.
Well with all that being said; I don't exactly know what this blog is going to be. More than likely it will be a collage of things; culture, food, people, travel, news, pictorial essay, a story. Everyone is going to take something different away from this, and I hope everyone can find something that they enjoy. However, if you read this blog just once than take a moment to think about this:
"If you change one person's life, you change the world for that person."
Song of the Moment: Clarity - Midwest Product
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