The last day here is almost over. It’s been a surreal day. As heavy rain put a stop to my plan of one last top-up of my tan, I did the obligatory manicure/pedicure and eyebrows at the beauty-salon. I repacked my bag a few times, and now I’m doing some final bits on the computer before that too will be switched off and packed safely into a bag. This evening I went to my favourite (well, since it’s basically the only one in town, there’s not much choice) cafe with some friends which was very nice, and it took my mind off leaving…at least a bit. At 5:30 am tomorrow morning we set off for the airport, where I am sure many tears will be shed as I say a final goodbye. Please pray for my journey and my arrival back home. As excited as I am to see friends and family again that side of the globe, my mind at the moment is focused on those I’ll leave behind here.
“Where can I find life?” has been a question I have asked myself a lot recently (but really for years). And really the deeper question is: “What is life, and what does it look like?” I guess the simple answer is whatever makes you feel alive on the inside; that brings a smile to your face; and that gives you energy and increases your capacity. There are so many side-effects of burn-out; or maybe they are rather causes of burn-out, which when combined become a huge mountain that can topple even the strongest of people. But once you have been depleted of your capacity to stand in the face of the challenges around you, one of the things that can help increase your energy and capacity is finding pockets of life. (And of course a lot of other things like rest, exercise, patience when the process is slow, setting boundaries etc. but that’s for another blogpost). The past months I’ve been watching and searching and paying attention. Searching for choices that will bring life, and paying att