30 Sep Lessons from Africa
These past few weeks have been weird for me. Balancing school and life is no easy task even when you technically have time to fit everything in. I find myself waxing and waning between super-focused, productivity mode and quietly, contemplative, let’s do not anything but think mode.
Life has been going full force these past few weeks. Honestly, it’s hit me so hard it’s kind of taken my breath away few times…thankfully for both good and bad reasons.
My Nana has always told me not to make any huge life decisions until the age of twenty-five…as that time gets closer, I find myself understanding more and more the wisdom of her advice.
I’ve learned more about myself in the past few months than I planned on discovering in the next five years, but…I’m thinking this is a good thing.
Regardless, Africa was a huge turning point and learning experience for me…so here’s a few things Africa taught me…enjoy.
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Ten things I learned from Africa…
1. Everyone else’s rules don’t matter. Only God’s. And yours.
2. Life is good. Enjoy it. Be flexible. Ride the waves.
3. God is not just God of my city or my country God is god of the world. There is no crevice of the world too small, no place too far, no people too broken that His love cannot reach and heal.
4. I am a special, unique, and wonderful child of God. My life means something. No one can take that away from me. No one can rob me of my worth or my identity that is found in Him. I was made for a purpose, a real reason; my life means something other than just simply a life to breath, wake up, go to school, graduate, get married, have kids, do a good job.
It’s so much more than that.
I have purpose in a huge, incredible masterpiece of a story that is taking place right now.
And I’m invited to be a character in His saga.
5. Life is not made to be rushed. There is goodness and a precious moment in every second. We are just, so often, too busy to see it, feel it, hear it, or recognize it, but that doesn’t change it’s presence.
Life in the slow lane allows for the small moments that you otherwise miss.
6. Abundance comes in many shapes and sizes. Abundance is not a large house, a fancy car, shiny jewelry, or expensive clothes. Abundance is full life. A happy heart. A healthy life. A joyful soul. Abundance does not come from a wallet. It comes from above. And it’s available now…for you.
7. Poverty does not equal helplessness or hopelessness. Having little does not mean having nothing. I met a lot of people who did not have a lot of things but who had a surplus, a plethora (if you will) of joy, peace, contentment, happiness, hope, and goodness. Their spirits were high, they new where their provisions came from and had faith in Him alone. And it was good.
8. Joy is real. It is not a fairy tale concept. It is not something only “super religious” people have. It is real and everywhere you go…if you simply embrace it and accept the gift you are given with each moment.
9. Sing. Dance. And do it everyday. And as much as you can. Life is so much better when you do. No one can tell you how to dance or how to sing…it does not matter anyways. You’ve been given a song…wiggle, giggle, clap, stomp, make a “fool” of yourself and have a really awesome time doing it because…”those who mind don’t matter and those who matter don’t mind” …and everyone else will really wish they have what you have going on.
Fun is infectious.
10. Laugh…it’s good for the soul. Life is hard. That’s a guarantee, but it’s also going to be good. With many joys and jokes to be made.
Have a happy weekend…xxxoo
Nicole Holley
Posted at 21:31h, 06 OctoberLove this post Emily! Thank you for helping me to remember the things that I learned in Africa that are easy to forget when you are back stateside. You have a wonderful way with words:)
EmilyLorin
Posted at 02:25h, 18 OctoberThank you so much Nicole! It is so easy to forget..