Get Lost

Here I am... Once more looking out a bus window watching a foreign land wiz by and contemplating life.

In this moment I am thankful for so many things. Thankful for patient helpful strangers, thankful for my safety, and thankful for my support system. There are people who are unhappy with their own life and will try with all their bitter soul crushing misery to bring you along. And then there are people who will support you, even when they selfishly want more time with you, even when they are envious. These people are rare, but they are powerful relationships for people to have. Without people who bring strength to my dreams and wind to carry my wings, I would never have enough energy to overcome people who try to take me down, or the motivation to try and bring them up. 

But, above all, I sit here and am thankful for me. I, like most of humanity, am my biggest obstacle. My mirror tells me constantly that I'm not smart enough, attractive enough, good enough. The goals on my to do list are always accompanied by an asterisk that represent all of my shortcomings pertaining to that goal. But with all of my flaws, I have one thing that many don't: courage. Courage to try, and courage to fail.

In the last three months I have slept on the floor, I have taken cold showers, and I have taken ice cold showers. I have eaten squid on a stick, oysters, and mussels, and I don't even like fish. I have eaten spiders and insects, and I dont even like bugs. I have put spices in my mouth that made me choke and tear up. I have been lost, I have been tired, I have thrown up for seventeen hours straight, 17!! 

And these aren't the worst experiences of my amazing journey. They are the best. Because in life suffering breeds perseverance, and perseverance builds character. And character, well that's what makes people want to listen to the story of our lives. 

For the people close to me who are struggling, I used to pray that they receive peace. But now I realize all this time I have been praying for the wrong thing. It is not peace that will turn their lives around, it is courage. 

What's the craziest thing you've done lately? If there is a leap you've been too afraid to take, I urge you to take it. I'd like to be your wind.