Observations & Convictions

Just a few weeks ago I joined the Lenior Rhyne students in Florence for a day trip.  Because I have been to Florence and my budget for the summer is tight, I chose to visit the Palazzo Pitti (Pitti Palace) and then take myself to lunch.  I spent the rest of the day doing a lot of people watching, including watching other students from the US.  I watched with curiosity as they shopped in H&M, stood in lines for museums, and talked about their travel plans.  My first question was and always is: do these students know how lucky they are to be in Italy?!  Well that brought me to a follow up question, and let me tell you, it was a moment of conviction...

You see I realized that I was struggling with some loneliness and confusion, questioning my return to Italy.  The conviction hit me when I asked myself: Do you realize how lucky you are to be here?!  Everyone I love most is thrilled I am here, and they have been the ones reminding me this is a wonderful opportunity for self discovery and rest.  What a gift?!  To be supported, and in this place.

This place is home for the next three months.  It is time to rest in that fact, that OPPORTUNITY.  It is an opportunity to leave my comfort zone and discover being present and connect with this community.

My desires for this summer:
1) listen.
2) connect.
3) learn.
4) run.
5) fundraise.
6) travel and see.

"Travel is fatal to prejudice, bigotry and narrow-mindedness and many of our people need it sorely on those accounts. Broad, wholesome, charitable views of men and things cannot be acquired by vegetating in one little corner of the earth all one's lifetime" -Mark Twain, Innocents Abroad (1869)