It's true.
We are all connected and have certain commonalities, whether overt or covert. We are yoked together in joy or in pain, in location or in tradition. Yes, this sounds like a cheap illustration from a greetings card, but I get sentimental when I consider what brings people together. I love meeting people that are different from me and discovering what we have in common. It's as though I've found a new sister or brother that I never knew I had. It's absolutely exhilarating. In meeting new people, the world becomes a bit smaller. This is a good thing, mind you. It becomes smaller because more of it is known. For example, when I moved to college after high school, the campus seemed massive and unconquerable. But the more I walked to classes, got involved, and met people, it shrunk. I didn't feel as though I would get lost in the buildings or eaten up by the landscaping because I knew where I was going. It was familiar. Therefore, the earth becomes smaller when it is familiar. We all seek to make the mysterious unmysterious. That desire to unravel the mysterious is called learning. And in this journey will reveal what I learn while teaching abroad. Welcome!
What is the commonality that will serve as this blog's theme? Well, it's the one thing that binds everyone in life: the sun. The sun brings us a bounty of food, light, warmth, beauty, and other things. What a marvelous thing to share with others. This is what I have come to realize:
We all live under the same sun.
It's the same sun in Minneapolis as in Abu Dhabi. The same sun rises in Tokoyo as in Toledo. The same sun kisses the harvest in Norway and in Nicaragua. It's the same. What a marvelous connection.
One of my goals for this adventure is to find more connections abroad. These connections will be overt and covert, unveiled and veiled. Nevertheless, they are there. They will make the world a bit smaller, but my world a bit bigger.
We are all connected and have certain commonalities, whether overt or covert. We are yoked together in joy or in pain, in location or in tradition. Yes, this sounds like a cheap illustration from a greetings card, but I get sentimental when I consider what brings people together. I love meeting people that are different from me and discovering what we have in common. It's as though I've found a new sister or brother that I never knew I had. It's absolutely exhilarating. In meeting new people, the world becomes a bit smaller. This is a good thing, mind you. It becomes smaller because more of it is known. For example, when I moved to college after high school, the campus seemed massive and unconquerable. But the more I walked to classes, got involved, and met people, it shrunk. I didn't feel as though I would get lost in the buildings or eaten up by the landscaping because I knew where I was going. It was familiar. Therefore, the earth becomes smaller when it is familiar. We all seek to make the mysterious unmysterious. That desire to unravel the mysterious is called learning. And in this journey will reveal what I learn while teaching abroad. Welcome!
What is the commonality that will serve as this blog's theme? Well, it's the one thing that binds everyone in life: the sun. The sun brings us a bounty of food, light, warmth, beauty, and other things. What a marvelous thing to share with others. This is what I have come to realize:
We all live under the same sun.
It's the same sun in Minneapolis as in Abu Dhabi. The same sun rises in Tokoyo as in Toledo. The same sun kisses the harvest in Norway and in Nicaragua. It's the same. What a marvelous connection.
One of my goals for this adventure is to find more connections abroad. These connections will be overt and covert, unveiled and veiled. Nevertheless, they are there. They will make the world a bit smaller, but my world a bit bigger.
Liz: I really like what you said here, especially "We all seek to make the mysterious unmysterious." It's so true. Human beings try to figure things out. Call it curiosity or learning or whatever. We want to know! I'm so glad that you are taking advantage of this experience. I hope you will find what you can celebrate about what is *different* with those from the other cultures as well as what you have *in common* with those in the other cultures. Your friends will be watching you!! ~~ Dr. Sandell
ReplyDeleteThank you, Dr. Sandell! I agree with you - it is a celebration to find what is different and is similar in other people. The transition from stranger to friend is certainly a celebration like no other!
DeleteI like all your comments and thoughts dear niece! Good Luck with your adventure! I know you will do a great job. Our thoughts and prayers are with you! Aunt Lisa
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