I never completely understood the concept of being humble until today.
Obviously, we are still at the hospital. We have all become very accostumed to the lovely blue chairs laced in wood. The food that was once as exciting as carnival food has become sickening, and the silence that we once treasured has now become stiffening. Our bodies have become restless and we are all ready for relief. And then it hit me! In the midst of all of my frustrations I suddenly felt like a kvetcher.
Who was I to complain about anything?!
I am at a hospital with my grandfather, who is getting immediate health care. He had gone through a successful surgery. He has a nurse available to him 24 hours a day. We are allowed to sit in the same room as him. There is food near by and noone in my family needs to take the time away from my grandfather to cook it. The hospital is lit with light bulbs that are on all night if so desired. I don't have to worry about catching the illness that a patient has. My family has privacy with my grandpa; in his own room. And best of all, my grandfather has insurance that will cover most, if not all, of his medical bills.
So what if I have to "suffer" through the "pain" of sitting in the uncomfortable chairs longer than I want to. At least I have something to sit on instead of the ground. So what if I have to "force" myself to eat food that will make me "ill." At least I don't have to go so long without food that I actually am ill. And so what if the halls are bare. At least they aren't over-crowded to the point that even patients go without a bed/chair.
Suddenly, my whole perspective changed. instead of batheing in everything I saw wrong with my life I needed to bask in the fact that I have a surplus of comforts. It is time to change how I think: Every day!
Sunday, January 23, 2011
Saturday, January 22, 2011
The beginning of it all!
Life lately has been crazy to say it gently. I was at the point in my life where everything was just.... stagnant! Nothing was going anywhere. Don't get me wrong: I love the life I live, but I just feel like there was so much more out there somewhere waiting for me to find it.
Well on Tuesday my grandfather went into the hospital and he had his surgery on Friday. So Friday morning we packed school books, electronics, and food, to take with us. As I was walking out of my room I remembered a book that I had boughten forever ago and decided to take it along for the ride.
Side note: There is something about hospitals that always captivates me. There is a solid divide of those who have accepted Jesus Christ and those who have not, and it is visible only in the faces of the grief stricken families that prowl around the cafeteria and the hallways. Those who have accepted Jesus are more empathetic and appreciative, and those who have not are filled with anger. As soon as we got to Grandpa's room I quickly prayed to the Lord simply thanking him for taking my pain. I had never thought of the before me and the after me, and the hospital put things back in perspective; fast.
Back on track: The book I had picked up on my way out the door is titled truereligion by Palmer Chinchen, PhD. The book took every comfort I felt in my life and quickly made me realize that those are not available in many countries. The ideas talked about were everything from communication to shoes. All throughout the book the author gives ideas on how to become an expatriate at the end of every chapter, and I want to take this list and live by it.
This book was life changing for me. After reading it; I want to live to Love!
Well on Tuesday my grandfather went into the hospital and he had his surgery on Friday. So Friday morning we packed school books, electronics, and food, to take with us. As I was walking out of my room I remembered a book that I had boughten forever ago and decided to take it along for the ride.
Side note: There is something about hospitals that always captivates me. There is a solid divide of those who have accepted Jesus Christ and those who have not, and it is visible only in the faces of the grief stricken families that prowl around the cafeteria and the hallways. Those who have accepted Jesus are more empathetic and appreciative, and those who have not are filled with anger. As soon as we got to Grandpa's room I quickly prayed to the Lord simply thanking him for taking my pain. I had never thought of the before me and the after me, and the hospital put things back in perspective; fast.
Back on track: The book I had picked up on my way out the door is titled truereligion by Palmer Chinchen, PhD. The book took every comfort I felt in my life and quickly made me realize that those are not available in many countries. The ideas talked about were everything from communication to shoes. All throughout the book the author gives ideas on how to become an expatriate at the end of every chapter, and I want to take this list and live by it.
1. Eat at ethnic resturants
2. Rent more movies produced in other countries
3. Sign up for a study abroad semester, if possible
4. Sponsor a child and get to know him or her
5. Study a new language, and then travel somewhere to use it
6. Teach ESL abroad
7. Pick a house in your neighborhood that needs TLC and with friends supply it
8. Initiate a barefoot Sunday
9. Take an overlander from Cape Town to Cairo
10. Run with the bulls in Pamplona
11. Backpack through Europe with a friend
12. Go to Haiti and take Shalom
This book was life changing for me. After reading it; I want to live to Love!
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