Also, don't forget about my Flickr: Thailand, My Land.
I thought for this post that it might be fun to compile a list of things that I've learned about the world and myself since being here. This list is what I feel that I've taken from this experience thus far that I'm able to articulate. There is so much more that I’ve gained, but it’s knowledge that is stored somewhere between my mind and my heart that is removed from language and expression. It just fills my soul. Some of what I’ve gained, I did not include because it was simply things I already believed that were affirmed by life experience. In my opinion, the best way to learn :)
I am SO much stronger, more confident, and more courageous than I give myself credit for.
I literally CAN do anything I set my mind to.
Cutting ourselves short only imposes illusionary limitations upon us. Those limitations keep us from living our lives to the fullest.
Gently pushing ourselves out of your comfort zone a little bit each day gets us places we never dreamed of going.
Being patient with ourselves is one of the greatest gifts we can give to ourselves.
Everything around us is a miracle. When we start to see things this way, nothing is scary and everything is beautiful.
There is SO much beauty in the world to see. We don’t have to travel far, we jut have to open our eyes.
We really are all connected.
So much of the human experience is shared and universal. If we were to live with this knowledge in our hearts at all times and not allow ourselves to forget it, it would be so much easier to be compassionate for our fellow man.
At the same time, there are things in the world that are simultaneously relative and universal. For instance, no one seems to be happy with their appearance. In America, people want to be tan. In Thailand, every soap and lotion has a whitening agent in it. We all seem to be trying to achieve a standard of beauty that doesn’t exist. This can be applied to so many standards we set for ourselves…beauty, strength, intelligence…the list goes on and on. Being content with who we are would be a much more effective use of our time and energy.
We have a choice to be happy. It starts by loving ourselves.
It is okay to be open with other people. It is okay be vulnerable with others.
It is important to trust that people will like and love us even if we do let our guard down and allow others to see our weaknesses. In fact, it gives them a better opportunity to know and love us for who we truly are.
We don't need to know people for a long time to be close to and trust them.
Maintaining a positive attitude is difficult, but important and really gives us the extra “oomph” we need sometimes to achieve something or overcome something. It is in this way that we learn how to be self-sufficient and independent.
Being independent does not mean doing everything on our own. Sometimes it takes more strength to open up or ask for help.
The people around us most likely have something that we lack; and odds are, we have something they lack. It is about finding a constant balance of give and take and being open to learn from others and teach them what we know. (This came primarily from a great quote by my good friend, Elizabeth Horwitz, thanks Liz!)
Not allowing ourselves to be brought down by the moods or emotions of others is extremely important. The same goes for things that annoy us. We have the power to decide how we feel and whether or not we will allow something to bother us. Since it takes far less energy to be happy than angry or resentful, the choice is clear. It is not always easy, but it is SO worth it!
Working to live is better than living to work.
A simple smile or kind gesture transcends any language barrier.
Being foreign is not always fun. There are people who will assume things of us because of where we come from. We have the choice to change those perceptions by acting from our hearts.
By the same token, assuming something of others because of there they come from is simply not good for anyone involved, the person doing the assuming or the person being judged.
Judging or having unkind thoughts about ourselves and others is a waste of time, emotion and energy that could be put to much better use.
Every day is a new adventure, a gift, and a blessing.
We all deserve happiness. The best place to search for it is inside ourselves. It doesn’t help being somewhere as awesome as Thailand though!
More to come on this, I’m sure!
Check back tomorrow for a fun, new kind of blog post I’ve been working on!
Love,
Zoey
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