A Years Worth Of Memories..

Where do I begin?

A year of life has passed. 

It doesn’t matter where you’re at,

times still pass

Whether you’re on this side,

Or that side,

A day ahead

A day behind

Time still passes.

As I grow older this reality smacks me in the face repeatedly. 

Well lets start where we left off, this last year in Grahamstown, South Africa at the Holy Cross monastery has been absolutely amazing for so many reasons.  I’ve spent so much time alone in prayer keeping myself company and meeting some incredible people.  The spiritual formation that has occurred is unreal.  I did a great deal of learning about the person who I am, what drives and motivates me.  I’ve gotten in touch with where my passions lie, and having to improvise when all of the outlets for my passions are taken away and I’m in a completely new context.  Having to learn how to ignite my own flame when there are no external stimulations. 

Please believe that this was not easy, when doing intrapersonal work sometimes it feels like its an uphill battle, and right as you are about to make it to the plateau you loose your footing and slip further down than where you started. There were times during this last year where I fell deep down into myself.  And would have frankly been stuck for much longer than I was had it not been for the people around me.  It is said that God makes presents Himself in groups of people.  That is because the more different people there are the fuller image of God we see.  Life is about living with people in community.  Living with Monks who take life long vows with one of the cornerstones of those vows being community living, its hard not to let a little of that intentionality of being in community rub off on me. 

During my time in Grahamstown I have met some truly remarkable people, who have truly remarkable amounts of courage and strength.  The staff and faculty of the school became my family,  the school has 4 teachers and 5 other staff members.  The Brothers (monks) of course were always there to support me and be a wise supportive presence when I needed help digesting. The children, oh the children, they can see into your soul, and unlike adults children aren’t afraid to comment on what they see. I can always count on the children to lift me up and keep me energize or to call me out when im being a diva J  Away from the monastery out in Grahamstown or around the country I also met people my own age who come from completely different, some time similar, backgrounds than I do.  It is inspiring to think that people who are from the opposite sides of the world could have so much in common and can love on each other so hard.

So welcome back to my blog to find out how its been going.  It’s been a while since we last spoke.  Know that I have been trying to get in touch with the authentic experiences and circumstances that make these previous and following blog post come to life. 

Very much love,

M