Okay, so bare with me through the first few blogs as one, i don't know how to blog per say, and two, the content is bound to get increasingly interesting as my journey in Zambia progresses.
I recently read a book that talked about Africa in the spiritual sense. How Africa has a rhythm, a beat...and few are blessed to truly tap into this beat....its a balance of the mind body and spirit....the "beginning"of life as we experience it, the interconnectedness of everyone and everything.
This same book spoke of how each of us have a Big Five For Live. The Five things in life that if you experience or accomplish you would consider your life to be a success as you have defined success. When these moments occur (however big or small), you know because it is so important and profound to you, that it is one of the five most important things you need to do see or experience before you die.
Tangent: It is important to realize that people (and situations they bring) are meant to guide you to your Big Five. I have been blessed with so many beautiful people that have guided me, helped me, and encouraged me through the good and the bad...you know who you are...and there is no 'thank you' big enough for people that help you realize your big five.
My Big Five: For me, these five things aren't yet fully defined, but i feel them pull from my heart to get me on the path of my Big Five For Life. I also think this pull could be how i may help with others Big Five.
I have accomplished one of my big five as of yet and am forever on the path to discovering the others.
The one that I have experienced was to love like no other, to be in love, to feel the compassion that comes with it. To find my "soul mate" and love him with everything that i was given. I know what this love is, i lived every moment of it....that is one of my big five that I deem as a success the way that i have defined success, spiritually, mentally, and physically.
The rest are yet to be fully realized. Two seeds were planted in the depths of my soul and reality when i was just a girl. The first was when i learned of global warming and the other various harmful ways we are destroying our planet and mother nature. The second is tapping into the beat of life...the way its meant to be drummed and danced to...the way our people did before we lost touch. I am sure these two aspects are in some way a part of my big five.
Unknown to me, My most recent job led me on the path to reveal another aspect of my Big Five For Life's: working with children. I don't know how this will play out yet, but the look in a kids eye's when they discover a new sense of awe over something you taught them, or some way you have inspired them, or a path you encouraged them on, or even the look when you know, even if you never see them again, they will remember you as a mentor, as a way to overcome whatever that may be happening in there life, good and bad....that moment is irreplaceable. Even more replaceable, the hope that each kid will do amazingly brilliant and good things with their experiences.
Possibly these last three will come together soon, or maybe they will materialize into other things. One thing I can be confident of, even though a part of me is terrified (mainly of the snakes...eeeppppp), sad for the loneliness that will probably engulf me at many points over the next 27 months, the increasing number of moments I am missing in my nephews, niece, and future kiddos lives etc...my heart tells me that this is my path and I am so thrilled to be embarking on this adventure. I will either accomplish or be on my way to accomplishing more of my and others Big Five for Life. I hope that you all can follow me on my journey, as you are all so much such a huge part of it.
Zambia, here I come...open arms with love in my heart, peace in my mind, and ambition in my soul :)
