It is easy to get carried away in the daily grind and to let our lives become so uniform. We get so caught up in getting through life that we forget to live it. I cherish the time that I have spent in Poland greatly, but lately I have been thinking a lot about how after a while days seem to start feeling the same. Though I teach different students each day and our topics change, there is a sense of sameness. People have the tendency to get caught up in routine, sometimes making life seem less exciting. This past week I have been reminded that it is important to mix things up every now and then. Of course we can’t necessarily turn each day into a grand parade, but we can do things to make sure we are living intentionally and not getting caught up in our routines. This week I experienced a break in the routine, and I loved it. Unfortunately I ended last weekend and started this week sick. However because of this there was a change to my weekly schedule. I was unable to teach my classes on Monday and Tuesday, and quite honestly I missed my students. BUT being sick made this week stand out so much from the rest. It made me realize that I want to be more intentional in my daily life. I want to make each day stand out, to embrace each moment and to make it special. On Wednesday I was back to work. Sadly some of my students were ill and thus there was another change in my schedule. I ended up teaching a lot of my students in a different order. It was amazing how this simple change created such a difference in the day. Each lesson was taken on with a new perspective.
With Wednesday also came an answer to prayer, though this change in routine is rather large. A new missionary arrived and is now living at my place. I am no longer alone. Though I cherish the lessons that I learned during the time living alone, I am so thankful for the company. It is amazing how a typical day could turn around. On Thursday I got to play guide and show the new missionary around town. During this time I also realized how far I have come from when I first got here. As humans we can be so hard on ourselves, but we need to recognize that each day we make progress. Here I was able to help someone new in Poland. In no means am I an expert on Polish culture or language but I have adapted a lot more than I thought I had. In addition I understand a lot more Polish than I realized too. I found myself translating things for the new missionary. In addition I realized some of my characteristics that have changed for the positive. I have become a lot more chill and willing to accept that I cannot control everything. Through this year, I have truly learned to trust God and have peace in knowing that He is in control.
Over all I guess I am trying to say that is good to mix it up a little bit. A lot of us are afraid of change, but small changes can be good for us. We can gain new perspectives on things that we do everyday in mixing it up a little bit. Don’t get caught up in the routine.
With Wednesday also came an answer to prayer, though this change in routine is rather large. A new missionary arrived and is now living at my place. I am no longer alone. Though I cherish the lessons that I learned during the time living alone, I am so thankful for the company. It is amazing how a typical day could turn around. On Thursday I got to play guide and show the new missionary around town. During this time I also realized how far I have come from when I first got here. As humans we can be so hard on ourselves, but we need to recognize that each day we make progress. Here I was able to help someone new in Poland. In no means am I an expert on Polish culture or language but I have adapted a lot more than I thought I had. In addition I understand a lot more Polish than I realized too. I found myself translating things for the new missionary. In addition I realized some of my characteristics that have changed for the positive. I have become a lot more chill and willing to accept that I cannot control everything. Through this year, I have truly learned to trust God and have peace in knowing that He is in control.
Over all I guess I am trying to say that is good to mix it up a little bit. A lot of us are afraid of change, but small changes can be good for us. We can gain new perspectives on things that we do everyday in mixing it up a little bit. Don’t get caught up in the routine.