I have a regular blog that drops into my mailbox every now and then. Its a blog written by the pastor of a church in America. Before you recoil and think its all happy clappy…bear with me. You have probably read this fella’s post before. There was a blog post of his that went huge and it was not because it was telling you how to save your souls but it was funny. Very funny. I might have actually laughed out loud as he re-rold his story of a holiday with small children. Then there was another one, that touched the worn out heart of every one of us running this parenting marathon. He is a writer of truth, sensitivity, compassion and razor sharp humour. I really really enjoy his blog.
A few weeks ago when i was sat by the side of the most incredible harbour in the world. Watching a light show of epic proportions and feeling a little bit overwhelmed by a) being far away from my loved ones and b) the mountain that stands before us in the shape of a future decisions. I stumbled across a rare moment of free wifi (that actually worked!) and a few downloaded emails popped onto my screen. Relishing a little in the rare moment of actually being able to read an email at an acceptable time of the day. I opened up an email from the actual pastor and it was like a word to my soul. Speaking to me across the oceans and thousands of miles.
Whilst i had been travelling my hashtag had been #adventurers. I had felt like it was a massive adventure. I had been very nervous about flying to Australia by myself. Something i wouldn’t have thought twice about 20 odd years ago but now it felt different. So i felt like i was trying to channel some of that adventurous spirit of old. The one that had backpacked through Europe and travelled from one side of Canada to the other by train.
I think somewhere on this trip it had started to re-ignite..just a little!
I have re-posted what he had written below. I love his description of his childhood. Love that his parents sounded like they were a little bit rebellious and took some risks, stepped away from toeing the line. Love that they obviously subscribed to the school of thought that believed that not all that is valuable in life can be learned in a classroom.
Teaching them that change is not something to be feared. That taking an opportunity, regardless of outcome, is a chance to grow and learn more about who we are.
That sometimes you have to stepping outside of your boundaries is something your future self is really going to thank you for!
Please do have a read….
Original post: What I learned from a 1972 Dodge Van by Steve Weins
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