The Power of Gratitude

Gratitude. We hear all the time about the resilient power of gratitude. We were taught to give thanks and to count our blessings. Americans say thank you all day long. We have an entire day dedicated to thanksgiving. 

After a difficult few weeks and a desperate need for change I ran across an article that described different post it's to have around your house to make you happier. I decided to take the challenge a bit further. I turned each month into a post it. 

For the month of May it was my job to journal every day about one thing I was Thankful for. No matter how my day went or what awful things I wanted to write about, I first had to be grateful. What surprised me was the ease in which this came. Some days I had far more than one thing to be thankful for, and others I wrote pages about my thanks. Somehow, after journaling about my thanks, I no longer had anything negative about my day that was still bothering me. The power of gratitude is incredible. I am so thankful I took on this challenge. 

Although I didn't get to journal every single day, I still wanted to share the topics I wrote about. Often as PCV'S we can become surrounded by negativity and feel discouraged. This month showed me that my positivity, my greatest strength, is a weapon against the deep pit of culture shock and homesickness. As I wrote about my thanks I saw every part of me in a positive light and I began to love and cherish my body and mind each day, finally treating it with the respect and care it deserves. It is fitting that next month's task is to write about one thing you're proud of. 

Here is what I was Thankful for in the month of May:

-the art of entertainment 

-my mother

-writing: writing letters, journaling, and growing up in a time and place where my education was prioritized

-my perseverance and commitment 

-Laughter 

(my host sister in the middle is always making me laugh)

-Peace Corps because it makes personal growth an opportunity and a necessity

(Joiwyn and I at our Swearing in ceremony in our traditional dresses) 

-my strong capacity to live and for all of the times I have fallen in love in the past and all of the times I will fall in love in the future

-thankful that although I may not be completely away from society, I am far removed from my society, and that in of itself is a glorious adventure of self discovery and working through my "stuff " without having to lose everyone I love in the process (I had just watched the movie Into the Wild)

(as seen in my village)

-choosing Peace Corps and choosing balance 

-my ability to always eventually find happiness, and I'm thankful for seeing it that way instead of seeing the world as inevitable bad things coming 

(My coworker and friend who always brightens my day and guides me through village life)

-my PCV friends! 

(And many many more)

-little kids. Their creativity, their exploration, their imagination, their joy.

-my nieces and nephew(s)

(Auntie Benny life)

-journaling and my self care techniques

-my cousin Megan 

-the people and stories that give me hope

-blankets, yoga, and the financial means and education to be smart about my food consumption

-that I will never be too old for sleepovers and talking into the night till morning 

(getting silly at our most recent sleepover)

-Yoga. 

-I was able to chair today's meeting 

(A mural at my school on a rare rainy day)

-I am thankful for the privilege of listening to my students stories. 

(facilitating a club meeting)

-lunch, successful clubs, choir, arts, dance, writing letters, happiness, friendship, feeling high on life

(walking towards the school gate) 

-being a side of myself today that I had lost sight of (my dramatic flair returned) 

-my Dad

-my Bots family. 

-my family 

-all of the families I find myself a part of (theater, show choir, the girls, oalife, ballroom, Alice, and on and on and on) 

-being able to laugh with my girls no matter how long we are apart (and tacos)

 (especially in the 216)

-Books 

-technology and the gift it gives me of being able to talk to my loved ones no matter where I am in the world and no matter where they are. 

The list could continue forever. But now we've reached June, so a new challenge awaits! Thank you to all who care enough to follow along on my journey and who are constantly sending me support and love through fb, whatsapp, email, snail mail, snapchat, and everywhere in between. I couldn't have spent 10 months here without you. The hope I have for the remaining 17 is also largely because of you. Today, I am most thankful, for you. 

Best,

Bethany

Family, Food, and Fun at the Fest

Nine months ago, to the date, I had 4 sibs. Sunday morning as I craweled into bed around 6:30am, I realized I now have 17. I might be an ocean away from my blood relatives, but my gift in Bots is two new families to treat me as their own.

Saturday I traveled to Molepolole (my training village) with four of my host sibs from my current village to help cater an all night music fest. We spent the whole day preping and cooking, laughing and joking, and when we finally got to the event and set up, the crowd started to grow. There were many acts from all over Southern Africa to entertain the crowd and provide the dance music. Not to mention all of the incredible food my host sister had cooked up. Every couple of minutes or so I was given something else to taste as we served and cooked for most of the night.

But the highlight of the night was the dancing. Most popular music in Bots is House music. (example:  https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=k53FhqD6MQs&list=RDk53FhqD6MQs )Even US songs that are hot here get mixed and remixed by DJ's to have the house beat. When you're just listening to the radio or to a neighbor with speakers it can honestly get old after awhile. The beat always sounds the same and the songs start to run together (especially since they aren't normally in English). I like a few songs, but on most occasions I start to get restless and want to listen to something else.

Not at this event. Everyone was dancing like there was no tomorrow. People were not standing in place and swaying or grinding to the music. Oh now. They were LIFTED through the air by the passion of their art. Jumping, hoping, stamping, grooving. Dance is a full body afair. Arms were flying and energy was everywhere. People were working off each others moves, adding and morphing talent to create incredible moments of flow. My soul was on fire. There are few things in life as inticing and energizing to me as a packed dance floor filled with people who are doing what they do best without a care in the world: getting down.

My heart pounds, my body starts to rock, my eyes sparkle, and before I know it it feels as though I have no CHOICE but to join the controlled chaos of a brilliant dance floor. I was starting to dance a little, quietly, next to our food tent, as we served and helped out. But as the night went on I became a bit more brave, dancing on the edge of the crowd, aware of the people staring and whispering about the Lekowa (white person) dancing. But then my host brother, one of the best dancers I've seen here, led me to the middle of the crowd, and it began. The flow. That moment when time stands still, your pulse quickens, and every ounce of energy you would expend in a week fuels each second as though there will never be anything as important as this moment. This dance. The world evaporates around you, the crowd opens a circle surrounding you, and there is no wiping the blazing smile from your face. This is freedom.

The night was full of new friends, family, and food. I met up with two of my original host brothers and introduced my two families. We all had an amazing time. I was supported, I was protected, I was blissful. I was myself.

When the event was over at 6am, I went to my original host family's house for a couple hours of sleep, before joining my family for two days of quiet, peaceful village life. I hadn't been back to Moleps for 6 months, but I was welcomed back as if I had never left. As my host sister said, "you are family. there will always be a bed for you here."

A friend once told me "you are a family girl. you make families wherever you go." How lucky I am to meet these people. How lucky I am to learn from them. How lucky I am to call myself their sister.

How lucky I am to have 18 months left with them.