In Spain, I've noticed time and time again, that people use things as they're intended for. If they're running, they wear clothes specifically for running, golf clothes for golfing, biking clothes for biking, horse clothes for horseback riding (once, the daughter of one of my professors came in wearing this cute little equestrian get up and she looked like she belonged on the cover of a magazine) In America, that's perceived as really fancy and only professionals actually wear the "special" clothes. "Normal people" usually just wear some comfy shorts and a t-shirt for everything we do. Of course there are exceptions in both countries, but there's MORE of it here. Also, they use all the different silverware how it should be used. Have you ever wondered "why are there even different kinds of silverware? I know they're used in fancy situations but really who ever uses anything other than a fork and spoon?" Well, they do. They have little mini dessert forks for dessert and mini spoons (which they use to eat cake with-another difference) They eat with a steak knife and fork like a dance (I'm extremely clumsy when I try to use both at the same time) and in general, things are just done "the right way". Upon reflection, I've gone between thinking "They've got it so right! They actually do things how they're meant to be done! Spain is so much better!" and then "Americans make due and when things can be used for multiple purposes, we use um! and it IS a little arrogant to think we need more than is sufficient." But on the other hand, every house in America would be considered excess I think. In Segovia, everyone lives in an apartment that I would consider really small by my standards. But I'm a spoiled American (who lives in the country which might account for some of this). Here, the amount of space is totally sufficient and I wonder why I'd ever thought that I needed more than this. I've thought this before when I moved to college and realized how little I needed, when I moved to camp for the summer with only two suitcases and was absolutely FINE, and now coming here with one suitcase and living in a smaller house, I realize how little we really need to be comfortable and totally content. Just think how much less we really NEED. Crazy how luxurious I thought "normal" was. These are thoughts that people usually come back saying from a third-world country and Spain definitely isn't that. Makes me wonder how much stronger this feeling would be if I were to go somewhere like Haiti. I always knew this whole "americans have a ton and people live with less and are happier" concept cause I've heard it all my life, but I've never REALIZED it until this year after I moved to college.
I mean- look how many people live COMFORTABLY here! It's so squished!!! (well, it's not but that's how it seems to my Minnesotan mind)
I mean- look how many people live COMFORTABLY here! It's so squished!!! (well, it's not but that's how it seems to my Minnesotan mind)
I'm loving living and learning here. Even though I've felt some lack of spiritual life (because I've been at camp for 3 months devoting every waking moment to him and now life hit me) when I step back and reflect, I see him working in so many places and situations and just - EVERYWHERE! I just have to notice him. He really is always there. When you're feeling like he's distant, look for him. Why did you make the bus JUST in the knick of time? Why were you able to make it through that hectic day? How were you able to console a friend? When he's on your mind, you notice him. He's there in the background everyday waiting for us. Things we notice are often the tools he uses to show himself to us. This is where I've seen him work most in me since living here. Like peering into a clear lake on a sunny day, God is there in my reflections.