Cuando el buey hablo...

So, cuanto tiempo...such a long time...in which we haven´t chatted...

Here, time has been moving and, like anywhere else on the planet, one gets caught up in the demands of the moment. Probably because of this, those times of reflection, rest, and catching up with friends then become extra-special. I stop and think about all of the moments that have past. And, now get to share a few of them with you. I guess what I´m trying to say is that I´m glad you´re here! Much love...

You may ask: What´s been going on? The same with the diversity of every new day and moment. My daily schedule has revolved around basketball practices, youth group and community association meetings, English classes, and planning for two different conferences, one for the empowerment of young women, the other as a strengthening of a group of youth health promoters. But, also thrown in the time has been the recent elections in the country and Patronales, the week-long celebration of the patron saint of the city, complete with bullfights every afternoon. Some experiences are just too much to explain...Here´s a few for your imagination. (Pictures are on the way):

1. Imagine a crowd of like 35 grown men trying to wrestle, ride, pinch, smack, and generally aggravate a bull. I witnessed it during the bullfight...while standing on top of a dump truck.
2. Seeing any type of vehicle loaded down with people in the political party´s colors of purple and yellow after the re-election of the DR´s current president, Leonel Fernandez. It was a party!
3. Eating at the very least two mangoes every day. (I love everything about them...peeling them with my teeth and squeezing the juice out of the skin!) I plan to try all ten kinds!

The greater enjoyment of the past few weeks and months has come from the spiritual experiences. Although my examples may be specific, the themes are universal. Times of personal rest and reflection. Times when friends have said just the right words at the moments. Times of hugs, love, and laughter. What I´ve gained, not in any particular order of importance...

1. Rest is crucial. Like, just sitting back and doing things that I and only I enjoy. Seems obvious, but in this type of work, where everything is a joy, a beautiful struggle, rest becomes necessary. It not only helps recharge, etc. but it helps to just take it easy (cogerlo suave!) and...
2. Stay in and in-joy the moment. It´s difficult writing about this, because it´s something that you just do. (And, it goes against the agenda). Presence. Spirit. But, when you do or are in it, those amazing moments arrive more often, you jive with folks as well as with everything around in a cool energy. (Take a little of Him with you everywhere you go). My moments have involved star-filled nights and, you guessed it, mangoes. But, with a little less resistance to the flow of life, I know those moments will come more often. Which leads me to...
3. When you think of something that you need to do or should do, it´s probably cool to do it..a little analyzing. Regret is ugly and a nag. And, life in peace is like staring at a gem.
4. I love the folks who keep me afloat. You know who you are. I hope more time can be spent with you.

Case in point / Objective for the future: Who knew that my host brother, who has never attended my English class or even asked about it, is schooling his friends in words he´s learned from my random conversations?

Perhaps, more change will come from who I am than what I do. And it all evolves in the Now.