Merry Christmas! Issallahmu Allahkoum!
That’s mixing religions, but it means “may peace be upon you.” That is the standard greeting in the Muslim world which takes the place of “hello” and I think in this season it is especially appropriate. Being out of my culture, I am getting an interesting perspective of Christmas. It’s safe to say that none of the commercialism of Christmas exists here; the only people who are not Muslim are the foreigners. As such, I have had not only the time to reflect on Christmas and the year but also have been able to do that without the usual distractions. It has also been the hardest time of year to be away from home. If there is any holiday that is about family, friends, and being together it is Christmas. Fortunately, I have plenty of happy memories of family and friends that keep you all close to me even though you may be far away. After all, it’s the sharing of memories that makes having friends and family so pleasant.
Reflecting as I am at this time, I realize that I often do not pay much attention to my memories. Often I live focused on the future and try to focus on the present but mostly forget the past. I think a better way to live is to treat all parts equally. Remembering your past reminds you what is important enough to be worth remembering, and helps to turn your attention to what really brings you happiness.
When I remember the events of this past year I find plenty of happiness. 2008 started with the end of my undergraduate days and what was my most enjoyable year at college. Thank you to my roommates in TH 48 and all of my friends at Clarkson for that. “The thesis” also figures prominently in my memories and fortunately ends up being a happy one. From my most serious academic challenge I launched into my most serious life challenge. Having been officially in the Peace Corps for four months now, I finally feel like I am settled in. I still do not understand everything people say to me, nor do they understand everything that I say, but I feel like I have hit a rhythm, and settled on a way of life that will serve me for the next year and a half. It is strange to think that almost a quarter of my service here is completed, I feel like I have done so little. Fortunately my memories reassure me otherwise.
Though I have done much, I have learned far more. Some are lessons about myself, life, and culture that are immediately apparent, like the real value of having a stable and accountable democracy or how close connections to those around you are more valuable than any sum of money, others are more subtle and I feel will only be fully revealed when I return to the States. However, one that I would particularly like to share given the season is that while different peoples are more alike than we generally imagine, there are some cultural differences that do not translate no matter how hard you try. I encounter this on a daily basis and my reaction is often frustration coupled with anger that is unjustified and unhelpful. If peace is to exist on earth, we need to work to accept that there are differences across cultures that cannot be properly understood and that we need to fight the tendency to hate what we do not understand. Only then can true Christmas spirit of fraternity and sorority across the world exist.
Since I can not wish you all a merry Christmas in the usual present way, I am having a joyous holiday season with the warm memories you have left me. My Christmas wishes are of course peace on earth, particularly between cultures that do not understand each other, but also that you pay a tribute to your past and take some time to remember the good events and people that have made up your life.
Merry Christmas and Happy New Years from
Posts
4 comments:
Fozz,
This posting is bittersweet, as the obvious in that you are not here and you are ABSOLUTELY missed!!!... *hug*... But, despite the subtle melancholy air that I see in this email, what I mostly see is the inner strength and resilience that you continue to have and draw from....
You speak of lessons that you still have yet to learn and things you've already learned.. you talk about how you have previously spent much of your time in the future and present and not in the past... From my observations of you as a person and my brother, I would say these are things that aren't newly discovered by you but your experience over there is a strong reminder for you of things you may have temporarily lost touch with.
Life is a cycle, as you know... as with the tide, we ebb & flow within the cycles of life... You have a strong head on your shoulders w/ more insight than I ever had at your stage in life... applaud it.. I know that you haven't forgotten where you started or of the places you've been.... It's what makes you who you are now and I think you're more in touch w/ your past experiences than you are aware...
I love that you draw on the love and memories in your life for the holidays... We sure have had some WONDERFUL ones... one in particular that I get a giggle out every year is the year you got a new watch and we're sitting on the couch on x'mas morning as you're setting the date and you asked us what the date was!!!!!!! .. *laugh*
Finally, at the risk of sounding continuously verbose (sorry mom) - I remember the biggest lesson I learned when I did Peace Child and spent 6 wks. w/ people from 14 different countries - that despite the wars, despite all the cultural and language differences - we still had the universal language of emotion... we smiled, laughed, and cried.. and it's amazingly humbling and reassuring at how well we could communicate despite the differences once we let ourselves be open to other people.........
Merry x'mas, Fozz...... and you know you're getting lots of love from Savannah!!!!!!!!! .. *hug* We love you....
btw....... LOVE the pic! I'll be printing that one for the house!!! Wait til you get our x'mas card... I thought it was PERFECT for you!... even more so after this picture!!!!! ... *mwa*
Zachman,
Merry Christmas to you. Please know that we prayed for you at our Christmas dinner this year. In fact, Tyler (our 9 year old did). He thanked God for how you are loving kids there. He prayed for your safety and finally thanked God for how you making a difference there. You see, even a 9 year old sees that impact that you are making and rejoices in the ways you are making a difference.
You know bud, I don't know if you remember me telling you this, but years ago I created a nonprofit that did work trips for boy scouts, girl scouts, churches, schools, etc. Our first year we had 400 youth and leaders come to either Pine Ridge, South Dakota or Juarez, Mexico. This last year close to 45,000 youth came to close to 60 sites. While it was amazing growth and an amazing celebration to watch youth want to serve, it wasn't that amazing fact that I will remember. Rather, it was person after person that would write and call me and tell me how THEY went to go make a difference and they had planned to do so through rebuilding of homes, kids club programs, and more and more. They were so excited to IMPACT, yet as they went to change, they themselves became changed. They themselves were served and they would never be the same and at the end of the day, week, etc they celebrated the relationships they had.
So, at the end of the first part of the journey, I hope you see and celebrate the relationships of the journey. I hope you saw that the rebuilding of desks caused you to deepen relationship. That late night soccer games caused you to build and deepen relationships. I hope you didn't worry about speaking the right language, but nonverbally loving and building off every encounter you had with people.
Finally, may I share the greatest advice I have been given as a speaker and please forgive me if I already shared this. But, its this simple truth... People don't remember what you do. People don't remember what you say. People simply remember how you make them feel. So my wonderful brother and friend, keep impacting people in only the way YOU can do. Keep building those relationships. Keep loving as only you can love. You are impacting so many back here including a 9 year old boy who loves hearing about your journey and praying for you.
Merry Christmas Zach!
Tom
Tom,
I think you are absolutely right about people remembering how you make them feel above all else. I will cherish that nugget of wisdom and use it to the best of my abilities.
You are not only a source of inspiration for me and many, many others, including those who read this blog, but you have an unique ability to see through to the real essence of life and share your visions with others. That is a rare gift and once again I thank you for it. I am just happy I am able to give you and yours something back in return.
inhoc,
z.
Post a Comment