1/25/2011
Happy New Year’s to everyone back home!!!! I hope everyone has had a wonderful Holiday season, and know that my thoughts and prayers are with you always. This holiday season has been one that I will never forget. Spending Christmas in Bethlehem Holiday season has been something that I will never forget. Just hanging out together without planning anything and just going with the flow was amazing, because this is the way of love to live life…never worrying about the little things in life, and just being in the moment. This works especially well here in Palestine
The funniest thing for me right now is how I have been without power for quite some time now at my flat, and I am currently at a local restaurant (La Vie) where I spend a lot of time. La vie is kind of like being on the TV show Cheers because everyone here knows my name, and it is really a second home (a block away from my actual home). All the thoughts and worries go away when I’m here just relaxing, and although I am here by myself right now it is great people watching. In front of me is a beautifully decorated Christmas tree with really cool blinking lights, and the dimly lit lights around the bar and cash register. There are a lot of internationals and Palestinians here, and everyone is in kind conversation, and I always enjoy trying to figure out what language is being spoken. The cool thing about this restaurant is not only how close it is to my flat, but also the wonderful community that I have formed here. I feel like everything is just wonderful and relaxing here. La Vie has been the stepping point for me into the community here in Ramallah, and I will forever be grateful for everything they have done for me over the past year.
Thinking back on this past year brings to mind so many things. I graduated from College, and I am now living in the Holy Land for a year…how amazing. There is no way that I could have predicted myself being here at this point last year. This is proof that worrying about the coming year does not prove to help anything or anyone, because even though we might have a plan for our future we must always keep our mind and heart open to the opportunities that lie beyond our plans. Life does not leave a straight path for us to follow, rather a winding up and down hill road filled with bumps and detours because through that rough journey we all grow stronger and gain a better understanding of ourselves.
This New Year will come with a lot of important decisions for everyone, as we make resolutions, promises, and ask for forgiveness. Everyone always worries about the future, but I propose that instead of worrying about what has not happened yet we should stop; look around and see the beautiful things in our lives. There are so many things that we take for granted, and I just hope that we all can see what we have been so privileged with and try to make a difference in the world. Making a difference in the world does not mean that you have to do something extraordinary, or give up all of your possessions. Just be the person that you strive to be, whether that is volunteering more at a place you have always wanted to go, or making that decision on whether or not to take on a new job. Know that in whatever you do there is always one constant in your life and that is the love and support you have standing behind you in everything you do. This knowledge has led me here to my year of accompaniment and service, and in this coming year do not be afraid to take on new challenges because overcoming obstacles is the only way to appreciate our greatest achievements.
May God’s peace be with you all through this coming year, and always!
Salaam,
David
