Learning?

The expression "You are never too old to learn something new," comes to mind when I think of my life and where I am at currently! I know that half my followers have already started thinking she is young what the heck is she talking about, but just work with me here! When you are a small child, you gaze out lustfully at middle school, when you’re in high school you dream of graduation, and when you’re in university you prepare for freedom; all with the hopes that when you reach this goal the learning is over and living begins! Not one person can prepare you for the fact that living is actually learning, and when you stop learning you stop living life to its fullest.

Merriam Webster describes learning as "The act or experience of one that learns; and, modification of a behavioral tendency by experience." Clearly learning is an experience, something that involves the learner fully. Learning changes the way the learner feels about the subject, the world, the information. Learning changes living.

Merriam Webster simply describes living as "having life." What is more to the point of the living comes in and through the list of Synonyms and Antonyms...

Synonyms: alive, functional, functioning, going, live, active, on, operating, operational, operative, running, working

Antonyms: broken, dead, inactive, inoperative, kaput nonactivated, nonfunctional, nonfunctioning, nonoperating, nonoperational, nonoperative

Over the last years of my life I have had to learn a lot of different things, some came into/and out of my life rapidly: baking a soufflé, building a shed, book club, home business, and yoga instruction. Some came naturally (even if I continue to learn): motherhood, cooking, baking cakes, gardening, and arts. Some came with training: working at the church, lay speaking, being a wife, and running! Some things I had/have to learn could only come from within: patience, peace, and tenderness.

At this point now I continue to learn so much! It's is not always these monumental things, but more of necessity! At this point now I am learning to speak German, I am learning to drive a stick shift, at this point I am learning to relax! Ok, so it might seem monumental and some days it seems insurmountable, but I feel alive! Once again in life I am pushing myself, striving for personal greatness, and accepting nothing but my best. I am training for a half marathon, passing German A1, moving to German A2, driving 7K at a time (not out of 4th gear yet), and taking one day at a time! I am not only learning all these great life skills, but I am learning more about myself!

So, never too old, nah living (learning) has just begun.

Amazing Acts of Kindness

I remember sometime ago, the whole popularity of "random acts of kindness" came on like a wave. I say popularity because really people have always been doing it but, suddenly there was a bumper sticker campaign (nothing says popularity like a bumper sticker), and the movie "Pay It Forward(2000)." Then there was Hillary Clinton’s campaign (1996) of "It Takes a Village" to raise a child! These catch phrases caught on and people got involved...movements were reborn (I say reborn because social movement is a continuous cycle waiting for the right environment to reinvent itself), and TV even embraced it... Oprah, Ellen, All morning shows and even reality TV "Extreme Makeover." In 2006 the free hug campaign came into the picture, making doing for others even more simplistic.
It is not the cheeky catch phrase that made/makes all the difference. It is the way people embrace a movement into the core of their being! It becomes less of a movement, and more of a way of living!
Today's blog is so simple, yet so complex. Every day I go through life and have the days pass I forget all the ways in which people have made this world a better place. Today I am simply thanking them...saying I noticed.
The friend that sent me a text while shopping because she knew I was lonely...
The friend that gave me a ride to school on strike day...
The friend that helped me get settled here (I will miss you)...
The lady who pushed the ubahn button so I could squeeze on...
My church family for the care package...
The friend at school for helping with the kids...
The friend who came with Twizzlers...
The new friend who's friendship means a ton to me...
The people who make me smile...
The woman who told me "I speak good German"....
The Man who DAILY tells me my small dog is cute, but his dog could eat her....
The ladies at school who have helped with my kids at various times...
The friend who picked my mom up from the airport....
The women who welcomed me and invited me out...
The friend who always sends me "Words with Friends" messages...
And finally the countless people, who have paused to hold a door, say hello, laugh, share a snack, share cake, write an email, and those who smile :)
Each one of these actions brought joy into my life. Each one of these acts made adjusting to living in Germany that much easier. Which got me thinking this morning how am I bringing joy into others lives? I hope that I am daily, without thought, but to make sure for the next 7 days I am going to try harder, smile more, and do what I can...(yes brace yourself for a bumper sticker moment) I am going to Pay It Forward!

For Inspiration check out:

 http://www.randomactsofkindness.org/

http://www.helpothers.org/cards.php

Sugar and Spice and everything nice....women are made of so much more!

Expats as defined by: www.wikipedia.com: An expatriate (in abbreviated form, expat) is a person temporarily or permanently residing in a country and culture other than that of the person's upbringing. The word comes from the Latin terms ex ("out of") and patria ("country, fatherland").

When we took an assignment out of country for the first time there was a moment when we felt like the only person in the world that has ever done anything like this! I come from a small town so in reality we were! We knew that the road was paved by the brave souls that had done this before but until we met these people we never thought of what being an expat means. And even more to the point I had never thought of the women (and few men) who have supported their families in expat and military situations!

Being a stay at home parent is a hard enough gig! There is the tending to others needs, the cleaning, the maintaining, the appointment making, the groceries, and the dreaded laundry! Throw the whole now we live aboard thing into the mix and this becomes a learning experience...."What does that washer say?"; "The doctor doesn't speak a common language!" Yes, the challenge of being a supportive, lovely, nurturing spouse and parent becomes a bit more like a personal Mt. Everest! And...of course there is the moment that smacks you when you feel like you’re the only person who has ever done this, but reality, you’re not!

Before you (me) came the thousands (side note: I am sure the number is huge, but it's 7am and I have had one cup of coffee, not going to research today) of other brave souls, willing to break out and try something new. I have met a handful of these amazing souls and their bravery and perseverance is astounding! Some of these supportive spouses gave up thriving careers to walk with their partners, and care for children. Some of these spouses have moved so many times, and to so many countries they no longer relate to their own culture! Some of these amazing women care for children in this new and foreign land while their husband travels the world leaving them alone (for a week or two) to discover everything! Some walked away from the only thing they had ever known to step out into a whole new world!

What is truly amazing is the depth to which these individuals are grateful and supportive! I am sure there are times (often behind closed doors) to which it all isn't so easy (and it's not), but these people work through it, and remain focused on the goal (personal Mt. Everest)! I am continually impressed by the grace in which they role with the punches; sure sick kid, husband traveling, parents in hospital, dog sick, car broken down; they've got it and are still smiling!

The old rhyme of sugar and spice and everything nice that's what little girls are made of, but what are women made of? It is in my eye's more a question of what aren't women made of? The women that fill the expat community, the women that have embraced the supportive role, the women who do this day in and day out are simply marvelous creatures that cannot and should not be described in one word! I am honored to be a part of this community of women!


Personal side note:
To the husbands(mine included): I recongize the amazingly hardwork you also do everyday! Learning a new langauge, working to support a family, and the various other task and I/we thank you!