As you all know, last week I was in Haiti for the entire week. That week changed my life – literally. I cannot look at the world the same. Things I thought were one way have now shifted. It’s been this intense time of readjustment and trying to find normal and in the midst of it all being very blessed to have a week at the lake with my family.
I’ve gone to the lake since I was eight years old.
So, when my Haiti trip, which I only planned for four weeks in advance was scheduled right before the lake my concern was getting everything ready.
I cannot believe how over complicated I made coming up here before.
We don’t really need much – even though it looks like a ton there. Some clothes, swimsuits, towels, and a deck of cards. And some gluten free food for Samuel and me. But when I look at all the stuff my family brings to the lake I am humbled.
It is so much stuff.
More stuff for a week at the lake than many people in Haiti even have.
When I was in Haiti a sweet girl braided cornrows in my hair. She worked and worked and worked (I have a great deal of hair). When she was finished she started to put in my aqua lace headband that I purchased at Claire’s for $2.98. I stopped her and handed it to her and pointed to me and then to her.
She was so grateful for that headband (you can see it barely in her hand).
She put it in her hair and her friends smiled and clapped. Then she put it on her wrist and held my hand the entire walk back to the car. And when I said goodbye to her later that day she waved and held up her wrist with the headband. So simple.
But so powerful.
I probably have seven headbands packed in those bags.
Perspective.
The perspective that I gained about a vacation that used to stress me out for weeks prior because of packing extra blessed stuff? You know what? It’s not really about the stuff. It’s the time together. Fellowship. Playing. Sitting on the dock and watching the sunset. Those things.
Not physically bought things.
Haiti taught me to see the world differently.
It taught me to slow down. To stress less. To look the cashier in the eye. To say hello to others. To give of time. To listen more. To be patient. To be grateful. To be joyful. To not think of myself first. To let go of complaining. To love. To be bold. To think how I can give. To rejoice. To mourn. To embrace the little things.
Haiti gave me perspective.
And that perspective has forever changed me.
Blessed real perspective.
14 comments
Thank you for sharing your new perspective.
Haiti has always held a special place in my heart because of it’s history within the African diaspora. I’m so happy to hear of your transformative experience there.
Beautiful, as always! Enjoy your time at the lake with your family!
Cancer taught me the same lessons. I am grateful and blessed everyday.
On my way to a northern Minnesota lake soon, too. I can’t wait!
Enjoy! and God Bless!
Thank you for your truly inspiring and meaningful posts. I look forward to reading them. Sometimes I just save them for those “moments” and sometimes I rush to open and read them. I hope you get to enjoy life as much as possible but also I hope you are inspired so we can be too.
Beautiful as always. Thank you for sharing your new perspective. I don’t know why, but your post has my heart full today and tears in my eyes.
May your experience stay with you forever and may it have the same ripple effects on others…
As soon as I saw the title of this post I had to read. I was just talking with my 6 year old son about perspective. How lucky we are.
This was beautiful!
I love your words of encouragement and beautiful photos. Keeping things is perspective is something I strive for and struggle with constantly. Your words speak directly to me in so many ways.
I noticed in the photo that Samuel’s carseat straps are low and loose. I’m sorry I notice those things all the time. He could actually slip out of that in an accident. you could go to the local fire station or look on line for proper fitting. It should be no more than 2 fingers width and even with his armpits.
Again, not trying to interfere, just help! Have a wonderful week and thank you so much for your encouragement to mothers.
I was out of town for a while but am back now.
Life can seem so overwhelming at times. God can seem so very far away. He’s always there, especially when the times are the hardest! Praying!
Psalms 13:1-6 How long wilt thou forget me, O LORD? for ever? how long wilt thou hide thy face from me? How long shall I take counsel in my soul, having sorrow in my heart daily? … Consider and hear me, O LORD my God: lighten mine eyes, … But I have trusted in thy mercy; my heart shall rejoice in thy salvation. I will sing unto the LORD, because he hath dealt bountifully with me.
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Thank you for sharing this. We live in a rural village in Southwest Alaska nine months of the year (where my husband is a school teacher) and the poverty there is breathtaking.
I too came back to Washington for the summer with renewed perspective. Walking down the aisles of our local grocery store almost made me sick. We have so much, and others so little.
I love the paragraph about what you are going to do differently: be more giving of your time, be kind, look people in the eyes… Very inspiring stuff.
Perspective – it is such a gift. And we come to it in so many different ways, at different times, for different reasons. Yours is such a great lesson. I wrote about mine this week, as well.
http://thelevy6.blogspot.com/2013/07/the-good-life-732013.html
These words are so familiar and filled with so much comfort! Praying!
Psalms 23:1-3 The LORD is my shepherd; I shall not want. He maketh me to lie down in green pastures: he leadeth me beside the still waters. He restoreth my soul: he leadeth me in the paths of righteousness for his name’s sake.
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This brought tears to my eyes ….. thank you!
Praying in Seattle!
Psalms 23:4-6 Yea, though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death, I will fear no evil: for thou art with me; thy rod and thy staff they comfort me. Thou preparest a table before me in the presence of mine enemies: thou anointest my head with oil; my cup runneth over. Surely goodness and mercy shall follow me all the days of my life: and I will dwell in the house of the LORD for ever.
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Keep your eyes on the Lord! Praying for you right now!
2 Samuel 22:2-3, 7 And he said, The LORD is my rock, and my fortress, and my deliverer; The God of my rock; in him will I trust: he is my shield, and the horn of my salvation, my high tower, and my refuge, my saviour; thou savest me from violence. (7) In my distress I called upon the LORD, and cried to my God: and he did hear my voice out of his temple, and my cry did enter into his ears.
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