I am having time to process a lot lately...and it is needed and good. I have been thinking about one thing a lot. I have felt super judgemental about America, consumerism, people who haven't traveled....people who have no idea about Africa. Now, I am taking a step back and realizing the complete stupidity of this. Tanzania and Africa have touched my soul...I am forever changed...my views of the world for me, for my kids....for humanity have been affected. I am now realizing that my "kicking and screaming" approach is not going to ever share that message. I need to share openly, without judgement, what I have felt and how I have been moved. The greatest teachers of this lesson are the Tanzanian people...they are so open and kind and move slowly with concentration of where they are at that moment. Preplanning doesn't exist...they are in the here and now. I think this happens for a variety of reasons....first and foremost poverty drives their lives...each day they are consumed with food, water....how to pay for school, get ahead....these daily needs keep them in the moment. With this struggle comes beauty....simplicity. Hard to really imagine this I think....we equate struggle with pain and suffering....I am learning instead the benefits and long term benefits of it....we grow, we see...we feel.
I just finished reading the Time magazine article by Bob Geldof (is he single?)on Bush's visit to Africa. I knew before that Bush has given more to Africa than ony other world leader EVER. I knew the staggering numbers associated to this money...for example, in 2003 50,000 Africans were on HIV antiretroviral drugs...today 1.3 are receiving medicines for free. 1.5 are getting Malaria and TB meds...for free. The US contributes 50% of all food aid. One of his quotes in this article was "US solutions should not be imposed on African leaders" But that is where my "kicking and screaming" judgemental side kicked in....I wondered...isn't this true of Iraq too? Deep breath...calm...appreciate the good he has done, think about the future Presidents potential to continue to do good work here. The not judging thing is something I am working on....it's a process right?
Peace and musings from my net.
Sarah
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thinking is good... I keep pondering the wonder of the school fees/mango repayment incident: why some people think they are owed at all, who defines what should/shouldnt be payed back and in what "currency." how good were those mangos?!?!? Its true, they are very present in the moment, and I think that leads to good decision making. I don't have money, and it will take too long to earn money, but I do have mangos...
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