a soft spot

 

i have a soft spot for Asia.

i was just 18 the first time

i packed a backpack with

youthful optimism and went to the Philippines

whole-heartedly believing

 i was following my "calling."

i left behind

my parents, whom i sure were worried sick,

my highschool sweetheart,

the life i understood and knew well,

and i carried myself

forward,

believing that i was changing the world

 and making a difference.

 

 

what i am reminded of,

having just returned

from Thailand

and spending white sand beach wandering time

is that

i needed Asia

much more than Asia needed me.

 

 

 

there is an optimism

that permeates the people

i have encoutered on both trips.

smiles that crack faces open,

time spent in realationship,

rather than in busyness.

there is little complaint heard

 laughter, good natured teasing and communal living

is the norm.

 

i am

grateful for the reminders of the good life

 i saw while i was there.

i am richer for the experience

all experiences that we allow ourselves to dive into make for so much heart stretching.

joy filling. mind expanding. soul softening.

 

 

my love for this culture

the little i understand of it

runs deep.

 

(if only the food and i liked each other, but that's another day's story)