Quote:
Originally posted by AOII_LB93
This may sound like an elementary sort of question, but here goes anyhow, what did you bring back (culturally, mentally) that you are going to try and integrate into your daily life? Were there any special things that the people of Ethiopia did daily that you would like to add to your daily life?
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My attitude has completely changed. I used to be a chronic complainer, but now, I watch what I complain about. I felt so lazy while I was over there, so I think that my work ethic has changed. I mean, I'm still a procrastinator, but I will not complain about my work load. I used to say things like, "I'm poor." I definitely won't say that anymore. When I'm REALLY hungry, I say, "I'm starving." I'm trying to work that out of my vocabulary as well. Mentally, a lot has changed for me. I pay attention to the amount of food I waste now. I used to go to restaurants, eat half of my food, get a doggie bag, and end up throwing it away or leaving it in the restaurant. I try my hardest to eat all of my food now. Like the other day, I ate my ENTIRE burrito from Chipotle. I have NEVER done that before, cuz they're huge, but I ate the whole thing. If I bring something home in a doggie bag, I eat it. I definitely watch what I waste, and that includes resources. I run less water.
One of the things that I'm sure is getting on people's nerves is my outlook on money. There is so much stuff that is just not so important anymore to me. A picked a soror up from the airport the other day, and they had lost her luggage. She was so upset. I was like, whatever, you still have clothes at home in your closet. Who cares about what you just bought and lost, be thankful you STILL have clothes in your closet. Some people own ONE outfit and NO shoes. I can't complain anymore about crap like that. This dude told me about how his church is building a new church (as always, lol). He said the new church will have this spectacular baptismal pool. Get this, it will have a waterfall that pours out over a cross, down into a glass globe, then into the pool. It's going to cost the church $80,000. Do you know how ridiculous it is to spend that kind of money on a BAPTISMAL POOL when there are people who can't eat??? That's just crazy. I'm so sure that Jesus would rather you SERVE by feeding people than building some spectacular mega-church. I didn't like excess before (3 and 4 cars per family, 2 and 3 houses around the country, clothes for dogs, million dollar necklaces, etc.), but I really hate it now. For America to be the richest country, we do absolutely nothing constructive with our wealth.
So I guess I am trying not to be wasteful, and I'm trying to let people around me know how they are being wasteful. And you have no idea how hard that is, because we are a wasteful society. I mean, think about it. Homeless people can eat out of the trash. There is no food in the trash in Ethiopia. Throw away food????? It just sounds insane to me, now.
Things Ethiopians did daily that I would like to do as well? Work hard. And also try not to stress over little stuff, especially when it comes to work. Now, let's be clear; I still will not be pimped by an employer. However, I won't complain about my workload anymore. Ethiopians have a work ethic like no other I've ever seen. And I want to incorporate their work ethic into my daily life. They wake up at the crack of dawn everyday to plow a farm that probably won't yeild any crops (because of the drought). That would never happen over here. Our attitude would be like, "What a waste of time." But they do it, every day, with the HOPE of a good outcome. I want to work like that. They walk HOURS just to get WATER. I don't complain about traffic anymore, cuz I could be walking, barefoot. And I used to be be a chronic complainer about traffic. Not anymore. I just have to check myself sometimes. Like yesterday, I hit about 4 potholes. I had to bite my tongue each time. Then I said something about how I wish they would pave this one part of the GW Parkway. I immediately said, "D@MN! I'm not supposed to complain about the roads!" It was the first time I'd complained about them since my return, and that's a big accomplishment for me. So I'm not perfect, but I do check myself on the regular.
I guess to sum it up, I'm taking nothing for granted and I count my blessings everyday. I make sure I realize my responsibility to serve. That's why God put me here, and I will serve all the days of my life. I have a responsibility to my community, and I will uphold that responsibility. I'm trying to be selfless and encourage those around me to do the same. The challenge will be trying to instill this same attitude in our kids here at school.
I know that was longwinded, but I hope I answered your question.
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