To the Positive

Sometimes we all need to get away. It is part of life. We all need short breaks from the real world. I feel like each pause I take here in India help me gain some perspective.

Much has happened since my last blog post. My camera is temporarily out of order, so you will have to visualize all of this as I attempt to write it like a master storyteller. (haha)

This past weekend we had a holiday called Siva Ratri. It is a Hindu holiday during which devotees of Siva have an all night meditative vigil and reflect upon death and life. It fell on a Monday, so school was cancelled and the hostel was closed. For the first two nights of my holiday I stayed with my Malayalam tutor, Sanila Teacher.

Her cooking was so good, I think I am ruined for life. I also had to loosen my churidar bottoms after the big meals she and her family shared with me. We also had some really meaningful conversations. She claims that she has very little English, but we talked so much about her life experiences, my life ambitions, and so much more. It was so comforting to be able to share so openly with such an amazing woman.

Saramilla

The Second Year TTI students swimming in paperwork for their final  files. There is one file for all of their 8 subjects. They are handwritten, and each subject's file is over 100 pages (Believe me, I counted in amazement).  

I have recently discovered some of the inherent problems in saying words like "onumilla" (nothing),"kuzhappam illa" (no problem) and specifically "saramilla" (it doesn't matter/ it's alright). I use these words everyday. They are helpful when I have trouble explaining things, when I get frustrated and others show concern, and when I feel inadequate.

It is almost a "Hakuna Matata" way of looking at life. Sometimes this can be a really productive and helpful way to cease conflict and save time and effort. But why am I so quick to give up on some of the things that matter most? I say "it doesn't matter" when I feel that it is better to back down than to voice my true feelings.

Is this what Christ calls us to do? To be people who sit down and believe that our problems are just going to turn out alright? I believe that is not the case. Biblically that is not the case at all. Christ took on the burdens of those who are heavy laden. Christ sacrificed in order to stand up for his beliefs and the needs of the other.