one of the major things i have learned living in kolkata is that most things that i have access to/do on a daily basis back home are treats in this city. for the last 3 1/2 months i have been sleeping on a couch (part of this is by choice) instead of a bed where i can stretch out. back home i have a whole queen size bed to myself which seems like such a blessing after spending 4 months on a couch. another thing that i find is such a treat and helpful to me in this city is american food. there is one mcdonalds, a coulple KFCs, a pizza hut and some subways to choose from but our budget for lunch and location of work does not allow us to eat there everyday. i rarely eat mcdonalds back home but it is such a treat here it is a reminder of home. i have eaten there only a a few times (like 5 maybe) and each time it is such a treat. one thing that we are blessed with every monday morning is some fresh brewed coffee and it is such a treat each week. there are coffee shops here but there are out of the way of our daily travel and they are kind of expensive on a 800 rupee weekly food budget. our sunday routine has been to sit at cafe coffee day after church to work on our projects or read while we wait for the metro to start running at 2. i have seen this time on sundays as a retreat in order to recharge for the coming week. simple things like sitting at a coffee shop reading is something i have taken for granted back home. one of the reasons these things are seen as treats is because i choose to deny myself the comforts of going to mcdonalds everyday. i choose to buy locally produced things instead of imported goodies like ritz crackers and goldfish because my budget doesnt allow me to splurge on things i think i need. if i deny myself then when i allow myself to eat at mcdonalds or get a latte it is truly a treat. i am looking forward to coming home with this new perspective on simple treats.
one other thing that i have learned is the importance of laughter. today at sari bari there was a song that came on the radio that immediately led to a spontaneous dance party. it was so much fun to see the ladies' walls come down as they circled around to watch a few of the ladies battle each other in a dance off. the laughter was contagious. it was in that moment that i realized how privileged i am to be a part of sari bari. these ladies i have taught me so much about laughter and the joy found in living without taking myself too seriously. i wonder what it would be like if spontaneous dance parties broke out in workplaces in america. how much joy would that bring? i mighty have to try it when i get back. look for a spontaneous dance party starting december 29. JOI JESU!
Praise him with tambourine and dance;
praise him with strings and pipe!
psalm 150:4
and then you can bring your dancing self to bangkok! :)
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