Staying Present

One of the hardest things in exchange- and in life- is staying present. Being truly in the moment, out of your head, really experiencing everything that lays before you. Never in my life have I had so many opportunities to practice staying present. Every moment I spend here in Colombia teaches me something new- as long as I am here for it. The first fews days of exchange, it was easy to get lost in my head. Everything was overwhelming and in a different language, thus making my own thoughts and worries a comfortable place to retreat to. However, after the first week, I realized that if I wanted to truly get the best experience out of my exchange, I had to commit to being present, all the time, even in the most boring or uncomfortable situations. And just like that, everything got a little bit easier. By staying present, I have been able to feel the rhythm of the music (and dance to it, too), connect deeply with my peers, and truly soak up the aura of this beautiful place I am in.

Staying present has also meant staying patient- everything will come in due time. In exchange, it's easy to get carried away worrying about when I'll get to do this or learn that. Being impatient about things also means pulling myself out of the present experience, and inevitably losing out on something I can never get back. Thus, by being present I have been patient. Patient to learn how to salsa (which I have now learned, thanks to some awesome teachers), patient to try every kind of Colombian coffee (still getting there), and patient to make deep connections and friends here (I am happy to say that this has been happening).

And yet another benefit of staying present- my homesickness is gone! Being in the moment, it's impossible to dwell on feelings of discomfort or what people are doing back in the States. Staying present has helped me to embrace any kind of challenge or discomfort I have faced here in Colombia, and by doing so, I no longer feel that pang of longing for home. Now, Colombia is my home, and I wouldn't want to be anywhere else. Right here, right now is amazing. This beautiful present moment is truly a gift from God, and exchange has been teaching me how to be with it and enjoy it. Moving forward, I hope to truly be here, to truly experience every precious moment I have in Colombia, and in life.

A photo of myself and some friends being present: