Random Thoughts

This is not the catch-up post that I promised....sorry. I had to share, though, some of the thoughts and feelings I have been having since being back in India.

One of the first things that has struck me since being back here is how spiritual of a place India is. Movies and tv and books are always playing-up this notion of India and until this last month I didn't believe it. Since I arrived here a month ago, I have been completely in awe of how faithful and devoted and passionate the Indian people are about their faith no matter what it may be. Almost all people here believe so strongly in the presence of a higher power in their lives and have accepted that guiding force and are so willing and ready to worship in whatever way they can. It has been very humbling for me to listen to various teachers and house mothers at RSO longing to go to church and show devotion to God but are not able to because of work commitments or other extenuating circumstances. They need religion and worship in their life--something I have always taken for granted as always being available to me. It really has made me think twice about skipping church or slacking on my scripture study and prayers.

Another thing I have been thinking about the last couple days as we have been wrapping-up the first session is the capacity for love that all the children at RSO seem to have in abundance. All year long, these kids see volunteers come and go whether they stay for 3 weeks, 3 months, or even a year. You would think after seeing so many people come and go that you would guard yourself--put up that wall so you won't feel it as bad when they leave. The RSO kids, though, never put up this wall. They love all the volunteers and staff and teachers with their whole heart no matter how long they will be there. They know it will be sad to watch them leave but somehow they move past that and continue to shower the volunteers with kisses, hugs, cheek pinches, and 'I love you's. I think this is one of the things that makes kids at RSO so special--their unbridled capacity to love with their whole heart.

Lastly, I can't help but reflect on the relationships I have been starting to form in the last month I have been here. From the other coordinators, to the volunteers, to the RSO staff and teachers, to the amazing children, this place and the people here have become my home and family faster than I thought possible. I'm finding that my own capacity to love has been expounded in only a month. Every 5 minutes I find myself saying "I just love (insert name here) with my whole heart"--and I mean it!! I absolutely love all the people here and am so grateful to be a part of the RSO family. 

So even though I am not updating on a regular basis and you may not have a play by play of all my adventures (which is still forthcoming I promise) just know that I love this place with all my heart and I'm where I'm supposed to be. :)

Vanakkam