It's all about perspective...

We returned to Europe for vacation before we move to the West Coast this summer.  We had a wonderful time.  We visited with life-long friends (American and German), ate wonderful food, saw things we had never seen before, and were reminded of how much our family lives on autopilot.  Thank goodness for the opportunity to just get away. We were also reminded of wonderful memories of our recent past and learned  of history made long before the Americas were colonized and brought into the "civilized" world.

Here's a truth that I am reminded of once again...

For Americans, 100 miles is short and 100 years is long.  For Europeans, 100 years is short and 100 miles is long.

Speyer Dom, 

Standing in the middle of the Cathedral (Dom) in Speyer, Germany, this never seemed more true.  A fortress church built between 1025 and 1061, it's walls are between 10 and 21 foot thick, so as to be able to hold off invading armies.  And it was the last big cathedral built before the Eastern and Western Churches split in 1054. Think about that... this church building is over 1000 years old and still sits majestically on the banks of the Rhine river.  It is the largest Romanesque-style cathedral still in existence today, and its architecture influenced all of the large churches built in the 11th and 12th centuries.  And it's not just a building... it's a vital Roman Catholic congregation, worshiping and working in the community and sharing their love for Christ with all who enter their doors.

Or how about this cool motorcycle guy?  He is a replica of one the characters in Easy Rider... but he's not just a motorcycle rider... he was created out of parts from old motorcycles.... from far away he's nostalgic... but up close he's amazing!

Visiting Germany is a little like going back in time.  Some things seem not to change.  And yet, there are the modern conveniences that we love... like internet and GPS and Coke Light.  We went into a small German restaurant one evening - the frescoes on the outside of the building indicated that it had been open since 1756.  We were very proud that we could still order from a German menu and as we waited for our wonderful food, we realized that playing in the background was a soundtrack of easy listening music, including Elton John, Prince and Adele...musical trends must be universal.

Living in Europe and visiting again has really helped me to get things into perspective.  It reminds me that my view of the world is not the only view of the world.  Others have different perspectives that are informed by their own experiences.  And some of my best experiences, and my most meaningful times of personal growth, have come from seeing and experiencing the world through someone else's eyes.  Not judging it by the standards of my life, but seeing the world in a new way, and always coming away richer in the process.  This is really hard sometimes because our own experiences give us a sense of boundary and expectation.  We become accustomed to ourselves in the reflection of our little, mirrored world.  But who wants to be like a koi, a small type of goldfish that will only grow to the size of its pond and no larger.  Amazing things can happen, lives can be changed, and the world made a better place if we can only be brave enough to examine the world through someone else's life.

In truth, we all have so much in common.  We want the same things... a good life, friendship, love, respect. My life is so much fuller, so much sweeter, so much more complete because I have learned that "new" isn't better or worse - just different.  Thanks to all of those who have shared their lives - to all who have challenged me - to all who have coaxed me out of my shell and welcomed me into a brave, new world.

I think our biggest challenge in life is to be open to all the new people and places and foods and experiences we can, to learn the lessons that they teach, and to end each day a little different than we started.

Peace, Deb

“All great changes are preceded by chaos.” -Deepak Chopra

“You must do the thing you think you cannot do.” -Eleanor Roosevelt

“All our dreams can come true – if we have the courage to pursue them.” –Walt Disney