+JMJ+
Mi dispiace! I'm sorry!
It has been a long time since I last wrote a blog entry, and I won't lie...I saw that coming once that classes started.
I want to recount some of the fun memories that have taken place in the past couple of months, while also giving a realistic view of my life here in Rome...because it's not always papal masses and gelato over here (okay, I might eat a fair amount of gelato).
This week marked a 'breakthrough' point in my Italian! I am finally beginning to understand the majority of my classes and the especially exciting part is that I am understanding when people speak directly to me. Although it seems that listening to a lecture and listening to someone in a conversation would be similar, I find it much more difficult to decipher direct questions because I must understand everything the person is saying, not just the main gist.
This leads me to my first beautiful memory and also 'real life in Rome' example.
Last week, the people in my year of communications decided to organize a dinner out on the town, and it was a blast! There were 5 priests and 4 lay students at dinner and because everyone spoke a different language, Italian was the common denominator. It was a great opportunity to practice the language around people who were in the same boat as me, and it was also a moment when I realized how not normal my life is. It isn't necessarily normal for people to go to school with priests, much less to hang out with a group to where the ratio of priests to lay people is in favor of the priests. With that being said, I love that! I love that I am able to experience this side of the Church, that I am able to witness the genuine holiness of these men who have given their lives in service of the Church, and also to witness the love and devotion of the other lay students in my program.
On the 'real like in Rome' side, everyday is exhausting and challenging because my brain is typically functioning in three different languages; English, Spanish, and Italian. I have come very close to doing my school work completely wrong because of slight translation errors and to be quite honest, I feel very stupid most of the time. I am used to expressing myself and my ideas in class and sounding somewhat intelligent, and here I am doing well if I understand what people said to me the first time they speak. I have to frequently remind myself that 3 months ago I knew 0 Italian, so understanding a lecture is still a huge victory!
I have had the opportunity to go to the apostolic palace, to pray at the tomb of St. Francis and St. Claire, go to masses celebrated by Cardinals and Pope Franci, and so many other crazy things, but even though there are awesome opportunities life here is hard and not everything is the ROMANticized (see what I did there) life you see in the movies, shocking I know. I can honestly say this is one of the most challenging things I have done, and I often struggle on a day to day basis, but the joys and difficulties in themselves have taught me so much.
My goal for the blog from here on out is to occasionally explain what I am up to, but to focus more on intentionally expanding on specific instances/ experiences/thoughts rather than a report of where I go on cool trips. Moving away from home, regardless of where you end up, brings about a new look on life. New cultures bring new perspectives and ideas and I want to elaborate on those!
So if you have any questions for me that you would like me to turn into a blog post, whether about Italy, learning a new language, graduate school, the Catholic Church, etc. please let me know and I am happy to discuss anything...otherwise you are leaving me up to my own devises and there are no guarantees for where my thoughts may end up.
Until next time, I continue onward in Rome and be assured of my prayers!
Saturday, November 23, 2013
Saturday, October 12, 2013
Surviving!
+JMJ+
I have survived!
Well...I have survived my first week, who is to say how the rest will go.
In all seriousness though, it has a great week. Since my sophomore year of college I knew I did not want to go into a career involving my major (although my double major has helped me out immensely here!), but it was too late to switch plans of study and still graduate on time, not to mention I had no idea what I wanted to do with my life.
As I was sitting in my theology class on the first day of school I realized this really is what I want to be doing. This is what the Lord has called me to.
While at the University of Kentucky I was always annoyed when people said real life started after college because my line of thinking then, and still is now, is that we are always living 'real life'. Our lives are no more important post college than they are while in our undergraduate studies, BUT life does feel different.
Deciding to study in Rome was one of the first major life decisions that was not already assumed. I always assumed I would go to college, but throughout my senior year I realized the time after college was my opportunity to figure out what God really wanted to do with my life. This is not to say that God wasn't using my life while I was at UK, he did in many ways, but there was always some sort of restriction because I was a full time undergraduate student. Although I have chosen to continue my academic career, it is based off of discernment and the opportunity to really do anything post-graduation.
With all of that being said, as I went from class to class at Santa Croce this week, I felt so at peace knowing that this is exactly where God wants me right now.
Yes, having all of my classes in Italian is a tad bit overwhelming and adjusting to a new style European style of teaching and lecture is challenging, but in the midst that I know this is where I am supposed to be right now.
Along with classes getting off to a good start, I am also beginning to feel more settled in Rome. I have a group of friends that I am so thankful for, I know my way around the city (especially where adoration is and what Mass times are) more than I did a month ago, and my apartment is finally put together!
Even though I still feel like a 'poser adult' I am starting to appreciate the beauty of life after college. Time keeps marching on in a forward direction at a very rapid pace, so I might as well join the parade and enjoy the adventure.
I have survived!
Well...I have survived my first week, who is to say how the rest will go.
In all seriousness though, it has a great week. Since my sophomore year of college I knew I did not want to go into a career involving my major (although my double major has helped me out immensely here!), but it was too late to switch plans of study and still graduate on time, not to mention I had no idea what I wanted to do with my life.
As I was sitting in my theology class on the first day of school I realized this really is what I want to be doing. This is what the Lord has called me to.
While at the University of Kentucky I was always annoyed when people said real life started after college because my line of thinking then, and still is now, is that we are always living 'real life'. Our lives are no more important post college than they are while in our undergraduate studies, BUT life does feel different.
Deciding to study in Rome was one of the first major life decisions that was not already assumed. I always assumed I would go to college, but throughout my senior year I realized the time after college was my opportunity to figure out what God really wanted to do with my life. This is not to say that God wasn't using my life while I was at UK, he did in many ways, but there was always some sort of restriction because I was a full time undergraduate student. Although I have chosen to continue my academic career, it is based off of discernment and the opportunity to really do anything post-graduation.
With all of that being said, as I went from class to class at Santa Croce this week, I felt so at peace knowing that this is exactly where God wants me right now.
Yes, having all of my classes in Italian is a tad bit overwhelming and adjusting to a new style European style of teaching and lecture is challenging, but in the midst that I know this is where I am supposed to be right now.
Along with classes getting off to a good start, I am also beginning to feel more settled in Rome. I have a group of friends that I am so thankful for, I know my way around the city (especially where adoration is and what Mass times are) more than I did a month ago, and my apartment is finally put together!
Even though I still feel like a 'poser adult' I am starting to appreciate the beauty of life after college. Time keeps marching on in a forward direction at a very rapid pace, so I might as well join the parade and enjoy the adventure.
Thursday, October 3, 2013
Blessings
+JMJ+
This week was supposed to be a calm and relaxing week off before classes, a time for organization, preparation, and recuperation.
Notice I said it was supposed to be my calm and relaxing week off.
Although this week was quite the opposite of what I had originally intended, the past four days have been filled with innumerable blessings. The diaconate ordinations took place this morning and a friend from the United States, Samantha, came in for them. One of her Totus Tuus teammates was being ordained and she made the trek to Rome to support him during this huge time in his life!
The beautiful thing about friends coming to town, aside from the obvious joy and comfort friends bring, is the fact that everyone hangs out as much as possible because the time spent together is limited. The seminarians also had more 'free time' because ordinations are a festive time in the Catholic world!
I was able to hang out with my Totus Tuus community in Rome and that means we prayed together on a regular basis and talked about the awesomeness of the Lord. If you can imagine, this was really good for my soul.
I am inspired by my friends, and this in itself is a huge blessing.
The friends I have made here (and also my friends in the States) are genuinely holy people that are striving to grow in virtue and love for the Lord. Being around them makes me want to be a better person and develop a deeper relationship with Jesus. This has been made especially clear today at the diaconate ordinations. Although I did not know any of the men personally, I do know men who will be ordained in the next few years (and one in just 30 days!!!!) and listening to and seeing these men lay down their lives in service of the Church made two things very evident:
I am so very blessed to have the relationship with the Lord that I do and we are not simply living for this world.
There is a funny thing about ordinations, they would make no sense without believing in the message of Christ. Men promising to live a celibate and obedient life would be utter nonsense if there was nothing more to life than this world. The Mass this morning put the finite world into a supernatural perspective. I was just in awe over the fact that while here on earth, we are living for more than just the temporal present, we are living for life everlasting, and we are living and working for God's kingdom here on earth.
With this in mind, I also realized how blessed I am to have this life view and this relationship with the Lord at such a young age. How am I so fortunate to feel so filled with purpose and love and feel fulfilled in who I am as a daughter of God? All of this comes down to one thing.
Love.
Yes, Love.
The Lord's love is beyond all imagining and I feel so fulfilled in who I am and in what I do on a day to day basis because I understand that I am loved. Regardless of who I am, what my accomplishments or lack there of are, I am loved in the light of eternity and that is mind blowing.
All of this was just very clear today. I have known for my whole life that I am loved by the Lord, and I have had times of seeing the present in the view of eternity, but there is something about being in St. Peter's at an ordination that just drives the point home.
This week was not what I had originally planned and I am currently very tired, but I would not trade the blessings I have received this week for anything.
This week was supposed to be a calm and relaxing week off before classes, a time for organization, preparation, and recuperation.
Notice I said it was supposed to be my calm and relaxing week off.
Although this week was quite the opposite of what I had originally intended, the past four days have been filled with innumerable blessings. The diaconate ordinations took place this morning and a friend from the United States, Samantha, came in for them. One of her Totus Tuus teammates was being ordained and she made the trek to Rome to support him during this huge time in his life!
The beautiful thing about friends coming to town, aside from the obvious joy and comfort friends bring, is the fact that everyone hangs out as much as possible because the time spent together is limited. The seminarians also had more 'free time' because ordinations are a festive time in the Catholic world!
I was able to hang out with my Totus Tuus community in Rome and that means we prayed together on a regular basis and talked about the awesomeness of the Lord. If you can imagine, this was really good for my soul.
I am inspired by my friends, and this in itself is a huge blessing.
The friends I have made here (and also my friends in the States) are genuinely holy people that are striving to grow in virtue and love for the Lord. Being around them makes me want to be a better person and develop a deeper relationship with Jesus. This has been made especially clear today at the diaconate ordinations. Although I did not know any of the men personally, I do know men who will be ordained in the next few years (and one in just 30 days!!!!) and listening to and seeing these men lay down their lives in service of the Church made two things very evident:
I am so very blessed to have the relationship with the Lord that I do and we are not simply living for this world.
There is a funny thing about ordinations, they would make no sense without believing in the message of Christ. Men promising to live a celibate and obedient life would be utter nonsense if there was nothing more to life than this world. The Mass this morning put the finite world into a supernatural perspective. I was just in awe over the fact that while here on earth, we are living for more than just the temporal present, we are living for life everlasting, and we are living and working for God's kingdom here on earth.
With this in mind, I also realized how blessed I am to have this life view and this relationship with the Lord at such a young age. How am I so fortunate to feel so filled with purpose and love and feel fulfilled in who I am as a daughter of God? All of this comes down to one thing.
Love.
Yes, Love.
The Lord's love is beyond all imagining and I feel so fulfilled in who I am and in what I do on a day to day basis because I understand that I am loved. Regardless of who I am, what my accomplishments or lack there of are, I am loved in the light of eternity and that is mind blowing.
All of this was just very clear today. I have known for my whole life that I am loved by the Lord, and I have had times of seeing the present in the view of eternity, but there is something about being in St. Peter's at an ordination that just drives the point home.
This week was not what I had originally planned and I am currently very tired, but I would not trade the blessings I have received this week for anything.
Saturday, September 28, 2013
How quickly time passes
+JMJ+
Yesterday was my last day of the language class offered at Santa Croce, and it ended with a test. Unlike other tests though, this one did not matter. There was no pressure to do well because I am able to start my classes regardless of how I did. I am sure the rest of graduate school will be just as pressure free, right?
In celebration of finishing the language school my super awesome neighbor took one of my friends and me out for lunch at Hard Rock cafe! I have not had beef since moving to Italy, and ya know what, sometimes you just want a honey BBQ bacon cheeseburger. When we walked through the doors of Hard Rock I felt as if I were stepping into America. The waiters spoke english, there were free refills, and 80's rock music videos were playing throughout the restaurant. It is funny how much more I appreciate these things now that they are few and far between.
At lunch we talked about how the first month went and what all is still to come. Part of me feels as if I have lived here for a few years already, and the other part of me can't believe the past month has flown by so quickly. I have been in the country for a month and I have been at the school for about three and a half weeks, but I have not actually started doing what I came here to do.
In the past four weeks I have learned many things, but there are a few that have taken root in my heart.
1. If you say 'Yes' to the Lord, He will take you seriously. This past week I learned my program will take three years as opposed to two. Although I was bummed by the idea of being away from my family and friends for another year I could not help but remember a little conversation I had with the Lord when praying about this whole moving to Rome thing. Basically I said I felt he was calling me to this so time was not an issue and I would just follow him, and he said 'okay'.
2. Friends are of the utmost importance. My friends from home have been so supportive and 'on call' for the past month to make sure everything is going well here, or if they need to send an emergency care package with peanut butter and other such American goods.
I have also been blessed with some wonderful friends here! My number one concern was not being able to speak the language, it was that I wouldn't have any friends. The lay student community here is a tight knit group that has been so welcoming and making friends has not been an issue from day one. I am so grateful for their support and friendship, and I cannot wait for many more wonderful memories to be made! My new roommate is also pretty darn awesome as well!
3. Always watch where you walk. But seriously...there isn't much grass and people don't pick up after their dogs, so you really do need to watch where you step. This is also not including the random lethal cobblestones that randomly jut out of the street and try to trip you!
All in all, this past month has been full of so many blessings. Sure some days were harder than others, but aside from the challenges which are inevitable, the Lord's providence has never been so evident. He has literally taken care of everything, from finding me an apartment, to helping me understand homilies in Italian when I need some spiritual nourishment for my soul. He is so good.
So, one month down....a lot more to go!
Yesterday was my last day of the language class offered at Santa Croce, and it ended with a test. Unlike other tests though, this one did not matter. There was no pressure to do well because I am able to start my classes regardless of how I did. I am sure the rest of graduate school will be just as pressure free, right?
In celebration of finishing the language school my super awesome neighbor took one of my friends and me out for lunch at Hard Rock cafe! I have not had beef since moving to Italy, and ya know what, sometimes you just want a honey BBQ bacon cheeseburger. When we walked through the doors of Hard Rock I felt as if I were stepping into America. The waiters spoke english, there were free refills, and 80's rock music videos were playing throughout the restaurant. It is funny how much more I appreciate these things now that they are few and far between.
At lunch we talked about how the first month went and what all is still to come. Part of me feels as if I have lived here for a few years already, and the other part of me can't believe the past month has flown by so quickly. I have been in the country for a month and I have been at the school for about three and a half weeks, but I have not actually started doing what I came here to do.
In the past four weeks I have learned many things, but there are a few that have taken root in my heart.
1. If you say 'Yes' to the Lord, He will take you seriously. This past week I learned my program will take three years as opposed to two. Although I was bummed by the idea of being away from my family and friends for another year I could not help but remember a little conversation I had with the Lord when praying about this whole moving to Rome thing. Basically I said I felt he was calling me to this so time was not an issue and I would just follow him, and he said 'okay'.
2. Friends are of the utmost importance. My friends from home have been so supportive and 'on call' for the past month to make sure everything is going well here, or if they need to send an emergency care package with peanut butter and other such American goods.
I have also been blessed with some wonderful friends here! My number one concern was not being able to speak the language, it was that I wouldn't have any friends. The lay student community here is a tight knit group that has been so welcoming and making friends has not been an issue from day one. I am so grateful for their support and friendship, and I cannot wait for many more wonderful memories to be made! My new roommate is also pretty darn awesome as well!
3. Always watch where you walk. But seriously...there isn't much grass and people don't pick up after their dogs, so you really do need to watch where you step. This is also not including the random lethal cobblestones that randomly jut out of the street and try to trip you!
All in all, this past month has been full of so many blessings. Sure some days were harder than others, but aside from the challenges which are inevitable, the Lord's providence has never been so evident. He has literally taken care of everything, from finding me an apartment, to helping me understand homilies in Italian when I need some spiritual nourishment for my soul. He is so good.
So, one month down....a lot more to go!
Wednesday, September 25, 2013
Tomorrow is a new day
+JMJ+
Do you ever just have 'one of those days'? Those days that see to be extra difficult for no reason, or those days when you are just in a funk?
I do. And yesterday was one of them.
Yesterday was 'one of those days' that I could not understand Italian for the life of me, I was really overwhelmed by the number of classes I was signed up for, and my allergies were kicking my butt. In general it was a 'why the heck did I move to Italy' day.
When I got back from classes I decided I just needed to take a break from studying and relax. What I wanted to do most was to call up my friends from home and my Mom, but when there is a 6 hour time difference, it seems everyone is in the middle of their day when I am finally free during mine.
So, what did I do? I faced the fact that the day was a 'blah' kind of day and kept in mind that tomorrow would be a new day (I also ate ice cream and had a glass of wine!). I am all for being a strong person and keeping your head up when things get tough, but there is nothing wrong with having a bad day...even when living in Rome.
About a year ago when my grandparents passed away a dear friend told me, "Leslie let yourself feel what you are feeling, then offer it to the Lord. It doesn't matter if it has been a few months or if you think you should be okay, just face the day for what it is and what it brings and go from there."
Really, this is great advice for life in general. Yesterday was a tough day, I recognized that and asked the Lord to help me, and then went to sleep knowing that today would be a fresh start. There is nothing wrong with having 'one of those days' but always keep in mind that tomorrow is a new day and another fresh start.
Do you ever just have 'one of those days'? Those days that see to be extra difficult for no reason, or those days when you are just in a funk?
I do. And yesterday was one of them.
Yesterday was 'one of those days' that I could not understand Italian for the life of me, I was really overwhelmed by the number of classes I was signed up for, and my allergies were kicking my butt. In general it was a 'why the heck did I move to Italy' day.
When I got back from classes I decided I just needed to take a break from studying and relax. What I wanted to do most was to call up my friends from home and my Mom, but when there is a 6 hour time difference, it seems everyone is in the middle of their day when I am finally free during mine.
So, what did I do? I faced the fact that the day was a 'blah' kind of day and kept in mind that tomorrow would be a new day (I also ate ice cream and had a glass of wine!). I am all for being a strong person and keeping your head up when things get tough, but there is nothing wrong with having a bad day...even when living in Rome.
About a year ago when my grandparents passed away a dear friend told me, "Leslie let yourself feel what you are feeling, then offer it to the Lord. It doesn't matter if it has been a few months or if you think you should be okay, just face the day for what it is and what it brings and go from there."
Really, this is great advice for life in general. Yesterday was a tough day, I recognized that and asked the Lord to help me, and then went to sleep knowing that today would be a fresh start. There is nothing wrong with having 'one of those days' but always keep in mind that tomorrow is a new day and another fresh start.
Sunday, September 15, 2013
Oh Italy
+JMJ+
I know I have recently been posting more reflective thoughts rather than what is going on here in Italia, so here is an update on the happenings of my life!
I have completed the first week of language school and all is going pretty well. Sometimes I have no idea what is going on, and other times I feel confident I might one day...eventually learn the language. The funny thing about language school is that in my class I am one of two women! I am in a class of about 20 priests and that becomes quite entertaining. In the whole program there are about six lay women, three religious sisters, and 60 priests...needless to say I am outnumbered, but that has helped to form a solidarity amongst the women.
Most of the people in the program live in a residency and almost everything is taken care of for them. They have a laundry service and all meals are prepared. I tend to get some sympathy for having to 'fend for myself' and juggle learning a new language at the same time, and I think my classmates find me endearing.
Not only do I stick out at school, but I am somewhat of an oddity in the city in general. Pale skin and strawberry blonde hair draw a lot of attention. I have been this way since I was, ya know...born, but apparently it isn't quite as normal to everyone else. I am stared at a lot and there are a lot of 'Ciao bella' comments as I walk through the city, and yes I have been asked out and proposed to. Although it is sometimes a confidence boost, I really dislike all of the attention. I would prefer to blend in and intentionally draw attention to myself (you know by dancing down the street like I usually do) rather than always be the subject of gawks and side comments. Little old Italian church ladies seem to like me though so that is a plus (you don't want them on your bad side)!
The coffee here is amazing and I am working on becoming a professional gelato connoisseur. Turkey sandwiches are not common here, but salami and really good ham are...so I am surviving. I have also enjoyed the fruit!
There is a lot of walking in Rome and Birkenstocks are very common here, and no I am not crazy enough to try and wear heels on the cobblestone, I would break my ankle.
The fashion confuses me, some things I can see trending in the US but the combinations of clothing that people put together are rather eccentric.
Aside from that I am just adjusting and trying to settle into my new place. I have found a roommate, who will be in my same program at school, and she moves in at the end of the month!
I have had such great support here while adjusting and I already have a great group of friends. There is a lot of solidarity amongst the English speaking people so it has been nice to step into an already formed community.
With all of that being said, and all of the beautiful adventures I have had thus far, I miss America! I miss my family and friends, being able to buy food to-go, punctuality, my car, fall, knowing where I am and not having to rely on public transportation, parks and nature, and so many other things.
All in all, the transition has been tough, but day by day it gets a little easier. I am so thankful for this opportunity and I am excited to see what all is to come!
I know I have recently been posting more reflective thoughts rather than what is going on here in Italia, so here is an update on the happenings of my life!
I have completed the first week of language school and all is going pretty well. Sometimes I have no idea what is going on, and other times I feel confident I might one day...eventually learn the language. The funny thing about language school is that in my class I am one of two women! I am in a class of about 20 priests and that becomes quite entertaining. In the whole program there are about six lay women, three religious sisters, and 60 priests...needless to say I am outnumbered, but that has helped to form a solidarity amongst the women.
Most of the people in the program live in a residency and almost everything is taken care of for them. They have a laundry service and all meals are prepared. I tend to get some sympathy for having to 'fend for myself' and juggle learning a new language at the same time, and I think my classmates find me endearing.
Not only do I stick out at school, but I am somewhat of an oddity in the city in general. Pale skin and strawberry blonde hair draw a lot of attention. I have been this way since I was, ya know...born, but apparently it isn't quite as normal to everyone else. I am stared at a lot and there are a lot of 'Ciao bella' comments as I walk through the city, and yes I have been asked out and proposed to. Although it is sometimes a confidence boost, I really dislike all of the attention. I would prefer to blend in and intentionally draw attention to myself (you know by dancing down the street like I usually do) rather than always be the subject of gawks and side comments. Little old Italian church ladies seem to like me though so that is a plus (you don't want them on your bad side)!
The coffee here is amazing and I am working on becoming a professional gelato connoisseur. Turkey sandwiches are not common here, but salami and really good ham are...so I am surviving. I have also enjoyed the fruit!
There is a lot of walking in Rome and Birkenstocks are very common here, and no I am not crazy enough to try and wear heels on the cobblestone, I would break my ankle.
The fashion confuses me, some things I can see trending in the US but the combinations of clothing that people put together are rather eccentric.
Aside from that I am just adjusting and trying to settle into my new place. I have found a roommate, who will be in my same program at school, and she moves in at the end of the month!
I have had such great support here while adjusting and I already have a great group of friends. There is a lot of solidarity amongst the English speaking people so it has been nice to step into an already formed community.
With all of that being said, and all of the beautiful adventures I have had thus far, I miss America! I miss my family and friends, being able to buy food to-go, punctuality, my car, fall, knowing where I am and not having to rely on public transportation, parks and nature, and so many other things.
All in all, the transition has been tough, but day by day it gets a little easier. I am so thankful for this opportunity and I am excited to see what all is to come!
The beauty of normalcy
+JMJ+
If you were to get on Facebook right now you would notice a common trend. People have uploaded pictures, statuses, and other posts that make their lives seem almost unbelievably perfect and put together. They have tons of friends, go on awesome trips, eat delicious looking food, and this small snapshot of their lives gives the impression their life is something to be striven for.
I am also guilty of this. Who wants to feel like their life is actually just average? What is an average life? Is having an average life so bad?
In my opinion, this 'perfect life' facebook trend is rooted in something deeper. It is rooted in the pressure of trying to prove oneself.
Throughout my school years and into post-grad life I have noticed this constant pressure to 'do something' with my life. Not just to get an education and find a career, but to do something different and to be the best. This expectation to be more than an average person with an average life started in high school. It was never really said, but there was a very tangible sense of competition to be the best in the class and to earn the highest scholarships and to work towards a prestigious career. Normalcy was somewhat looked down upon.
Fast forwarding to college and nearing graduation, this pressure to do something different and significant with my life was present once again, but unlike my high school self, I didn't care as much about what others expected of me. My worldview had changed from caring about what others thought to caring about what I felt called to do. I even found telling people that I was moving to Rome hard because my goal was not to be 'impressive'.
Now, back to Facebook. I do not think Facebook created this pressure to prove ourselves, but rather it illustrates a common mindset in our society, a mindset that says we must be better than the norm. But normalcy is quite beautiful. Living a life that we feel called to allows us to enjoy our lives and not despair when we see the 'epicness' of others.
My life in Rome is pretty darn normal and I appreciate that. I wake up, go to class, run errands, cook dinner and pray. It just happens that I am in a historic city that people are familiar with versus my old Kentucky home. So embrace normalcy because in reality the day to day activities of life, no matter where you are, are quite normal.
If you were to get on Facebook right now you would notice a common trend. People have uploaded pictures, statuses, and other posts that make their lives seem almost unbelievably perfect and put together. They have tons of friends, go on awesome trips, eat delicious looking food, and this small snapshot of their lives gives the impression their life is something to be striven for.
I am also guilty of this. Who wants to feel like their life is actually just average? What is an average life? Is having an average life so bad?
In my opinion, this 'perfect life' facebook trend is rooted in something deeper. It is rooted in the pressure of trying to prove oneself.
Throughout my school years and into post-grad life I have noticed this constant pressure to 'do something' with my life. Not just to get an education and find a career, but to do something different and to be the best. This expectation to be more than an average person with an average life started in high school. It was never really said, but there was a very tangible sense of competition to be the best in the class and to earn the highest scholarships and to work towards a prestigious career. Normalcy was somewhat looked down upon.
Fast forwarding to college and nearing graduation, this pressure to do something different and significant with my life was present once again, but unlike my high school self, I didn't care as much about what others expected of me. My worldview had changed from caring about what others thought to caring about what I felt called to do. I even found telling people that I was moving to Rome hard because my goal was not to be 'impressive'.
Now, back to Facebook. I do not think Facebook created this pressure to prove ourselves, but rather it illustrates a common mindset in our society, a mindset that says we must be better than the norm. But normalcy is quite beautiful. Living a life that we feel called to allows us to enjoy our lives and not despair when we see the 'epicness' of others.
My life in Rome is pretty darn normal and I appreciate that. I wake up, go to class, run errands, cook dinner and pray. It just happens that I am in a historic city that people are familiar with versus my old Kentucky home. So embrace normalcy because in reality the day to day activities of life, no matter where you are, are quite normal.
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