establishing routines

One of the consequences of a life of adventure is that routines are lost. Sleeping. Eating. Exercising. Socializing. These things happen spontaneously or sporadically, often they cannot be predicted or scheduled. The results have not been good for my health - premature aging (premature is my word, not a diagnosed condition), weight gain, and fatigue.

When Kenyon started taking health classes a couple of years ago they studied a unit on the affects of stress on the body. A list of symptoms was provided. Kenyon read it, looked at me and said, "You have most of these. I hope it's worth it because you are going to work yourself in to an early grave." My husband doesn't mince words, I appreciate that (most times).

I kept right on doing what I was doing and continued to see the effects.

Now I am living a "normal" life. It has been years since I've had regular routines. I would try, but they were often interrupted by travel plans or unexpected emergencies. That is no longer my reality.

These days, I get up in the same bed day after day. I go to the office at relatively the same time, and leave the office at relatively the same time. My weekends and evenings are my own and not eaten up with all the work I didn't have time to get to during the scheduled working hours. I have found time to leisurely read, follow television shows, schedule outings with friends, choose my meals more carefully and exercise. There are definitely benefits to the routine, our bodies thrive in them.

So, I set a goal for myself. Lose the weight I have put on in recent years. The weight gain began during my PhD program when I was VERY sedentary...lots of time spent sitting and reading or writing. It continued during my years of frenzied schedule. I have grown soft in places that I should not be soft in and now I have time and energy to dedicate to such a task. I am not on any restrictive diet, just watching my nutrient intake and incorporating exercise in to my life multiple times a week. I will let you know how it goes.

just Sheri, nearly "normal"

a new definition for wisdom

Given to the author of Blue Sweater by a monk in Cambodia called Maha Ghosananda:

If you move through the world only with your intellect, then you walk on only one leg...

If you move through the world only with your compassion, then you walk on only one leg...

But if you move through the world with both intellect and compassion, then you have wisdom.

just Sheri, seeking wisdom

just read: The Blue Sweater

The Blue Sweater: bridging the gap between rich and poor in an interconnected world

This book was recommended to me by a friend when visiting North Carolina. It is packed full of interesting travel stories to far-away places. It is written by a women who is making a difference in the world. The author has a particular vision for how to help the poor - through the marketplace. Some of the most exciting development projects I've been a part of involved links to market value chains. This concept is all the rage now, a hot topic, and an up and coming trend. Jacqueline is one of it's prominent proponents.

Like everything this method has it's limitations. For highly functioning individuals living in poverty it is offering a hand-up to improve their circumstances, it is investing in promising entrepreneurs that are otherwise overlooked. All of this is good. It is not the final solution. Loans to poor people, no matter how patient or generous the lender, sometimes just succeeds in putting poor people in debt which further complicates their circumstances. Through this book it is apparent that Jacqueline has been around and is aware of the complications in any effort to improve the circumstances of those who are vulnerable and often oppressed in this world.

Her stories made me want to jump back in to my former life of adventure. I wanted to be on an airplane going to a far away land, doing work that was engaging the most vulnerable....but alas that is not my current reality. So, instead I was grateful that I had seen many of these places and that I knew firsthand the circumstances she describes.

It also left me with two pressing thoughts in regard to my own nation:

1. The poor in America are, also, often overlooked when it comes to business ventures. I know many who live in the ghetto who have entrepreneurial spirits, but cannot access capital or professional networks. What would happen if we approached difficult areas in America with a similar strategy? What if we invested in the same way in our vulnerable populations - focusing on their promise rather than creating dependence in our efforts to do good?
2. How can we bridge the great divide between rich and poor in America? I am not talking about redistribution of wealth. I am talking about relationships, connections, interactions. There is one thing I have noticed often since returning to my homeland. Rich people run in circles of like minded folks of similar social standing...and are more interested in climbing upward than reaching downward for friendships. They might give generously of their resources, or be involved through volunteer work on the board of directors of a charitable organization or at a soup kitchen from time to time. But, do they truly know someone struggling with poverty? are they walking beside them? do they have them over for dinner and celebrate occasions like holidays and birthdays with people from a much lower class? The answer is - unlikely. There is a chasm between rich and poor, a relational divide. That is unfortunate. That is not how it should be. Our aim for diversity should not be limited to racial diversity, but also diversity across social class. That is an extraordinary challenge, but one worth pursuing.

When I look at the person I was before my experience overseas, I see pride and arrogance. I came from humble circumstances. I worked hard to earn an education. I caught some lucky breaks professionally. I had individuals cheering me on to make it possible and through professional references was able to advance to roles beyond my beginnings. This was not of my own making, it was by the grace of God.

From my lofty position (which in comparison really isn't that high), I thought I had nothing in common with those still struggling in the muck of poverty. I would volunteer with organizations doing good work, I volunteered avidly. I would give of what financial resources I had. However, I would say, "We cannot be friends as I have nothing in common with people in those circumstances." I segregated myself. It was wrong. I don't want to be that person. I have to fight my nature and reach across the lines of class, intentionally, with the purpose of building friendship instead of looking for a charity case.

My inspiration for this effort is scripture:

"The next time you put on a dinner, don't just invite your friends and family and rich neighbors, the kind of people who will return the favor. Invite some people who never get invited out, the misfits from the wrong side of the tracks. You'll be - and experience - a blessing..."  Luke 14:12-14

This is a principle worth putting in to practice. I am sure I am going to make mistakes along the way, but I will make the effort. When I fall back in to old patterns or total mess up, I will push through. It is the right thing to do. It is a good way to be. It is the life I am called to live.

just Sheri, working on building diverse connections

Who you gonna call?

My whole life I have been told, "In case of emergency, dial 9-1-1."

In the USA, that is the number to call and the fire truck, or police, or ambulance will show up to your rescue. All things considered it is a pretty efficient and effective response system.

So, now I work in a hospital building and am required to go through mandatory training about safety issues, etc. During that training they asked a question I hadn't considered...when an emergency happens in a hospital (like an office staff member with chest pains or an accident in the building) - who do you call?

Dialing 9-1-1 would be silly since we are already at the hospital. So, what do we do? I learned that we dial a specific extension and request a hospital based rapid response team.

I thought you might also appreciate that tidbit of trivia.

just Sheri, adjusting my "you are here" indicator

bits of my weekend: multi-cultural fair

This weekend Kenyon and I went with some new friends to the annual Multi-Cultural Fair at the local college.

There were booths of goods from different parts of the world. Stages with various performers...singers, dancers, fashion, etc.

As with any community event there were also rides and games. Kenyon was fascinated with the bucking bull, but wouldn't give it a try.

This reminded me of the annual event in Kansas City at Swope Park...though it wasn't nearly as big as that event.

My highlight of the day was meeting a man from Uganda. We talked about the uniqueness of his part of the world. The Good: perfect weather. the largest and tastiest avocados I've ever seen and a tasty mango, avocado smoothie (don't knock it until you try it). The Bad: matoki (some like it, I do not) and political/tribal unrest.

It was a great way to spend a Saturday afternoon. The only thing that would have made it better, sunshine. It was a little colder than I would have liked.

These fairs are available in many cities across the US. Have you been to one? What was your favorite part?

just Sheri, multi-cultural