Sunsets & Gratitude
Bonito, no? This was the view from my balcony. Everyday it was different and everyday so beautiful
One thing that I did almost every day in the house I lived in for the second half of my grant was watch the sunset from our balcony. It was something that calmed me, that relaxed me, that brought me peace. I would use it as the backdrop to which I would journal, or call a friend or my mom, or just sit in silence, reflecting on the day as I watched the sky go from blue, to yellow, to orange, to purples, pinks and white. I would listen to the music that drifted up to me from the street or play my own, and just feel grateful for getting to be there in that exact moment.
Every day I had so much to be grateful for (and still do obviously). I learned and grew so much during my time in Cartagena. The city treated me very well, and even on the most ordinary days or the bad days, I still felt so lucky for the opportunity to be where I was, doing what I was doing.
Cartagena taught me to slow down and to calm down. To not be in a rush all the time. To stop worrying for no reason. To not let minor inconveniences get me in a bad mood. Cartagena taught me patience and understanding. It taught me more about kindness and care for others. It taught me about camaraderie, friendship, and love. It taught me about creativity and resourcefulness. It taught me how to listen; how to listen closer, actively, and how to listen to understand and not just to respond. It also taught me to trust my gut. To take charge and make decisions without second-guessing myself, without the need for outside approval or assistance. On the other hand, I also learned how to ask for and accept help. I learned soo much, every single day. There's no way I couldn’t spend every afternoon looking up into the sky thanking God.
DISCLAIMER: This site (octaviachristopher.com) is not an official Fulbright Program site. The views expressed on this site are entirely those of its author and do not represent the views of the Fulbright Program, the U.S. Department of State or any of its partner organizations.