Some Reflection
I really do reflect better when discussing my thoughts with someone, I think I need a sounding board for my reflection rather than the solitude more commonly associated with it. For example, I have come to realise some things about myself through a recent conversation with someone close. To start with, I have travelled quite a lot. I've been alive for 22 and a half years and in that time I have been to 22 countries. In just the last year, 2007, I was in 12 different countries and in 2008, already, I have been to 5 different countries. I am fairly impressed with my achievement in this regard and I have to say, it's been a hell of a journey. One outcome of this, however, is that my attitude to travel has changed. I no longer feel the burning desire and excitement upon setting foot in a foreign land. The more you travel, the more different cultures, people and things you see, the more you realise that we are indeed all very similar. This doesn't mean I don't appreciate travel any more, I still love it and strive for it, the beauty of Rome and the Pyramids, the excitement and buzz of Dubai, the heart and soul of Cairo, all these things have reminded me recently that short-time travelling, 'tourism' if you like, is still a very worthwhile adventure. However, I am beginning to understand that my priorities have shifted somewhat.I am still a nomad. And to me nomadism is not about travelling, it's much broader, it's situational. I now look forward to not short-term experiences but experiencing longer term situations. For instance, the first six months in Bahrain were one type of experience and situation. It was an infatuation of sorts, a burgeoning understanding and love for a country and its people, a passion and drive to move an organisation, to which I've contribute my hard work and my heart for the last 5 years, forward. These last six months are going to be a different kind of situation, the understanding and love has turned to a growing comfort and ease, much like passing the infatuation stage in a relationship and progressing to a stage of comfort and companionship. And having the knowledge that I will be leaving, not only Bahrain, but AIESEC at the end of this term has given me a new perspective on the organisation also, gone is the lust for results and reputation, and the drive to succeed in order to ensure my next position in the network, and it's instead replaced with a deep commitment to ensure that AIESEC Bahrain is in a much better place after I leave, to when I started. These last six months will be more about cherishing the moments, and the people, that have come to define my experience here in Bahrain, rather than a thirst for discovering new things and feelings.
The situational thing goes further. I know when I arrive back in Melbourne, the feelings and emotions I will have will be situational, the situation of arriving back home after a year abroad is a unique one that I have never experienced. Rediscovering my love for my city, my friends and my family, in the flesh, will be a new situation, as will rediscovering how I feel about my academic activities, especially given the absence of AIESEC during the course of them for the 18 months after I arrive. And after that, I will be looking for new, different and more challenging situations. The internship I intend to take after I graduate will be an opportunity for such a thing, as will the many other steps that I will, insha'allah, take during the course of my life in the future. The future is an interesting thing, I think the reason why I've never felt anxious or uncomfortable with it is that, at this point I have enough optimism to know that I will make good decisions and will continue to be presented with good opportunities. May that optimism never fade.
(In other news, Indian music is very good, I have gained too much weight from unhealthy food and lack of exercise, and Support Obama on Super Tuesday for he is the new hope.)
Labels: aiesec, bahrain, life, travel
posted by LX @ 2:24 AM
Comments: 5
