It is hard for me to believe that it has been six months since we moved to Germany. Only a few years ago, living in Europe seemed like a pie-in-the-sky dream. When I try to figure out how this all fell into place, I have to give some credit to years and years of writing that goal in my journal pages. Yes, our family is here because of a work opportunity for my husband but I think you can't weigh lightly the mental work that is done to attract situations into your life. There is a magic that happens when you are completely grateful for life. Though miracles are always happening, a few specific times spring to mind.
Once after the birth of our first child, I was home on maternity leave and praying that we could afford for me to stay home permanently. I was so grateful for my time. I remember sitting at the dining room table and writing a list of all the things I was grateful for each day. I was (and still am) deeply grateful for it all. I remember giving thanks for everything from our bank account to the pencil I was writing with. That year and for many years afterward things just became more prosperous. Similarly, the past few years, I have written about my desires to travel and live overseas while also being deeply grateful for the life I was living and the routines I had established in DC. Ironically, when we moved from DC it felt like like home and was the happiest situation for us. With that said, I can only look forward to more good things!
I am still working on this idea of the good snowballing into more good when you underline it all with gratitude - so stay tuned.
But I hope you won't mind me telling you some things I have been so grateful for this past six months:
Family and Friends: Of course my nuclear group of four, but also all the friends and family who reach out and show they care and continue to miss us! I love you and miss you all.
Free Time - Though I have missed the proximty of family and friends. I have enjoyed the void in my schedule created by the lack of volunteer "opportunities". I have finally dedicated most of my days to painting and it is such a joy. I am working on an ETSY site and hope to make some art sales.
My New House - Moving made us finally jettison a lot of our cluttery crap! I can't reccomend the "Japanese Art of Tidying Up" enough. There is a liberation of your soul when you cut the strings on physical things that tie you down. I also love my new studio space. (Plus, we all have our own bathroom - yay!)
Missing the Elections and Barrage of News - We were able to vote in the election but without live TV at home we are cut off from the constant media coverage of politics. Other than Facebook, we have to search out headlines. I have been able to avoid most of it and don't see how I am worse off for knowing less.
Travel - Traveling has only increased my wanderlust! Besides having new experiences, traveling helps me to be more in the present moment than anything else. It is also deeply eye opening to see the world and America from the perspective of not living in America. Can you hold the paradox that the world is gigantic and so small at the same time? That others have perspectives that are just as valid as ours? A good exercise for sure.
European Food - I can't lie, the food is better here. Things are fresher and cheaper. Please come visit me and I'll take you to get fresh bread and cappuccino!
If you made it through this long post, I applaud you. Thanks for reading!
Tschüss,
Beth