This morning I woke up early. I was up even before the bird with the cackling caw that seems to find it humorous to fly by my window as loudly as possible every morning. It was peaceful. No alarm to wake up to, and the rest of the house was asleep. I found the motivation within myself to get some chores out of the way so that the rest of the day could be free. I’m starting to think about the week that lies ahead and how we will be traveling tomorrow to Johannesburg, and from there to Kruger National Park. While I am so excited for the upcoming adventures, I think I am more excited about the past ones.
You see, since I have been here in Cape Town, I have experienced so many new things, met so many new people, and seen so many new places. It is impossible for these experiences, people and places, not to leave some part of themselves with me. Because of these things, and the new knowledge I have acquired since I’ve been here, it is clear to even my own self, that I have changed in these few weeks I’ve spent in this beautiful place. I’m sure that most people would ask me to describe how I think I’ve changed, but honestly, I don’t have a real answer to that question.
In the dictionary, Change is defined as “making the form, nature, content, and FUTURE COURSE (of something), different from what it is or from what it would be if left alone.” This is true for myself I hope. I hope these experiences that I’ve had, stories I’ve heard, and events I’ve witnessed have had a big enough impact on me, that they have changed the course of my future. I think that change is something that happens under the radar, possibly in slow gradual steps or maybe in an instant. Either way, I believe that change is something that has happened to me, and I believe it has happened in a positive way.
There are so many things I’ve learned here, that before I was never aware of, or had little knowledge about. We’ve had numerous discussions on Human Rights, Sex vs Gender, Politics, Equality for Women, etc. All these issues are so prevalent in today’s society and yet, it seems that only a small portion of the population takes an interest in these topics, when really they affect EVERYONE. I know that I have changed in some small way, because there is now a seed that has been planted inside my head, and a fire that has started to kindle in my heart. As cliché as it sounds, it’s the truth. I have no other way to describe it. It’s a feeling of yearning, of passion, of hope. And while this feeling is wonderful, it also scares me. It scares me to know that I am starting to become more aware of the world around me, and it scares me that there is so much in it that I don’t like; things I want to Change. It’s Overwhelming.
There is SO much to do and so many people to meet, and yet it seems, there are so many boundaries before I can get to a point where I can feel like I make a difference. I cannot lie, it would be easier to just go home, and simply look back on this experience as just that, an experience in my past. But that would be such a shame and a waste of the fire that has started to burn within me. This is Life, and I’m so young and full of energy, I have so many years ahead of me, to be able to do many things that will be worthwhile to others and myself. So much time to make a Change.
Wonderful! Optimism! Love it!
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