Wednesday, June 25, 2014  English translation

Life is always an adventure!  

The last 9 to 10 months I have adopted this saying…or rather, it found me.  And so I begin a new step on this adventure…creating a blog!  Many thanks to my friend Luisa for helping me start…on my computer programmed in Spanish even though she doesn't speak it…all is part of the journey!

Why am I writing?

Well, I like to write, and typically have more to share than I have time to do…with my family, my friends…etc.  I think its partially thanks to how my mind works…always connecting ideas, even while I am doing something different.  Working as a technician for various scientific projects the last 5 years in Idaho, including some of my own, I have experienced time after time that while I am focused on doing something specific, and repeating it, my mind can rest a little.  While I rest from actively thinking about what I am doing…my brain is reflecting and making connections.  Writing these connections gives me direction, and helps me process the meaning of the events in life.  Its my hope that this blog, more than being a place where I can reflect and practice my written Spanish, would be a place that inspires others to reflect on life too.

Why do we need to reflect?

Many times we are spending time doing, doing, doing various things.  

In modern US culture, we feel pressure to do so many things.  I have fallen and continue to fall in this trap.  And when I do not prioritize time to reflect, I notice the difference in my life.  I walk without direction, I feel like I am doing everything and at the same time I don't finish things, I can't make priorities well, and my attitude towards my self and towards others is one without patience.  So I have hope that making this blog will give me another opportunity to reflect on the days and perhaps encourage others to do the same.

And the goal of reflection?

The goal of reflection…is to see the positive.  For me it is "to discover the adventure" in a difficult situation.  Many times this requires effort on our part…but it is always worth it.  "Rejoice always." (1 Thessalonians 5:16) comes to mind.  With what difficulty do we do this.  Sometimes it requires that, as we say in english:  to "fake it until you make it" or rather, we try to rejoice and trust that afterwards the feeling and belief that there is something to rejoice about in the difficult situations of our lives.

And what can I expect, reading this blog?

I hope you can expect to read the unexpected.  This naturally includes opportunities for you to help me with my written Spanish by means of the comments.  Keep reading the days to come to see a reflection from the time I spent with some friends at the beach in Oregon last weekend!