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Clare and I making a big HEART in front of the rainbow fountain at Parque De Las Aguas in Lima

“The foundation of happiness is mindfulness.  The basic condition for being happy is our consciousness of being happy.  If we are not aware that we are happy, we are not really happy.  When we have a toothache, we know that not having a toothache is a wonderful thing.  But when we do not have a toothache, we are still not happy. A non-toothache is very pleasant.  There are so many things that are enjoyable, but when we don’t practice mindfulness, we don’t appreciate them.  When we practice mindfulness, we come to cherish these things and we learn how to protect them. By taking good care of the present moment, we take good care of the future. Working for peace in the future is to work for peace in the present moment.”

-Thich Nhat Hanh

         I have been struggling a lot lately with being present where my feet are, or staying mindful of the moment I am living in. This is something I have had a hard time with my entire life…. I have always been someone who lives in the future and looks to what is next rather than embracing the “now”. I know this isn’t ideal. I realize that this kind of mindset is probably contributing to me missing out on a lot of beautiful moments right in front of my eyes.

Especially here in my Peru life I have found myself having a constant inner conflict of being aware of right here and now, and feeling anxious about getting home to the US. Don’t get me wrong, I LOVE being here. I love Chimbote. I love my work, my community, my parish, my friends, my patients, my co-workers, the food, the market, the city, the stores, the restaurants, the weather, the festivals, the music, the culture, the language, etc….. But I also, especially in the past couple months or so, have really been looking forward to getting back to the US. I have 9 months left, and with everyone saying things like “Do you have plans for when you get back?? You are on your way out now.” or “Have you started looking for jobs yet??” as opposed to “Wow you have a lot of time left!!” or “Two years ahead of you, that is so exciting!!”, I have already felt the countdown begin.

 So, as is also a strong aspect of my personality, I have decided to be proactive and make a change. A change to really try to be more present in the moment that is being lived and truly realize how beautiful it is to live every second fully.

When I was at SLU, my Catholic-Jesuit education provided a lot of awesome theological outlooks that weren’t all necessarily Christian – something I appreciate and am so grateful for – one of which is from the Buddhist monk Thich Nhat Hanh. The quote above is from a book by TNH about living in the present moment, with meditations and practices to help be more mindful. I especially love him talking about the toothache. I think that is true for a lot of us…. Thinking in our heads, “If I didn’t have this toothache/stomachache/forms to fill out/bills to pay/laundry to do/work to go to/project due/etc., I would be so much happier….” …….. But then when we don’t have a toothache, stomachache, forms to fill out, bills to pay, laundry to do, work to go to, a project due, etc, we find something else to be stressed out about or look forward to “getting through”. Why are we like this?? Why is it so natural for all of us to be looking forward to how things will be better later?? It is time to embrace how beautiful and amazing it is to be alive right now, embracing all of the ups and downs of our existence. 

“Every morning, when we wake up, we have twenty-four

brand-new hours to live.  What a precious gift!  We have

the capacity to live in a way that these twenty-four hours

will bring peace, joy, and happiness to ourselves and others.

Peace is present right here and now, in ourselves and in
everything we do and see.  The question is whether or not
we are in touch with it.  We don't have to travel far away
to enjoy the blue sky.  We don't have to leave our city or
even our neighborhood to enjoy the eyes of a beautiful child.
Even the air we breathe can be a source of joy.” – TNH

         It is definitely a challenge to try and live each moment to it’s fullest. I find that I can barely go 5 minutes with out daydreaming about getting home and seeing certain people for the first time, reuniting with old friends, hugging my mom, dad, and grandpa… but it will happen soon, and as my best friend Erin said to me recently, “In 9 months you will be homesick for Chimbote, so enjoy it while you can!!”. I am making a conscious effort to be present where my feet are, more and more every day, through appreciating each conversation, smile, and hug that comes my way. Through thanking the earth for all that it provides with each step. Through seeing the blessing in every load of clothes I wash and every dish I clean. Through breathing in love, positivity, and presence, and out anxiety, negativity, and distraction.

“Breathing in, I calm my body.

Breathing out, I smile.

Dwelling in the present moment,

I know this is a wonderful moment.” –TNH

Some wonderful moments from the past couple of months I want to share with all of you:

Picking up Clare from the airport

In the Lima Airport we get not only air-conditioning, but Dr. Pepper and Subway sandwiches!! Yes.

Our neighbors!!!! Luz, mom, with her son Axel and their dog Rex (yes, Chimbote is that dusty.... We obviously hadn't gotten to sweeping our part of the sidewalk/street yet)

Clare and I playing with our friend Nataly's new puppy, Pia

A drawing my friend Richard did and then gave to me as a gift. It is so amazing it looks like a photo!!

Me and Pisco Charles

Pisco, looking very dapper, and Kyle

My patient Felicita and I!!!! She is so wonderful and the sweetest, most resilient woman

Fidea and Baby Cat just hanging out on the chair

After Baby Cat sneezed up some milk.... Soooooooo adorable!! Hahaha

Clare, me, and Nataly at the "Blessing of the Animals" mass.... We had a very diverse group including: 1 turtle, 8 kittens, and 2 puppies

Clare and I making granola...

.... More granola making!!!!

Clare, Kyle and I after Kyle's theatrical debut in our church's play about the life of Saint Francis

Erin sent me a package full of Halloween treats!!!!!! Love her.