some morning thoughts

As I sat here doing my spanish homework this morning, I watched the night guy from my hotel "mow" the lawn and it certainly had my brain working. Guatemalans don't have fancy lawnmowers. The don't even have the old school metal wheel with blades. He has been "mowing" the lawn for 3 hours using a machete. A MACHETE!! He has been bent over for three hours cutting the grass BY HAND with only a machete and as I write this, he continues. All of this after he had a 12 hour night shift. While I sat here, he would take a break here and there and chat a little bit. I found out he has two children at home; a girl who is 1 and a boy who is 5. He works apx 20 hours a day to provide for his family. It makes me ill to think how I sit here on my Macbook (albeit 6 or 7 years old), with my digital camera planning a two week vacation to Belize. I have no concept of what families all over the world must go through every day to ensure their children have the very basics to survive. But what amazes me the most is how warm and welcoming almost all of them are. Every morning I go for a little walk around the town and Im almost serenaded with "Buenos Dias'". The smiles are infectious and their eyes are innocent. It amazes me how genuinely friendly these people are despite their hardships. It regularly brings me back to all the "1st world problems" we get so caught up in back "home". Maybe this is why I have always struggle to find the place I call home. I've always struggled with the concept of Chasing the Jones'. I was never motivated by how much more money I could make then you. I don't care what my business card or name tag says. And I certainly don't feel any better about myself because of where I shop. I know I have said it before, but life makes sense down here. However, the irony is not lost on me. We live our spoiled little lives, always so quick to judge someone else for their "status". Expectations that go beyond just being gluttonous. All the while there are so many people in the world just happy for friends, family and health. Although none of this was new to my thought process, this trip has been truly special. I didn't grow up requiring a reality check or an eye opening experience to comprehend what poverty means. My parents did an excellent job of ensuring I never lost sight of what truly matters. But I have found a certain calmness in my existence down here. Even an acceptance not easily found back home. Don't get me wrong, there is plenty of darkness down here too, but an overwhelmingly large concept that we are one. That everyone is both a true individual, deserving of warmth, respect and happiness, but also a part of something so much bigger and special. The more time I spend in 3rd world latin countries, the more I am reminded that world is not about how much money you make your boss, your hour long commute because the greedy rich have made real estate impossible for the average citizen, or about being so exhausted on Saturday that you hardly have time to truly enjoy your loved ones. This is my challenge to myself. To find that same calm amongst the chaos of corporate North America. To find the the infectious smiles that coexist with innocent eyes. To find a little peace amongst the dog fight. And to spend every day, without fail, to ensure what really matters in our world is what matters in my word. I challenge you to join me!