Well today, I am leaving Rio de Janeiro - Brazil to go back home to Texas, my husband and my sweet pup. I cannot wait to see them and be home. Ahhh, home - I love it.
Before I leave Brazil this evening, I will be visiting Cristo Redentor (in English, Christ the Redeemer) atop Corcovado mountain; one of the New Seven Wonders of the World. This truly is a once in a lifetime experience that I feel so honored to have the chance to do. I mean, just look at all the beauty in this photo...I can hardly contain my excitement, thankfulness and a little bit of sadness that Jeff can't be here to experience this with me:
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| Photo Courtesy: Wikipedia |
I will be blogging in more detail about my trips here to Brazil so stay tuned.
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Another thing on my mind today as I wrap up my work here is a bit of reflection on my time here, time at home, and everything that I've been blessed with thus far in my life. Do you have those moments? Where you just sit back and think, 'wow - I really have so much to be thankful for'...I try to think about this as often as possible so I can be sure to be glad in it all. It brings me a lot of peace to think like this and choose to take time out ot acknowledge my blessings. And with that, I wanted to share this quote with you all:
When asked “What thing about humanity surprises you the most?", the Dalai Lama answered:
“Man. Because he sacrifices his health in order to make money. Then he sacrifices money to recuperate his health. And then he is so anxious about the future that he does not enjoy the present; the result being that he does not live in the present or the future; he lives as if he is never going to die, and then dies having never really lived.” -Dalai Lama XIV
*Warning - getting a bit preachy...* I am in support of avoiding this cycle and this quote encompasses many of my views on life in a few short sentences. Don't let this happen to you - take care of yourself, your health, your family. Do not be anxious, but be thankful and happy (happiness, many times, is a choice & you can control your thoughts), look to the future with hope & peaceful curiousity (do not fear or have doubt in a future that has yet to come), but enjoy the present and count your blessings.
Off my soapbox now...off to meet Christ the Redeemer!
Lots of love,
Rani
