So, here I am…

We have arrived in Durban, South Africa. We arrived in King Shaka Airport. We were greeted by beautiful African faces. We ate delicious food at Circus Circus on the beach of the Indian Ocean. It’s kind of interesting that the only country or land mass with an ocean named after it is India. I wonder why that is. We have arrived at the bed and breakfast where we will reside for the next three weeks. I am extremely happy. But, the exhaustion is starting to settle in.

Often in life I have focused so much energy on the difficult times. I have dwelt on the past. I have regretted mistakes even though they made me stronger. Each time that I come to Durban I am changed for life. I just stepped foot on this soil, and I feel like I’m back at home.

I recently spent time with a good friend of mine who gave me advice about changing the way that I think about, and indeed interact with, Universal Law. He called it changing my paradigm. It is no news to me that focusing on something, rather physical/literal or imaginary, will cause that thing to manifest itself in my life. When I decided to return to Durban and help facilitate the Wright-Lead leadership institute I wanted to go, but I did not believe that I would be able to afford the cost of the trip. I did not visualize myself once again walking down the familiar, and unfamiliar, streets. I did not remember the tastes of curry and Nandos chicken. (If you ever get a chance, eat at Nandos… Incredible.)

Instead of focusing on Wright-Lead, I was living my day-to-day life. I was fully engaged in teaching, being a good dad, and being a good husband. Unfortunately, I think my priorities were set in that same order. Meaning that I was so focused on my daily work that everything else fell secondary. South Africa was a thought, indeed a plan. But, not a reality, not an affirmation. Why not??? What was missing. Why didn’t I choose to believe in the importance of this work. (You may still be wondering what makes this work truly important. I plan to answer that question over the next few weeks.)

As many of you know, I am a middle school music teacher. It is very important and fulfilling work. It is also extremely stressful. In fact, I drive home questioning my work on most week days. But, I know it is important. It is important that all young people receive a wonderful education. It is important that young people be participate in the arts so that they can develop means of self expression. The work I do is not too distantly removed from ministry. It is an opportunity to represent the God head and show young people that they are the brightest lights in the universe.

The above paragraph doesn’t answer, or even address, the question at hand; (Why didn’t I believe I’d be returning to South Africa this year?). It is merely an excuse. One of the things that Furaha appreciates about me is how I discuss difficult topics with honesty and openness. I simply didn’t think I could afford the money for the trip. I also questioned whether I was needed. Shifting my paradigm would mean that I should have known that if my heart’s desire was to return to Durban, South Africa, then God/The Universe would provide a way for me to come here. I should have believed that my presence here was important for my own personal growth. I can not make something important to anyone but myself. I can influence someone else, and I do that on a daily basis. But, I can only control myself, thus I have the power to improve myself. This must be my new paradigm.

More to come…