reflections...

Outside, the noise is picking up...fireworks coloring the sky...bomb like explosions echo through every little alley...small children holding flaming torches...i'm jumpy in this city...explosives do not help...

i'm alone in our fifth story flat this weekend and learning again how to take a deep breath and step back...reflecting on the way i like to keep my mind and life busy, distracted from self evaluation, prayer, life-giving rest... refusals of peace and rest which lead to unhealthy cycles and fears of being alone...

i was supposed to be reunited with my beautiful friend kelsea in south india this weekend, but due to random flight cancellations i'm here at bk paul listening to the arrival of kali puja outside my window...and remembering that being alone doesn't have to mean being lonely...and hanging out with oneself isn't always something to fear...rest doesn't have to be deferred...and cycles can be broken.

listened to a beautiful sermon by shane hipps...i'm a sucker for hurricane lamps anyways...i hand carried one back from bangladesh a few years ago, and though its been dropped, cracked, blackened and basically seen a thousand better days...it was the perfect picture to reflect on as i listened to shane's reflections on peace this evening...please take a listen if you can...for me, in a city and life rarely bereft of chaos...this word of promised peace brought me to tears...

watched the social network this morning...great film...and slightly disturbing as i think about facebook's control on the world...as i check my own wall to see who's recently written...

snacked on left over feta-basil-stuffed chicken for lunch...and leftover black dahl...greek and indian? i don't know, it was what was in the fridge...

began reading Travels with Charley by John Steinback...thank you Jo, although it's taken me awhile to pick it up...

heading to Sarah's house for dinner and Eat Pray Love movie fest...so thankful for my friend...

And as i reflect on a day where i finally let myself let down...maybe 3 days alone won't be so bad afterall...