the birm*

Life is nothing but a series of one-offs…

So it all started when I was looking at the misty mountains, thinking I’d love to go walking in the Blue Mountains on a rainy day. I then reflected how missed some places/times/aspects of Australia (and Ireland for that matter). As I was thinking this, it hit me that what I longed for were specific times/places/situations, as opposed to events that happened repeatedly. And then it hit me:

In life there is no repetition, no banality, no ruts, no usualness (is that even a word??), no mundane, no two identical situations.

You might think that’s a bold statement, but think about it for a minute. Whatever the place/time/situation I reflect on with glee and long for (for whatever reason), I realise that it’s not because of the nature of that place/time/situation but of what happened there, every time I went there.

Confusing? Ok, take the example of the longing for the Blue Mountains. I love that place. I love being there every time I go there. The memories I have (including smells, tastes, experiences, sights, feelings…) are a combination of all the times I’ve been there in summer, winter, rain, snow, fog, sunshine, alone, with friends, family, for camps, to climb, canyon, worship, hike, have coffee, go to weddings, mountain bike, chill out, go to conferences and so on…none of these times have been the same, even if it was for the same activity with the same people.

What’s my point? Revel in what you do, everyday! Take each day as it comes, as a new day with fresh experiences, different conversations, new insights. There are no identical days, moments or even situations. Maybe I’m telling myself this cause I felt like I was in a rut, maybe I’m just someone positive. The point is that if we take each day as a new one where we expect things to be new and different, we’ll probably enjoy what we do much more, even if it’s the everyday rut of “metro-boulot-dodo” (commute-work-sleep). Have a go!

What…how…when…WHY?

Well yeah, I mean it’s been routine really for the last few month here in the mountains (I guess it’s been routine for the last 29 years…just different routines at different stages of life…).

Anyhoo, I was a bit congested the other evening, woke up a bit congested yesterday morning and had an awful day at work: light-headed, out of breath, headache, soreness. Last night I was too hot/too cold, heavily congested, sore everywhere and so on. Today I was too light headed and freezing/boiling to get out of bed, so I basically stayed there all morning and then after a quick brunch, til 2pm.

So the questions above are exactly my thoughts: why/how/when/where/what combination of food, stress, people, temperature, situation and tiredness made me catch the scumbag now and not 2 weeks ago? I guess it was a combination of things, as I can’t put my finger on anything in particular…

Pain in the derriere/being a brat (part #2 or #3 or something).

I’ve said it B4 and I’ll say it again, my life is a blessing: fairly simple, hassle free, exciting, meaningful and painless (mostly). I give praise to God for these blessings and yet when things don’t go as planned (my way!) or when there are uncertainties I get frustrated and stressed.

Evidently, right now, I’m stressed about my visa coming to an end, the uncertainties about getting a new one and the thought of my well-planned future not happening the way I’d expected.

On a world scale of things which are difficult, my difficulties would not even appear. It’s all relative though, which is why for me right now, it’s kinda hard.

I guess one reason I’m writing this is to have a record of what my feelings/thoughts are at the moment, so that when I re-read this in hindsight (in a few months/years time) I can smile to myself, shake my head and reflect on how God’s plans were infinitely better than mine…

Visa ? yes please ! part 2/an answer to prayer.

Ok, so I was called to the personnel’s office and, after being asked to sit down, was told the bad news: i had to stop work immediately! The “lady” had called and said that I had to return to Australia B4 I could get a new residency card. Bum!

I just got another call saying that they were sorting out another contract, enabling me to work til march, which is a nice consolation!

So why is this an answer to prayer?

Well let’s say that I’d been praying about the issue for some time, but today I specifically prayed that I’d be able to get some closure soon. I was praying this driving to work, on the ski lifts and whenever I got a minute. I also thought about Psalm 51 and the words “in your good pleasure Lord, make zion prosper”, thus asking God to do something because it pleases Him, not us. I asked Him to give me some closure, if it pleased Him to do so.

Evidently by the end of the day I had an answer to my prayer (even though it wasn’t the answer I wanted!). I now know I have to go in and try to sort things out by myself, be it here or back in Australia. May His will be done!