stop and smell the roses.....or lotus blossoms

So today we pretty much sat around and relaxed all day. Things are pretty chill here in Thailand. No plan, no schedule, just go with the flow. This evening I sat in this bamboo hut looking out at the lotus pond as the sun set through the banana trees. It had finally cooled down enough to where it was pleasant to be outside. I had nothing to do and nothing particular on my mind. I was just sitting there…being. It was wonderful. It really was. People keep telling me “just relax and realize that Thai people work differently than Westerners. They don’t plan, they don’t care if things don’t go how they anticipated. They go at their own pace and it works for them. They get it all done.” Clearly they don’t know me very well yet. I knew I was drawn to this place for a reason! It is very different from the fast pace of life back home. I told Brittany last semester, “Don’t you ever wish that you could just pause life, take a break and breathe, step out, look at what you are doing and get a clearer perspective?” That is what I feel like I am doing here. No amazing insights yet but the chance to breathe has already been sustaining.