the World, according to Renee

The world is a beautiful place – I wish I could say that I have seen it all but, well…not yet!!! Perhaps I will be blessed with a life long enough to experience at least most of it! And who knows, one can always dream. Those who know me know that traveling, engaging with the local people and culture and experiencing the sites, sounds, smells, tastes and the feeling of new places is one of my favorite things. I have been privileged in my life to travel to 5 out of the 7 continents of the world – not thinking Antarctica will be on my immediate list, but Africa is definitely on my get there soon list!

What is it about the world that intrigues me? That’s a question that I have tried to articulate over the past several years to myself. Why am I drawn to go, why is it easy for me to leave behind my friends and family and get a plane, sometimes even alone, and go to a foreign place? What makes it all so beautiful to me?

All of it. I am drawn in so many ways. I am drawn by the culture, the differences between them, the uniqueness of the views, perspectives, interpretation of life, values, what is held most dear. I am drawn by the landscapes, the heights and depths, the outstretched skies, and cozy corners of the earth. I am drawn by the warmth and the coolness of the air. I am drawn by the stunning architecture, the quaint little homes, the villages shattered across a mountainside creating a new landscape of white stone and a thousand windows. I am drawn to the bridges, tiny stone ones, vast works of art spanning across a city skyline, bridges of rope taking you across the rivers of the jungles. I am draw by the art, paintings, sculptures, crafts, the creative genius that comes from ordinary men and women. I am drawn by the people, the depth of insight they share, the joy of expression, hearts full of passion, the eyes of a child. I am drawn by the power of creation.

I was asked once if I thought that one person could change the world. I didn’t seem to hesitate at all. Of course. Do I think that I can change the world? Yes. Sounds a little arrogant, doesn’t it. It’s not meant to be. I think every person has the power to change the world…now I will get a little sappy… so, if you get nausea from sappiness…don’t read on! The power we have to change the world exists in every moment, of every day of our lives, through the choices we make…the butterfly effect, if you will. If we choose today to be happy and we are…to spite the circumstances of our day, to spite the stress of our lives, then we set in motion a series of changes that make a difference to every person’s world that day. Smile at a stranger and they inevitably smile back. Show kindness to a person and they cannot help but be thankful. Our lives are so fragile, yet so strong. We have such powerful weaknesses, yet when our strengths, talents and gifts are invested into the lives of others, our weaknesses seem to fade, and our life finds meaning that we cannot deny.

The power of creation. That’s how I see it. We are beautifully and wonderfully made. We have been given all that we have, and have the choice to give or take from this world that is ours. In the giving, we receive so much more.