Comfort zones? What are they?

During this journey much of what I have been writing about has been about doing what you love, living every moment to count and not to be trapped inside your own world. The art on the road trip is one of those moments for those who have taken the plunge to join us. During the course of finding volunteers for the trip, I have been amazed at how many people are not prepared to leave their comforts behind to experience something they have dreamed about. I had requests for free flight trips, all expensive holidays, warmer weather, beds, showers and everything that this trip is not about. This is for us to experience every moment, not to be distracted by internet, phones, TV, and all the other things in life that ties us down 9-5 every day. I am so excited that three wonderful girls and a dear friend is joining me and my husband. They have expressed their willingness to brave the cold nights, leave their hot showers behind, sleep on the floor, use a squat toilet outside and give up their privacy to sleep all in one room for 10 days. Nothing of these things matter, when you see the smiles the children will give us in return.  Why do we so cling to what we know, fearing that we might not adapt to the unknown. And having the longing to experience life, but holding on to your fears. I too did that for many years of my life, but my husband and I have a dream and a wish to bring hope, creativity, color and imagination to children. I pray and believe that with this trip many of you will see and experience the joy as we will. It has been very difficult for people to understand the reasoning and it has been an even more difficult journey to gain support. But we are still here and have not given up, and for the first time I can see how things are happening. We are still very much working on the new library as well as the donation of science and biology equipment to the school in Kathmandu.

Just a story I wanted to share about how our thoughts can be heard. For those of you that have been reading the blog have read that we often go out for an 8 mile walk here in the park. The other day coming back my feet was really tired and hurting and I was thinking maybe I should get a pair of insoles as the shoes are still in great shape. But with our budget being so tight it was a tossup between a good pair of insoles which I know is $50.00 or a new pair of hiking shoes which I will need for Nepal. And behold, two days later I receive an email that I had been the lucky winner of a pair of Dr Scholl’s inners. A competition I entered weeks ago. I just needed to go to that machine that measures your feet to see which type I would need. When these gifts are given to me, I realize that my prayers, dreams, thoughts and wishes are listened too. Sometimes how we receive it is not as we had thought we would, and if the universe listens to something that we might think is so unimportant how we can doubt that our prayers are not heard. Even though I feel like giving up so many times, I am awakened again and given new hope and faith.

The school we will be visiting.

I came across this poem by accident this morning and it so rang true as to what I have experienced and wanted to share it with you. I pray that your faith will be restored and you can follow your dreams.

MY COMFORT ZONE
By Author Unknown

I used to have a comfort zone where I knew I wouldn't fail.
The same four walls and busywork were really more like jail.
I longed so much to do the things I'd never done before,
But stayed inside my comfort zone and paced the same old floor.

I said it didn't matter that I wasn't doing much.
I said I didn't care for things like commission checks and such.
I claimed to be so busy with the things inside the zone,
But deep inside I longed for something special of my own.

I couldn't let my life go by just watching others win.
I held my breath; I stepped outside and let the change begin.
I took a step and with new strength I'd never felt before,
I kissed my comfort zone goodbye and closed and locked the door.

If you're in a comfort zone, afraid to venture out,
Remember that all winners were at one time filled with doubt.
A step or two and words of praise can make your dreams come true.
Reach for your future with a smile; success is there for you!

A big welcome to our new volunteers arriving soon.

I just wanted to extend a big welcome and a bigger thank you to Beatrice, Antonia and Anjali that will both be starting at Bhakta Vidayashram School around September 10. We are very excited and happy to have them visit the school and sharing their time and love for one month. Also thank you to Faye, Matt, Alice and Aoife that will be joining them for a few days during their stay in Kathmandu. If there are any volunteers that would like to join and teach English at the school, please email me at watersfromheaven@gmail.com. We do not charge any fees to any of our volunteers. The school is within walking distance of Thamel, in the heart of the city, making it convenient and close to everything.
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A question of time??

I have to ask you this question. Is everything black and white to you or do you believe in the spaces in between? Do you live by what others say is the truth or do you question life and live by your own truth, no matter how crazy it might seem to others? Or do you dream of living your truth and are caught up in a bubble where you feel there is no turning back?

My mind is always questioning, trying to find my own answers and finding my own truth. But I do feel that sometimes we get caught up in life and others truths, not seeing beyond and forgetting about the in-betweens. Time is one of those things that make us run, struggle and something we cannot turn back. It only goes forward. But sometimes time is on your side and other times you never even see it coming. When I was younger I started questioning the concept of time. What makes us hate and love it so? Is it something with a mind of its own? For me time started having a personality, a wisdom, a life. Is it a healer, as time heals all pain it is said by everyone? Have you ever looked at the clock and counted how long one minute is? Turn your head away and look at how it speeds up. I used to believe time plays tricks, it can speed itself up when you are not looking and sometimes make a day turn into 2, or cut it in half. Time is so important and we forgot to live in the now, forget about using each minute that time gives us to live what we believe in. Once that minute is over it is gone forever. But where does it go, to the spaces in between I ask? How long is five minutes for a child sitting in a corner? How long is five minutes for you? A blink of an eye for us. So what is time, how long is one minute, and who is right? That is where imagination comes in. That is what WatersFromHeaven is all about. To let children use their imagination, find their own truths and see that there can be spaces in between, where there are other choices to live by.

So that brings me back full circle to how much time we have left until this trip. Three and a half months. It is going by so quickly and sometimes so slow.  Up until this point I have not been able to collect any cash donations for the art program. So I have to ask when I look at time, should I feel concerned or do I keep my faith that it will all work out. The one thing I do know is that it will be as it should. I do stand with a foot in each emotion, like skipping back and forth, human nature I guess. Part of the donations will be used to purchase 600 sheets of craft paper amongst other things. None of the funds donated will be used towards our own expenses and we are not asking volunteers for any fees. I am sure most of you have been asked so many times for donations, and for me it is has not been easy to become humble and ask for your help. But it is a journey, and I have to learn and grow from this experience. COMMITTED is a nonprofit with whom we are collaborating on this art project. This is the link that you could use if you are able to make any donations to the program. $5.00 is able to stretch very far in Nepal and your assistance would make such a difference. 

 http://www.cminepal.org/donate/donate-index.htm

 Your donation will be tax deductible, please email me at watersfromheaven@gmail.com after you donate and send me the details. Thank you so much in advance!