My Mission (I am going to South Africa)...

Peace Corps' Motto on a Billboard

The time is finally here. I leave for South Africa tomorrow (whoop, whoop)!!!  I have a two hours flight from Washington, DC to Atlanta, GA and then a 15 hours and 20 minutes flight to Johannesburg, South Africa.  As such, I think this an appropriate time to give you an understanding of what I will be doing in South Africa.

I am going to South Africa as a Peace Corps Response Volunteer.  I originally served as a Peace Corps Volunteer in Benin, West Africa, from 2000-2002.  Peace Corps Response allows Returned Volunteers (the program actually just opened up to professionals with 10+ years of experience) to serve in professional, short-term assignments around the world.  I will be working with the Special Olympics as a Marketing and Events Manager.

The Special Olympics South Africa and Special Olympics Africa will be hosting a Regional (Africa) soccer tournament at the Royal Bafokeng Sport Palace (one of the stadiums built for the World Cup) in Rustenburg in October 2012.  The tournament will bring together inclusive teams from approximately 16 countries to showcase the skill and ability of the Special Olympics Africa athletes and provide a platform to increase awareness and support of the Special Olympics movement in South Africa and the Africa Region.  I will be responsible for successfully activating all the marketing, awareness and engagement activities for this event.

World Health Organization (W.H.O.) Card-check, Visa-check, Passport-check: I'm ready to go!

When I arrive in South Africa, I along with two other Response Volunteers will be taken to Pretoria for orientation.  Over three days (Peace Corps training is normally three months but shortened for Response Volunteers), Peace Corps will coach us on how to maintain our health and safety during our service and provide an overview of South African culture, history, and language.  We will also do administrative stuff like get our IDs and open bank accounts.  After we swear our allegiance to the U.S. we will leave for our post. 

However, instead of going directly to my post, I will spend the next two and a half weeks in Randburg (a town on the edge of Jo'burg) for Special Olympics orientation.   When I finish there I will attend a weeklong Special Olympics Africa leadership meeting in the Royal Bafokeng nation (the area where I will be living).  So about the second week of March, I will be deployed to my post and move into my temporary new home in Rustenburg.

Not sure what my internet access will be once I am country, but will reach out as soon as possible.  Wish me luck and please keep me in your prayers.

-Mei

MD: Freedom to be, because I choose….

Like many, I use the start of the New Year to establish specific goals of what I would like to accomplish throughout the year.  They are usually posted near my bed as a daily reminder.  In recent years, I have also developed a theme to accompany my goals (It’s like theme music, every superhero should have one, lol,—it’s a quick and easy reminder of where your focus should be!).  Last year’s theme was “Living the Joy” because I realized that: 1) happiness is fleeting because its based on external stimuli, while joy is everlasting because it is internal and 2) desiring joy isn’t enough, you have to work at having it—daily!

If ya don’t mind, I’d like to share my 2012 theme and goals with you.  

My theme, “Freedom to be,” came to me late last year.  It perfectly encompassed the journey that I am moving towards, while also embodying what prompted me to move away from the path that I was on. 

 I have been struggling, though, with establishing my goals. For the past month or so, I have been carrying around the waiter’s check pictured below. 

It reads, “the opportunity to pursue my idea of happiness without persecution or restriction.”  I received this in Brooklyn from a waiter at a cute Williamsburg brunch spot! He had a tattoo on his arm that read, “I am flawed If I’m not free.”  I asked him what freedom meant to him.  He didn’t answer right away, 

said he needed time to think.  Before I left the restaurant though he slipped me the waiter’s check with his definition of freedom written on it.  I came across it this morning and it made me realize that the S.M.A.R.T. (Specific, Measurable, Attainable, Realistic, Timely) format that I am accustomed to using to write my goals, in it’s nature is the antithesis of being “free.”   Instead I should define what freedom is to me/how I want to manifest freedom in my life in 2012.  So my goals have morphed into something more or less resembling mantras. My 2012 theme and goals are:

The freedom to be, because I choose….

…I choose faith. I will surrender to the Lord’s will and try not to lean on my own accord.

…I choose me.  Love me. Follow my unique path.  Embrace my personal truths.  Foster my talents.

…I choose joy. Actively pursue and embody joy, by doing what brings me happiness.

…I choose financial freedom.  Live within my budget.  Develop strategies to deliver myself from the restraints of (student loan) debt and resist temptations that would permit me to incur debt.

…I choose life.  I will not survive, but thrive by living everyday to the fullest and without regret.

…I choose consciousness.  To fully breathe in and absorb every experience.  Be aware and connected to my environment and the people that come into my world for an instance or for a lifetime.  Appreciate the moments.

--Mei

MD: There is Movement When We are Still

I learned last week to be still.

I admittedly am a bit of a brat.  With that said, I am quite thankful and blessed that my mother is willing and able to let me stay with her while I am waiting to leave for South Africa.  She even let me store all of my belongings in and around her house (including my furniture—no storage fees yeah). However, I am really uncomfortable being in this state of transition and finding it, surprisingly, an interesting challenge.

Yes, I know I willingly walked away from my job and my life in Philly.  I was walking towards a life of adventure and international travel though!!!  So far my adventures are trying to manage my finances (or lack thereof) with the onset of unanticipated bills, navigating the remote area of Maryland where my mother resides, trying not to feel constricted living in someone else’s space when I am not as spiritually or physically free as I would be in my own space, and completing the maze that is the Peace Corps Medical Paperwork (two months later I am almost finished).  As I said, I can be a brat.  I acknowledge as I am complaining, I am also having a lot of fun meeting up with old friends in DC and hanging out with my family. 

I really think the bigger thing is I kind of lost my purpose as I moved into this phase of transition. I didn’t have anything that I really needed to get up and accomplish on a daily basis.  Plus, I have been talking about what I was going to do for over a year, and I am ready to just do it now.  Being the slightly type A person that I am, I busied myself over the past couple of weeks finding marketing consulting projects, looking for bartending jobs, and applying to temp jobs to solve my financial concerns and give me those all so vital action items to add to my to do list!

The Lord revealed to me through a conversation with a business advisor that this is not a period of transition, but preparation!  The advisor first cautioned me to stay focused during this period.  His words reminded me of a sermon I heard earlier in the year. The minister said, when God gives you a promise don’t concern yourself with “how” it will come into fruition instead stay focused on “what” is God’s promise.   God gave me the vision of SOULjourner Art, an online art gallery that would assist artisans in developing countries.  And here I was with the blessing of an abundant amount of free time, and I wasn’t using it to build a foundation to bring my vision into reality.  And why?  Because I questioned the how.  I was concerned about the prospect of my future provisions. 

My business advisor asked me if the first time I saw my vision if it scared me.  Admittedly, at first I was rejoicing to have an understanding of how the Lord wanted to use me. Now though, it all freaks me out!!!  He shared that when something comes from the Lord, it is always so big that you could never accomplish it on your own.  This is so you will depend on the Lord to achieve it.

He advised me to use this time to spiritually equip myself.  Find a Bible verse that aligned with my company’s mission and vision.  Identify someone in the Bible whose story paralleled the journey I was about to embark on.  These would then become my foundation to ensure I was living and moving forward in purpose!

This actually is one of the things that helped me through my previous service in the Peace Corps.  Moses’ story of being lost in the wilderness with the Israelites was a reminder to me to wait on the Lord and heed his word.  He sent me to Benin and the Peace Corps for a reason and despite my struggles I had to endure to gain the wisdom he intended for me through that experience. The 23^rd Psalm was also my comfort on nights when I was scared and lonely.

Since I talked to my business advisor friend, the Lord has revealed to me the 2^nd Proverbs, 37^th Psalm, and the story of Enoch.  I am still trying to find the right verses and stories though.  Please leave a comment if you have any recommendations.  I am also walking away from my distractions including some of my consulting projects. This phase of my life is about surrendering to the Lord’s will and not making decisions based on my own accord. I appreciate my friend/advisor for the reminder.  Feel free to also remind if I forget again!!!

-Mei

In Transition in Maryland: A Moment of Reflection

Another key milestone is behind me, this weekend I moved from Philly to my Mom’s house (my temporary residence until I leave for South Africa in January).  It’s all so crazy and surreal.  I can’t believe that I am actually starting a company and traveling the world for the next three years! 

Coincidentally, when I turned 30 I was struggling with a feeling of “Now What!”  My childhood dreams of traveling to Africa and Paris, living in NYC, getting an MBA, working in Brand Management for a fortune 500 company had been accomplished.  A friend told me that if I had accomplished all of my dreams then I didn’t dream big enough.  I then created a dream board to capture my vision of my utopian future.  I have kept my dream board posted next to bed so it is the first and last thing I see everyday. I realized, as I was packing, amazingly I am now moving towards living my vision.  I reached back out to my friend to share this with him.  His response, “I am glad your dreams have caught up with your talent!” (things that make you go hhhhmmm…!)

Last week I celebrated my 34^th birthday. I realized, at 34 I am unemployed, homeless/couch surfing/staying with my mother, single, and have no children.  Some would say that’s failing, but I think I am winning! My vision didn’t manifest itself in a shiny box with a bright red bow and I didn’t get here how or when I would have imagined…but where I am headed is truly what my heart desired and it came when I was ready for it.  The two songs below capture perfectly how I am feeling right now and are my theme songs for my 34^th year of life (every hero needs theme music).  Enjoy! Dream big and be bold!

--Mei

Philly: Late Night Thoughts

I have neglected my poor, little blog (and you) before it even got started.  So I figure I at least owe an explanation for my absence (I probably owe ya a more detailed description of who I am as well, but that will come).

I quit my job the end of October to go on a trip around the world (Central America, South America, Australia, Asia, the Middle East, North Africa, and East Africa) and start SOULjourner Art, an online art gallery that will empower artisans in developing counties (more to come on that as well). I am also joining the Response Corps, a program for Returned Peace Corps Volunteer.  And I am leaving in January to serve in South Africa for ten months.  In preparation for all of that (whew) I have been… 

•  Taking bartending classes (fall back if I run out of money during my journey)
• Working on the SOULjourner business plan (its coming along nicely)
• Completing TONS of paperwork, gathering medical records, and getting immunizations (fun times…Typhoid, Yellow Fever, Hep A, and Hep B) for the Peace Corps
• Learning how to use my new Mac (I love the Apple store)
• Hanging out (I mean working at) various coffee shops around Philly
• Saying good bye to Philly friends over lunches and dinners (eating out is my fave Philly pastime)

And at some point I will be packing because I am leaving Philly next week.

I thought this month would be a transition period to relax and unwind.  However, I actually am a bit overwhelmed. Despite that, I am filled with a zest for life and a passion for my current tasks that I have never felt before.  I am sleeping less than I ever did when I was working, but everyday I wake up energized ready to seize the day.  I truly know that I am doing what I am supposed to be doing.  I guess I am living a Purpose Driven Life (despite never reading the book that has been sitting on my night stand for over 2 years ROTFL)!

--Mei

Why I love to travel?

"After weeks on the road, listening to a language you don't understand, using a currency whose value you don't comprehend, walking down the streets you've never walked down before, you discover that your old "I" along with everything you ever learned, is absolutely no use at all in the face of those new challenges, and you begin to realize that buried deep in your unconscious mind there is something much more interesting and adventurous and more open to the world and to new experiences."--Paulo Coelho, Aleph

Pondering Philly (My Last Days in Philadelphia)

I spent the last four years living in Philadelphia (Philly!). Three years of my time though I spent hating it.  Only during my last year here have I truly appreciated the pearls that are hidden under Philly’s hard, tough exterior.  I love Philly now!!!  And my last days (I have less than three weeks left) have been filled with thought provoking and inspirational conversations that have allowed me to reflect and realize the importance of my time in Philly to my personal and professional growth. 

This weekend at a friend/former coworker’s going away party, I had one of those pivotal moments. The going away party had wound down and 6 of us (well really 8, 2 were passed out on the couch LOL) discussed who we are, how we are perceived by others, our personal brands, our talents, and our dreams.  One trait that many of us shared was not always “letting our light shine” through. We realized that as African Americans, our experiences have taught us that letting your light shine, being proud, acknowledging your talents and successes, etc. is not widely culturally acceptable.  Also, the social conservatism of our culture, will penalize someone who’s “light” is contradictory to the predefined notions of what is acceptable behavior as a member of our culture.

As Philly stands proudly as a city that is distinct from its NE neighbors, it reminds me to value who I am, as well as who I am not.  My 4 years here have also taught me…to bring my full self to all experiences (personal and professional)…light is contagious…light attracts light...when your light shines, you encourage others to shine…joy is living who you are…and don’t stay in an environment where you aren’t illuminated or able to shine.     

I am sharing an excerpt from Marianne Williamson’s A Return to Love: Reflections on the Principles of A Course in Miracles and an except from Zora Neale Hurston’s Their Eyes Were Watching God to encourage you to always let your light shine.

--Mei

“Our deepest fear is not that we are inadequate. Our deepest fear is that we are powerful beyond measure. It is our light, not our darkness that most frightens us. We ask ourselves, Who am I to be brilliant, gorgeous, talented, fabulous? Actually, who are you not to be? You are a child of God. Your playing small does not serve the world. There is nothing enlightened about shrinking so that other people won't feel insecure around you. We are all meant to shine, as children do. We were born to make manifest the glory of God that is within us. It's not just in some of us; it's in everyone. And as we let our own light shine, we unconsciously give other people permission to do the same. As we are liberated from our own fear, our presence automatically liberates others.” -- Marianne Williamson, A Return to Love: Reflections on the Principles of A Course in Miracles

“When God had made The Man, he made him out of stuff that sung all the time and glittered all over. Then after that some angels got jealous and chipped him into millions of pieces, but still he glittered and hummed. So they beat him down to nothing but sparks but each little spark had a shine and a song. So they covered each one over with mud. And the lonesomeness in the sparks make them hunt for one another, but the mud is deaf and dumb. Like all the other tumbling mud-balls, Janie had tried to show her shine." -- Zora Neale Hurston, Their Eyes Were Watching God