Advice
After my lovely feelings of jet lag, I feel that I have dreamed the past six weeks. From Bonn, to Nordeney, to Andernach, Luxembourg City, Dublin, Vienna, Köningswinter, to Berlin, I have to tell myself those places were real! I am grateful for this journey, and for the friends I got to share it with.
I feel I have changed a bit in that I have a better grasp of no matter the obstacles in the way, or how long it will take, I will make it to my destination. It causes me to be more flexible and less neurotic about the circumstances of my travel and ultimately, my life. Over the course of the program, there has been instances of late trains (or no trains at all), confusion over cultural differences, and not the best homestay situation. However, I was always able to get home or to my target destination, manage to be kind and figure out what I or the other person needed, and to make the best out of my homestay by being there for dinner, cleaning up, and riding the horse!
I would give the younger Anna Beth some advice that the worry of making something perfect does not guarantee a perfect journey. I was so intense on making my Hero's Journey a perfect story of life-change and accomplishment that I could forget at times to have joy and be flexible in every and any situation. I would tell her to change her definition of relentlessness and grit in that it does not require an unwavering stubbornness, but rather a steadfast commitment paired with the flexibility to adapt and pivot when circumstances change.
I am grateful to have shared these times with you!
This is such a good outlook to have gained from this trip, and I feel it will benefit you so much in life. I am so glad you were able to make the best out of this trip despite all the obstacles. I hope you are able to get over the jet lag soon, and good luck on your MCAT!!!!
ReplyDeleteI feel very similarly to you, Anna Beth. I feel like I've always been so hell bent on making everything perfect and quickly becoming frustrated with myself when things don't go to plan. This trip was a perfect learning opportunity to realize that one way or another, things always work out, and that even through the frustration and stress one is still able to make amazing memories and have a great time. Thank you for sharing <3
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