Here, I’m Living Well

Lately the minutes, hours, days and months are moving at rapid speed. A whole lot of living has been happening. A beautiful feeling it truly is to look back on those minutes, hours, days, months and know they were indeed lived well. It’s strange that I keep having to remind myself that I only have, roughly, four months left here until I leave for longer than I ever have. And it’s strange that in certain moments of sweet and true bliss, my brain and heart align in their unison to thoroughly enjoy what’s in the now. It’s like they join in an understanding to savor the specifics. 

“It’s really fascinating when we take moments to recognize all that’s moving, making noise and occupying space. I think it’s equally important to be so full of life that you’re healthily consumed and on the other hand so full of life that you’re contently aware of each moment in order to recognize the little mundane things. I’m imagining a time where I’ll look back and want to remember everything. I want to write everything down. The people I’m falling in love with. The music that helped me understand how I’m feeling. The smells of home, my favorite foods, my sisters perfume, the ride to work every morning even though I complain about how the same route gets boring. I want to remember even the littlest of details about my life right now. The unknown is becoming inevitable, sort of excitingly so. To remember this random Tuesday in March, I need to pay more attention. Be in a soul state of stillness so my attention is available to grab. I want to be consumed in the now. Jesus, within the next few days, weeks, months, however long you’d like, show me the simple joys. The little as well as the large. Make me aware of mundane beauty. I give you an endless timeline..”  

I wrote those words in my journal two months ago and similar ones this morning. I asked God back in March to show me all the little things to keep in the pocket of my mind so I’ll remember when I’m a long way from this physical home in Louisiana. It’s been so sweet to feel the weight of taking advantage of everything. The simplicity of being present. It’s funny because I haven’t embarked on The Race yet, but the adventure in me has already begun. 

I’m already learning. I’m already receiving. I’m already remembering. I think it’s an interesting state to be in when you’re becoming aware. Choosing to understand what’s unfamiliar so the brain grows familiar. 

“I’ll never forget the trouble, the utter lostness, 

the taste of ashes, the poison I’ve swallowed. 

I remember it all – oh, how well I remember 

the feeling of hitting the bottom. 

But there’s one other thing I remember,

and remembering, I keep a grip on hope.”

(Lamentations 3:19-21 MSG)

Fully submerged, remarkably immersed, drawing close. I want that to be the rhythm of my ordinary, simple life. Back in March, today on this sunny day home and in a few months when I’m sleeping in a different country. I like how I ended that journal entry with “I give you an endless timeline” because of how prevalent it is for my future on The Race.

It’s for any current here. 

here, home in the states

here, home in Eswatini

here, home in Thailand

here, home in Costa Rica

here, back home in the states again. 

I keep a grip on Hope.

Wishing love, blessings and beauty to spring forth… thank you for choosing to read my words if you did. 

All my love,

<3 Kayli Grace