Less is more

When asked, what I miss most about living in El Salvador, I respond with, living the simple life. The simple life; life that has less of a focus on materials and "stuff", and more of a focus on peace, values, and compassion for others.

Some days, I find myself more stressed and anxious living here, and I don't even have a job! After over 2 years of living a very simple life (practically living out of a suitcase or a backpack), the amount of options and choices I have to make are a bit overwhelming.

When did getting dressed in the morning become such a struggle?  So many options! As soon as I accept that I will no longer weigh 100 lbs again, I will donate my clothing. This will help eliminate at least 30% of my clothing. Also, thank goodness for my stylish friends  who are certainly not afraid to tell me which of my clothes are out of fashion (*cough, cough, thanks Laura. hehe)  This will also help me with the selection process of what to keep in the closet.  So that will narrow my options down to about 10 outfits, which will be just fine with me. Even with the epic battles I have with my closet each morning, I still only wear the same 5-10 outfits anyway. 

So, before coming home, the thought of watching TV (since I've gone years without it) sounded quite appealing to me.  However, with the amount of channels on DISH, I end up spending more time flipping through the channels then I do actually watching something. I gave up on TV, and will unfortunately not be able to partake in any conversations regarding recent television shows. (Who the hell is Honey boo boo??! Sorry Mindy, I tried to follow your conversation! hah)

Anyone, feel free to pass good movie suggestions my way.

Oh, and how could I forget, grocery stores.. whew. Just the thought of them makes my heart pound.  My first time in a grocery store experience; So I gave myself 2 weeks to indulge on food.... To yes, go completely overboard and eat anything and everything.  2 weeks,  to eat all that junk food I craved. After finding, the WHOLE aisle of just cookies, I had to now decide, what kind of cookie? Oreos, of course! Found them! Oh wait, but did I?  Berry burst Oreo. Cool Mint Cream Oreo. Triple double chocolate Oreo. Coconut Delight Oreo. Cookies and Cream Oreo. Where are just the plain Oreos? 

And we wonder why 35% of Americans are obese. Well, I suppose, one way to look at it is one can certainly get their exercise walking around these massive grocery stores trying to find something  ;) hehe.

Another big adjustment for me would be the cool, popular, unique factor (or, the lack thereof).  I'm no different then anyone else walking the streets here. Why would I be? I'm just a white girl. One amongst the other 93% of people here.. No, "buenos dias,""Salu!" or "Hola" No greetings. No acknowledgments. No eye contact. There are no children running up to hug me. Here in Lewisburg, Pennsylvania, I am just another white person walking the streets. I'm not a rock star. No one knows my name, nor do I know theirs.

Okay so I probably wasn't THAT cool in El Salvador either. People just really liked me because I was different, and I was also able to help broaden their conversations beyond the weather and corn.  I'm sure other PCVs can relate, that in our communities we are spoiled.  People go out of their way to make sure we feel special and are comfortable. Giving up their seat for you. Giving you the first plate of food. Sending their son up the mango or avocado tree to bring some down for you. 

With all that being said, my first week back to the states, I passed a sign hung outside, that said "Live simply. So that others may simply live." This sign was hung outside a very tiny house (which appeared to once be someone's shed) nestled between two larger houses.

I really liked the quote, and the longer I am back and living in the US, the more I am beginning to think more and more just what this quote means to me. The simple life is not only beneficial to myself (less stress and a more relaxed way of living), but to others as well.  Our actions affect half a world away. You are part of a much bigger story than your own. We are a world of people that from different backgrounds, ethnic groups, financial status, etc. But we are all one. We are all humans. Our responsibility of humans is to look out for each other. To be compassionate and understanding. We are all striving to reach a common goal; happiness. So why make it harder for people? Our greed needs to turn back into remembering our needs.We need to slow down, we really do. When you get more and more, another is getting less and less. That doesn't seem like a fair equation, does it?

Random picture for this blog, but uhm... Happy FALL!!?!

An image from my Peace Corps experience that will likely always stick with me. The village children going through my burning trash to salvage something that I threw out (A half eaten tomato that I thought was too old to be eaten, or a cereal box that they could make a toy house out of.)

 Did it really have to get to that to to really show me just how wasteful I am?

 

I certainly am far from perfect, and there are many things I wish I could do different. I wish I would grow my own food. I wish I didn't feel the need to buy the Iphone. I wish I could hit that delete button on my facebook account. I wish I could be a vegan (unfortunately, I love cheese and ice cream too much, ahah) I wish I could say that I don't own 28 headbands. I have a long way to go. Living in a developing country has certainly helped raise this awareness, and I know it will only continue to grow.

I came to El Salvador with the intention to help develop a community. I left with more than just that. This community of people helped develop me instead. I learned more from them, then they will ever know. Thank you Calderitas.

"If you get a chance, take it. If it changes your life,  let it."