So recently I began a weekly schedule of morning energizers with scholars in each village. In Bedaabour we do Bailey's Bootcamp. This is a high intensity mix of running, sprints, lunges, dips, push-ups, and abs. It is a hit for the local children to either watch us in our agony or join in on the routine.
In Kwame Dwaa there is a different source of energy. One of the scholars, Alex or Yaw Manu, has an incredible hour long Yoga session with a Yogi from Los Angeles. The first morning we stationed in an abandoned cocoa shed in the village. It is next to a soccer field that was hosting a morning match. The inside of the space is very industrial with no roof so we were enclosed in this large concrete room, being guided through meditation and movement, with the sky above us. Pretty amazing.
On Tuesday I arrived in Kwame Dwaa at 645am to see which scholars would join me. One of the boys was feeling ill and the two girls decided to opt into early breakfast. Will, the other boy scholar, decided he would come join me for the yoga session. It was raining on this morning so we decided to move our venue to the Baptist Church that sits just atop the village on a small incline.
He and I settled into a spot in the corner of the building facing the village. The church is a rectangular shape made of cement blocks, vaulted ceilings, and openings for windows. It was hazy outside and rain was coming down at a steady pace but not heavily enough to create too much sound on the metal roof.
We situated on our mats, turned on the recording, and began the session.
It is worth noting I took off my glasses while doing yoga so I could not clearly see at much of a distance. Through the window I saw muted but distinguishable colors and shapes that I knew to be trees and buildings. It was like a painting made to be abstract but recognizable by your memory.
The instructor opens with a meditation chant and then precedes through sun salutations and moderate level yoga sequences. What most impresses me about this recording is the positive affirmations he gives. He talks about being in the moment. Understanding that when we reach and particular position we have never been there before and never will be there again. He urges us to see the miracle in living.
We talk a lot to our scholars about intentionality. Community development in the sense of Thinkimpact is about building relationships not providing assistance. We are here in the communities to understand how people live, what decisions they make, and where they may adaptations to their routines in response to things happening around them. It is only with intention you are able to build deep and authentic relationships.
This premise is true about any human connection we experience. We must seek to immerse with one another in the experience of living with gratitude and openness. It is with this spirit that bonds are formed across any span, especially cultures.
The rhythm of life is a shared one. The way we live each day, the things we do to survive, are all similar no matter where you are. You do not have to speak the same language to appreciate the common threads between us.
I am enjoying being in this moment. Appreciating the opportunities before me. Offering gratitude to those around me for sharing their time with me.
That was zen...and this is now!
tim
In Kwame Dwaa there is a different source of energy. One of the scholars, Alex or Yaw Manu, has an incredible hour long Yoga session with a Yogi from Los Angeles. The first morning we stationed in an abandoned cocoa shed in the village. It is next to a soccer field that was hosting a morning match. The inside of the space is very industrial with no roof so we were enclosed in this large concrete room, being guided through meditation and movement, with the sky above us. Pretty amazing.
On Tuesday I arrived in Kwame Dwaa at 645am to see which scholars would join me. One of the boys was feeling ill and the two girls decided to opt into early breakfast. Will, the other boy scholar, decided he would come join me for the yoga session. It was raining on this morning so we decided to move our venue to the Baptist Church that sits just atop the village on a small incline.
He and I settled into a spot in the corner of the building facing the village. The church is a rectangular shape made of cement blocks, vaulted ceilings, and openings for windows. It was hazy outside and rain was coming down at a steady pace but not heavily enough to create too much sound on the metal roof.
We situated on our mats, turned on the recording, and began the session.
It is worth noting I took off my glasses while doing yoga so I could not clearly see at much of a distance. Through the window I saw muted but distinguishable colors and shapes that I knew to be trees and buildings. It was like a painting made to be abstract but recognizable by your memory.
The instructor opens with a meditation chant and then precedes through sun salutations and moderate level yoga sequences. What most impresses me about this recording is the positive affirmations he gives. He talks about being in the moment. Understanding that when we reach and particular position we have never been there before and never will be there again. He urges us to see the miracle in living.
We talk a lot to our scholars about intentionality. Community development in the sense of Thinkimpact is about building relationships not providing assistance. We are here in the communities to understand how people live, what decisions they make, and where they may adaptations to their routines in response to things happening around them. It is only with intention you are able to build deep and authentic relationships.
This premise is true about any human connection we experience. We must seek to immerse with one another in the experience of living with gratitude and openness. It is with this spirit that bonds are formed across any span, especially cultures.
The rhythm of life is a shared one. The way we live each day, the things we do to survive, are all similar no matter where you are. You do not have to speak the same language to appreciate the common threads between us.
I am enjoying being in this moment. Appreciating the opportunities before me. Offering gratitude to those around me for sharing their time with me.
That was zen...and this is now!
tim
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