The Rules
On August 31, 2019 by Keturah HaferkampWelp. Every traveler learns eventually that traveling means about 4% of all situations encountered will be within one’s personal control. All else is fair game for change adventure. To our surprise, the start date and end dates for our trip have changed. Now we plan to leave about 2 weeks later than we originally thought.
The shift has to do with which department I will be teaching in and which students I will be working with. Because the graduate school students will spend the first 3 weeks of the semester taking a series of assessment and placement tests, no teaching will begin until the end of the month. I suppose I could be there to watch the administering of said tests via their proctor, but I cannot see why I would do such a thing. Once students know their test scores they will be placed in their courses according to those scores. Then the teaching is scheduled to begin.
My husband and I always chuckle at life abroad. We have written a “low-key” reference guide for when things start shifting on us much like in this instance:
Rule #1: Be Flexible
remember it’s not your country; it’s not your culture; it’s not really supposed to go the way you expect
Rule #2: Be Humble
remember that when it doesn’t go the way you expect, that you don’t live by the mantra “my way or the highway”…be big enough to submit to a different kind of leadership than you might be used to
Rule #3: Be Patient
remember that when things don’t go your way, things might actually stay that way for a loooooong time…maybe the whole time that you are outside your comfort zone…maybe the rest of time itself. Grit your teeth, endure patiently and watch your Self grow into a stronger individual with a more generous spirit. The race is not always given to the fastest or strongest but to the one who is simply. still. there. It pays to endure.
Rule #4: Be Yourself
remember that even when life is all outta whack, you don’t have to be. You are still the same you. Make sure you get the basics taken care of: don’t have difficult conversations when you are hungry. EAT. Don’t try to make big decisions when you are tired. REST. Don’t call people when you are livid. Be still. Once you are refreshed, you are usually your best self. Don’t be afraid to take a time-out, take a shower, take a walk, read a little, pray a lot, take a deep breath, get in a place of peace. Then make the choice that needs to be made….even if that choice is a nap. 😉