Goodbye

Five years ago, I followed a personal dream and moved to the United States. It was the sacrifice I was willing to make to pursue a Bachelors in International Relations, which was not offered by the St. Augustine campus at the University of West Indies in Trinidad. More than that... I wanted to "go away." I knew there was a whole new world outside of Trinidad and studying in the US was my connection to the rest of the world.

I had no idea that after moving to the US my life would change so much and that I would travel all over the world. After all, in these past 5 years, I've traveled more than I have in the 20 years prior to this and many of my dreams have come true. I've sand surfed in the Sahara desert in Egypt; explored the beautiful caravan city of Petra in Jordan; conserved tortugas negras (black turtles) in Colola, Mexico; met with noble peace prize winners and past militants in Northern Ireland; partied in Ireland; explored Kuwait; and visited the most beautiful center for reconciliation and forgiveness in Caux, Switzerland. I had a fabulous time in each country and learned so much about myself and this journey called life. One sentence pretty much sums up my travels "voy a ir donde mi vida me llave... I'll go wherever life takes me." And life has taken me to meet some of the most amazing people in the world and truly learn about myself:)

What I did not count on was that life was going to take me to pursue a Masters degree in London:) Studying at the LSE is going to be a dream come true, but moving from Washington to London is going to be one of the more difficult moves I've had in my life. I have exactly 6 days left in the great USA... and it all seems so surreal. I still can't believe I'm leaving. I've changed so much in these 5 years. I've grown up and become a better person. I've become a global citizen and a leader.

Perhaps, maybe this move is not goodbye forever. I hope to return one day for either a PhD/JD. After all, some of the most amazing people I've met in life have been Americans. They've challenged me, inspired me, welcomed me warmly and always encouraged me to strive for the best.

To Lehigh University, I will always be indebted... my alma mater for life. Thank you, thank you so much to Lehigh staff, faculty, alumni and students. I can never put into words how my Lehigh scholarship changed my life, by allowing me to study under some of the top IR scholars in the world and by sending me to study in Egypt, Washington, Mexico and Northern Ireland. It was truly an honor to be a Lehigh student and now a young alumna. I thank you from the bottom of my heart.

To six of my best friends whom I met in America (JA, JT, DF, MM, SG, AB) thank you all for giving me the world- for teaching me, accepting me for who I am, loving me and still inviting me to grow. I've gone through the best and worst times with each of you... and as Egyptians would say, shukran kitir (a million thanks). I love you all and will always keep you in my heart and mind:)

To my co-workers at Initiatives of Change, I have learned so much from all of you. I've enjoyed working as conference coordinator on the Human Security conference and I've grown as a person. Thank you for imparting Frank Buchman's philosophy into my life and for embracing me whole heartedly as a leader and as a Caux scholar. I truly hope to "be the change that I see in the world," as Gandhi- ji encouraged.

To all those of you who have changed my life in some small way (too many names to mention), thank you so much! I will take the lessons that you have taught me with me every step of the way.

As the quotation says "take too many pictures, laugh too much, and love like you've never been hurt because every sixty seconds you spend upset is a minute of happiness you'll never get back." Thank you all so much... and Alhamdudillah that I was blessed to meet such wonderful people and experience this great opportunity of living in the United States of America.

"A Simple Path..."

I've recently been reflecting on my personal relationships with friends. I came across these words of wisdom by Mother Theresa:

"People are often unreasonable, illogical, and self-centered;
Forgive them anyway.

If you are kind, people may accuse you of selfish, ulterior motives;
Be kind anyway.

If you are successful, you will win some false friends and some true enemies;
Succeed anyway.

If you are honest and frank, people may cheat you;
Be honest and frank anyway.

What you spend years building, someone could destroy overnight;
Build anyway.

If you find serenity and happiness, they may be jealous;
Be happy anyway.

The good you do today, people will often forget tomorrow;
Do good anyway.

Give the world the best you have, and it may never be enough;
Give the world the best you've got anyway.

You see, in the final analysis, it is between you and God;
It was never between you and them anyway."

— Mother Teresa, A Simple Path

I have found these verses very true and applicable in my life. Recently, someone I would consider a good friend, accused me of being insincere and manipulative. I always thought that those around me knew me best... but for her to be so off kilter in her analysis of me, quite frankly shocked me. Why did things change so quickly? How can someone be so wrong, but not realize it? More importantly, how can I transform this situation into a peaceful one?

I have a background in conflict resolution and through this personal conflict I have realized that meditation is better than mediation. I prayer to God and trust that He will direct my life. I plan to always give the world (my family and friends) the best I have, even if it may never be enough and I plan to be kind even if people accuse me of selfish, ulterior motives. Because, as Mother Theresa says, in the final analysis, it is only between me and God.