So here we are about to start Month 7 (I still can’t believe that). For those who don’t know, 5 times during the Race our entire squad meets up for a Debrief. It’s a time of reflection, relaxation, and rejuvenation. We just finished our 3rd debrief which was in Skopje, Macedonia. Honestly, going into it, I was a little anxious. The thought of being with 50 people for 5 days is kind of intimidating. We are usually all piled into rooms in a hostel (or two) fighting over wifi, with our stuff exploded everywhere, and attending sessions and various activities throughout the week. Most of the time I feel more exhausted at the end than rejuvenated.
However, this one was different. After hitting the halfway point on the race, I was exhausted. We had a pretty busy month in Albania, and being gone from home for 6 months is hard. Things that are incredible have become normal, and the disconnection with friends, family, and the normalcies of home are hard. So going into this debrief, I was dreading it, but God (once again) gave me exactly what I needed.
Everyone re-energizes a different way. Some by spending time with people, some by being in solitude, some by doing absolutely nothing, and others by adventure. In previous months, I was one of the “absolutely nothing” people. I laid in bed, overloaded on movies and snacks, and just chilled for the 5 days that we had. It never really helped anything. Like I said earlier, I always felt more exhausted and less renewed. So this month I decided to change things up a bit.
During the free time at debrief (thank you leadership), I climbed a mountain before leaving Tirana, Albania, I kayaked in a Canyon in Macedonia (twice), I rode a cable car to the Millennium Cross, and had countless walking adventures to museums, restaurants, statues, and gelato. I can honestly say, I have never felt more rested. Resting in the beauty that God created is the only way for me to feel filled up. Relaxing in the middle of a canyon with gorgeous mountains, enjoying ice cream with friends by a canal (or on a pirate ship), and just spending time enjoying the beautiful city around me is how I spent my time and it was worth it.
In the movie Eat, Pray, Love, there is a scene where she talks about her desire to just sit and marvel at something. I always loved that phrase because I often feel like I can’t do that. To just sit and appreciate the beauty that is in front of you is a foreign concept to me. Going on the Race, I thought that would be easy. I get to travel to all these awesome places, but so quickly it all became normal. Every country may be different, but it loses it’s wonder.
So I am thankful. Coming into Month 7, I had lost the “awe” for the World Race. It was just another country, with a new culture that I had to learn, with new people to connect with. I still have my same old backpack, we have the same routine every month, and it became normal. BUT God gave me a new picture. A thankfulness for where I am, an awe for what I have seen and walked through, and hope for the rest of the race. We may only have 5 more months, but they are going to be incredible. Each one different and unique in it’s own way, with a million things to be in awe of.
So instead of leaving this debrief exhausted and empty, I’m leaving refueled and ready to go. This month is a fresh start and there is so much more to come. So thanks for reading and following my journey!
