“"Why do we have to listen to our hearts?" "Because, wherever your heart is, that is where you'll find your treasure." (Paul Coelho)

I've been spending some time reading Coelho's reflections and short stories (hence the quotation...)

This week has been filled with so much kindness and true hospitality.
On Saturday, we were invited to Aramuda's sister-in-law's house for Aramuda's birthday celebrations. The house was lovely, and we received such a warm welcome - complete with tea, a budgin (songs and music of praise), games, a lavish meal of dhosa (a very popular pancake-like food) and presents as we left!
I was struck by the overwhelming kindess and generousity of Aramuda's family as they welcomed our entire community into their home.

(The budgin room)

(On the roof)

(Some of Aramuda's family, members of Asha Niketan and me!)

In honest reflection of my time here thus far, it's been filled with many challenges, moments of great joy and real peace. I'm beginning to truly understand what it means to be an outsider, and, as Katharine our community leader pointed out, it's an important way to feel solidarity with those who have felt like outsiders their entire lives.

I tried to identify what some of my biggest challenges have been, and they include:

-being stared at all the time

-not understanding what it being communicated

-not being understood

-being ignored

And so, isn't the same true for most people who have been marginalized?

It's so important for me to surrender to this, and be thankful for all that I learn from it.

Love from India
Haley.