I have not blogged in a while. This is not because I have had nothing to say. Indeed there are many times I’ve sat down to pen words, but it just didn’t feel right. It seemed like a premature report, as if I was making announcements and conclusions on lessons that have only begun to take root in my life. Though I can’t say these lessons have concluded, I feel more comfortable reporting on them.
So, here it goes.
My first two months in Goettingen have been special. It certainly came with challenges. My first couple weeks were really exhausting and I’m glad I took my friend, Elisabeth’s, advice by attending language school in Goettingen, where I’ll be living for the next year. Originally I planned on living one month in Berlin and another in Munich. But now, I’ve seen how long it takes to feel centered and I’m glad I stayed and will be staying in Goettingen.
Goettingen is a small college town. Nothing is more than 20 minutes away. My great joy is being able to walk and ride my bike everywhere. It was this simplicity of transit that I loved in London and tried to recreate in Atlanta… With not the greatest of affects haha.
But unlike these other cities Goettingen has its own charm. Life here is more organic then I’ve experienced before. Though the German resting bitch face is real, people are laid back and ready to sit, talk and drink the afternoon away. Its really quite charming… Though I’m starting to find all the cake and bread to be dangerous…
Goettingen is also well connected, sufficiently diverse, and filled with opportunities for the “finer life”. But there is plenty of escape and opportunity to disconnect and enjoy the simple life.
That’s where I’ve been hiding.
Language school in the morning, gym in the afternoon, cooking on my own in order to share with some of my new friends. I find my days roll through on this schedule with minor changes and surprises here and there. And honestly .. It’s been so nice. I find myself emerging in the quietness of the day, with full contentment in what I have and what I have been given. Some of this contentment is because of my attitude, but most of it is a reflection of living in a place that is meeting my needs. I feel like I’m living in a secure, safe and friendly environment something I’ve been craving in the last two years. And yet the newness gives plenty of opportunity to learn, think and grow.
Because of this I’ve been thinking that there is something to be said about how we revolve our lives around stillness and how we create rhythms of repetition in our lives . In a world that is constantly pushing us to be going, going, going… In endless pursuit of novelty … I wonder what happens when we decide to stay.
I’ve found that when I’ve been given room to breathe, think and say what is on my mind and heart …so that when I finally do go I have a better idea of where I’m going… Or at least where I’d liked to be going.
So thank you Goettingen, this summer has treated me well… And I’m definitely reorienting my compass 🙂
Pictures from my adventures below!
Goettingen with Elisabeth and Christian, ice cream and people from my Sprach Schule:
Pictures from my Trip to Hamburg with Lena and Mara:
Train in Frankfurt:
Hike to Berg Plese (I can’t spell it…) Also with Lena and Mara!
