01 September 2009

Guilt

Lots of time i struggle with feeling guilty. Some struggles are more lighthearted than others, like feeling guilty for being 120-something lbs when i'm getting a ride on someone's bike. But other days, usually as i'm walking around dusty Kampala, i see sleeping babies sitting on the streets with their little hands held out for anything. Or less heartbreaking but still an issue: when i'm at a ceremony or huge celebration and i'm one of the first (out of hundreds) to get served lunch cause i'm foreign. Then even as a volunteer here, i get a living allowance that exceeds most of my friends yearly pay.

Any suggestions my friends out there?

To end on a happier note, for the past few days (for more language training) we're in a gorgeous part of Uganda. Northwest of Kampala, its just green for days and days!

Thanks Welita for your letter! I was so happy to get it. Thanks Nate for the gummy bears~ they were just what the doctor ordered.
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8 comments:

  1. AnonymousSeptember 1, 2009 at 1:46 PM

    hello lil leste,
    like you told me, just look up and you'll see.

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  2. Michael HarrisonSeptember 1, 2009 at 2:50 PM

    Celeste, a countermeasure for "guilt" is gratitude - gratitude for what one has been given in life, gratitude for the seeming overwhelming responsibility that comes with "wealth" (however you measure it), and gratitude that Providence has seen fit to entrust us with much (again, however you measure it) so that we can be faithful with much. If one spends one's time being grateful, one has little time for "guilt" - because guilt can be yet another form of selfishness. Being grateful means considering the worth of others before one's own and trying to share, not so much what one has, but what one is. It is more important to "be" than to "do". ++Michael (a Dad of a new PCV in "the pearl")

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  3. matreSeptember 3, 2009 at 7:00 AM

    green? as green as the hills we saw in Kentucky? Remember we called Javier, just to tell him how beautiful the color was and we were sure Crayola could not match it! Guilt. hmm. it's a calling card. inviting you to see someone else's world. an invitation to enter, and not retreat. mija, you can enter with a smile~M&Ms~a cup of tea~in dancing~walking with Paulie to the postal center~sharing your experiences on a blog... I agree with Stefan, look up! and Michael, be Celeste~ you are a unique gift from God to the world! con carino, be good, NKWAGALA TANTO! su mama

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  4. matreSeptember 3, 2009 at 7:49 PM

    Hola mija! after a full day of work, and before leaving, i danced with you! ~to los laureles. it was nice.

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  5. UnknownSeptember 14, 2009 at 11:26 AM

    This comment has been removed by the author.

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  6. UnknownSeptember 14, 2009 at 11:27 AM

    :)

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  7. dallaselvisSeptember 14, 2009 at 5:46 PM

    Hi Celeste, just a short note to let you know that you are in our thoughts and prayers. hope all is well with you. Be safe.

    with love, tio paul and rosemary

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  8. International Development, Community, and EnvironmentSeptember 17, 2009 at 3:38 AM

    Hola familia,
    Les extrano mucho y ojala que esten bien! I love you!

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