Friday night this week was a rainy drive past Zurich to a small village to a church leadership meeting for the young girls I work with. I walk in with my friend Sandra a few minutes late.... The meeting is in German. Sandra is Swiss and speaks German and English and sits next to me to interpret. I smile as the speaker talks for a few minutes then Sandra leans over and says, "They are grateful we are all here." Some things get lost in translation-- Moving from one language to another is a miracle to me---- and not easy. I love it when Sandra is explaining something and the translation makes me think of an idea in a new light. One idea that was translated was, "build walls to feel safe." My first thoughts were around the idea that building walls seems like disconnecting with people but in that moment the image I thought of was creating a space where everyone feels comfortable and connected. I next thought of walls in a home. It made me think of creating spaces where we are safe.... My world and the world I step into everyday or online is a scary one and I began to wonder how to build these little havens... The thought, Stand ye in Holy Places and Be Not Moved, is shared. Maybe it's like building walls around ourselves to keep us safe and holy--- walls that do the opposite of disconnecting with people but walls that help others feel safe just being near...
Sitting in a familiar setting in a language I don't understand leaves me time to think in my own private space in the room. I continue to think and ponder about language and these moments push my understanding a bit deeper. I think when our spiritual language is present and felt it creates a feeling that even though we are different we belong together. I stood out as the different one in this moment and really I should have felt left out but I didn't, even without words. Recognizing a peaceful beautiful language of belonging. I left with thoughts lingering but a desire to carry this spiritual language with me, that when felt by others, celebrates the fact that we are all different but we all belong---
Quotes of the week---
Leo why aren't you eating your snack? (British accent) "It isn't delicious to me!"
Marcus and Yotam talking as they walk out the door, "Let's do something boyish!"
Reading the story Family Tree, Marcus points to the tree with faces and says, "You look at that and imagine someone else's life."
Language is a beautiful tool for thinking! Thoughtful perspectives from translation and happy profound thoughts from a child....
No comments:
Post a Comment