The big marshmallow that is my life

I am struck on this trip particularly of how comfortable my life is. I have traveled to developing nations before and felt so blessed – so rich. But this time, this has been a different view. Maybe it is because I have primarily been at home for the better part of two years. Maybe I just feel older. I have slowly sunk into the easy and comforting routine of work, exercise, tv watching, reading a murder mystery. I love my bed. I literally feel this (and think lovingly of my own bed) though I don’t want to go home. But, man, I really like being comfortable. What I think about as I people watch is “I would just want to go somewhere cool and secure” but that is never an option for most. There is nothing to compare your life to if you have never known anything else. I keep thinking that in a few hours I will be comfortable again, air conditioning, food, shower.

All that has distracted me seems like fluff, like a big marshmallow that has consumed me, lulled me. I am rambling. But if I was at home, I would be longing to be here. I know it - so it is not about missing stuff or homesickness - quite the opposite. Yes, I feel rich and am (and FYI we all are by the global standard). This time, my experience is teaching me how easy my life is. It is not just that I have more things. I have refuge from the storms of life but I can't stay there. That is not our calling.