Hello again, friends.
Quite honestly, i have been going out of my mind in Paris.
It's strange to be so conflicted about something so enriching. I'm finally here, living my dreams and studying abroad in France. Everywhere i look, French. French people, French food, French language, French French French. It's wonderful, to an extent. I feel bad complaining about something so wonderful, but being so thoroughly disconnected from my normal, day-to-day life has been a sharp adjustment.
Yes, Paris is fantastic. Paris is beautiful, amazing, exciting, and more intensely amorous than i ever could have anticipated. And yet -- being here in this beautiful, whimsical place, makes me feel... well... lazy. I feel guilty about all the things i am not doing, about all the things i am not achieving, and more specifically, all of the causes i am not fighting for at home because of my current geographical location.
The more i try to tell myself to just relax and enjoy the experience, the more irritated i become at myself for treating study abroad as a vacation instead of a calling. Yes, i want to immerse myself in language, culture, and history. But i have always been proud of my activism at home, and i'm feeling a bit... confused about my inability to reach out while abroad.
To help hush this internal dialogue, i've started a fundraising page for Invisible Children, which is (thanks to the marvels of the 21st century) just as easily accessed here in Paris as in the US.
Invisible Children is an amazing organization which uses social media, global outreach, national campaigning, and sustainable industry to end human rights violations in Uganda. More specifically, it seeks to end the conflict in Uganda by stopping the abduction, murder, and exploitation of children as child soldiers and cannon fodder.
If you would like to learn more about this wonderful organization, visit their website, where you can watch documentary footage, learn about their bracelet campaign, and find out the details of their protection plan.
If you've already been exposed to the kind of hope and opportunity that is created by Invisible Children, or you are moved by the links above, please consider Supporting the Invisible Children through my donations page.
The world is an amazing place, full of opportunity, joy, love, and compassion. i have made it a priority in my life to never let a day be wasted, and my experience abroad has helped to solidify that truth in my heart. Our lives get busy, we put things off and mean to get to them later, our days become hectic with personal worries, fears, and aspirations. And sometimes, even our goals, chores, and personal aspirations block our conscious abilities to reach out to one another. So please, take a moment, take a breath, and take account of those invisible children in the world who desperately need your help today. $1 or $100 can make the difference in the lives of thousands today, if we only make the decision to care.
All my Love and Thanks,
brynn
Quite honestly, i have been going out of my mind in Paris.
It's strange to be so conflicted about something so enriching. I'm finally here, living my dreams and studying abroad in France. Everywhere i look, French. French people, French food, French language, French French French. It's wonderful, to an extent. I feel bad complaining about something so wonderful, but being so thoroughly disconnected from my normal, day-to-day life has been a sharp adjustment.
Yes, Paris is fantastic. Paris is beautiful, amazing, exciting, and more intensely amorous than i ever could have anticipated. And yet -- being here in this beautiful, whimsical place, makes me feel... well... lazy. I feel guilty about all the things i am not doing, about all the things i am not achieving, and more specifically, all of the causes i am not fighting for at home because of my current geographical location.
The more i try to tell myself to just relax and enjoy the experience, the more irritated i become at myself for treating study abroad as a vacation instead of a calling. Yes, i want to immerse myself in language, culture, and history. But i have always been proud of my activism at home, and i'm feeling a bit... confused about my inability to reach out while abroad.
To help hush this internal dialogue, i've started a fundraising page for Invisible Children, which is (thanks to the marvels of the 21st century) just as easily accessed here in Paris as in the US.
Invisible Children is an amazing organization which uses social media, global outreach, national campaigning, and sustainable industry to end human rights violations in Uganda. More specifically, it seeks to end the conflict in Uganda by stopping the abduction, murder, and exploitation of children as child soldiers and cannon fodder.
If you would like to learn more about this wonderful organization, visit their website, where you can watch documentary footage, learn about their bracelet campaign, and find out the details of their protection plan.
If you've already been exposed to the kind of hope and opportunity that is created by Invisible Children, or you are moved by the links above, please consider Supporting the Invisible Children through my donations page.
The world is an amazing place, full of opportunity, joy, love, and compassion. i have made it a priority in my life to never let a day be wasted, and my experience abroad has helped to solidify that truth in my heart. Our lives get busy, we put things off and mean to get to them later, our days become hectic with personal worries, fears, and aspirations. And sometimes, even our goals, chores, and personal aspirations block our conscious abilities to reach out to one another. So please, take a moment, take a breath, and take account of those invisible children in the world who desperately need your help today. $1 or $100 can make the difference in the lives of thousands today, if we only make the decision to care.
All my Love and Thanks,
brynn
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