[with love].

just the beginning.. and already the end.

so today was our last day of class at university of cape town. and i cannot believe it has already arrived. i wrote this to aaron today, but i feel like it was just yesterday that he was telling us about the possibility of a trip to south africa. and now, three weeks later, it is coming to its end. (i am now crying like a big fat baby).

today, we had an exercise that we had to do in class. it revolved around what truly mattered to each of us individually. we then took turns going around with a different person to share what our thoughts were. and here is my response:

what is truly important to me? i guess i have never really thought of that question.. or the answer to it. but i have thought of the one thing that pulls everything in my life together.. and that is love. love is what keeps my life connected. also another connection i made is that love is my passion. and i love being passionate. love is found with my family, my friends, my community.. and i hope in the future, that love is found in career. someone showed me their tattoo (i won't disclose who.. just in case) and told me the meaning behind it. it was a rope tied with a pendant that symbolized love.. it meant that everything is tied together by love. just amazing.

and how do i relate it back to leadership? (since this is a leadership minor trip)... in my personal definition of leadership, love is an important part. you need passion to be a good leader.. and passion stems from love. you have to love the people you are serving, and you have to be passionate about what you are doing. if not.. in the end, it will feel like a burden or an obligation. i do not want to look back on my life and see burdens or regrets.

also, i want to be honest when i say, that i am truly scared to go back home. i do not want to lose this feeling that i have at this moment. i feel like i am going back a changed person to a place that i had left three weeks ago. i am not the person i was three weeks ago.. or at least i hope not. i am truly scared at how well i can assimilate back.

ah.. our last night here. we're having a big braii tonight.. which is basically a bbq. i am so glad to have met all the people i have on this trip.. but goodbyes are bittersweet. but i know, that tonight will be filled with love. and (corny part).. love is all you need (but true).

love always.