I am back in my hometown in the states this week and next. Soaking up cool autumn air and wide open spaces. I am a lucky lady that I get to head home often from India.
I took a lovely long walk this sunny afternoon to celebrate the changing seasons and my time spent at my home here. While walking I started thinking about how much I have changed whilst living in a foreign country. For instance, I find that I walk more than ever before to not only conserve natural resources but also to maintain a healthier lifestyle.
I spend a lot more time reading books, others blogs, and news journals and significantly less time watching TV. This substantially increases the general feeling of the day's length. You should definetly try life with less TV! I also think that this has genuinely improved my attitude as well. Another good selling point. To put this in perspective, I watch on average about 30 minutes a day compared to the US average of about 5 hours. Consider what other hobbies and loves you could develop with less time wasted on TV.
I am more of a patriot than ever before which I am told most expats go one way or the other on this aspect. Either closer love of home or a deeper resentment of it. I see an American flag and now...I cry. Really!!!
I enjoy my family more. I think living 8,000 miles away definetly gives you perspective on this one. Spending quality time together and tolerating differences better. This week, I had a lovely dinner at my house here in Arkansas with my parents who are in their 70s and discussed all the ways life is different now than when they were children. It was a fantastic, relaxing evening.
I have also determined a much more unique style to my wardrobe and manner of speaking. I think living life as a foreigner forces you to acknowledge that, well heck you are always going to stand out so you might as well embrace it. This creates a deeper level of confidence than I have ever experienced before.
I have also learned the value in owning less stuff, appreciating what you have more, and generally consuming less. This also allows you to save a lot more money which is another perk of being an expat.
All in all, good changes. Happy that my life has forced these on me and glad I am and continue to be open to them.
I took a lovely long walk this sunny afternoon to celebrate the changing seasons and my time spent at my home here. While walking I started thinking about how much I have changed whilst living in a foreign country. For instance, I find that I walk more than ever before to not only conserve natural resources but also to maintain a healthier lifestyle.
I spend a lot more time reading books, others blogs, and news journals and significantly less time watching TV. This substantially increases the general feeling of the day's length. You should definetly try life with less TV! I also think that this has genuinely improved my attitude as well. Another good selling point. To put this in perspective, I watch on average about 30 minutes a day compared to the US average of about 5 hours. Consider what other hobbies and loves you could develop with less time wasted on TV.
I am more of a patriot than ever before which I am told most expats go one way or the other on this aspect. Either closer love of home or a deeper resentment of it. I see an American flag and now...I cry. Really!!!
I enjoy my family more. I think living 8,000 miles away definetly gives you perspective on this one. Spending quality time together and tolerating differences better. This week, I had a lovely dinner at my house here in Arkansas with my parents who are in their 70s and discussed all the ways life is different now than when they were children. It was a fantastic, relaxing evening.
I have also determined a much more unique style to my wardrobe and manner of speaking. I think living life as a foreigner forces you to acknowledge that, well heck you are always going to stand out so you might as well embrace it. This creates a deeper level of confidence than I have ever experienced before.
I have also learned the value in owning less stuff, appreciating what you have more, and generally consuming less. This also allows you to save a lot more money which is another perk of being an expat.
All in all, good changes. Happy that my life has forced these on me and glad I am and continue to be open to them.
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