Home Again.

A friend recently sent me this quote:

"develop an interest in life as you see it; the people, things, literature, music - the world is so rich, simply throbbing with rich treasures, beautiful souls and interesting people. forget yourself. it isn't the oceans which cut us off from the world - it's the American way of looking at things."
-henry miller

This embodies so much of what I came to believe last semester, as well as the beautiful opportunity I had this past week to travel within America (make note: Miller is referring to an American perspective in his quote, not America itself)

These being my first travels since returning home, it was natural that I was initially missing the people and places I experienced in Europe. However I was reminded of my revelation back in November about how much I wanted to return to the U.S. and begin to discover its own riches (since I have been "hating" on America for some time now). As this revelation resurfaced, I found myself allowing each city to awaken my soul to its liking. Upon our return home, I can say that I truly felt each city.

In an attempt to experience each city in the way that it is meant to be experienced, I have returned with (finally) a greater appreciation for my home country. It began to sink in in St. Louis, where we were once again reminded of Lewis and Clark's expedition into America's west. The bravery and courage these men and their party sustained in one of history's most daring expeditions. It is this America that I am proud of.

But it really hit me driving through the cornfields in Illinois. Vast fields, farms spread miles apart- beautiful, empty, but thriving, space. These farms are the foundation of our country's development. Yet we so often drive past them without a thought about their importance. We see their land as "wasted space"- a place were a shopping area or a suburban neighborhood would be better suited. Yet it is this space that sustains us every day.

And then Chicago, where I was once again faced with the kindness that still exists in our country, as we experienced, surprisingly, the kindness of so many strangers. All stereotyped as "city people," I think the term "city folk" is more appropriate, as they acted more like small town neighbors- willing to help and desiring to converse.

So to bring these words back around to the Miller's quote...

an encounter with the world, America included, can only be truthful if within the encounter we "forget ourselves," and allow a place to develop itself within us. For in doing so, we become the keepers and sharers of all this world has to offer.

oh look, Van Gogh.