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McKinney International

A New Year – A New…

1/4/2021

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​We have celebrated the ending of 2020 and the bringing in of 2021. I think, in my lifetime, this transition has been one of the most uncertainty-filled transitions of a new year that I have witnessed. We are not certain about the transition of the presidency and the future of the USA; we are not certain about a successful vaccine for COVID-19; we are not certain about the new strands of COVID-19 showing up on the scene and what that will mean; we are not certain about the future of travel, gatherings, economy, and a myriad of other things. Still we welcome a new year and with a hope for new and better things for this year. It is a good time to stop and reflect. Reflect with me…
As I enter this NEW YEAR, what do I want to be NEW in my life and the world I impact? There are things we cannot control but, at the same time, there are many things we do have control over. There are choices we can make. I ask you to stop and think about what you can choose to do or have this year… Then make your list of New Things for 2021, or maybe refresh some old things and bring them into a New Year.

MY LIST OF NEW THINGS FOR 2021:
  1. A Year of Joy. Not a year of grumbling. Not a year of focusing on what could have been; what should have been; what I wish had been. A year of focusing on WHAT IS and the JOY I find in each day. Rejoicing always!
  2. A Year of Health. Refreshing old habits that I let slip. Revitalizing the exercise routine; tracking the calories; making the healthier choices more often; incorporating a better bedtime routine for better rest.
  3. A Year of Focus. Reminding myself of truths, promises, and routines that anchor me. Looking back at my writings in my journals; reading books I have read (and some new ones); listening to the thoughts of others that inspire and expand me.
  4. A Year of Courage. Taking challenges that I have not taken before. Stepping out of the comfortable and into new things. Spreading my wings and soaring. Soaring on the wings of the eagle: wings that are strong and light, free of worries and doubts.
  5. A Year of Love. Not returning evil for evil. Forgiving. Being generous and open. Guarding my words and my conversations. Believing the best of others. Being patient and kind at all times. Speaking the truth while encasing it in love and faith. Guard my thoughts and “presumptions”. Seeking out the way of LOVE in all situations.

​Let 2021 be an AMAZING year for you! Be AMAZED and EXPECTANT at the NEW that will arise in this year and in your life. It’s time to focus on the LIGHT and not the darkness. HAPPY NEW YEAR!!

​​Here is a video to help you take 2 minutes to calm your mind and your body so you can reflect and hear your heart.
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Hurricane-Proofing

12/4/2020

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An oncoming storm. From our apartment in Hanoi.

​Hurricanes! Wow! What winds can blow before and during a hurricane! What a force of nature that could take down even the champion of the strongest man competitors. Buildings in areas affected by hurricanes must be built with certain designs and construction methods/material to make them “hurricane proof.” They may not withstand all damage, but these guidelines will help the buildings survive strong winds and storm surges and have less damage. After Hurricane Andrew in 1992, the state of Florida established new building standards. These standards require the use of cinder blocks in construction and the use of concrete pillars for reinforcement. Also, there were certain changes to the construction of roofs to provide greater resistance to the winds of the storm and prevent the lifting off of the roof. (https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Hurricane-proof_building)

​I don’t know if you have noticed but 2020 has had some pretty massive storms blowing through this year. The winds have been of hurricane force, destructive, picking up even the strongest of institutions, beliefs, way of life, etc. and moving these all around…rearranging things we never thought could be rearranged. It reminds me of the idea that “everything that can be shaken will be shaken.” All of this has brought an opportunity to examine the construction of our lives. What is our life built on? What kind of materials have I used in the construction of my beliefs, my vision, my security, my purpose, etc.? When our comfort gets shaken, our sense of security gets shaken. But the bigger question is…is the roof—that source of covering and protection we have placed over our lives—being ripped off by the force of the winds? Is the roof securely anchored or is it able to be blown away?

I would encourage us to think about our lives in this manner: “Am I hurricane-proof?”

As I reflect on my 2020 and my life, there are some take-a-ways that I have as 2020 is coming to a close…

  • Purpose: I have been born for such a time as this. I can face today and tomorrow with purpose. I am meant to be here NOW! There are things for me to do and people for me to help.
  • Security: My roof has “connector straps” to anchor my protective covering. What are these straps? Connector Strap of my Faith. Connector Strap of my relationships (family and friends—like you!). These are in place, and I am endeavoring to strengthen these “connector straps.” These hold the roof in place against the hurricane force winds.
  • Smile: Have you heard of the power of turning a frown into a smile? Try it! It really does change something in you. It is a matter of changing perspective. What if we face life with a smile instead of a frown? What if we can be positive versus pessimistic. Now, that doesn’t mean we dismiss the wrong and the concern. It does mean that we adapt an attitude of hope instead of doom and despair. It means when we see a wall, we start looking for the door that gets us beyond the wall. We see the glimmer of light at the end of the dark tunnel. SMILE!
  • Others: Living beyond ourselves. Maybe I have everything buttoned up, or not, in my life? Either way, I must begin to look beyond me and mine. There is a world of people that are less hurricane-proof than me. Their world is crashing and burning as the hurricane blows through. I cannot save everything, but I can do what I can do. I can do good as the opportunity comes. AND I can look for the opportunities!

What are your reflections about your life in 2020 as we come to the close of this memorable year in the history of mankind? Let's finish this year as some would say: “Make it count!”
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Journaling the Journey - Part 4

11/5/2020

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It has been a while since I have journaled on our journey of life in SE Asia. As we settled into life as expatriates, routines began to emerge. Since 2016, one of our routines was summer visits to the States, then back to life in SE Asia. Well…this summer brought a new turn in events…a curve ball thrown into our routine. In light of this, I would say, it is a good time to share again about our journey. I would also say that at this point, this journey, since 2014, has been learning to live life “Not Normal” or living life in a “New Normal”.

At this point in our journey we have extended our “summer” visit into the beautiful fall season, and are now headed into the holidays as well. This has been an extended and unexpected time in the States for us. It has come with its challenges AND its blessings. I want to share a couple things that I am in the midst of learning and re-learning as we maneuver through this season.

First, it’s been learning to live in a paused state of life. Paused in the sense that there are projects and vision put on a low simmer, waiting for the time when we can we return to Asia. And it certainly is a paused state of life because I am living without roots. My home (apartment) is in Asia, so I float from living space to living space while in the States…basically living out of suitcases and a storage unit. As I think of “roots” I first think about being rooted in a solid substance like a plant in soil. Then my mind changes as I remember that there are some beautiful ivy plants in my apartment in SE Asia that are “rooted” in water. They are not in the solid substance of dirt. They are in a liquid, not solid. AND they survive and thrive in that condition. So it makes me stop and realize…maybe my current state of life is not rooted in a solid substance like dirt BUT my life is rooted in a life-giving substance that brings beauty and causes me to thrive.

The second lesson I would share is the art of “re-framing” or seeing the beauty that surrounds me. I could get caught up in all that is wrong. I could get depressed by the barriers that seem to loom in our path. I could focus on the frustrations of not being able to plan ahead (oh my!!!). And if I chose any of these options, I would miss the beauty of this journey. I am so aware that this is a special place in time. I will not pass this way again. In some respects, I don’t know what tomorrow will hold, but I do what is before me today. Today, I can see the beauty of the changing season. Today, I can take the time to see, touch, and be in the company of my sons and many friends that I have in the States. Today, I can enjoy a fire in the fireplace at Cracker Barrel (a favorite eating spot for us). Today, I can enjoy the scenery that is in this part of the journey and be thankful. So why not enjoy the journey? Why not make delicious lemonade out of the lemons? And in the midst of this, I am developing new skills, greater flexibility, and keeping those brain cells firing because of the frequent adjustments that I have to engage in.

So…this expat life and this journey in SE Asia…is it still worth it? I would say YES! Is it always comfortable? I would say NO! Is it necessary? Again I would say YES!
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Please take some time to enjoy the pictures of our journey in the last month or 2 as we have enjoyed the journey and made lemonade.
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    Cindy writes about her adventures, observations, and other nuggets from living in another nation. She and John live in SE Asia. She will also share nuggets from her 58 plus years of life.

    New blogs are normally posted once a month.

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