John & Cindy McKinney
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McKinney International

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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Fickle Pickle

11/1/2017

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Fickle Pickle…what a great little eatery in the USA close to Atlanta, Georgia. We met some longtime friends there three years ago for lunch as we were driving through Georgia. It was a great lunch and visit down memory lane.

There is another kind of fickle and that’s Fickle Memory. Living this expat life, I have faced this fickle and must guard against it.

So, what’s a Fickle Memory? A memory that triggers the emotion of dissatisfaction. It begins with a longing; turns into “I wish I was…” or “I wish I wasn’t…”; and then plummets to dissatisfaction spiraling to the pit of despair. This Fickle Memory robs us of the JOY of the present. It blinds us to the new thing in our life. When we embrace a Fickle Memory, we become engulfed with what use to be and what we don’t have now.

In my current life as an expat, I have found that I could have many Fickle Memory moments. Memories can pop up at unexpected times. I have also realized there are some calculated times that these memories occur. When? Holidays is a big one. Birthdays is another. Season changes like the coming of Fall in the USA. The Fall was filled with many activities and sentimental events that I enjoyed in the USA including the colors, smells, foods, hikes, fires, etc.  I have found that I cannot linger in these memories very long. I want to enjoy the memories AND avoid them becoming FICKLE. So, what do I do?.....

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1. I become AWARE of the downward tilt of
my emotions and STOP the memory.
2. I REFOCUS on the PRESENT. I think on
the GOOD things in my life now, and the
HOPE that is in my future.
3. I ENGAGE in current activities that bring
JOY to me.
4. I CHOOSE JOY and CONTENTMENT.
5. I REMEMBER and rehearse my
PURPOSE for expat living.
6. I BUILD NEW routines and create
new memories.
7. I remember and honor the past.
Then I LET IT GO.
I move from being the caterpillar to
the emerging butterfly.

 
My wish for you is that your memories bring satisfaction (not the fickle dissatisfaction) as well as encouragement to embrace the new things that are in your present and in your future.

Enjoy the changing seasons of Life!
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Journaling the Journey Part 3

12/27/2016

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As the holiday season is coming to it's close with Christmas behind and New Year's not far away, the thoughts of home have been more in our minds.  Being overseas at these times does make the heart yearn for "home" and the traditions of the season.  This season we have experienced some wonderful gifts from "home" that have brought such a joy to our hearts!  We are so thankful for all who made these special gifts to us possible.  As I am journaling this blog I remember the phrase, "keep the home fires burning".  We truly have some incredible people in our lives who created an amazing home fire this year and the warmth was felt over these miles!  (Here is a link to the World War 1 song: Keep the Home Fires Burning)
Here are a few photos to share the beauty of our season!  And never underestimate the power of a "Merry Christmas" or a "Happy New Year" to someone.  Being remembered is an amazing gift that you can give someone this season and in the days ahead!
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    Author

    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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