There's No Place Like Home

My 21 year-old daughter just got back from a semester in Israel where she worked as a dorm counselor. She had been sick with the flu the week before she left, and her ears were stuffed up and in pain for most of the trip home. I was concerned that her teeth and jaws were radiating pain, but a quick call to her doctor assured me that this was a normal side-effect of her blocked sinuses. We focused a bit on her pain and discomfort, but I didn't want to dwell in this place for long. Mom the positive thinker quickly veered the conversation away from the negative and towards the value in spending the semester abroad.

Here's what she said:

1) She made great connections to many of the dorm girls, where she served as confidant, teacher, big sister to many. She even taught a girl with learning disabilities how to read Hebrew!

2) She forged a deeper relationship with her boyfriend, who was in Israel for his second year abroad.

3) She returned to America with a new appreciation of the privileges of America. We often take for granted that we have a car, washing machine and dryer, homes with yards and lots of interior space. In Israel, most people take public transportation, and it is a luxury to have a large yard or a home.

4) Gratitude for the ease with which we accomplish things here in America. There is a tremendous amount of red tape required to accomplish most things, such as getting a visa, opening a bank account, etc. in Israel. In America, our life is fairly easy to navigate. It is far from fail-proof, but it is much easier to get things done here than there.

Sometimes we need to leave home in order to appreciate it's value. I believe this is true about most things that are constants in our lives. We often take our relationships for granted. Especially our families. 

I encourage you to take time to distance yourself from your closest relationships. Whether it is a night out with friends, a walk in the park alone, a day at the spa, get away from those whom you've come to take for granted. With a little space, you may come to see them in a whole new light. And when you return, make sure to share your newfound appreciation with them!