Lady of Leisure

I used to be referred to as a lady of leisure all the time.

I used to laugh it off, but it would often be accompanied by feelings of guilt.

Should I be enjoying living my life the way I am?

Should I be happy that I get to do whatever I want, whenever I want while others have to work for companies that don’t care about them?

My life, right now, has made me realise I don’t need to feel that way.

I’m surrounded by people who also get to do what they want, when they want, and whose hearts are so big and pure and desire exactly the things I’ve always desired.

And I’ve learnt so much about myself and how hard I work when I’m passionate about a cause.

When I’m doing something that isn’t benefitting me but is benefitting someone else the word ‘hard’ doesn’t really exist.

Like this day in Mwanza where I was helping clear out all the rubbish. It wasn’t nice, it wasn’t fun, but I kept working.

To the point a village elder couldn’t believe how hard a Mzungu could work.

As a ‘lady of leisure’ I was grateful for that comment.

Most of us once we get that fire in our belly are unstoppable.

And, many of us, try to ignore the fire because we are afraid of what others might think if we actually did what we want to do.

What would happen if we all actually started listening to our fire? Or to the whispers of our heart?

I’m grateful to be surrounded by so many inspiring people that push me to achieve my goals and also allow me the space to surrender.

Within that space of surrender is where I can remember my fire.

So now if anyone refers to me as a lady of leisure I am grateful.

Because to me it means a life of exactly what I want to be living.

I rest, I play, I teach, I learn, I volunteer, I donate, I feel, I experience, I travel, I meet, I create, I care, I love and so much more.

And there is nothing else in this world that beats that for me.

Xo S