Estoy agradecida

Subject translation: I am thankful. Thanksgiving (el día de gracias) is not celebrated here in Peru, but thanks to Facebook, Twitter and e-mails from friends and family, I haven’t forgotten about this great American holiday.

Though I do not support the political foundation of this day (the Native Americans and pilgrims had a slightly more tumultuous relationship than we were taught in elementary school), I love the idea of having a day dedicated specifically to giving thanks. I like how Thanksgiving’s definition has evolved into modern-day traditions of spending time with the people you love, acknowledging the positive things you feel blessed to have in your life, and sharing a large delicious meal all the while.

So, from a few thousand miles away, here are some things I am thankful for in 2009:

My wonderful family and friends

My family has been there for me as long as I can remember, and there are some friends who have been around for a while too. I am thankful for new friends and old, American and Peruvian, wherever we met, because you have all impacted me in some way, no matter how small, and I am honored to be a part of your lives and have you be a part of mine.

Being American

The opportunity to study abroad is something I am extremely grateful for. While living in one of the world’s poorest countries, I have come to realize how many opportunities I have, simply by being born on American soil. I have realized the benefits and rights I had taken for granted as a young woman in the US are not the same for young women across the world. I am not usually the super-patriotic type, but I now realize how many more opportunities and rights we are afforded in the world, simply by being American. It is by no deeds that we have done that we are so lucky to have endless opportunities laid before us, and for that, we can only be thankful.

Perú

This amazing country, as I have said countless times, has opened my eyes to so many things. Though there are certainly cultural differences and barriers, I have come to see the unity in humanity through this experience. While reading another student’s study abroad blog, I discovered the concept of Ubuntu. To quote the Archbishop Desmond Tutu,

We think of ourselves far too frequently as just individuals, separated from one another, whereas you are connected and what you do affects the whole world. When you do well, it spreads out; it is for the whole of humanity.

Ubuntu is about the interconnectedness of humanity. Karma, but stronger – you do something good, and the ripple effect goes way farther. After so many Peruvians have shown kindness and generosity toward me, I can’t help but feel the same way toward the people I encounter. Why not go out of my way to help someone I barely know? ¿Por qué no debo ayudar alguien que no conozco? Realize the potential impact of your actions on others, and try to make that impact a positive one. Whether the good deeds come back to you in an obvious way, I promise you will feel better about yourself after leaving some good energy in the world for others to pick up on.

Anyway – this country has changed me as a person, changed my values and the way I value others, opened my eyes to the most beautiful sights in nature and in humanity, and most importantly, helped me redefine my definition of need. I think it’s ridiculous when people say they need a pair of $200 shoes, or a $100 haircut, while other people in the world need warm clothing and food and still manage to survive on less than $2 a day.

I’m sorry if this offends anyone, and I am not saying this to make you feel guilty – I just want you to feel grateful for and aware of how much you have, and maybe re-think your own definition of need. Think of how much you could help your fellow citizens of the world with the money you save on things you don’t actually need. And I know I’m getting preachy now, so I’ll cut myself off here.

What are you thankful for today? Anything you have been thankful for all year, or just recently? Regardless – Happy Thanksgiving everyone! Thank you for reading, and I hope you have an amazing day with the people you care about. ¡Felíz día de gracias a todos! Gracias para leer esto, y espero que ustedes tengan un día increíble con la gente que les importa.

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~ by Leia Ferrari on November 26, 2009.