lessons learned in cape town

I just got home from a beautiful evening at Camp’s Bay, a picturesque area on the beach in Cape Town. I spent the ride there with my friend David. I remember the first night I met him and it made me smile as I sat next to him in the cab thinking about all the great times we have had together. David’s sense of humor and kindness are two things I really admire in him, and as we pulled up to meet the rest of our friends I laughed thinking about the first night when we met him and Kara and I decided that we needed to make a concerted effort to be his friend. I think we were successful in our efforts. Well now Kara is gone and so is half of my house, and the past day has been focused on reflection and appreciation – of people, of experience, of time, of place. I am terrible at goodbyes so I am having a hard time with all of this. My friends here make fun of me constantly about my camp references, but this feels a lot like the last night of camp extended into a weekend but it’s feeling even harder than the last night of senior Bryn Mawr year (cheers Lake of the Woods!). Who knows when or if I’ll see all of these people again – individuals who have made a lasting impact on me. I’m trying to hold onto what my dad told me earlier today: this is only the beginning of the journey.

A few weeks ago, Jenna made a list of lessons she has learned in Cape Town. I loved the idea and thought that I should compile such a list but decided to save it for the end of my time here. Well, the time is now…so here it is, my list of lessons learned in Cape Town:

1. Live
2. Make the most of every experience. When there is an opportunity to do something, do it.
3. Surround yourself with great people. Don’t waste time with people who aren’t enhancing your experience.
4. Go outside of your comfort zone. You may miss out on something really great if you let insecurities hold you back.
5. Say thank you and mean it.
6. Let go of past disappointments…recognize that you can only change and be responsible for yourself. Accept things the way they are, move on, but learn from past experiences.
7. Have grace for everyone around you. Accept that they may behave and carry themselves differently than you do. That isn’t a bad thing…In fact, usually it’s a really great thing.
8. Try and be safe most of the time but adventure is really fun and makes you feel alive. Always tell someone where you’re going, and hope that the four winds blow you safely home.
9. Listen to everyone’s story; no matter how different they may seem, deep down you have the same types of dreams and desires and you can share that. They may even inspire you to reach further.
10. Always turn a thorn into a rose. Don’t just try, do it.
11. You can learn from every person, every experience…everything.
12. Try new things always.
13. Write a lot.
14. Read a lot.
15. Hug people.
16. Be careful when crossing streets.
17. Be a good listener, offer your opinion, then recognize that everyone does things differently.
18. Celebrate differences.
19. Take walks.
20. Always bring a sweater and a water bottle.
21. Tell those you love how important they are to you and why.
22.  Live in the moment. Embrace your past, enjoy the present, and get excited for your future.
23. You learn a lot more from looking at the big picture than the small one.
24. Homework will get done, papers will get written, tests will get studied for, in the mean time, have fun.
25. Do things you love. Don’t do things that don’t make you happy.
26. Make friends who care about you and your interests.
27. Support yourself and those you love.
28. Cry when you need to cry. Appreciate and recognize that not everyday is going to be an easy one and don’t get mad at yourself for being a human. Nothing in life is easy.  
29. If you aren’t enjoying yourself, recognize that everything is temporary and take some life lesson or positive memory out of the experience.
30. Laugh at yourself. Often.
31. Be real.
32. Be good about keeping in touch, but turn your phone or computer or mind off to those not with you sometimes…BE PRESENT.
33. Be open to new types of people who may come from a totally different world than you…let people in no matter how you’ve been treated in the past. Each new soul is a gift.
34. Love yourself for all that you are because it’s a lot more enjoyable that way.
35. Appreciate where you come from, the places you’ve been, share your story, live for today, don’t worry about tomorrow…seriously enjoy all that life has to offer.