Wherever you go, there you will also be. Part 1

I'm not one who believes in geographical fixes for problems. Many folk think that moving to one side of town or the other, or perhaps a different city, will bring them happiness. -Bueno-, there is some validity to that for sure...especially when the Sun is involved, however, on the deeper level, most of our issues that rob of us happiness are exactly that; OUR ISSUES. Although we are trained to believe that if we simply manipulate a situation we can wrest contentment from it, it ends up not being so, particularly for those struggling with depression or anxiety. Even if we change that address, we will still wake up with our same selves everyday, the same common denominator to all our suffering will still be ourselves. --------------------- All of these things come to mind as I've just returned today from a highly satisfying vacation filled with old friends, family, and lots of love and excitement. When I was in Boston, more specifically, when I attended the graduation of the second batch of kids I taught, I was high on -alegria-. I can't remember the last time I felt so appreciated! Students and staff were coming up left and right with hugs, chants, and the pervasive question of the evening "Brother Mwalimu, when are you moving back?" ---------------- This question was always a splinter of pain in the midst of a sea of joy. I had no plans on moving back, at least when I arrived to Boston 12 days ago. But after the 100th inquiry into my future plans, I began to think, this is exactly what I need! After not having lived consistently in Ohio for 10 years, I moved back to my hometown of Columbus in August of 2011 to build my marriage and a family. Soon though, I had to face the harsh reality of being unwanted as a husband and eventually dealt with the betrayal of a wife who was deeply unhappy with our marriage.----------------- Sprinkle in some tumultuous and painful experiences with my family of origin in Columbus, a general identity disconnect with Columbus, a lack of any close friends, and a work experience where I often felt highly uncomfortable and ineffective, and I did often question my presence here. There were two things that kept me firmly anchored here: my growing relationship with Jesus (and my church), and the long-standing goal I've had to build a liberatory school here where I grew up... TBC