I learned that everyday, at any given moment in life there is a gateway waiting to be opened for adventure, growth, love, beauty, expansion, and opportunity.
Are you saying YES to that? Are you standing still? Are you opening the gate to move forward?
I started today early this morning sitting in my backyard with a lovely cup of coffee .. and built a fire and then remembered this:
THIRTY TWO years ago today Haider, Reemy and I left (everything behind) Baghdad, Iraq, the cradle of civilization, and immigrated to America with only our spring clothes and $750 and no credit history!
Being an immigrant is not for the faint of heart. There is much to adjust to.
Here are the top 10 biggest cultural “shocks” - not what you would expect:
#1. American homes don’t have bidets.
#2. Obesity.
#3. Long nails with rhinestones.
#4. Fat-free diet and iced water.
#5. Single serving portions were and still are massive, can feed a family of four.
#6. Friends had to schedule an event to get together. Only solicitors knocked at your door unexpectedly.
#7. Americans work longer hours than they socialize.
#8. Abortion was and is still a hot debate.
#9. Football is not Soccer.
#10. There is a bread isle with hundreds of different types of bread.
TOP 10 things I loved about America that were taken for granted by every American I met:
#1. Freedom of speech.
#2. Freedom of choice.
#3. Freedom of expression.
#4. Freedom of the multitude of ways to live our lives.
#5. Freedom of religion.
#6. Freedom to travel without restrictions.
#7. Freedom of bodily autonomy.
#8. Freedom to disagree.
#9. Freedom to bare arms.
#10. Generosity of Spirit.
What an incredible journey this has been. I am proud to be an American by choice.
My family and I are grateful for friendships, opportunities, support and lots of love and beauty.
This picture of me taken at Chaco Canyon sitting representing saying YES to a gateway.
As a small business owner, I’m re-envisioning my 22 years of acupuncture practice and in the process of making this new vision a reality.
A grand re-opening coming soon and I hope to see you. Stay tuned.
In love and gratitude.
Rabab