Inspiration

Inspiration. It creeps up in a smile. It’s there in their eyes. It finds its way into their speech. It flowers into a heartbeat. It weaves in through their veins. Because it’s there beneath all doubt. Beneath, all fear.

When you become inspired, how do you feel? What sparks the emotion of being inspired? Well, you could go through helping someone to be inspired. Or you receive advice that inspires you. The fact of the matter is, once you are inspired you can see through a different lense. That’s how I began to realize that I wanted to do more. Now that I am here in Cambodia, the theme has constantly been to be grateful for everything, from owning a washing machine, to having parents.

When I am at the orphanage one girl stands out to me, Srey Neath. She hugs me with so much love and appreciation. I am left thinking about the many talents that she has. Such as, singing and dancing. I remember as Leslie and I were helping to clean the girls dormitory, Srey Neath came in singing “Shape of You” By Ed Sheeran. As we sang along with her, I had never before felt like I had been my complete self until then. We had also, danced beside her the day before, and she just seemed to emit  happiness from within her. As I then learned that among learning English, and Khmer, Srey Neath was studying Japanese. After lunch one day, we carried a simple conversation in Japanese. It makes me aware of all that I have learned and done to finally end up here.

                While I was hand-washing clothes, I began to look at how lucky I am to have things, such as a roof to live under and a great education and to have food on the table guaranteed every single day; even, to be able to come to Cambodia, and to help people. To hear them pronounce words that we wouldn’t think twice about. We have been blessed with being able to meet these kids. I would say that inspiration flows here, just as much as water does. Through learning how to say squish, or counting to 10.

                Teaching here has been eye-opening. Today, I taught kids from beginner to intermediate levels. Ages ranging from 7-18.  I taught about facial features. When I started out, with my first class I could say I felt a little nervous. As I continued with the lesson, I became more comfortable. From teaching simple sentences to reading Aesop’s fables. I enjoyed every second of teaching. Because you can tell, when a light bulb switches on for them, and you witness it, it becomes the most unreal feeling ever, to be able to initiate that for them.

                As my final thought, if there were one thing I could say to the people of Cambodia, it would be that they are inspirational. Through the way they talk, the way they smile, or even the way they look at you. It all leads up to how much they have done with so little. Cambodia, you are an inspiration.