Same Difference

Splitting my time between two beloved places, two countries, two “homes” often means missing aspects of one place or another.

Flavors, sounds, people, habits, colors, cultural nuances, behaviors, conveniences or they lack thereof.

It also means a lot of letting go, a lot of trust. It means immersing myself in the present circumstances. In my surroundings wherever they may be.

Aren't these two opposing experiences? Longing and letting go? Being in one place and longing for another? Isn't this the opposite of being present?

It is not so much longing-more like noticing. Noticing the differences. Noting what sameness lives within myself no matter where I may be on the map, no matter what the surrounding circumstances appear to be.

This way of living also means doing math. The simple math of counting hours through time zones in one direction or the other so that I can manage my workflow well and always connect with the people whom I love. It leaves much room on either side of these calculations to become more intentional. 

It also means translating. Understanding (or not). Trying to convey those things that literally can not be translated. This is everything; that which literally can not be translated. Yet very well may be universal to our human experience. This shows up in life and very much in coaching.

Finding a way to learn and to communicate these very untranslatable things.

Even in conversation in the city where I was born, while speaking in my mother tongue at the deli on the corner, with friends, reading articles, glancing through instagram stories there is so much that can not be translated yet so many opportunities to understand.