Health, happiness, and prosperity
05/10/2009
As my work in Vietnam winds down, people are starting to say goodbye. It is very touching when someone unexpectedly hands you a package and expresses the hope that the item inside will remind you of them—as if I could ever forget the times we have shared! So far, I’ve received two lovely hand-embroidered framed pictures of Vietnamese scenery, a statue of a woman wearing an ao dai, some jewelry, a silk scarf, and the happy Buddha pictured here. Yesterday one of my friends took me to a pagoda and asked for the Buddha to be blessed so it would bring me health, happiness, and prosperity (if you look closely, you can see that he is holding a bag of gold over his shoulder). I was quite touched by the gesture. 
I realized this morning that I feel years younger now than when I left home in January. It could be that the weather agrees with me, although I miss the lower humidity and the feeling of crisp clean air. I’ve been working long hours, eating a simple diet (which has helped me lose 5-10 pounds) and taking long walks. I no longer crave junk food and I drink much less coffee. The stress level is lower, naturally, because I am not home taking care of a house, bills, pets, car repairs, and the many other things that fill our days. But these reasons alone don’t fully account for the difference. I discussed it this morning over breakfast with friends, and they said it is because I laugh a lot here. We’ve all heard it said that laughter is the best medicine. And it is true, as I look back over my photos, I see that I am wearing a natural smile in nearly every one. I have felt so relaxed, and zenlike—in the moment--while being here. I’ve learned that no matter what happens, it will work out in the end. If I miss a bus, another one will come along later. If the market is out of orange juice, I can try another kind and perhaps discover that I like it better. If the electricity goes out unexpectedly, I have more time to read a book. I know, there are serious things to worry about, but thankfully, I have stayed safe and healthy. I’ve seen many people here who have far less than I do, yet that does not prevent them from being warm and loving, from enjoying times with their friends and families, and from laughing and smiling a lot. It is infectious, and that, I think, is the secret to my feeling younger.
Saturday morning I gave another workshop, this time on how to teach American literature. I know, I can hear my colleagues back at I.U. East chuckling over that one since I am a historian. I have to confess that I struggled quite a bit over what to present, but in the process I learned a lot and think that, if anything, I shared my love of literature and learning with the teachers. Now I must finish my evaluation of the university library in preparation for a meeting with the director on Tuesday, and next Saturday I give my final workshop on how to teach American culture. With luck, that will leave me with two weeks to unwind, but I know better because being here has taught me to expect the unexpected. I'd say that's a useful life skill, wouldn't you?
