Standing in the GAP

Thursday 7 June 2012

How to survive a GAP year

10 simple, practical steps to help you survive and thrive your gap year:

Going on a GAP year is no small decision. Don't underestimate the level of struggle this change may create for you. Be patient with yourself as you adjust to the new place.

Decorate your room..or if you're not into decorating make your space your's - It's important to have a place you can go that feels a little like home.

I know I keep saying it but, go on adventures. It's an invaluable skill to be able to turn an uncomfortable situation into an adventure. Life is so much more fun that way!

Recognize and embrace the cyclical nature of life. Everything moves in cycles: time, seasons, the human race, the earth, and our emotions. when you get those feelings of homesickness or anxiety always remember that they will subside and inevitably be replaced with feelings of peace. This will help you have hope and joy during the harder times.

Make friends! You will most likely be automatically surrounded by a great group of people to support you on your GAP journey. Take advantage of that! Spend time with them, learn about them and share your own story with them.

When you feel awkward, have a cup of tea.

Encourage others. We must encourage our friends and comrades in order to obtain courage ourselves. You probably already have a courageous streak if you are on (or going on) a Gap year, so with the amount you already have be encouraging to others. You will in turn be encouraged.

Pray and become familiar with the Scriptures. The Bible is a ready made handbook for life. If you are familiar with it you will be well-equipped for any difficulty thrown your way.

embrace the culture of whatever country/city/community you are serving in. You get to see a wonderful display of hometown pride when people start telling you all the things "you have to try!" Go ahead and try them..it'll be an adventure!

Now is a great time in your life to assess who you are and who you are meant to become. Be true to yourself by behaving, speaking and living with integrity.

Special shout out to Sarah D. and all my readers from Russia! Thanks for reading, everyone.

Saturday 26 May 2012

- Adventures are fun.
I mean, what's more fun than taking an uncomfortable situation and looking for the silver lining? If you train yourself how to turn stress into adventure you will learn more, enjoy more and become more confident in your skills.

- Adventures build character (I know it's cliche but it's true)
When you venture into the unknown with no preconceived expectations you're going to grow as a person one way or another.

- Sometimes you'll frustrate other people with your "adventure attitude."
This might sound like a negative but it can be an adventure in itself. It might end up being a really good lesson in psychology and how different personality types respond in stressful situations.

- Survival skills are cultivated..that is, if you survive.

- Meeting new people.
I've crossed paths with countless interesting people on my adventures. Sometimes they have a similar adventure spirit, and I always end up learning at least something from them.

- Navigational skills are honed.
Example: Not long ago I took a trip to London. I traveled alone but had plans to meet up with people on the other end. The flight I took was due to land in Gatwick but because of fog we had to land in a different airport. The crew suggested we sit on board for two hours until they could refuel and fly us back to Gatwick. I decided this was too good of an opportunity for spontaneous adventure to pass up. I disembarked the aircraft and ventured off into London on my own to find a way to my destination. It was a bit of a lengthy trip but I successfully managed and I am infinitely more confident in my abilities to navigate London!

*side note: a good trick if you're on your own and don't want to look lost- buy yourself a coffee on the go. Or if you don't like coffee any sort of take away beverage should do. This will make you appear that you know where you're going and are relaxed enough to grab a coffee on the way. It can also help you buy some time to assess the surrounding areas.

Special thanks to my Dad for always telling me "It'll be an adventure" when I get stressed. You've taught me an invaluable lesson.

Friday 20 April 2012

You know you live in Ireland when...

You know you live in Ireland when...

1. you start to catch yourself beginning sentences with "ahh lads" or "ah sure"

2. going for a run in your local park is like a game of minesweeper trying to avoid all the dog pooh.

3. every day, no matter the forecast, you can be sure it will rain at some point.

4. most of your facebook and email interactions begin with "sorry, no credit.."

5. the first thing you do upon entering the house is put the kettle on (regardless of the actual intentions to drink tea or not).

6. having a biscuit sounds like a treat.

7. jam is jelly...and jelly is candy...and candy is just a ridiculous word that no one understands.

8. "come over in 5 minutes" translates to: "wait 30 minutes then slowly saunter over, but make sure you stop to chat with all the neighbors on the way.."

9. you are welcomed into someone's home and offered a cup of tea, you decline out of politeness and it is offered a second time. You hesitate but decline again saying "no I'm grand, really".. finally you hear the famous words "ah go on, I'm making a pot anyway..." to which you respond "ah sure if the kettle's on I'll have a cuppa tea."

10. you hang your clothes to dry, 20 minutes later you rush outside to bring them in because of a massive rain cloud approaching. 20 minutes after that you hang the clothes again because it was a false alarm. 10 minutes later you rush out and grab all the clothes again out of fear from another cloud. You wait 20 minutes then hang the clothes for a third time...when the cloud threatens again you decide to hold out. Finally, it bursts and starts lashing rain all over the half dried clothes...the whole process begins again.

Tuesday 3 April 2012

The In-between

I have had some requests for a video I was working on over the last week. I put this together after reading a blog post by Simcha Fisher, the contents of which inspired countless conversations with people that, in turn, led me to consider the new ideas in great depth. I don't claim to understand anything more about creation than I did before, but that's the beauty of it isn't it?

There is purpose in the unknown. There is joy in waiting. There is peace in the in-between. The pivotal moments can last much longer than expected, but it's what we do with the time and resources that matters.

Whether you believe it or not..whether you like it or not, you make a difference. That isn't something to play around with. Once I began to realize how integrated and connected everything is I started to take my role much more seriously. You make an impact one way or another; make a positive one.

Monday 5 March 2012

Confessions of an American Gapper

I caught myself saying "Janie Mac" today. The words were coming out before I could do anything about it. I still tried to stop them, which resulted in what sounded like a truly frustrated "JANIE" followed by a timidly slow-motioned "MAaaaaaccc."
I gasped and clapped my hand over my mouth as quickly as possible (as though, somehow, I could physically take the words out of the air and place them back in my mouth like they'd never escaped).

I honestly never thought I'd see the day. Janie Mac is a common exclamation of surprise or frustration in Ireland. It was the first phrase I made fun of upon arrival and for the past 6 months whenever anyone uttered these words I would chuckle to myself, privately enjoying the secret hilarity of such a ridiculous way to exclaim. Today marks the end of this fun little inside joke I had...with myself.
*I release a defeated sigh and place my hand over my eyes for a moment*

So, with humility I admit to God and to the world, not that I was wrong to laugh at my Irish friends all year, but that I must learn to laugh at myself or not laugh at all. Bam. Lesson learned.

Sunday 19 February 2012

ch..ch..ch..ch..changes!

The incredible lessons of a GAP year never cease to be taught. It's strange living in a situation like this, and sometimes I wonder what the point actually is. Especially because it is taking a year out of my normal life. It can be quite easy to get caught up in the daily "drudge"; the bus rides to work, the research, the prep work for events, the communication, even the weather. It can be slightly disheartening at times. I am entering the the third stage of my Gap year and I think it's a good time to assess.

I often find it difficult to view my service as valuable because, realistically, if I didn't do it someone else would. Most of the things I do aren't really difficult, they're just time consuming. And I feel like I do them just to free up others to do the more complicated things.

But is that really the case? In a practical sense, yes. In a creative sense, maybe not. I am struck, recently by the different qualities each person brings to a team. Everyone has gifts and talents that are often highlighted in the service they do. This can add a life to situations and have a very edifying effect on others. It's helped me to see the value not so much in the tasks themselves, but in the spirit of the one who completes them.

This has proved to be a difficult year in many respects and I think I have been in a continual process of change since I arrived..(which, I've discovered, can be quite painful.)
I find it encouraging to remember that to experience is to change. And if I made it through an entire GAP year without growing or changing at all, it would certainly be a year wasted! So, I try to take it in stride, embrace the changes and learn to enjoy the process as much as possible.

I really appreciate all the prayers and support, and please keep them coming! I will update again soon and I apologize for the scarcity of my posts of late. Cheers.