Settled

I feel as though up until this point I have been in one of those stupid snow globes; flying around like a snow flake, being tossed about in some fluid and landing wherever I can find a place to stop for a few seconds and breathe. However, after being in New York for exactly a day and half, I feel settled. That seems to be the comments of most fellow YAVers here. This evening in vespers, we all expressed sentiments of feeling anxious, excited, and just plain confused. However, we also all expressed that this retreat has given us time to feel centered and to realize what it is we are all about to embark upon in this coming year. It doesn't matter that we aren't all going to the same location. In fact, there is only one other person here going to Miami. What matters is that we all have a similar mindset and that we are all going out to have the same purpose for a year. We are bonded by our displacement. And I couldn't feel more grounded than I do right now. This retreat has only reinforced that I am in the right place at the right time and that big things are happening. I love the fact that everyone here is outgoing and energetic and so happy to be in the place where they are. It is like being in a place where everyone is different and unique and yet everyone is the same. I absolutely love that I can walk up and sit down next to anyone and say "hi, my name is..." and be received on the other end with the biggest smile and then talk for hours about our hopes and fears when I only just met the person. This is the best community that I have ever been a part of and feel so lucky to be right where I need to be.