Internationalmatt's Blog

This blog is about my international friends and their inspiring stories

Seasonal Tourists- The Journey of the Monarch Relates to our Journey as we move forward

Each year we have some seasonal tourists here in Lincoln and the Midwest. They come for the Spring and Summer and leave in early Fall. Our guests are the Monarch Butterfly. Kids like to walk around the butterfly cage at the Children’s Zoo. People like to watch them and photograph them. They are a wonderful example of the beauty in God’s creation. Their journey can teach us something as we move forward with our lives.

at the Sunken Garden in Lincoln

It is one thing for birds to migrate hundreds of miles to spend winter in warmer places. The Monarch migrates about 2,500 miles to winter in Mexico. Our tiny friends overcome a long journey. It would seem the odds are against them. Flying from Lincoln over farms, the mountains and deserts, they persevere to their destiny.

As we move forward I think there are things we can learn from the Monarch:

1- even though it is not easy there is a destiny for us that makes the journey worthwhile

2- enjoy the journey along the way like the Monarch who literally stops to smell the roses :)

3- even though we move forward we do not have to forget those we leave behind-the Monarch comes back each year

 

 

 

September 29, 2011 Posted by | animals | Leave a Comment

Diplomacy- We Can Learn From A Dog Named Mersin

On July 4th I went to a fun party at the home of my friends Aynur and Garret. During the party it was obvious that one of the star attractions was their dog Mersin. Mersin did not care about which country the guests were from or what their ethnic group was. Mersin simply enjoyed being around the people there regardless of their nationality, race, religion, or language. Mersin’s  only interest was friendship :)

Mersin with his new friend Jihan from Colombia

As Mersin made the rounds of entertaining the guests Mersin did not care if they had an accent. Mersin’s attitude was – you want to be my friend okay that is great. Mersin made friends with people from Colombia, India, Nepal, Uganda, and several other countries. The only requirement to be Mersin’s friend is that you want to either play with, hold, pet or feed Mersin. Mersin does not have grand expectations or hidden agendas. In fact Mersin’s agenda is quite obvious- food and attention.

Mersin with Shaoni

Perhaps it is because Mersin lives in a bi-cultural home. Aynur is from Turkey and Garret is an American. Mersin simply walked around looking cute and adorable and got a lot of attention. I did notice one thing though. Mersin does seem to prefer the women, so perhaps there is a hint of discrimination, but then I can’t blame Mersin because the women Mersin befriended are wonderful young women.

Mersin with Aynur

Mersin also demonstrated advanced negotiation skills when Mersin managed to convince people to share food. There was a kind of irresistible charm offensive put on by Mersin to persuade people to share their food.

Of course when I think of our Secretaries of State such as Hillary Clinton or Collin Powell or of Presidents such as Obama or Bush or any of our other former Secretaries of State or Presidents, the words cute, adorable or charming never come to my mind. But perhaps if World Leaders  enrolled in the Mersin School of Diplomacy- such as the crazy leaders in some places- the World would be better off :)

July 8, 2011 Posted by | animals, Cross Cultural, Cultural Ambassdors, Uncategorized | Leave a Comment

   

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