I am teaching an amazing class this semester called Peoples and Cultures of the World, which is basically a little trip around the globe. The course covers 12 countries over the span of 16 weeks, chosen based on historical relevance and current events. I am a travel junkie and revel in this kind of stuff. To kick things off right, we are starting with the ever controversial country of Iran. And to make things even more beautiful and interesting, it just so happens that I have an Iranian student who sits in the very front row of my class. In preparation for teaching about Iran, I had the great privilege of interviewing the student's father, who came here as a refugee because of severe political unrest in his home country. This has been an unexpected gem of an experience for me as I have been able to learn, first-hand, about a robust yet troubled country.
Embedded in the people and history of Iran is rich Persian culture that thrives on language and expression. It wasn't until 1935 that Iran became "Iran", and before that, it was Persia - a land of nomads, and magi, and astrologers, and philosophical Zoroastrian poets. Some of the most renowned poetic mystics were Persian including Rumi and Hafiz.
As I settle into my quiet little university for the second semester, I am awed by the joy that has found me in this new life that I am cultivating. A gem of a student sitting just there, on the front row, who found me and this class at just the right time.
It's funny because I have roamed the world looking for happiness. I have been to the ends of the earth and back hunting it down. I have literally traversed the globe. And when I turn down the panic long enough, and stop my stomping and yelling, I discover that happiness has actually been looking for ME all along.
Like a lost child, sometimes it's best to just stand still, resting in the knowledge that she is earnestly searching for you. You are being sought after. You are a treasure that will not be lost for long, with happiness, joy, and peace as protective and ferocious parents running through the streets screaming your name. We are being pursued. By pure, unfettered love and joy. It's simply a matter of letting ourselves be found.