What was the first thing that popped up in your mind the instant you read the word 'fulfilment'?

Personally? Well, for a brief, fleeting moment, I felt that I must be in a different world... I was too focused, so focused, that I was absorbed right out of reality. This was the feeling which whisked me through a whole hour as if it were a flick of a finger. Spontaneously, I found myself discussing with three female participants the choices we live for and others which we are forced through.

Yesterday we managed to tick the box on our schedule as a success in delivering a workshop about building a CV. Upon their request, and with the blessing of the coordinator, we thought that it would be of great interest to the participants if we introduce and share our experiences on the Curriculum Vitae's importance, style and standards around Europe with practical customization for their country. As a team we shared information, steps, and examples which we had compiled earlier.

Developing a CV became a springboard for spontaneous discussions about life's sour moments, ambitions and opportunities. An hour of discussion, sharing and squeezing the memory of blood, sweat and tears out of life experiences, pushed me to present positive perspectives to these women in building up their CV. "No it's OK! It was very interesting and helpful." That was the immediate reply of Sarah - (a Palestinian woman who is trying her best to find a job), after I noticed that we had to skip the practical part of the session since we got lost in the discussion. This felt more like a slap on the face, which shook me away and placed me in a position to try to understand their real situation...in comparison to my, now seemingly, plain-sailing life full of positive results without any extra effort and sour moments!

I personally consider myself as a rather positive, upbeat person but yesterday...yesterday, I felt truly challenged by the reality of others, and perhaps, tested by their attitude and perseverance. I believe this has flicked my fulfillment gauge.

And what about the utensils in the kitchen?

What an analogy! It highlights what I'd like to say perfectly! So, the team is composed of various tools with their specific characters, as you know. I believe that by working in a team, the aims are delivered with colour and efficiency. As a team we are experiencing a lot and are always sharing uplifting and profound moments with each other, which moreover, are being reflected in our work!

I can say the same when it comes to the entire group of volunteers. Every input is shaping the success of this project. Upon the discussion we had yesterday morning, the Majdal Anjar team had their fair-share of fulfillment as well, as their participants benefited from the common schedule we constructed together as a team. I guess the team can be likened to a book of recipes were the utensils are used accordingly to mix the ingredients together.

And now? Well, I needed some personal time to process and make sense of all that I've experienced yesterday. 500 words are simply not enough - it's like presenting to you a half-baked cake, or rather, half the recipe for it.

Maybe the day ahead won't be as satisfying and exciting, but hey... no expectations - live and let live. That was, after all, part of what led to our shared fulfillment.

Just one concluding thought:

Paul, during the previous day, had described with great enthusiasm and articulation some traditional food as ,"Ilalu.. ilalu.. WOW... Just take!" - and everyone did!

#noexpectations #justlive

Have a nice day to all... (#justfollow)

Adrian Cassar