It's with a tinge of sadness, a mixture of happiness and excitement and feelings of "I'm not quite ready to leave yet" I write this post. I'm really pleased I have a week's leave to savour this experience which is fast coming to an end, cherishing the thoughts, friendships gained, growth and subsequent emotions of this incredible adventure. Normally I'd be straight back into the "everyday" coming and going. Thankfully not this time.
The final hours of the Lilly Connecting Hearts Aboard program were spent together as a group enjoying our last "home-base" lunch and an insightful and at times emotional final feedback session. Each of us was asked to provide one high light and one low light of our time here and what we will be taking back to our respective "home bases". The common theme expressed by all was through giving, each of us had gained far more than our expectations prior to commencement the program. Further, visit India. There's no place like it on earth; the contradictions and the diversity are sights and sounds to behold.
I will be forever grateful to Eli Lilly for this truly memorable, amazing experience. It's provided each and everyone of us with the opportunity to give back to society but in return receive gifts upon gifts, and I don't mean the ones which fit in the suitcase. The "gifts upon gifts" are all coming back with us to make our own "worlds" and the world in which we all live a better place.
I don't think it matters where in the world you go for the CHA program however I believe India is one country where the gift of giving is returned 100 fold. Through a person's smile and their welcoming "namaste", a person's willingness to assist ie why not?!, the generosity, the enthusiasm for learning, the lust for life irrespective of your socio-economic status, the genuine warmth of their hospitality. As Bela Singh (CCS Director, New Delhi) said, irrespective of the poverty and dirtiness, the people of India are happy. I'm returning to Australia feeling even more grateful, positive and happy having once again been reminded it's the intangible items which provide enduring, lasting happiness and fulfilment.
Thank you Lilly, thank you to my new friends at CCS New Delhi and lastly thank you my wonderful new friends from Lilly USA, Italia, Ireland and South Korea for sharing this adventure. Without each of you this experience wouldn't have been the incredible, memorable, positive experience it was. It's been a tuk tuk ride an a half..beep, beep.
Safe travels home y'all. Can't wait for the reunion...well why not?!
Namaste x
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