Sentranced Saturday: it’s a beautiful day today. I suggest we enjoy it

sentranced (adj.): the state of being captivated by a well-written sentence.

Sentranced Saturday is a weekly meme created by me that encourages you to share a quote that left you entranced. I have a little notebook that I carry with me everywhere to write down quotes that inspire me in some way, and I am sure that I am not alone! Everyone is welcome to participate, please be sure to link to this post so I can see all of your quotes!

“It’s a beautiful day today. I suggest we enjoy it.” 

– Robert Jeffords

I find myself thinking this quote often, most frequently when I am on the outskirts of town and all I can see for miles to the north is farmland. The wind will blow gently and the sun is warm on my skin. I’ll breath deep and hear Robert’s voice in my mind. It brings me to the present moment and calms me, reminding me of my time in Ecuador and the simple joy that I experienced.

Today’s quote isn’t from a book or film, but from a wonderful man that made an impact on my life. Robert Jeffords was 82 when I met him, an expatriate that had made the rural community of Salasaka, Ecuador his home. My time in Salasaka helped me decide my career path.

I had graduated a couple of months prior and was dejected about being a researcher in higher education after my honors thesis experience, and I realized one afternoon while managing the library and working on an email newsletter that perhaps I should find a career doing the things I volunteer my time doing. It was the right choice.

Every morning for a month I would sit in the kitchen with Robert as he made the huge pot of oatmeal for the volunteers and I drank my instant coffee. It was a comfortable routine that I eased into quickly, each morning beginning with the sound of his singing in his room as he got up like a scene out of Groundhog’s Day. We would meet in the kitchen to chat about life.

Robert passed away in November 2016, but the spirit of Katitawa lives on to this day.  Sumak Kawsay Yachay (SKY) focuses on education for children and adults in English and other school subjects. The name is in the Kichwa language and translates to “Beautiful Life by Education“. You can learn more about Katitawa here.

What do you think about this quote, and what quote do you want to share this week? 

NOTE: Due to timezones and my being in California, I am experimenting with the post time of this weekly meme to ensure that those in other countries have the time to participate. I would love your feedback on this!

Let’s go on another adventure together!