"From Surviving to Thriving" (thanks Gwyn!)

This is a re-post from a friend, Gwyn's, blog: she worked with us in Uganda for five years and returned to the US earlier this year - stopping off to stay with us for a few days on the way. She is quoting it from a website called expatwomen.com. It seems to me that these are very helpful suggestions. I should have read them a year ago! Some I have discovered for myself and others not so much...:

From Surviving To Thriving

Here are my five tips to help move you from surviving to thriving as a repatriate:

1.	Follow Your Joy.  If there was ever a time to take care of yourself, it is now. Each day, ask yourself what will bring you joy and do it. Your joy path shall be sacred and nothing shall hinder you from fulfilling it each day. It can be as simple as spending five quiet moments in silence, taking a walk or calling a friend, but you must set aside time for this as a non-negotiable.
2.	Pace of Grace.  Maintain a pace that is sustainable as you acclimate to your new surroundings. Do not go chasing after the wind. You may have an unlimited number of choices for entertainment and activities, but withhold from signing up for everything until you have your bearings secure. Be an observer while you settle-in. Rest. Be easy on yourself and on others in your family.
3.	Refuge.  Regardless of whether you are single or have a family, you need to have a refuge to return to. Create a sacred center within the context of a physical or emotional/spiritual place to be your refuge or resting place.
4.	Make Local Connections.  A clever strategy whether you move home or abroad, is to always befriend at least one local person, find one local place and find one local activity where you can connect locally to help you during your first year. Focus on finding at least one of each when you repatriate: you can always add more later.
5.	One Year.  Prepare yourself for at least a one-year adjustment period. It may take longer, but the one-year mark is a good opportunity to reevaluate what else you might need to make your new home, truly feel like home.