Lead Me Where

I’ve heard that following someone’s example comes naturally.

In fact, it’s been said that we are all followers, simply waiting for someone to lead us. Someone to step out, take the lead, and show us what to do.

I never really gave too much thought to it, until I moved to Mexico.

And this girl, who some consider to be a leader, suddenly became dependent on others to lead me, to teach me, to show me how.

School was new. Friends were new. Mexican culture was new. And somewhere an unconscious part of my heart recognized that I needed an example to follow.

I never sat down and said, what I really need is someone to show me how; I’m having a bit of a tough go of it, and I’m really looking for an example to follow.

No, I never said that.

But when I saw an attitude displayed, a lifestyle lived, or a task performed, I took note.

That’s what I need to learn, I thought.

And I watched. And I followed. And I learned.

My need and desire for a model, an example, did not end when I returned to the United States.

I often still don’t know how to do it, how to say it, how to think about it.

And sometimes, I see something good and I think, I need to learn that. I want to be more like that.

And I watch.

Watch how she does it. Listen to how he says it. Pay attention to how she writes it.

I’m still watching. And still learning.

Because there’s still so much I need to learn.

~Natalia