Sonia and Jamila

So, here's the thing... Life is good, yes. But, I am not going to lie, I am in Afghanistan.

The teeter-totter goes up and down as if a ton bricks is on one side and the other is as light as a feather. The ton of bricks being the gated walls, guns everywhere, random spotting of taliban, news of another attack, choppers so close to the office you think they might be coming in for a visit, or even just a suspicious person around the corner. The other side is pleasant as can be, wonderful colleagues, comfortable living and passionate work. But you know when you were a kid and that teeter totter went back and forth too fast? Well, it made your stomach drop, like a the free fall on a roller coaster.

For a while, I wanted to sugar coat everything for everyone to let you know that I am safe (I am!), but that isn't going to help. The reality is, life is going to be a teeter totter over here, but like everything else in life, there is beauty in it.

Speaking of beauty in everything. Just the other night a friend and I went out for dinner and met a women who was doing an NBC special on Women's organizations. I am not sure when it will air, but kudos to her for picking up a piece of news other than something going boom. I can't highlight her piece, because it hasn't run, but my friend Missy works for the Global Fund for Women and they are doing some great work here and elsewhere in the world.

You can't help but want to ignore the 'drop' in the pit of your stomach when you hear the story about Jamila from GFW (above) or MP Barakzai (project from DAI) who are working to make change here in Afghanistan. They have dealt with much worse conditions and will continue to ensure them for long after we are gone, yet they have found a way to turn that 'drop' into hope. Hope for a better future for their children, their neighbors and their country.

My life used to be centered around balance. Balance is the key. Balance is important, yes, but maybe it is about stepping back and realizing the bigger picture of it all. For had I not put myself in the shoes of Jamila or Sonia (MP Barakzai), I would be a lot grumpier about a cold shower and a lot more scared when the neighbor is on his poach peering over with his AK47.