I’ve been to this place before, but I’ve never truly seen it. I’ve seen the buildings, the streets, the people, but I’ve never really looked. I’ve been so focused on the task at hand, on the mission, on the objective, that I’ve ignored the surroundings. This time, I take the time to look around. I take in the sights, the sounds, the smells. I notice the beauty, the chaos, the humanity. I see the people, struggling, laughing, loving, living. I see the beauty in the mundane, the beauty in the unknown.

I think about the first time I was here, about the people I met, the things I saw. I think about the reasons why I came, the reasons why I’m still here. I realize that sometimes, the reasons we give ourselves for doing things are just excuses. Sometimes, we do things just because we can, because we want to, because we need to. This time, I’m here because I want to, because I need to. I’m here to look, to see, to experience.

I’m not sure what the future holds, but for the first time in a long time, I’m excited to find out. I’m not sure what the next step is, but I’m willing to take it. I’m not sure what’s next, but I’m ready. I’m just willing to be here, to be present, to be open. I’m ready to see what’s next, to experience what’s next, to be what’s next.