Dec 11, 2025 by Leoma G Gilley, in INSIDE: Reflections

 I love this photo by Zhaoli JIN as I suspect it resonate with many of us - lost in a fog. A few weeks ago, I came out of a fog I hadn't realized I was in. It all started when I lost my precious Spiral for four weeks. My grief took over my life, and my brain shut down; the fog set in. Just as I returned from a 9-day trip to Greece, I got Spiral back (another long story), but jet lag set in. I often wonder whether diplomats should ever travel. Jet lag is real, and it affects one's ability to think clearly, but that's another long story. As my brain was beginning to clear, I got sick with something like the flu. Again, my brain went numb. I was sick for three weeks! 

You may ask, "What happened when your brain went into that fog?" It's not pretty.
I have more than 6,000 emails in my inbox. If you've written and not had a reply, write again. I might see it this time. There were actions I should have taken, but didn't, and still haven't. In some cases, productive procrastination pays off as in, put it off long enough and it is no longer relevant. Then there are the courses I'm taking, or supposed to be. One is finished, and I'm still on the first lesson. There is another course I haven't even started. I often feel I've lost my way, and my mind has gone ADD (attention deficit disorder). For example, I wrote this blog last week, but I hadn't quite finished. I closed it, and it disappeared. What happened to autosave? 

So, since my fog has lifted, I am trying to catch up. I made a list of things I needed to do. For each item I mark off that list, I think of two more things I need to add to it. And writing? When do I have time for that?! I'm finishing up Come, Find Space with God. Maybe I need to read that book! Next on my list is the History of iDELTA (Institute for the Development of Languages and Translation in Africa). I will start that in the New Year, God willing and if the fog stays away.

Life is full. My body is weak. But I'm trying to stay on the path God has for me.

Prev