hayliebaylie

The Art of Travel

I’m in love with people I’ve never metwhose stories I long to hear,whose voices I yearn to listen to,their laughter I want to share,their pain I want to sit with. The world feels too smallfor me to live without them,their paths could surely cross mine;we could stop and breathe the same air,smirk at the sameContinue reading “The Art of Travel”

Transition: An Expat’s Grief

I find myself deeply agitated at the end of summer every year. The transition from long, warm evenings to crisp, cool mornings gives way to a deep sense of unease and anxiety, my heart aching with mournful grief. I love summer. And deep down I know I enjoy autumn as well, but letting go ofContinue reading “Transition: An Expat’s Grief”

Why “must-do” lists might leave you feeling empty

Have you ever toured the Hershey’s Chocolate Factory before? Many years ago, my family visited the East Coast of the United States and part of our holiday included a trip to the Hershey Factory. My childhood memories of the place include a small amusement ride with singing cows and crowded shop with every Hershey’s andContinue reading “Why “must-do” lists might leave you feeling empty”

What they don’t tell you

Moving abroad is hard. There’s no way around that fact, yet deep in the recesses of my brain, I can’t seem to shake my expections of fluidity and ease. What a ridiculous thought. Fluidity? Ease? Like lava flowing down a hill, the reality is that problems come in a barrelling flow and my mistakes justContinue reading “What they don’t tell you”

When trust doesn’t seem to make sense

Peace be still, say the word and I will Set my feet upon the sea Till I’m dancing in the deep Oh peace be still, You are here so it is well Even when my eyes can’t see I will trust the voice that speaks Peace “Peace be Still”, the Belonging Co. & Lauren DaigleContinue reading “When trust doesn’t seem to make sense”

Take care of yourself

My therapist once said to me in full confidence, “You are going to be a strong, independent leader who is well educated and takes care of herself.” His encouragement stuck with me so much that I immediately wrote it down and tried to declare it over myself. In the moment, I was at a lowContinue reading “Take care of yourself”

Learning to Rest

After about three weeks home after graduating university and spending about a week healing from my bike accident, I was determined to find myself a job. Since getting a field-related job to put on my resume was one of the main purposes of spending a gap year at home, a global pandemic and being hitContinue reading “Learning to Rest”

Maia’s garage rat

For a couple of years Maia had an intense fear of going into our home garage. We have a door that opens from the office into the garage, where the laundry, extra refrigerator and extra cleaning and toilet paper supplies are. As an eleven year old, Maia was already doing her own laundry and replacingContinue reading “Maia’s garage rat”

Flourishing

“Is not this the fast that I choose: to loose the bonds of wickedness, to undo the straps of the yoke, to let the oppressed go free, and to break every yoke? Is it not to share your bread with the hungry and bring the homeless poor into your house; when you see the naked,Continue reading “Flourishing”

Volunteering in Uganda pt. 1

(Note: this is just a preview into a series of my time volunteering in Uganda) The summer of 2016 I had the pleasure of volunteering with IVHQ Uganda and Volunteers 2 Uganda. Out of the two months I spent in the continent of Africa, six weeks were spent volunteering in Mutungo, a village about fortyContinue reading “Volunteering in Uganda pt. 1”