The Arusha chaos welcomed me back today. Hundreds of children shouted greetings, the stares came in waves, and my favorite street dog walked me to work.

The first day back from a trip offers a unique gift: you gain a stranger’s perspective of your daily life. You resume your normal schedule, in the normal places, and for that first day or so, it feels a bit foreign. You get a glimpse of what it would be like to watch a typical day in your own life.

I always find it helps me evaluate and reflect on my current situation, where my recent choices have brought me. Am I happy? Do I enjoy what I'm doing? Is there something routine that bothers me? Now I can see it for what it is, and I can change it.

We have a very finite time here on this Earth. But our contributions are meaningful. Reflection helps us calibrate our efforts, to ensure we are in communion with the universe.

What would a stranger say about your life?