As we enter the New Year I look into the opportunities it presents and reflect on the past year that was. As this time of year tends to do to a person, I have a sudden urge to look at what I've learnt so far from a year of personal growth and travel.
One thing distance can show you is the immensity of the world, it puts into perspective the true weight and value of what we deem important in our lives. When wandering the world you're shown the bigger picture, one that is easily forgotten. It may seem like our lives are worlds apart from those in other areas of the world, but in truth they are one in the same. Depending on the society we live in the battles we face differ largely, for many around us it's one of social acceptance and success, although for others it's a struggle for survival. Whilst both do have an effect on your well being, for most of us in the first world there's the tendency to compare ourselves to one person nearby rather than the world in its entirety. When you put yourself in a position to face the reality of world, where whole societies suffer from civil unrest, a lack of government support, corrupt governments. Through the struggles of others lives for mere perseverance you see the true blessings of yours. We are sheltered from the lack of impoverishment. We easily forget the struggle it took to get to where we are now and that some are still struggling to get there.
If there's one thing I'll always say,
"It could always be worse"
It's funny when I talk to people about travel, many wanting to get off the beaten track. I smile and think to myself,
"Oh hell nah"!
My parents are from off the beaten track, they came running to Australia to make sure I didn't have to go back. And I'm not about to. Don't get me wrong I do get it, wanting a raw experience, who doesn't want adventure? Just know that for some people in the world that the adventure of desolate isolation, extreme weathers, bumpy roads and dangerous wildlife is their day to day life. Their world one of sheer simplicity, happy in their circumstance and with a lack of complaint.
So keep your hearts, minds and eyes open. We've become a world where we are more interested in protecting ourselves and our self progression, we're not seeing people but opponents and competition in those around us. We tend to forget we're all just simple human beings and stop seeing the person within. We need to start giving each other a chance, we don't give each other enough chances. I've even seen myself be scared to receive help even when I needed it, judging their motives.
We largely can't control things that happen in our lives, including the societies and lives we are born into. But we can control who we are in this world and what we put out into it.
As we strive to become the best possible state of our souls, it requires the questioning of our motives and responses. Do we remember it could be worse than what we have? Do we remember those who have little yet still give beyond their means? Do we remember those that would kill to lead a quality of life close to ours and not need anything more?
"Choose being kind over being right, and you will be right every time" - Richard Carlson
Until our next philosophical lesson.
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