Tuesday 27 January 2015

Life is Full of Uncertainties

Uncertainty in life is a natural component of life. Some of us have come to realise that it is as much a part of life as it is about the journey we all take from the time we are born, knowing fully that our plans will never go straight from Point A to B, but that instead we will face obstacles and challenges that will try to knock us down or succeed in knocking us out cold. Many of us will get up straight away, while others will take a little longer.

Instead of looking at people who take their time to stand up again as weak, we should relish in their behaviour, for they may be lying there longer thinking, consoling themselves, only to become stronger once they are up again ready to fight and inevitably win. Whilst the person who got up straight away didn't give themselves the time to build up their strength meaning that they would easily fall again.

The reason I am writing about this today is that I as always the media relishes in showing us 'success stories' of those who have faced adversity but survived and then thrived, and it has made me wonder why I have taken so long to overcome what I faced and whether I have taken too long to recover. Or whether I am thriving but yet cannot see it. I suppose it is also about how we ourselves perceive our own success. Not a moment passes between a goal is achievement and then we are on to the next one. Do we give ourselves a pat on the back for achieving each goal? Or would that make us complacent?

I know that being afraid of uncertainty and hiding away because of it is definitely not the right way. But the world is full of uncertainties, many out of our own control. The lovely view in the front of my apartment is gone, replaced with the high concrete jungle blocks, out of my control and though it is sad, I must recover and relish instead at the memories of the never ending sunset skies. Whoever said that life is what you make it is right, it's how we overcome the uncertain events and changes that truly makes us grow. There's little point being afraid of what is yet to come, all we can do is be prepared.



Until next time,
Sen x



Saturday 3 January 2015

Gagging on Our Own Voices

Since starting the petition on Avaaz regarding cancelling all debt, I have learnt something truly disturbing. The petition has had over 75 views but only 10 signatures, including mine. There have been varied responses to it. Some people have very reacted badly to it, by personally messaging me on facebook and telling me that it is impossible or telling me outright that it will never happen. Others have wanted answers to questions I cannot know the answers to. A lot of people wanted me to tell them the ramifications of the debt being cancelled. They asked me about how it would affect the world and one person even asked how the world could feed everyone if the debts were cancelled. 

At first I was puzzled by this reaction. I wondered why people felt so afraid by this idea. But soon I realised that it wasn't just that they were afraid of the unknown but that they feel so disempowered already that they cannot imagine that we, the people can collectively try to make a difference. So, then I began to wonder when did people forsake themselves, or shall I say, when did people lose hope in themselves? 

I feel that it is our responsibility as residents of this planet to step in and say enough is enough. Okay, maybe it is very difficult to stop The IMF and World Bank from doing what they are, but how can we truly know whether something is possible or impossible unless we all try? 

It truly scares me that so many people went on the petition's page, read the short information on it and didn't sign, purely because they don't think that they can make a difference, that their voice won't matter. About 2 months ago, I remember asking my Lecturer what the point of development work was if it wasn't really making any structural changes, and she replied with-' at least they are trying, it's better to do something rather than nothing.' 

We all have some power within all of us, and I believe that collectively we can make a difference. 



Until next time,

Sen