"For a long time it seemed to me that life was about to begin- real life. But there was always some obstacle in the way, something to be gotten through first, some unfinished business, time still to be served, a debt to be paid. At last it dawned on me that these obstacles were my life. This perspective has helped me to see there is no way to happiness. Happiness is the way. So treasure every moment you have and remember that time waits for no one." -Souza
Wednesday, June 22, 2011
A REMINDER...
Some people have asked me why I've chosen to live in a country where I'm living "in poverty". I think immediately, "in poverty"?!?! Hmm, interesting. I guess if I look at my monthly salary here and compare it to what a language professor gets in the states, it would appear that I'm living in poverty. I don't make much. Then, I take a look at where I'm living here in this little town ... a small room, cement floors, no kitchen, just a bed and a table, and what's attempting to be a closet. Yeah, I don't think I've ever seen a room like this in the states. And when I think back over the past two years, I've definitely had some difficult times. So, why am I so happy living here???? A while ago, I came across this quote about "life". It's a nice reminder for everyone to think about what happiness truly is....
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poverty, like happiness, is relative. it is far too often that we seek to perceive our needs from sources outside of ourselves, instead of creating our own understanding of necessity. this question, the choice of 'poverty,' is still a question phrased in the language of the oppressor, where as the descion not to live in poverty has yet to be understood by many as the choice to exploit those who remain in poverty, a decision, conscious or not, to reinvigorate the inequality so rampant across the globe. even then, as you point out, in the wake of imperialism, are you and your community unable to be joyous? second yet, do they ever ask the purpose of your days? why it is you toil in poverty and what that toil is? the question may also be phrased, relatively similarly, that it is a choice to live without necessitating the material and cultural impoverishment of others. or even, to live less decadently. to free ourselves from the seeming 'obviousness' of lifestyle preferences is to begin opening ourselves to the ever widening scope of change necessary for freedom to be something we ever experience; for freedom is not boundless abundance or unlimited personal liberty, nor is it economic free trade (a mis-capitalized pronoun if i've ever heard one), and freedom is certainly not freedom if only a few think they have it. if freedom is an expression we must ask ourselves what it is that we believe we, and others, can not express.
love,
you know who
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