Perspective

We often say that 'it's all in how you look at things' or 'perception is reality'.  Each of us define the framework of those thoughts with our DNA and life experience.  It's what makes the world go round and creates our global diversity.  Great stuff, right?  Could not agree more and it's core to every one's life and will be totally relevant to my PC experience.

I read a post from Vanuatu last night and have been processing it since.  It bothers me.  It makes me want to cry.  I know 'modernization' has happened and is happening the world over, but seeing familiar fast food logos on the streets of Lima or Leipzig, for example, has always bothered me.  When you travel to new places, you want to see 'different': you want to view local culture, local business and products and what that locale and citizens contribute to the global diversity.  

I do like technology and it will enable me to keep in touch during my service.  I don't eat Doritos and have no intention of searching them out in Tonga.  Thank you STEBLOG for making me aware and giving me warning. I have no answers to any of this.  Does all this culture pollination make a better world?  The man with diabetes probably doesn't think so.  To a child discovering the wonders of the internet, I'm sure there's joy.  All I know is that right now, I need a Kleenex.  I hope they don't have those in Tonga.

Maybe one can't change the world, but one can change someone's life.

Laugh.Cry.Appreciate.

Tale of the Enchanted Postcard

Remember how in The Chronicles of Narnia the kids discovered the wardrobe, got inside and suddenly found themselves transported to Narnia?  They really were just being kids playing hide and seek and the next thing you know they were faced with the reality of their destiny. Great fun to read, fantasize about and rent on a DVD, but fiction, nevertheless, you say.  I always thought so myself, until...

I retired in 2004 and for a few years was like a kid playing hide and seek, enjoying my hard-earned and greatly-appreciated life of doing whatever I damn well pleased.   About two years ago, I knew this wasn't reality and I needed something to give a bit more meaning to my life.  You know, just one of those thoughts one has and then goes back to hide and seek.  On a 'nothing was special about it' kind of day I got the day's mail and had a postcard from the Peace Corps informing me of a recruiting meeting at a local library.  What struck me was the banner of "Life is calling.  How far will you go?"  Well, I didn't have far to go to get to the library on the appointed day.  I am now convinced that postcard was enchanted like a professor's wardrobe.  It had to have been embedded with some kind of powerful magic as now I find myself cleaning out drawers, closets and cabinets, trying to rent my sanctuary to strangers and packing duffels bags with heretofore unowned objects like a headlamp, cranking/solar powered radio/flashlight/USB charger combo device, travel hammock and microfiber towels.  I really am very fortunate.  The kids in the story had no time to prepare.  At least I have a packing list from the Peace Corps.  in about 6 weeks I leave for The Kingdom of Tonga and a rendezvous with my destiny.

 I'm so glad I heeded that enchanted postcard.  Check your mailbox daily.

Learn.  Grow.  Laugh.