Change your life path, say hello

I miss a few everyday things about travelling.
The simplicity of life is first. All of the peripherals are missing such as cleaning, groceries and tax. You just need to sort out food, shelter and entertainment.

Having time to myself is another, such as eating alone at a restaurant, pondering and just watching the world go by.

But most of all I miss the random connections. This is something I've tried to maintain since returning to Australia. When you're travelling you are naturally more receptive to meeting new people, even though you're much more susceptible to being taken advantage of. Unlike at home, you may not know the language or customs, you probably have all of your belongings with you and it will take longer for people to know your missing. You're actually pretty vulnerable. But there is a sense of community among travellers that goes missing when your a local. On the road the stranger sitting next to you is just a friend you haven't met yet.

I recently visited a friend who I had met once overseas. I didn't question whether is was a safe idea until my friends started asking questions. Of course I had a fantastic time but I couldn't help but wonder why they thought visiting a friend here in Australia was unsafe when I would go random places with random people I just met in while thousands of kilometres away in a strange country. Peoples perspective of dangerous is altered when in their comfort zone of their home town.

I find my tolerance to "dangerous" situations now im back at home has increased. I will often walk home alone at night without a second thought, in fact I prefer it than getting a taxi.
When was the last time you wandered around the still, dark streets of your city alone and just appreciated the beauty of it?
When was the last time you struck up a conversation with a complete stranger in the street or sitting next to you at the cafe?

Alain de Botton says the main cause for major changes in a persons life is not by talking to the same usual group of people but usually through one off encounters that alter your perspective, or bringing new people from new groups into your life. On retrospect I'd say that was accurate with all my major life transitions.
A one off mentoring session changed me from engineering to business. A chance networking encounter made me want to go to Nepal. People in Nepal from the other side of the world convinced me to start doing marathons and reminded me that there are wonderful, genuine people in the world. Numerous one off encounters with strangers in India and Nepal changed my entire view on life and whats important.

So next time you find yourself waiting for a friend at a cafe or in line at the supermarket, ask the person next to you how their day is going, or ask an acquaintance to tell you their life story (even regular people have amazing stories and I have never been denied when I've asked.)
If you do, it might just change your life.

Saturation

The colour is missing from my life. Nothing seems to have the same richness as it had before. leaves of autumn cover the ground, their brown crumpled carcasses skitter with the wind. grey skies stretch above and the cool air makes me turn from the wind and pull my coat tight. Work and friends lack the lustre they once had. Meetings, deadlines and action lists struggle to have meaning. My mind is elsewhere. My thoughts are drawn to once place only. One reoccurring theme, you.

As soon as I see you a smile spreads across my face, my eyes light up and the exhaustion that plagues me lifts instantly. It feels as though the sun comes out when you appear. The colour returns to everything, but not just normal colour, a saturation of vibrate colours filled with life, love and joy. I shed my coat, the sun kisses my skin as you wrap your arms around me. My thoughts and my body are once again in the same place. The only place they want to be, with you.

Kony

Tonight is "cover the night" the global phenomenon to find and capture Joseph Kony marketed by the NGO invisible children. If you haven't heard about it, get out from under our rock and google it.
A few weeks ago the founder of invisible children had a mental breakdown in the midst of the publicity storm. The media was on him like rabid dogs and people were quick to dismiss the whole thing. "How can someone with those problems run this campaign?" The media quickly asked and the world turned their backs.

I strongly disagree

People are just people. No one is perfect.
We need to remember the core message of the campaign, which is about protecting children from becoming child soldiers. That is what this is about, not the founder, not the thousands around the world who have given time and money to this worthy cause, just the children in Africa.

But conversely, if Jason Russell can organise a global campaign with severe mental issues then what the hell is our excuse for not organising one? Arse farming? The least we can do is support this campaign.

At work there are no perfect employees or perfect managers. No one has work as their core purpose in life 100% of the time. Hence no one will be focused on work for the entire working week. I know the people i work with will have outside work issues in their minds that will impact on their productivity, But that is what is important to them. So long as they're trying at work, that's what counts. I'm more than happy to be lenient.
So Stop looking at the flaws and start looking at the capabilities. You won't have a manager who knows everything just as you won't have a skilled worker who can manage everything strategically. Sometimes out of work issues impact massively at work but any good manager will understand that and support you.

This is the same in relationships. You won't ever find the perfect partner, Although often at the start they seem absolutely perfect. :) People are just people. No one is perfect and we should accept them as they are and for the good they try to do.

Positive perspectives

I've stopped watching the news or reading the news paper. There is so much negativity in the world and I don't need to hear about mass genocides or terrible accidents first thing in the morning. I am aware of world dramas but I don't need to be reminded of it daily.
The world is a wonderful place. That is my perspective so that is my reality. I surround myself with wonderful people that make me smile everyday. I am grateful of the privileged life I lead and i always try to appreciate the beauty in the world around me.

I am often astounded at how often people are negative about their lives. It's easy to do, we all have problems but imagine what a world we would live in if everybody had a positive attitude everyday? Suicide is the leading cause of death in young Australians. Higher than road accidents. That is a horrendous statistic. In a world where billions have no clean drinking water we are privileged beyond belief - and yet thousands kill themselves. It doesn't make sense. Their perspective needs to be altered.
My mother has a saying, if everyone put their problems in a pile and you had to pick one, you'd pick your own back up. Hmm, starvation or boy dramas? Tough choice. Htfu.

So ke garne? What to do? Your perspective is your reality, hence you can make the world a better place by changing someone else's perspective.
I'd like everyone to take this thought and do three things.
Firstly, think about what your grateful for in your life and post it on Facebook. If it's a person, tell them or tag them.
Secondly, next time you think something positive about someone, tell them. It could be a random stranger with killer shoes or the guy at the takeaway shop that makes your sandwich just right. Share your happiness and appreciation.
Thirdly, this is the easiest, smile and say hi to a random stranger. Ever been having a really bad day and a simple act of a stranger has lifted your mood? You might even make a friend.

Last thought: If every time you said something negative you counteracted it with two positive statements the world would be a better place, not just in your reality but in everyones.