REALITY CHECK PART 1

     This is a series where I will be shedding light on the crucial issues that are existent in the world and the ones that have a major impact on life as we know it. I think we have become accustomed to living in a bubble, closed off from the real world that we forget what is truly of importance. We come across endless information from the media and most of it is just utter nonsense if you come to think of it. The media mostly gives the audience what it asks for because this is linked to ratings and ratings are linked to paychecks. In this age of media conglomeration money talks and it is becoming more evident that preeminent issues that can change the world are not being given the attention that they deserve. What has this lead to? Ignorance. I want to change the way you view the world and the only way for me to achieve this is by telling you what you should be focusing on to change your perspective on things.

     It is becoming increasingly alarming at the rate at which we are depleting our water sources. Global warming is catching up with us and it is inevitably going to end water if we do not come up with sustainable solutions. Water is the most vital resource that exists. Our bodies are made up of over 60% water, producing energy requires water, cooling our atmosphere requires water, producing the meat that the world consumes requires water, agriculture requires water...I can go on and on about the uses of water, the list is endless. It is devastating to know that the most valuable resource that we have as humanity is the least treasured and the most misused. It is evident that the world has started experiencing the effects of global warming. Hurricanes in Florida have wiped out towns and killed hundreds of people, flooding in India, Bangladesh and other South Asian countries has also resulted in the same fate. The wildfires in Australia caused by an increase in temperatures have destroyed lush forests and have resulted in massive loss of wealth, recurring drought in Russia has caused parts of the country to declare a state of emergency. The increasing examples of such catastrophes are becoming increasingly worrying.

    It scares me looking at the bigger picture. The ice in Antarctica and Greenland is gradually melting resulting in the region losing about 70 kilometers of ice per year. The ice contained in this region accounts for most of the fresh water in the world. The melting of the ice is causing an increase in sea level which screams disaster for flat countries. Bangladesh has a low lying coast which is gradually being submerged due to the rise in sea levels. According to predictions, in a century, this might lead to more than 30 million people being displaced from their homes. That number is nerve wracking. Where these people are going to go? Nobody knows.

    We need to start taking responsibility of what is going on in the world. It is our own doing. In this age of capitalism we forget that we are suffocating our world gradually. The increase in greenhouse emissions, excessive use of fossil fuels, improper garbage disposal, these are all man made problems in the race to make more money. Incessant greed and ignorance will be the end of us unless we change the story. Just as there exists oil disputes across the world, nations will start to collide because of inadequate water. Think about it. It is already happening, look at the disputes that occurred along the Nile Valley or the ones occurring in parts of Asia for example between India and Bangladesh over The Ganges, it is also happening in the Middle East and South America. We need change and we need it fast. The responsibility to take care of the posterity is with us. Now that you are aware, what is it that you can do to help better the situation? That is the question.

PLEASURE OF SOLITUDE

     The thing I have come to value the most in life is my alone time. Being alone and being lonely are two ends of a spectrum. We tend to seek people to share our time with, afraid of feeling lonely and we end up depriving ourselves of the time to get to know who we are more intently. The risk of not giving yourself enough alone time is that you are exposing yourself more to outwardly influences, which creep in into our lives and cause a disturbance in our peaceful state of mind. Most people are so concerned about finding people who will fill their empty shell of loneliness but they forget it all begins from within. In order not to feel lonely we must love being with ourselves. Start focusing on your personal growth to strengthen your sense of self. We may not truly know who we are but we know who we think we are.

     Turn yourself into a person with depth. Learn yourself and from that, get to know which parts of yourself need to change. It is not unusual to be oblivious of your shortcomings when you do not take time to center your mind and find your true self. I have found that meditation is ideal in finding inner peace.  Disconnecting from the world relieves us of the pressure of what is expected of us by other people. Do not be afraid to detach yourself from people who persistently drag you into their problems. You do not owe them anything, distance yourself for the greater good. Some of us are stuck trying to help other people with their issues that we forget to pay attention to ourselves. Slowly you start to lose your identity and that ends up breaking you. Centering yourself in the midst of chaos will be the true test of your self awareness. It is not an easy road trying to be who you are in a world that is constantly pressuring us to be someone else. Once you start to become conscious of who you are, growth becomes imminent. You will start to value your time and people who have your best interests in mind.

      I have found that getting away out of town to a serene environment is my favorite thing to do to unwind and re-evaluate my life. I love going to places I have never been before. It gets my mind off all the seriousness in my life. I believe we were born to enjoy this conscious awareness experience we call life and discover our full potential. This can only be achieved if we are comfortable with who we are. It is a journey, be aware that you are on that journey and the only way that you will to go is forward, towards abundance. This time round I explored a resort in Thika, Kenya called Ol donyo Sapuk Resort. It is set at the foot of Mt. Kilimambogo; the scenery was surreal and one which you might consider going to experience. The video gives you a preview of the experience. Enjoy.