Our busy, Western lives leave little time to connect to the universe. Which is probably why we abuse it so much.
Looking out at the Atlantic Ocean, watching all the millions of silvery ripples dance in the warm evening sun, shimmering before coming together to a crescendo that licks the golden shore. The warm air caresses my skin as it floats around The Smiling Coast, carrying the imprints of everyone its ever touched.
Here comes the dippy hippy shit...
As a philosophy student and depression sufferer, it's these moments that make me feel at peace. When I'm truly connected to the universe.
I need to feel its body and breathe it in to realise just how truly significant and lucky I am. Bear with me... the cause of so much discontent in our lives is we all feel a sense of entitlement or competition. That we need to achieve something or be someone. But you achieve something every day and are someone just by being here.
The planet gives us life physically and guides us metaphysically (it's the one true god). All this was a freak chemical reaction. And we are freak biological miracles. We should savour every breath and embrace our "failures" and "imperfections" because it's meant to be.
So you're not the next Steve Jobs, so what? You touch people's lives every time you interact with anyone and indirectly, probably, through your job. Every interaction, every neutron in you circulates around the universe and touches people and places you couldn't even imagine - because every atom is interwoven in this incredible celestial tapestry.
Maktub
And as for my physical life. The fact that I'm here in the Gambia, writing this makes me one lucky girl. Surrounded by opportunities to make my dreams come true.
I was talking to a Gambian chap called Babu. He was a customer service connoisseur - declaring that he wants all tourists to have a good, happy time in the Gambia as they'll come back and tell their friends, who'll come. A true marketer!
He said he would take to afrobeat nights and djembe events because then we won't get hassled by bumsters. And he doesn't want any payment, just rave reviews.
Babu also mentioned it was impossible for him to visit Reading (he's a proud owner of an RFC shirt, as his friend lives in the town) as he needs a formal invitation from a reputable person with a secure full-time job in order to get a visa for anywhere in Europe and the US.
So there you have it. His wings clipped from all angles. As he said himself, he knows about the UK but it's different to visit and experience UK life. He's the spirit of REDwalks without the capability.
Be grateful for what you have as you can bet your arse there's someone out there who's looking at you wishing it could be them.
First published on 11/09/2019 20:54
