Today I took a big 4 hour motorcycle ride with a friend. We went about 100 miles around the country side. The wind was blowing quite fiercely today and being on the bike was a bit wobbly. I was planning to do a speed test and push my bike to the limit but couldn’t find enough stable pavement to try out this daredevil task. I did get my bike to 110 MPH, but it was just for a few seconds. Eventually, we stopped to appreciate the local scenery.
A lot of times in life we tend to rush through things and not see what we have around us. So many of us are chasing dreams and fantasies when we already have remarkable things in our lives. I always remind myself that the current day and age is the best so far in human history. Back in the old days, basics such as electricity, water, and food were all hard to come by. I always find it irritating when I hear people say “Life in the old days was so much better!” No it was not. That is just a common romanticizing of the situation.
I grew up in China in the late 90’s which was a little behind America in terms of technology at that time. I remember all the days when the power went out and I lit our emergency candles. I remember all the days when we did not have heating or cooling. Sweating by the oscillating fan during those hot summer months and shivering by the fireplace during the winter. Many GenZ kids have not had the same type of experience of getting water from a well and going to bed simply because there are no lights after dark. When it got dark, it was DARK! I mean real dark where there isn’t a single hint of light. In many parts of China today, there are still people living in these situations.
These days, there are too many people living in luxury while lamenting about first world problems. Wherever you are, take a breather and look around you. Tell your loved ones you appreciate them. Revel in the melody of life that you have been blessed.
