| I’m a strong believer in the fact that a | | | | has no clue about technology, xbox, my sense of |
| coalition of simple acts by just one person DOES | | | | humour, I didn’t have anything to do with |
| lead to making this world a better place to live in. | | | | them! Can you imagine how small my life had |
| So I decided that I’ll create a new category | | | | gotten? It was that “similarity” that I was |
| on my blog called “Change the World“. | | | | after, that was actually limiting me. It wasn’t |
| Hopefully write something from time to time, | | | | until recently I’ve actually started exploring |
| mainly from personal experiences and aspirations, | | | | more in life - thinking of broadening my life. |
| that someone can probably take something from | | | | I remember a few months ago, I came back |
| and add in their bit in their own way to making a | | | | home from one of the worst days at work, and |
| difference in the world. | | | | was pretty much in the mood to just curl up, feel |
| I’ve been pondering about expanding your | | | | miserable and sleep it off. Just then a friend of |
| horizons and living life in abundance lately. A few | | | | mine who lives up the coast called me. And I |
| things that came to my mind which I’d like to | | | | began my whining while explaining to her what |
| share… | | | | happened all day so she could |
| Have you wondered how “routine” life can | | | | “empathise”. And she goes like, “alright |
| become over time? I mean, time and again we | | | | - put on your running shoes right now and just |
| find ourselves being stuck in a rut of what is | | | | walk out. Don’t question it or sit to think |
| required from us - making ends meet, catching up | | | | about it - just do it”. So I did, still grumbling |
| with same old friends, having a good time like we | | | | though trying to reason out “how would this |
| have always been, listen to the same genre of | | | | really help!”. A few minutes in just walking |
| music, eating the same “favourite” food. | | | | aimlessly, something beautiful started happening - |
| Don’t you think you’re being | | | | I started to pay attention to nature, people |
| underexposed in life? Not trying anything new, not | | | | around, still waters (there’s a wharf close to |
| going anywhere, not seeking new connections? | | | | where I live) etc. I ended up spending over an |
| Yes I know, you’re wondering where I’m | | | | hour just sitting by that wharf. I gave her a call to |
| going with this… | | | | thank her and she told me she was doing the |
| I’m trying to inspire you to think | | | | same thing - so we kept chatting on our walk |
| “broad”, explore life to it’s fullest, live | | | | back home, both being more appreciative and |
| in abundance, take risks and give thanks at the | | | | positive about the day :) |
| end for a wonderful journey each day. | | | | Imagine how much you’d grow as a person |
| Life is so full of new things - different cultures to | | | | when you explore, see different cultures, develop |
| learn from, so many different hobbies, meeting | | | | new hobbies, meet people who look at things |
| people with completely new personalities and so | | | | from a different perspective or learn about the |
| much more, all offering different perspectives on | | | | history of a new place. |
| the way you think. | | | | Even if we disagree with someone or something, |
| Ask yourself - have you been sailing? Have you | | | | we’d still learn something. |
| been to a museum? | | | | Getting out of your box every now and then will |
| Have you: | | | | not only help you to grow, but also bring in |
| - been fishing? | | | | enthusiasm in your life, stay excited and |
| - learnt a new language? | | | | appreciate all that life has to offer. |
| - been skydiving? | | | | So to sum it up, I challenge you to give some of |
| - heard a symphony? | | | | the points below a shot in the coming week itself: |
| - been to a rock concert? | | | | - Get out and meet people who are NOT like you. |
| - tried playing a musical instrument? | | | | People who don’t share the same views as |
| - offered voluntary help for the community? | | | | yours. Who don’t have the same sense of |
| - explored a new culture? | | | | humour as yours. People who grew up in |
| - been to an art gallery? | | | | completely different environment than yours. |
| - visited a new country? | | | | - Set out some time to visit a local art gallery or |
| The list is endless. | | | | a museum in your city. Better yet, take a friend |
| You may say “Well I’m not the kinda | | | | you recently got acquainted with to tag along. |
| person who likes art”… How would you | | | | - Welcome differences in attitudes and people - |
| know unless you give it a shot? | | | | You don’t have to agree to the differences, |
| Maybe you can’t afford to visit a new | | | | simply acknowledge that you’re welcoming it |
| country, but you can definitely spend a few hours | | | | to seek different perspectives. |
| by the beach, or your local park and read a book | | | | - Remind yourself everyday that life is abundant |
| isn’t it? | | | | and there’s always so much to see, learn, |
| I still remembered many years ago when I had | | | | observe, accept and be thankful for. |
| just met my EX, she made a plan for a bunch of | | | | - Every often think about one, complete selfless |
| us to go to an amusement park. Now I used to | | | | act, that you could do voluntarily that may make |
| despise amusement parks - but then again I | | | | a difference to someone and in turn, make you |
| brightly agreed to go - of course at that time I | | | | feel better. It could be as simple as randomly |
| just wanted her to like me :) I would’ve gone | | | | greeting a stranger and wishing them “good |
| to a mental research facility for psych tests if | | | | day”. |
| she would’ve asked me to back then LOL! | | | | - Try to explore or cultivate a new hobby - read |
| Anyways, I pompously remember now having so | | | | up on the internet about it, or go to your local |
| much fun that day - and that’s when I | | | | library and read a book about it. |
| realised, I had simply pre-judged going to | | | | - Call up a friend and see the sunset together. |
| amusement parks until then. | | | | - Write a hand-written letter to a loved one. |
| Prejudice has nothing to do with just race or | | | | - Do something out of your normal routine of |
| religion. You could pre-judge a culture, a hobby or | | | | your day to day life. |
| an event! Have you thought about how many | | | | You never know - you may be missing out on |
| things have you simply, subconsciously pre-judged | | | | the best part of life just because you’ve |
| and ruled them out of your life without even | | | | pre-judged something and have made up your |
| giving it a second thought just because | | | | mind that you’re not gonna like to do |
| you’re not “used to it”? | | | | something. |
| I was always the kind of person who’d hang | | | | Life is way bigger than your mindset, bigger than |
| out with the same kinda friends, watch the same | | | | your career, your ambition, your lifestyle. The |
| genre of tv-shows/movies and mostly have the | | | | more you’ll explore, the more appreciative |
| same kinda food. For me it was like if someone | | | | you’ll become and make better decisions. |