Another day in paradise

IMG_5398

Day two in Bali, a place that many would consider as paradise, but what is paradise?

Well, the dictionary would tell you it’s an idyllic place or state.

For the visitors to Bali, it may well be that, however, for some of the local Indonesians, it could be, and is, the very opposite as they work surrounded by the wealthy tourists.

The trick in life is to build a life that is ideal, not just for a few days or weeks when we jet off somewhere, but all the time. However, you need a certain amount of freedom to be able to do that.

In addition, it is to strive to add our bit back to the community and others, so that everyone may be able to have something, not just a tiny elite.

If the handful of top just 60-70 uber wealthy people, who have the same equivalent wealth as 1/2 of the world’s population (3.8 billion), were to share, then it could be paradise for many, many more. If we stopped that tiny 1% hoarding all the wealth, power and resources, paradise could be extended to all.

Paradise does not have to be big cars, fancy houses, and trinkets. Paradise for many in the world would be freedom from economic slavery, freedom from poverty, and choice as to how they live theirs lives.

We all need to do our bit to help create an alternative world, a paradise for all, in other words, freedom for all to choose how to live and not as slaves to someone else’s paradise.

Preaching to the converted

IMG_3162

While it is good to fine tune your ideas, to inspire the people who share your views and values, preaching to the converted has to be augmented with what others think too.

The danger of only taking in the views of those around you, is that they are likely to share yours, that’s why you are connected.

I am a big advocate of surrounding yourself with people who share your values and your mission, then looking to inspire them to help you and for you to help them. As I have said many times, we are not here for everyone and we only have to appeal to those that share our vision and cause.

However, in order to not think that everyone sees the world like you do and more importantly, to get you to realise that not everyone will instantly get what you are saying, you do need to open yourself to stepping out of your bubble of your own network now and again.

That way you can get new ideas, you can take in things to re-affirm that your mission is the right one, and to also perhaps spread your message to new pastures.

Having contrary opinions is healthy, it keeps you on your toes and it helps to shape your ideas.

The world today is a big fan of a single voice, a mass paint by numbers approach to all and sundry. Difference, diversity, curiosity, and taking in a wide range of views helps shapes our own ideas. We do not have to agree with others, nor do we have to give up on our values. However, to only hear one side, to only hear people who agree with you, is limiting.