lightbulb moments
Posted on Feb 24th, 2006
by 
jodi
jodi
This past week we had very little electricity in our country and especially in the Western Cape (where I live). This turned out to be frustrating and fun at the same time. Doing work and getting services was almost impossible. I couldn't even go to yoga class because the gym was closed. This seriously interfered with my 'routine'. (I couldn't visit Zaadz! ). It made me think about living in a 'third world country' and what so many people who live here, deal with daily.
The thing about South Africa is that we seem to live in a country which is both first and third world. Most of the time I seem to be living in a world where things run quite smoothly and I have all the services one would expect. Yet many people in my country live without basic services like water, electricity and sanitation every day. Most of the people in my country live with extreme poverty, HIV/AIDS, unemployment, crime, abuse against women and children and many serious and very bad circumstances. Yet, if you walk down the street and speak to people they seem positive. People here seem to look at the bright side. I am generalizing of course and not claiming that these issues should not be seen as sad or unacceptable. What amazes me and gives me hope for my country is that people can see a future under these circumstances.
Two years ago we celebrated 10 years of democracy. In this time our country has healed a lot. We truly are a country of many cultures and colours. And we celebrate this diversity. Of course there are negative people. But I think we are on the right road toward a future of growth and unity. Our economy is very strong and our employment is on the rise (slowly and steadily). People are also being inspired to be entrepreneurs and create their own work
Every day I am amazed and proud of South Africa. I live in such a beautiful country. And I think that South Africa is a wonderful example that things can change and get better. That something good can come out of something terrible. That people can unite and work towards something positive. Even if the world doen't think it is posible. The world can change. We can change it with the right mindset, hard work and time.
The thing about South Africa is that we seem to live in a country which is both first and third world. Most of the time I seem to be living in a world where things run quite smoothly and I have all the services one would expect. Yet many people in my country live without basic services like water, electricity and sanitation every day. Most of the people in my country live with extreme poverty, HIV/AIDS, unemployment, crime, abuse against women and children and many serious and very bad circumstances. Yet, if you walk down the street and speak to people they seem positive. People here seem to look at the bright side. I am generalizing of course and not claiming that these issues should not be seen as sad or unacceptable. What amazes me and gives me hope for my country is that people can see a future under these circumstances.
Two years ago we celebrated 10 years of democracy. In this time our country has healed a lot. We truly are a country of many cultures and colours. And we celebrate this diversity. Of course there are negative people. But I think we are on the right road toward a future of growth and unity. Our economy is very strong and our employment is on the rise (slowly and steadily). People are also being inspired to be entrepreneurs and create their own work
Every day I am amazed and proud of South Africa. I live in such a beautiful country. And I think that South Africa is a wonderful example that things can change and get better. That something good can come out of something terrible. That people can unite and work towards something positive. Even if the world doen't think it is posible. The world can change. We can change it with the right mindset, hard work and time.
Access: Public
hope
August 2008 
It’s really nice to hear about what’s going on in south africa from someone who lives there , who is in the streets, who is part of the culture, and full of such compassion and insight. Please keep up these posts Jodi :)
And although in Canada and the US we don’t have as much ‘First World’ as you, it is here - one sees it every day in the homeless and the very poor. Even in Calgary, which is unbelievable full of money these days, homelessness grows. Many actually have jobs, but the cost of housing is growing with the wealth itself, and outpacing affordable housing.
It’s also true that though there is a correlation between happiness and econononic and social development, it’s not always so simple of course. According to the World Happiness Database, Mexico is in the top top, way ahead of the us, and even ahead of Canada in the most recent study. I look forward to seeing SA trend up i the WHD - I know you and FP are dong your part :)
Thanks Jodi for sharing the experiences around you. I completed forgot you live in south africa. Yes, it is a wonderful thing when we put things into perspective in our act to be grateful for what we have. I do feel the same.. most people from undeveloped countries are much more cheery and happy even though they lack the many luxuris on modern life. Perhaps our viewpoints of happiness thinking must completely change.. Perhaps it is better to live simply with internal riches of the heart (mortality, compassion, loving-kindness, and share our happiness out with families, friends and strangers.) than external riches of income, objects (expensive clothes, cars, houses) status, success up the ladder) and share it with ourselves. In the long run, who benefits?
Perhaps the secret of being happy besides meeting basic needs is having just enough to live life..miniminum things to keep, to buy..less worries about things.. less stress of competition with others and keeping up with the trend. The mind is free of mental strains and the body feels energetic, alive, flowing, and light.
Thanks for sharing your experience here Jodi! I have heard such wonderful things about South Africa. It is amazing what 10 years can do. It is hard to imagine what that kind of transformation is like and how much a place can change. South Africa has so many resources to help that change along. I am so glad to hear there is so much positivity. That kind of energy is essential. I lived in Uganda and travelled in Rwanda for a short time. The progress there is much much slower, but still impressive. I remember being in western Uganda, near the border with Congo and visiting with people who had been displaced just a few years earlier by the ADF. They had to rebuild their schools, homes, everything! But, many of them were so positive, kind, and resiliant. It was so humbling. It was so inspiring.
Still having power problems :(
Seems like it could go on for months.
That’s great, jodi! I like hearing about your appreciation for place that you’re in.
Side note: I was reading an article recently regarding the effect of artificial light on humans. They took a group, and denied them artificial light for a month, and saw what happened. Turns out, they all went to bed earlier, and got up earlier, but not only that…their sleep cycles all became broken, where they would sleep for four hours, wake up for an hour, sleep for another four.
Turns out, this is apparently a very natural state for us, and has been written about by many older cultures, including our own. It was used as a time for self-reflection, dream recall, reading, sex, hobbies… the people in the study reported a general sense of well being from this influence.
I’m not sure how bad your power issues are, but maybe you can somehow slip into a more ‘natural’ frame of mind, without all that pesky technology!
Just thought of it, so thought i’d share. Good luck!