Imagine living the simple life. Working on a boat 7 days a week and you live off the sea. Or living on a farm in a house made out of palm leaves and bamboo... and a bad rainstorm will make you homeless. A life that is at the mercy of nature- the crops, the animals, the weather will determine your standard of living. There is no walmart down the street.
I get to glimpse into the simple life of the people of Asia - and it gives me a reality check on what we need vs what we want. I think 99% of my daily life is spent fulfilling my wants - I want a new iPad, a new outfit to wear when I go out tonight, gas in my car to drive me to my friends house, have my nails done, a glass of wine... I could sit and make this list forever. And it's stressful trying to tackle this list of wants - 'I'm pressed for time because I have too many errands to run'. I can only imagine what real stress would feel like - not having enough water, no roof, no light, no food. The next time I'm stressed out by having to make a hard decision like 'will I get the wifi version or the 3G when I buy an iPad?' I know I'll give myself a reality check, and will use that iPad to find a charity to donate to.
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