A week away

It’s been a week since I moved to Sydney. Somehow it has taught me more about myself than I thought I’d learn in a week to be honest with you. I’ve always been quite introspective, yet I thought I was self reflective too; always looking for how I can be better and grow from my faults. Otherwise, how are any of us meant to ever move forward?

So what exactly have I learned in this small space of time?

I was so wrong about everything. I took it all for granted.

Do I regret the move? No. I believe in giving things time and seeing how things go. I’m so far from the people I love, it makes sense that I’d feel this way.

Will it be forever? Probably not. I can’t see myself staying here longer than a year. I suppose that’s enough time to expand on what I’ve already learned this week.

What exactly have I learned so profoundly this week?

I learned that with time and no distractions, I can be clean and organised. I do know how to clean up after myself and can do it without any issues.

I rely heavily on people and TV. I distract myself by keeping busy with these things in order to either not focus too much on myself or my life… or something else completely. When I learn what it is, I’ll let you know.

I need people. Yes, I know. I just said that people are a distraction – and they are. But I am an extrovert, I need people. I came here thinking I needed time away from people because I didn’t like people, when really I just needed a break – I love people. I just needed to learn to say no. To prioritise me and what I need to do.

Is that an easy thing for me to do? No.

But seeing how much time no TV and not having plans gives me I know that with prioritising I could potentially have it all. Granted, I know it’s only been a week, but hey, it’s what I’ve learned this week.

Here’s to next week.

Christina

Dignified death

Dignity
ˈdɪɡnɪti/

noun
1. the state or quality of being worthy of honour or respect.
“the dignity of labour”

2. a composed or serious manner or style.
“he bowed with great dignity”

3. a sense of pride in oneself; self-respect.
“it was beneath his dignity to shout”

There is a truth universally acknowledged which connects all human beings, and that is the truth of death. It is the one thing that whether rich or poor, black or white, prepared or not, will come for us all.

It doesn’t really ask us if we’re ok with it, nor do we usually have the choice as to when it happens.

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I can imagine that many places around the world today are debating the necessity or right of euthanasia. I know it’s quite a hot topic here in Melbourne, but I am unsure as to how the whole world is talking about it.

Now, before I get into it please understand this isn’t an attack on people who do support it – I can very easily understand why you would want a person you love to no longer suffer, especially as they draw near to death. Personally, the endurance of pain only proves how strong and brave someone is. And I suppose this is where my hindrance comes from – how does suffering and pain strip one of ones dignity?

From a young age I was taught that every human life is valuable and worthy of dignity. It is an inherent right we have as human beings.

Whilst I agree that intense pain and suffering are, especially for those who are dying, horrible, and things one should never have to endure, I won’t ever be able to say that because of pain, because of suffering, someone has the “right” to die, or someone is now without dignity. If that were the case, our population would most likely be zero.

Because who hasn’t suffered? Who hasn’t been in pain? And if we were to allow those with immeasurable pain to die, would that include depression sufferers who at their lowest point are in too much pain and want to die?

There are many people in my life who have suffered from depression; few who wanted to die and one that did. And I can honestly say that even though he had been in so much pain, I would never have wanted him to have the option of assisted death. Every scenario I would’ve wanted him to persevere.

I’m aware that the arguments for euthanasia are predominantly for those who are terminally ill, however many people who are suicidal would think of themselves as terminal, in the sense that it no longer seems viable for them to live and they can no longer endure what they’re going through.

Dignity

At the end of the day I think it depends on how you view dignity, pain, suffering and death.

I see pain as having been around since the dawn of time. It is a part of life no matter what stage of life you’re at; from the first childbirth to the first death, humans have endured physical and mental pain with great strength, and will continue to do so. Yet none of them (I would say) were undignified for it.

I feel as though we are encouraging a society to be afraid of pain and suffering when we shouldn’t. Like death, it is a part of life and surely a death ending in pain will not wipe out a life of beauty, dedication and hard work. It’s not ideal and it is most definitely not deserved. In that situation I know I would do everything I could to prevent my loved ones from their angst, but surely our dignity does not die because of suffering and pain?

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Thank you! Hopefully I made some type of sense and got my confusion about pain, suffering and dignity across – I would love to hear more about why it should/shouldn’t be legislated and the pros and cons for it. This is purely an opinion void of stats and what not, so I would love to learn more! Cheers 🙂

Back to uni

For most, Uni has now started again here in Australia.

It is a time of great apprehension, excitement, clothing blunders and unmeasurable hope. This being my 5th year of uni, I’m quite used to the routine each new year brings, but I can still remember my first day and how I felt. It was for some stupid breadth subject that I absolutely loathed. It was such a waste of time but because of the Melbourne model we had to do it. It was probably at that time I thought “damn, should’ve gone to Monash”.

However, despite the many pointless subjects and stressful nights, I wouldn’t’ve had it any other way. And this is what I wish to tell my sister.

Yesterday was her first day and although it was uneventful and bland, I want her to know that uni will be some of the best days of her life. It is where i had the most fun and met the most incredible people and she will too.

I understand that when you start, it seems boring and totally overrated (at times it is 100%) but I don’t think many people look back on uni and think what a waste of time. Yes there are subjects (cough breadth cough) that are, but the lessons you learn, the person you find within yourself, will go with you even when you leave.

So if you too are starting Uni and are not looking forward to it, give it a chance. 3 or 4 years may seem like a long time, but in the grand scheme of things what’s a few years when finding out about yourself and the world? They will fly and before you know it, you’ll be working and looking back at your time now with a smile on your face.

So dress weird, cut your hair, travel, get a tattoo – whatever! Just enjoy 🙂

xo

Photos via unsplash

How free is free speech?

Many of us have a view of the world that is very different to the person sitting next to you. You may love chocolate – they may not. You might think a 23 degree day is perfect – they may like it cold and prefer a 5 degree day. We all think differently.

Thank God for that too! Who would want to live in a world without debate, creativity and challenge? We would still be in the middle ages if it weren’t for the uniqueness each individual possesses.

But what happens when that opinion or free thought is not what the majority believe or think? What happens then?

Last week, Bride and prejudice aired an episode where a couple told their son that they were not going to attend his wedding in the US because they were against gay marriage. As you can imagine this sparked outrage and people (as they so often do on social media) began hurling insults their way, which were in my opinion completely unnecessary.

Now before you start hurling abuse at me, let me continue.

I found them unnecessary because I began to think about all of those times people would jump down my throat for things I believed in or things I thought we as a society should do. And they would badger me because what I thought was right, didn’t happen to coincide with the majority.

They would then explain to me that they had the right to think this and that, and also have the audacity to say that my thoughts and opinions were invalid or wrong – go figure.

We all have the right to free speech and to communicate our thoughts. You don’t have to agree with them, but you must make peace with the fact that some people will differ.

We don’t have to agree with what the mother did, but calling her names (behind a screen mind you) because she did something we wouldn’t do, makes you just as bad you think she is. It shows intolerance and elitism.

Let’s be a bit more open, let’s show the world this openness we claim to have.