By Christina Fermin
We Americans have become complacent. Not only have we become complacent, we are satisfied. We are not happy, just satisfied. Not only are we complacent and satisfied, we are comfortable. We are comfortable with the status quo and the way things are. We seem to live our lives within a bubble. Things that go on in the world beyond the bubble don’t matter and we pay little to no attention to them. Some of our bubbles are good, some of them bad, but either which way, we abide by the rules of the bubble and never want to leave it, change it or grow out of it. Essentially we have settled.
What have we settled for? A life, a society and a country that is less than that to which we aspired to when we were kids or young adults. When we are young, we are full of energy and ready to battle the world. As life takes its tolls on us, chipping away at the dreams we once held, we begin to settle. We settle for that desk jobs we dislike. We settle for limited benefits and virtually no time off to replenish ourselves. We settle for what happens beyond our scope of understanding and knowing. We feel defeated, and in feeling defeated, we create this “safe” bubble, where we may or may not dictate what goes on in this bubble.
I dare you to step out of that bubble. Step away from it and the mundane thinking of the everyday complacency about life. Take a risk, be spontaneous, do something wild and fun. I’m not talking about shopping or getting in your car and going somewhere. I’m talking about trying something you have always wanted to do and are too afraid to think about. Don’t question it- just do it! Go skinny dipping, take salsa classes, take that trip to Europe or New York or Bali that you have always dreamt of doing. Go for a motorcycle ride or try something new. Whatever you choose to do, make sure it makes you feel alive and free.
The problem with the bubble that we end up creating is that it makes us numb. We forget what it feels like to live and be alive. We lose our imagination and creativity. Eventually, we lose ourselves. So go paddle boarding or kite surfing. Try skydiving or a road trip. Take a walk on the wild side and do the things that you keep talking about, but never take the time to do. I’m sure you have responsibilities, jobs, limited funds, kids and a home to maintain but you owe it to yourself. We sometimes get so caught up in caring for the lives of others, that we forget about ourselves- Don’t.
Remember that you’re number one. Unless number one is happy, no one around you will ever be happy. Remember the adage- smiling is contagious? Well, so is being happy. The best thing you can do for yourself and the people you love is to be happy. Sometimes, we have to be a little wild and crazy and selfish to feel alive again, and that’s ok.
When was the last time you felt alive? When was the last time you laughed and joked and lived in the moment? Don’t you owe it to yourself to enjoy this simple pleasure? Liberate yourself by following your dreams and passions. Don’t give up and when life knocks you back, get right back up and keep going.
About the Columnist
With a bachelors degree in political science from Florida Atlantic University, Christina Fermin has always cultivated her love for history, politics, sociology, ancient knowledge and teachings, the outdoors, the ocean and the environment. Christina strives to make our world better by helping us all create a new reality and understanding of all taking place here and now.
The Universe wants you to have what you want. And will conspire with you to help you get it. “…let us plead together; set forth thy cause, that thou mayest be justified.” Isaiah 43:26 The only problem with this is that the Universe doesn’t really know what you want, only that upon which you constantly focus. “What you focus on expands… What you resist, persists.” So be careful and set your intentions with purpose.