Moving to a new place on my own has opened my eyes to a different perspective. I’m not new to changing environments but this time has presented some responsibilities related to what we call “adulting”. There have been some challenges and many many learning experiences, all eye opening and can solely be learned by being completely on your own without friends and family.
What made me reflect a lot is how blessed I am to have moved to somewhere where, well first, I made a conscious decision to move, I can afford to be well financially, I speak the language and where I’m doing something I actually love. It made me think of all other people who change environments under more drastic circumstances or without supportive systems in place.
We all approve of it when people we know accept new opportunities in other environments, I mean why not, it makes sense. Yet, some individuals find it so hard to extend that same “approval” when people (not like them or that they don’t know) do it for the somewhat same reasons or sometimes even more serious, life-or-death like reasons. It’s perplexing to me that this double standard exists.
I have reached a different level of admiration for families who immigrate to a different country, despite language, social and political barriers, in search of greater opportunities for their families. I admire (and grateful for) my parents for doing so and dragging me along their immigration journey, bouncing from continent to continent, so that I can now be staying in a place where I am currently living my dreams and have ample chance to achieve more. I know and keep thinking about how hard it must be for families like my own who continuously do this. Families in which parents give up their own degrees & professions (because sometimes it’s really challenging to get that same certification in a different country) for something that they don’t necessarily like doing, but their love and vision for their families is greater than anything, so they keep doing. Families who make sacrifices like this and many others looking for a chance for their families to also live their best lives.
Many are the people arguing against immigration (and oh have I heard so many different arguments on the topic) but yet only a few try to broaden their perspectives or extend empathy or support. We are a society where people are quick to close their borders, rather than reach out to those in need with open arms.
Book of the month: Paper Towns by John Green
Quote to read: Leviticus 19:33-34 “When the alien resides with you in your land, you shall not oppress the alien. The alien who resides with you shall be to you as the citizen among you; you shall love the alien as yourself, for you were aliens in the land of Egypt: I am the Lord your God.” The Bible (NRSV)
DEEPEST THOUGHTS 