Sometimes it helps to imagine yourself, all wrinkled, wise and grey, sitting in a rocking chair in the gentle sun, thinking back at your younger self. What advice would you give yourself? Which life lesson would you hope to convey?
We are taught to always want more. The forever upward graph that we use to illustrate our economy’s growth is engraved in our hearts and enshrined in our lives. It has entered the discourse of every day life. We compliment each other on our new clothes, bigger house, fancier car, more exotic holiday. We take care to look our best and work hard. And yet. What is really going on behind this facade of progress? Are you truly happy?
“Mama, why are we here?” “Because the Dutch government wants to send refugees back to Afghanistan, even though it’s not safe there.” My daughter considered this for a moment. “That’s horrible!” she decided, “give me a sign!”. And with the resolution of a 9 year old, she raised it up, defying anyone to challenge her new found conviction.