I Still Call Australia Home
I Still Call Australia Home
I’m Coming Home… (For A While)
A friend recently posted this meme on Facebook. It read: “Why is that?.. All the people you actually want to be around, live nowhere near you!”
Of course, I guessed this question was asked in rhetoric: I’m sure it was simply meant as a subtle message to all her friends who live far away that she misses and appreciates them. Yet I chose to answer the question anyway…
Why Is That?
In my experience, it’s because “Absence makes the heart grow fonder”. If these people were around all the time, we’d begin to get used to them. Their small but annoying habits would gradually start to get on our nerves and, once again, we’d begin to take them for granted (Like the people, and things, we have around right now). I don’t feel like I’m saying anything new here.
“Absence makes the heart grow fonder”
This inverse correlation between “want” & “have” is pretty normal; is very clear to see in children learning to share toys; and relates to where we are; what we have; and who we have around. After all, “The grass is always greener on the other side”, right?
Life’s A Beach
I remember during my final year of high school, friends started getting licenses and cars. This represented a monumental shift in our freedom to explore! Contrary to popular belief, not ALL Australians live walking distance to pristine beaches. It was a special new treat to take the hour drive to the Sunshine Coast on a weekend. Any chance I got, I would be shotgunning the front seat in a mates car to go.
Fast forward a couple of years. I’d moved to the Gold Coast for university. During my (many) years study, the furthest I lived from the ocean would have been a ten minute bike ride. It was great!.. Then it became too easy. I could easily just “go tomorrow instead.” I went to the beach less often than I did when I lived an hours drive away – Because it was taken for granted.
“Nothing Is Forever… Enjoy It While It Is”
I’m Coming Home
Right now, I’m looking forward to being on Australian soil in 2 days. I’m looking forward to knowing the weather simply by looking at the sky; I’m looking forward to making more money, and spending less; I’m looking forward to walking to the ocean; getting sun on my skin, salt in my hair, and fresh coastal & country air in my lungs – and I’ll enjoy doing all this around friends and family.
Simultaneously, I’m tired of London: I’m tired of cold mornings, then sweating by the time I get to school; I’ve had enough of disciplining disrespectful city kids; The sirens here are way too loud; I hate having to wear clothes and shoes EVERYWHERE; And I don’t like that it takes me an hour to get ANYWHERE outside of my flat.
However, I also know that after a year at home, I wouldn’t appreciate Australia as much as I do right now. Once again, things would become ‘normal’: I’d get a little too comfortable and under-stimulated. I would look forward to leaving again, seeking out new adventures and experiences. And I would take Australia for granted!
LUCKILY, I WON’T HAVE TIME TO TAKE AUSTRALIA FOR GRANTED – Click the image on the right to tell me where & what you think I should do next! 😀
THE LESSON: “Nothing Is Forever… Enjoy It While It Is”
I guess the understanding of this want-need relationship should work as a reminder to always try to appreciate what we have right now – because when it’s gone, it’s bound to be missed!
See You Soon, Australia! =D
