January 31, 2024
When I first moved to North America many moons (24 years!) ago, I remember being surprised by the sense of safety I felt walking around my college town than I did in my hometown. I recently went back to Bangladesh, and felt that same lack of personal space and safety, when outside in public - you get used to it somehow, though, and start to be on guard. I'm sure things would have been fine had I gone out on foot, but I simply didn't feel as safe I generally feel In my adopted US city as a female out and about alone.
Despite the multiple active and horrifying wars In the world right now - feels strange to even say this in the year 2024 - if you're reading this, you are most likely among those lucky enough not to be afflicted directly by them. "Right now, you are fine," as professed by one of my kid's books. And right now, I am permitted to feel happy, grateful, and calm, tell my brain that I'm safe, even though most of the media signals around me tell me the world has gone to pot.
I certainly have started to take this sense of safety for granted - many of us do. So I'm taking a moment to be thankful for the safe environment that my family and I are privileged to live in, and raise our kids in. I don't have to think twice aboSafety Is relative to where you live, who you surround yourself with, and the means you have. It Is also relative to the rule of law In your nation, and general respect for others - particularly for women. How safe you feel is also relative to how fearful you are of those around you. In my simple mind, I believe If we treat the vulnerable members of our society with respect, and we think ourselves more alike each other than different - as fellow humans - our communities become safer. Maybe the fact that I know some boxing moves adds to the sense of safety, who knows? :-)
I want to raise my kids with less fear than the environment In which I grew up. Don't get me wrong, I had a great childhood, but I only remember playing outside under adult supervision. We didn't walk anywhere alone. This is a long overdue moment of gratitude expressed today for the freedom and Independence afforded to me over the past couple of decades that's shaped who I am today, despite a few wrong turns and the fear-mongering that the media tries to instill In us. Take this moment with me to Inhale deeply, exhale fully and then some, to activate your parasympathetic nervous system, and let yourself know that right now, you're okay. You're safe. And that's plenty to be happy about.
P.S. Today's post was Inspired by the book I'm currently reading: That Little Voice In Your Head by Mo Gawdat, with my sister as my "book club" partner. Mo Gawdat has recently become one of my favorite authors and personalities. He also has a great podcast called Slo Mo, which I highly recommend.