We Choose the Outhouse
As I was sorting through some paperwork recently, I came across a National Geographic magazine from 2012. I don't normally keep magazines very long so I paused and started flipping pages, curious as to why I had tucked this one away.
I had tabbed an article titled, 'Home of the Roma Kings.' The article describes a Romanian farm town that boasts villas, castles and temples built after the fall of the communist regime in 1989. Prior to then, these Roma men, these "Gypsies" derived from "Egyptian" (supposed origin of the Roma - who knew?!?) traveled from town to town selling copper stills and cazane.
After 1989, the local factories were stripped of their metals by the locals and now this farming community is ridiculously wealthy. The demand for metals is high! The National Geographic photos are a bit mind-bending. Homes, decor, and attire are a visual wrestling match between Las Vegas flair and Eastern European shapes, colors, and traditions. Sometimes you can't tell which one is winning.
***Side note - I really wanted to add the Nat Geo pics to this post but that wouldn't exactly be legal and since I don't want to go to jail, I recommend you click the link and quickly peruse before they ask you to subscribe.
The article boasted colorful pictures of new money but what really caught my attention was the picture of the bright pink outhouse resting comfortably in the backyard of a mansion. The wealthy lifestyle is unusual to the older generations who often prefer outhouses and outdoor kitchens to the facilities located within the newly built mansions and villas.
Huh. Interesting.
The irony is too much. Almost. I inwardly smirked a bit as I realized that we all choose the outhouse. It's the human way.
Our default settings are difficult to reprogram. Old habits and patterns, unhealthy relationships, dysfunctions, blame-shifting, and laziness keep us in hold patterns. Why don't we choose healthier emotions, learn new ways of thinking, build healthier friendships, own our flaws or take steps of change?
We're used to our stink. We prefer the familiar. We don't like the unfamiliar because, it's, well, unfamiliar. Exploring the unfamiliar takes us past our current comfort zones. It forces us to rethink our priorities, re-organize our lives, work at establishing new friendships, examine healthier habits, and examine our very minds and souls.
The upside to the unfamiliar (using the indoor restroom) is a change of scenery, fresh air, and sanitation of the soul. Change can be hard but it's worth the effort. Every time.
Question: What are your reasons for resisting change?
I had tabbed an article titled, 'Home of the Roma Kings.' The article describes a Romanian farm town that boasts villas, castles and temples built after the fall of the communist regime in 1989. Prior to then, these Roma men, these "Gypsies" derived from "Egyptian" (supposed origin of the Roma - who knew?!?) traveled from town to town selling copper stills and cazane.
After 1989, the local factories were stripped of their metals by the locals and now this farming community is ridiculously wealthy. The demand for metals is high! The National Geographic photos are a bit mind-bending. Homes, decor, and attire are a visual wrestling match between Las Vegas flair and Eastern European shapes, colors, and traditions. Sometimes you can't tell which one is winning.
***Side note - I really wanted to add the Nat Geo pics to this post but that wouldn't exactly be legal and since I don't want to go to jail, I recommend you click the link and quickly peruse before they ask you to subscribe.
The article boasted colorful pictures of new money but what really caught my attention was the picture of the bright pink outhouse resting comfortably in the backyard of a mansion. The wealthy lifestyle is unusual to the older generations who often prefer outhouses and outdoor kitchens to the facilities located within the newly built mansions and villas.
Huh. Interesting.
Our default settings are difficult to reprogram. Old habits and patterns, unhealthy relationships, dysfunctions, blame-shifting, and laziness keep us in hold patterns. Why don't we choose healthier emotions, learn new ways of thinking, build healthier friendships, own our flaws or take steps of change?
The upside to the unfamiliar (using the indoor restroom) is a change of scenery, fresh air, and sanitation of the soul. Change can be hard but it's worth the effort. Every time.
Question: What are your reasons for resisting change?
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