In a literature class we talked about the significance of life, what life means, what it means to us, what is important and what is valued. This brought up a story of a man in the rural Pampas of Argentina who was approached by a “civilized” man of the city. The Pampas man was lying in the grass, enjoying the sun and the clear day when the city man asked what he was doing. The Pampas man explained he was resting. Confused at this remark, the city man asked why he had no work. He said to the Pampas man, “There must be something you can do.” He shrugged and asked, “What kind of work?” The city man replied, “You can grow things on a piece of land and sell them.” The Pampas man asked, “What for?” He said, “Well if you sell enough things you can buy more land for a farm and sell more products and become rich.” The Pampas man replied, “What will I do when I am rich?” The city man said, “Well when you are rich you can sell the land, buy a house and retire and lay in the sun all day.” The Pampas man said, “That’s what I was doing.”
This story shows that many of us value different things in life however, it is not always about monetary gains. Life should not be about getting ahead, or being the best; it is not a competition or race. Life is simply being you, and enjoying everyday as it is.
As I thought more about this story it is easy to apply this to being abroad. Very easily we can be swept up by the stress and anxiety of new places, customs and a new lifestyle, but if you remember to enjoy life and appreciate all the little things then being in a new place is a fun adventure.
Keeping a positive attitude and reminding yourself to do things that make you happy. Because, that is what life is all about!
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