Finding a gem among the stones

Problems.

Criticism.

More problems.

The boss is not happy…

… neither your life partner.

The weather is awful and…

… let’s not even mention the road traffic!

Bad situations come to our lives, which can turn into a thorn in our existence and it is not easy to avoid it. But we can change the way to see these scenes.

First, let’s take a look into that idea of bad situations as thorns. We can remind ourselves that behind any thorn there is a beautiful rose waiting for us. It may be a difficulty or a small tragedy, but there is a rose in the form of a lesson, a change in the lifestyle or something even more valuable. Instead of focusing on the thorns, look for the rose!

Second possibility is to see circumstances as stones on the way: enough stones, your way will be well paved. Yes, it is bad, but it will pass and you will certainly grow due to this. Remember the paved road, instead of the stones.

And in relation to that, a few of the stones may be gems: because your boss is not happy with you, you find a better job or due to the intense traffic jam, you decide to go and live at a better place. Check the bad things in your life, because a few jewels are expecting to be collected.

Expatriates: is this a new species?

Sometime ago, I wanted to promote a program with expatriates. With WHAT???

Yes, expatriates… And it is not a new word, it has been in use at least from the 18th century, but it has got a peak in its use in the last few years, simply because there are too many of us.

Yes, I am an expatriate…

And we are not, as some people understood, a person without a country (easy to get confused for those who speak Spanish or Portuguese). Neither are we part of a different species… We are people, OK, but a good comparison would be trees without fixed roots or free birds.

Expatriates go to another country because they have a job to do – an important difference in relation to an immigrant, who is moving to stay; after the job, the expatriate individual goes back to their country or to another one, but the immigrant will stay there until the end.

Why am talking about this? Because I feel it is a very important challenge the world in general is ignoring, with thousands of people roaming the planet without roots…

Our human society is a tree society since we are prepared from childhood to have a family, a stable job, settle somewhere, etc. Uprooted humans (a possible replacement for expatriate?) go against that general education.

And that is wonderful! As an expatriate, I feel I pollinate the world by taking experiences, points of view and values from one place to another, challenging the status quo and proposing changes to the environment where I live or go.

I thank every place for their kindness, lessons or the space to grow and although I am aware one day I may have to go from this place, I know that place will stay in my heart, in my awareness and as part of my personality.