Another day in Paradise

I refer to this song of Phil Collins. In western Europe, we are richer than we can imagine. Often we don’t see it anymore. But in the meantime there is also poverty in our own society; sometime as part of addictions or mental diseases that we can’t handle. This is another world in our own paradise. People in the third world cannot imagine this world also excists in the “first world”. Actually I hate these terms, because there is only one world. And the suffering of the Third World is harsh; we often look too quickly away.

In the 80’s, U2 sang: “Nothing changes on New Year’s Day”. But New Year’s Day is a start to get more knowledge about this, and also for thinking and acting as a world-citizen.
Personally, I don’t have the answers; I only have many questions. But every change starts often with a question. Why are people dying? Because food-supplies will only last a day? And in another hemisphere someone dies because of the “final” shot of heroin.

Life is not fair! But we do have the power to make a difference! Think global, act local. Support NGO’s. Fix tools for solidarity. In many countries, people repair tools and send them to the Third World. In Dutch we call this: “Gered Gereedschap”.

But also the buying of biological food and the eating of less meat contributes to the reducing of Global Warming. It also can be fun to find out which entertainment is nearby, instead of looking for this in other cities. Support your local acts! And be yourself!!! No matter what other people say…..


Happy New Year!

M.M.