The Impoverished
Traveling the world can always teach someone and give them insight on what’s happening around them. But in America, a majority of people are “living the life” with small issues and conflicts here and there. But is life like that 24/7 for most? Not likely. After I visited a country which is covered in corruption, horrible conditions, and sadness, my eyes had never seen so clearly before. Understanding what true life is like. Not the nice cars, expensive clothes, huge mansions for shelter; it wasn’t that great. The blindfold that covered my eyes for so many years finally fell off when the truth came to me; life isn't what many people Americans view it to be. What I desire or possess isn’t always necessary. The wall between need and want clearly diminished as hungry children came before my eyes when I visited Karachi, Pakistan. Aside from seeing my family, that year, I also saw the reality of life along its rubble-filled streets.
Being a teenager provided with several luxuries in America, it’s tough to actually see what life is like outside the perimeters of the country. Having a home for shelter and nourishing food to fill a stomach is what pretty much everyone yearns for in order to have a content life. But, I always have tried to have better than what is actually necessary. I have it all; the android phone, a touch screen laptop, money in my pocket. Numerous arrays of clothes line up my closet. Colorful jewelry, scarves, and makeup overflow from my dresser. But it sucks because my desire to have more is always an irresistible feeling which gives me the feeling of helplessness. Yet my mom and dad have always advised me that life isn’t about all these material goods. The struggle during the journey of getting to such a successful point is a hard road traveled. And yet, these commentaries and criticism went in one ear and out the other.
As I walked, sediment layering up in the niches of my shoes, I made my way through the tight alleyways by my aunt’s home. Having arrived by the marketplace, it stunned me to see how many people were in ragged clothing ripped at the edges, feet stepping on the prickly unmolded pebbles, and bones sticking out their skin to reflect malnourishment. As I moved closer to the market, I glanced around at my surroundings and noticed a pair of young boys sleeping soundly on the bare dirt ground as if for a few moments, they were escaping the torment and labor that the world had in store for their unfortunate souls. With my personality of being sensitive, obviously it was too hard for me to hold back the tears. But I sucked it in and moved on.
Had I not visited Karachi, maybe my views on my easy life would stay rooted in my mind. But although I was devastated about these horrid conditions, I was glad that I was saved from this lie I had been living with for several years. The criticism from my parents flashbacked in my brain and they stuck like glue. Now when I think back, I realize the stupid mistakes I made when I used to beg my parents for things I wanted; not needed. The way that I was showered with luxuries and took it for granted. I have understood that even though I am better off than most, I know the reality which makes me strive to make a better lifestyle for myself which includes gratitude towards my blessings.
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