Will you enjoy reading a short article about how well off we are? A lot of people won’t. Still, I hope you do, even if only out of solidarity with those around the world who are struggling. As adults, we should all have learned by now that living in freedom is not about wealth, but about living conditions, health, and opportunities.
The freedom we enjoy as war- and dictator-free (in a lot of) Western countries, is reflected in so many small things we tend to take for granted. Things most people don’t even think about. Besides being able to live our daily lives with work, children, friends, and family in complete freedom, it’s essential to keep realizing that it’s pretty special. Being surrounded by people whom you can trust, without having to think about whether their possible betrayal will have disastrous consequences for your safety. Personally, I think about this a lot and am very conscious of those privileges every day. But at the same time, I wonder how many people share that same common good. I just know that we should.
What kind of things are hidden privileges?
Breaking it down to the simplest, often overlooked things, a few examples from daily life:
Taking your bike or car out of your garage for a ride, and simply setting off. Without a plan of where to go, access to anywhere, and then ending up somewhere you love to be, and enjoy yourself. Grab a drink at one of the countless available terraces, shop if you need something, (or don’t need), buy the food you crave. When it’s cold, having the luxury to cover yourself with warm blankets every single night, completely free from any discomfort or noises that will disturb your sleep until the alarm goes off. No fear, no war violence, no floods, nothing. Having easy access to anywhere you want or need to go, without additional control posts or other inconvenient obstacles. The daily pleasure of feeling the first warm jets of water from your always-available shower flowing over your body, for as long as you want, whenever you want, and being able to dress yourself in a warm and safe space. Work where you want, and, although not without a substantially costly monthly contribution, a reliable health care system. Our right to protest and hold our politicians accountable. (Some readers may have coughed at the last point.)
Utopia
It sounds like a utopia, doesn’t it? Where racism isn’t tolerated and even criminalized in the constitution. Which, of course, doesn’t mean that everyone follows it. Nevertheless, it is officially not permitted, and there’s a responsibility on society to ensure control. In this utopia called the West, to most who can only dream of such a life, you can, regardless of your own orientation, have the relationships that fill your heart, without being excluded or persecuted. Although even in many countries that claim to be this tolerant and accepting, there are always people who project their own fear of this onto certain communities with hate, instead of including everyone in society. If you’ve read this entire list of conscience and you’re still here, thank you for reading and sticking around. (Please consider leaving a comment as a sign of life below)
Sometimes it’s good to take a deeper dive to summarize a few simple examples of what freedom and privilege are, what it should feel like, what we could appreciate more, and what we should grant to others. It’s a very broad range of experiences, with varying demands and needs, depending on lifestyle. But if you go all the way back to the basics, we all know what is needed to help provide it to others. From the smallest details that make our lives easier and more enjoyable, to being able to experience the normalcy to move around freely.
Eliza Doolittle
I wrote this little scribbling last week and posted it on a few social media platforms where I’m trying to reach out to people:
“While we can dreamily enjoy how a blanket of snow can reflect a pinkish sunset, instead of just the normal yellows and oranges, the positivity of the sun, which usually strengthens the psyche, is completely lost on others. Count your lucky sunsets.”
Yes, it’s a mess out there. Yet, I’m completely convinced that simply being aware daily of how grateful we should be for everything good on our side of this world, already contributes to improving the lives of others. Don’t let anyone tell you that a contribution, financially, or by volunteering your time, won’t help other people who inhabit this world as well, but are less fortunate for so many different reasons.
That’s exactly why I’ve added a separate Humanitarian Support link on my Substack page, with charities my heart is passionate about, apart from helping refugees locally. These are organizations I donate to whenever I can. Every little bit helps. Help each other. We all deserve better living conditions, warmth, and safety.
As Eliza Doolittle would say: All they want is a room somewhere.
“Wouldn’t it be loverly.”
Thank you for reading,
Mo
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