I’m back from trekking through a tropical rainforest in the Far East to discover all manner of wildlife, including the stunning orang utans. What an adventure! The 24 hours of travel and 8 hour time change was worth it to see these magnificent creatures clinging onto life as their natural habitat is destroyed all around them for the sake of palm oil.
While I was in Borneo, I saw a film made by the Orang Utan sanctuary fronted by a very young Chris Rogers (from the News Channel and previous husband to Alexis Green from the weather team in Southampton, who uncanningly was also the camera person on the project). What could’ve been seen as just a co-incidence proved to me that on this huge planet, we’re all still connected. Whatever we do, in the smallest degree, so we affect somebody.
I was reminded of this when i returned and discovered that a delivery left in my porch had been swiped while I was away. Or so I thought. Last night a neighbour called in to say that he had been called away on an emergency but had taken my parcel in for sake keeping. My mood went from one of disappointment to anticipation, until it returned to the previous feeling as I discovered that my delightful – supposedly new – jumper had been worn by someone. Not only was the neck pulled and dirty, but they had slopped food all down the front! Another example of how our actions affect someone else.
We’re now meteorologically in the season of Winter. The huge transformation from humid highs of 35 in Malaysia to -6 in London was a shock to the system; yet that’s the beauty of this country, the diverse range of seasons and weather.
As we start Advent and head towards Christmas, it’s time to rejoice in the contrasts that we experience every day and realise that a tiny gesture could be all that it takes to transform another’s life. And if another person’s actions impact on us? In the words of the great, late Dr Wayne Dyer:
” You cannot remedy anything by condemning it”.
By doing the opposite we CAN make the change that everyone needs. Who knows, as everyone and everything on earth is connected, we could even halt the devastating transformation of the Orang Utans home and habitat for centuries?
As certain as the wind swinging to blow from a milder direction, we can change a cold, freezing situation into one of warmth and hope. Just by being aware we are all connected; every human, every creature, every bit of this beautiful part of a stunning universe.
A lovely MMM. Hope you had a great holiday.
What a shame about the jumper. Actually it’s quite gross to think that someone would have the cheek to do that. Whoever packed it for its journey to your house must need their eyes tested. I did have a dispute on eBay about something similar. The dress even had a tear in it as well as choc down the front. The sender denied it all but eventually offered a 50% refund. I took too long to check my emails and when I did the case was closed…pfff.
Did you see any baby Orangutans? Was it very hot and humid in Borneo?