“Live in a better country,” As two sugar plums (who are sugar plums, anyway?) living in a “third-world country,” that’s something we’ve heard throughout most of our lives. At least, mine if not Nathan’s. (Also read: One year and a little more)
I’ve always wondered what makes life so beautiful in “better” countries.
A few years ago, Nathan went to Australia. To settle down. To live a “better” life. Instead, two years ago, he came back to Sri Lanka. Settled down in the picturesque tiny island in the Indian ocean. (At least for now – Nathan’s never settled anyway.)
One September night, we sat under the stars at Honey Beach Club and gobbled up a holy moly lipsmacking pizza (they are good but there are better places) and Nathan told me how he loved his time in Australia. With friends. One and a half month later, with a half-sliced tandoori chicken sandwich in his hands, he looked at me with eyes brimmed with tears. Six months later, when he said goodbye to his down under dreams, I asked him why he had tears that day at Paan Paan. Lying down on one sofa on a lazy Sunday at Clock Inn Colombo, he told me how he hated Sydney’s fast-moving, money driven lifestyle. And that he never wanted to go back. (Also read: Two years down the line)
Now it’s almost two years to his new life in the island. I sit next to him and ask him about how he finds it different. With a wry smirk, he says, “life is same everywhere. It’s how you live it. If you do a 9-5, it’ pretty similar. You’d commute to work everyday, slog your bum at work and come back home. Eat. Sleep. And repeat.”
It made me think. Made me think about the fancies people talk about. Sure, you’d get an air-conditioned metro instead of a crowded uneasy bus. But at the end of the day, what do you really have? An air-conditioned metro.
And I think, we, humans, we aren’t never satisfied. I, for one, whine 24/7 about the city life. About Colombo. About humidity. The sun (sorry sun, I love you at the beach, see: hypocritic, also see: unsatisfied). About carbon dioxide I inhale, about crowded streets and dust. I want to go to mountains, somewhere far away and live a quiet life. And people from small villages want to come to the city, find a job and earn more money. And I am from a small village, too. Oh, the irony!
Life, like Nathan (who’s pretty much the best sugar plum on planet because he also happens to be my super-annoying bestfriend who cooks me poached eggs and mashed potatoes) says, is, same everywhere. It’s how you live it. If you live in the mountains, growing veggies and bananas with an airbnb helping your village folks, I’d say that’s pretty cool. You can also live in a house on a top of the mountains, being an office-folk commuting to nearby small town every day ‘cause you’ve got three kids and money matters. (Also read: Dear sugar plum)
Life is same everywhere. It’s how you live it.
How would you live your life?
Zinara x
It is after all this year I feel that way too.. it is the same everywhere you life.. 😅
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Same. It got me a few years to realise that! Mostly after what Nathan has told me. Zin x
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Hahahahaha good then 😉
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It is, yes. It is all about how you live life, wherever you are. Where we choose to live should be because it’s where we want to be, and after that it is down to our attitude.
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Exactly! It’s all dependant on our attitude 🙂
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Hey,sweetie,
Your blog is awesome.you have lot to say.Keep it up!!
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Thank you so much! The blog is a work of both of us. Nathan and Zinara x
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great post
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I so agree with Nathan, life is the same everywhere its just how you live it that makes the difference.
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Great post I agree. Life is how you make it no matter where you are!
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“Better” is really a matter of perspective and living someone that best suits one’s own needs. So many people move around and are unhappy everywhere; what they fail to realize is often they need to change themselves, not their location.
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I do like your perspective on things. I had to move for my husband’s job and we live in a more beautiful place and a better place, but I miss my many family members and would sacrifice to be near them.
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After a lot of ups and downs I have finally found what words for me. I think I would live exactly the way I am living for a long period of time. I would not change a thing. Mental peace, and basic necessitates is all I need.
❥ tanvii.com
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I agree! Life is how you make of it. I try to always stay positive, it’s so much easier that way.
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I definitely understand how life is same everywhere. I lived in London for a few months and it easily compared to my life back in San Francisco (where I live) because I was doing the same things in both places. It’s all about how you live your life, no matter where you are, to make it worthwhile and beautiful.
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I love the saying “life is the same everywhere, it’s how you live it.” That’s so darn true. There are so many gorgeous places to live on this Earth, but it’s what’s inside us and how we look at our situation, react to it and intermingle with it that makes all the difference.
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I’m from Harlem. I have always loved busy streets and sounds. I’ve lived in the Bronx and lived it even more. It wad less congestion but enough for me. I’ve moved to Westchester and learned to love the witty nature of my area. I’m now ready for suburban life. I no longer want busy streets. I get it.
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‘Life is same everywhere. It’s how you live it.’ <– Very wise words. Such a great outlook of life.
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I would like to travel more. Spend a few years and explore that area then move on.
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I coudn’t agree more! It’s how we live our lives. We might not have the best things in life but it’s how we see things.
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Your’re absolutely right! It’s how you live your life that makes all the difference. To us, it doesn’t matter whether we live in a small town or bustling metro city. We try to make the make of our time and lead a quality life. Cheers!!
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I absolutely agree – you life is what you make of it! so many think the grass is greener somewhere else, our are jealous of a lifestyle – but it’s your own choice!!! I love Sri Lanka by the way
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I don’t think your life is the same everywhere. I think i’d live my life in a way that makes me happy and each different location brings something different into it.
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The pics of those mountains put me in a trans. They are so captivating, it blows my mind. And you do you! You have it going on right now.
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What a beautiful place! I definitely think your life is what you make it. But a wonderful place can help.
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Agree life is the same everywhere. It’s how we make it that actually counts. This is also a good reminder to be grateful for what we have.
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I totally agree, Life is the same everywhere, It’s just the way how you see/treat the world changes
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That is very true. I chose to live in a different country. I love it. I have to remind myself to not take it for granted. I have recently been trying to be more grateful for all that I have.
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Oh wow to pack up & move to an island long term is such a big move. I’m such a city girl & being from the concrete jungle makes it harder.
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