Well I have had a number of requests to explain the significance of the blog title "40wattbulb". It may be boring but here goes:
Consider that the 40wattbulb is a light - for our purposes it does not matter whether it was actually40 watts - rather that it was a low wattage bulb dimly lighting a families living space.
Turn back the clock to '95 or '96, I can't remember the exact timing that I found this point of reference.
During those years we lived in Balikpapan and saw such a range of people enjoying, or enduring, a vast range of lifestyles; rich and poor, healthy and debilitated - you just needed to walk up any street or lane with your eyes open.
Near where we lived in relative luxury was an area where reasonably well off Indonesian families lived. I recall one house that I passed regularly, and in the backyard a structure that I saw in the daylight many times. To me it had all the characteristics of a "chook shed" and nothing more. This was not unusual as almost every local household would grow poultry.
All appeared benign and not worthy of note until one night I was walking past and noticed that the "chook shed" was lit, albeit it dimly, and crouched over a simple cooking device was a woman and around her I supposed her family. From what I could see it became quite clear that this was their home. They were likely servants to the family living in the main house.
Reflecting on this I compared my home, my family, our health, wealth and education prospects. And the fact that we had so many more opportunities and potential than the majority of people in the world, no matter where, even Australia.
Upon my return to Australia I became painfully intolerable of "whingers" who would decry their lot, the state of Australia and all the things wrong. In comparison we are a privileged people. Of course there are more and less well off and I empathise with those in our community less fortunate. That is not the point.
The point really is that when times are tough a personal "light at the end of the tunnel" may be useful to sustain us - for me a point of reference is that "40wattbulb" back in Balikpapan. I reckon with a solid family, children that I am so proud of, and a soul mate to share all this with I must be the richest guy around. I use this to cheer me and help me endure that which cannot be overcome.
Subscribe to:
Post Comments (Atom)
2 comments:
40 watt bulb is a wonderful story/concept. Very touching to read. It inspired me to write something of my own.
Hmm, haven't really worked myself out. Sometimes I feel like that piece in a puzzle that was actually from that other puzzle. Yeh, funny huh? Just cant seem to find where that piece goes. HAHA. Ahh well, I guess the world.... or.... reality is one big puzzle that is always being broken up and put back together again. We spend a lot of time trying to find where we fit. I also suppose that were losing other pieces of the puzzle and gaining pieces too. New people, things, places come into our lives and other pieces are lost. Something that is always constant is that we are here , we are in our lives. The self is the absolute point of reference. There is a constant need for us to maintain ourselves, to keep the pieces of our puzzle in tact. People, our family, friends, even colleagues are pieces of that puzzle of life. With such a monumental task at hand for each and every one of us, it is no wonder that we need to be nurtured and helped from time to time. No wonder people are puzzled by their own lives. For life is a puzzle.
If your goal was to bring a tear to my eye....you have succeeded! Well done!
Post a Comment