What GX means to me...

After seeing Salma's post on what GX is to her, I thought I'd make a similar one...

It's difficult to explain.

This is probably one of the best experiences I have ever had in my life. Period. I am meeting some of the most inspirational and amazing people I've ever met on this programme, and it's changing some of my ideas and thoughts that I thought wouldn't ever be changed. Seeing and working with people from all walks of life has made me realise how incredibly lucky I am (as cliched as it is!) and not only because I'm able to afford good food, education, new clothes and things that I want etc...I'm lucky in that I have the opportunity to meet these people and to travel halfway across the world to meet more people, to find out more about other cultures and to let that enrich my life and my way of thinking. If every 2 month period was like this one has been, my life would be richer than I can ever imagine. This programme has made me appreciate some of the things that I truly take for granted, from having someone who'd, say, make my bed or cook me meals every day, to the most fundemental things like having a roof over my head and having access to the amazing facilities that this country offers. Working with asylum seekers has made me realise how damned lucky I am to have grown up in the UK and to not have to be scared of persecution - some of the people I've been working with literally would not even leave the house in their original countries because their fear was so great.

Meeting people who have very little or nothing has made me realise how little money and stuff actually contributes to someone's happiness. The people I met at the soup kitchen were some of the most friendly and cheerful people I've ever met, and they have pretty much nothing - at the same time many of the businessmen/women that I meet on the train who obviously have lots of money all seem miserable and not to have time for anyone; and are occasionally just plain rude! I think the less material things you have the more you can truly appreciate simple things that make you more happy more easily! Maggie, a very wise woman, has said that she thinks that this recession is going to be very beneficial to the country - not the usual reaction! - because when people have less, they appreciate more what they have, and when it comes down to it, surely it's better to be satisfied with you you have and be happy than to be consistantly striving for more? I know I'm not the first person to ever have these ideas and certainly not the first person to ever express them, but it's possibly the first time in my life that I've really experienced these things!

Basically, GX is AMAZING. It's all about new experiences, about learning, about cultures, about meeting people, about pushing your boundaries, about helping out, about development, about a common feeling of wanting to help! But above all it's about fun and making the very most of every moment that we have. Who knows what happens after this life?! No-one really knows what's gonna happen so I'm not willing to let any opportunities pass me by, just in case - you've just gotta embrace your every moment, to quote a friends tattoo!

I'm finished my ramblings now, I promise!