I’m writing this from Nepal as I set my sights homeward in the next few days. By the time this column is published, I will have my feet planted back firmly on the beautiful land of New Zealand. “Ataahua te whenua o Aotearoa.” I return with a fresh sense of perspective and gratitude for the blessings we enjoy ‘down under’.
Nepal. Photo: James Wheeler. pexels.com
I love Nepal and its people. It is a country of such great contrast and diversity in every sense. Socially, culturally, philosophically, geographically, it has both a turbulent and rich history. Tribal loyalties and ties among the many thousands of individual clans and ethnic groups, each with significant distinctives, comprise a complex population mix. This explains in part why Nepal’s political stability has faced many challenges having had 13 governments in the last 16 years.
Murray Smith
In addition, fitting its population of nearly 30 million people into a total land mass that is almost the same size as New Zealand’s South Island has inherent issues. With our total population of five million, this reflects a ratio of our 18 people per square kilometre, to Nepal’s 201 people per square kilometre.
We share similarities with Nepal in having beautiful geographical terrain with snowy alpine regions. Nepal’s high altitude trekking, hiking and rugged beauty is world renowned – as are its National Parks and Heritage Sites.
This trip has been a wonderful whirlwind, meeting amazing locals, sharing with them and seeking to bring encouragement and support – it’s all been part of a remarkable experience. I’ve laughed and eaten together with incredible people who endure difficulties and a standard of living that is so meagre – their endurance and resilience amazes me – their simplicity of life has humbled me often to the point of tears.
The comforts of life don’t abound here, and it appears that correlates with a brooding spiritual intensity that produces a significant burden… religious bondage has ensnared many Nepali people. Fear of displeasing gods and incurring awful outcomes for their families and loved ones, ensnares multitudes in pointless appeasement, creating further depletion.
Nepal. Photo: thepoeticimagery. pexels.com
Our own problems exist with many also losing their way spiritually, ironically seeking answers and fulfilment through acquiring possessions or via achievement. The drive to get more, along with complaints about what we lack and what is defective, finds proportion if we’ll consider just how much we have to be thankful for.
We need to be confronted and reminded of all God’s blessing in New Zealand, for the freedoms we have and everything we take for granted.
So… I’ve been learning afresh to actually practise gratitude. Seeing how others live and seeing their daily challenges, I can’t help but feel grateful. Being with people who are generous in spite of having little, provides a really good reminder… a reminder to be thankful and to share more liberally – to respond with generosity where there are needs that we might be able to share the burden with… and bring alleviation to the struggles that are other’s daily lot.
Two Monks Walking Between Trees. Photo: Wouter de Jong, pexels.com
