Bubble-Living

“This good spirit was from God, and to him I offer thanksgiving and praise.” (pg. 43)

                

                After reading the last sentence from chapter six, I couldn’t help but feel horrible with myself. It is at times when I read things like this, or when I pay attention to what’s happening around me, that I feel like I just came out from a bubble. This bubble, I’ve created on my own and I am not proud of it at all. Many of us very rarely think past our bubble and it is outside, where we find many people suffering from all kinds of problems for instance, hunger. Many of us, bubble-living people, throw away or leave our plates full for many stupid reasons for example “it tastes ugly,” “it is cold,” or the one that I disapprove of the most, “it makes you fat.” Frederick Douglass reminded me of how ignorant and unthankful I can be sometimes.

               

               “The thought of owning a pair of trousers was great indeed! It was almost a sufficient motive, not only to make me take off what would be called by pigdrovers the mange, but the skin itself.” (pg. 40) I quickly glance at my closet that is open and watch the spot where I keep my pants. A thought such as Douglass’ has never occurred to me. I have come to a certain point where owning a new pair of pants (in Douglass’ case, trousers) will not get me excited. Douglass on the other hand, was more excited the day he got his new trousers than Colombians will be tomorrow when the soccer team officially qualifies to the World Cup. He was dirty, probably had lots of bruises but he was completely joyful at the thought of his new pants! While I am sitting here typing after taking a bath, thinking I am so unlucky because my pajamas are not warm. I am so stupid.

                In conclusion, Douglass reminded me that I have to come out of my bubble. He lived with not many material and superficial stuff but he managed to be very happy. Also, like he says in the quote I included at the beginning, he was thankful for all he had.  All of us bubble-living people should start living this way. I will start today. Promise :)