The world is a truly fascinating place. So often we get bogged down with the stress of life that it’s hard to see just how good we have it. I recently read something in a book that made me think and while I have shared this story with some of my students I feel it bears being put down in writing.
In my classroom the other day I asked a few of my students if they would want the life of a king or queen. All that money and power, why would anyone turn that down? Then I changed the question slightly and asked them if they would rather have the life they have now or the life of a royal 200 years ago? What the book I read was getting at is that we are all living lifestyles far surpassing the wildest dreams of kings a hundred years ago. We have information at our fingertips, planes that can take us across the seas to the other side of the world, cars that have automatic transmissions, airbags and navigation systems, Iphones, flat screen TVs, roads, electricity, plumbing, and so much more.
In many movies time travel is possible and often with hilarious or tragic results. “Back to the Future” has always been one of my favorite series and this clearly shows how things change over time. Just as I grew up thinking how amazing the world is I often wonder how even more incredible it is today.
We are free to choose whether we feel bad about what we don’t have or feel joy in having what we do. Stress is a part of our lives, we cannot remove it. But we can enhance it. With so many joys and luxuries that generations past didn’t have it is easier than ever to enjoy life. While I may not have a castle yet, I am living my own version of a “king’s” life. Aren’t you living yours?
Adrian
Hi Adrian,
Great article! Thanks for the idea! I think I’ll try it in my classes and see where it takes us!!