Living consciously

It’s interesting how contrasting circumstances can shed new light on a familiar environment. Spending time away from the Canadian way of life has given me a different perspective of the routine I had once been accustomed to. Since I was now used to a new lifestyle, I found myself questioning the choices that had seemingly been made unconsciously before I left for Zambia. Choices like where to buy food and clothes. Choices like the amount of water to use for cooking, bathing, and washing. Choices like the amount of money spent on things we have been convinced we need. Because I have seen a contrasting way of life, I now have a different reference point from which to make decisions. I have spent the past 3 years of my life constantly asking myself if I need or simply want something. There was a constant internal dialogue trying to justify each use of resources. This was a bit extreme and definitely caused some stress, but I better understood the decisions I was making.
Back in NB, I feel like it would be very easy to get caught up in the tide of society again and base my decision making on those around me and the influences I see. I’ve realized that one of the major lessons that I can infuse into my life here in Canada is to live consciously. To question why I’m doing what I’m doing. To understand the consequences and impacts of my choices. I’ve struggled with the need to take what I saw in Zambia and apply it to my life here. I think I now realize that it’s not about the specific action, rather a change in mindset.