People caught in a civil war. Refugees trekking across multiple countries. Women trapped in domestic violence. People with severe mental disorders. People caught in famines. And even people living in high-rise flats that turn out to be a major fire risk.
Centuries ago very few people could assume they would survive. Health care and living conditions were so poor that people were lucky to reach their thirties. Many children died at a tender age.
Now living conditions are so improved that the average British lifespan is 81 and there are many centenarians. So I've always taken for granted that I'll survive and very little can jeopardise it.
But many people can't assume that. They have to live from day to day, not knowing if they'll still be alive by tomorrow. Not knowing if a serious health condition will take a turn for the worse. Not knowing if their spouse might attack them. Not knowing if they'll be hit by a bomb. Not knowing if they'll be overcome by suicidal urges.
I have a sense of safety and security and a bright future that many others don't have. Instead of having to concentrate first and foremost on keeping myself alive, I can take my survival as read, sit back and enjoy my comfortable lifestyle.
It's a huge privilege that it's easy to overlook.
Pic - February 2013: a woman in Aleppo, Syria, in the ruins of her house, destroyed by government warplanes, killing 11 members of her family.
I confess that I too am privileged. I have survived a great deal and do not see why I can't other possible problems in the future.
ReplyDeleteRamana: Indeed, you also live in a stable country where lengthy survival can be taken for granted.
Delete"Survive" what, Nick? Just to make sure I am not mistaken as to the meaning of the word I looked it up. As far as I can tell, by all accounts, not least your own, there is nothing for you to "survive". You just live, comfortably, till the one with the scythe will reap you.
ReplyDeleteIn the meantime - may your good fortune last,
U
Ursula: You've completely missed the point.
DeleteMaybe I did. Maybe you didn't make your point clear.
DeleteCoins, two sides, and all that.
Still, one good thing has come out this: You have actually addressed me, acknowledged my existence. What more can I wish for having SURVIVED your continued silence?
What's left in life, Nick, and I dare say Ramana and Ms Scarlet will agree, other than laugh at the futility of it all whilst appreciating it [life] whilst it lasts?
U
Well, to be fair Nick, you're probably doing your lap of honour by now :-) as I will be if I reach your age without a debilitating disease. Soz, couldn't resist!
ReplyDeleteSx
Ms Scarlet: Yes, I guess I've already reached a ripe-ish old age. But who knows, I may even reach my eighties or nineties.
DeleteLeo's illnesses would have killed him had he been born just a few years earlier, before effective treatment was found.
ReplyDeleteFly: He was very lucky to have had the benefit of the new treatment.
DeleteI suppose I've lost too many friends and been so ill myself that I take surviving to a ripe old age as a game of roulette, win or lose. What truly astonishes me is the healthy life-style friends were the ones to go before me. I truly believe Nick that there is a kind of death timebomb built into us from the moment of birth and no matter what we do, bingo, our number's up.
ReplyDeleteCarpe diem, my friend.
XO
WWW
www: Interesting that it's the ones with seemingly healthy lifestyles who have gone first. I don't know about a death timebomb, when we die depends so much on all sorts of random factors - how healthy our various organs are, exposure to toxins, how stressful our life is etc.
DeleteI share your sentiments Nick, I'm grateful for where I live and the lifestyle I have. But I do wonder how I would cope if I arrived at my home to find it decimated and my loved ones gone. I don't think I would cope.
ReplyDeletePolly: If Jenny was gone, of course I would survive, but what kind of survival would it be? A pretty miserable one.
DeleteUnfortunately, privilege can easily be taken away. When you have your health, you have everything, but that can change in an instant.
ReplyDeleteBijoux: True, good health is essential not only to survival but quality of life. You can survive with poor health, but it can be tough.
DeleteI think the same thoughts when I see so much misery in the world. At the beginning of my life, I don't think there was much promise for me. This gave me a lot of motivation to persevere. However, my trials are nothing like those of a refugee and the like.
ReplyDeleteI have to say two things have given me security and that is a modest prosperity and good health.
Ann: Agreed, modest prosperity and good health greatly contribute to a sense of security.
DeleteNobody gets out alive. I'm glad to have had the years I have by living in the country I do but death still awaits.
ReplyDeleteAs to possessions, when I was living all winter with only what would fit in a van the only thing I missed was Dave. I was so glad for spring and being able to go home to be with him again.
Linda: How come you were living in a van and not with Dave? I think I've missed something here.
DeleteAfter three years of traveling full time together, Dave needed to move back to Minnesota. I still hate Minnesota winters so I was a solo traveling snowbird. But, I missed him too much so now I simply stay inside our apartment in Minnesota all winter.
DeleteLinda: Well, I hope you have plenty of home comforts to see you through the Minnesota winters!
DeleteI do. Thank you.
Deletewhen I think of all the refugees of the countries that have been totally devastated by YEARS of war... it staggers my mind and makes me sad. there are children who are grown now and literally have known Nothing but War and devastation! I am grateful. I feel incredibly grateful for the tiniest things in my life! this was a good post Nick... in Many ways. XO
ReplyDeleteTammy: I know, when you see desperate refugees fleeing some horrendous situation with a few battered possessions, it makes you appreciate being in a stable country.
DeleteThere are never any guarantees. Do the best we can, keep our fingers crossed, and be grateful.
ReplyDeleteJean: Indeed, keep our fingers crossed that our own country doesn't suddenly collapse into chaos.
DeleteYes, when we look around the world, even think about the possibilities of what may be festering in our own countries, we might well be grateful if we can avoid the worst of what could occur.
ReplyDeleteJoared: We're both lucky to have avoided the life-threatening situations that many people find themselves in.
DeleteThat is very true.
ReplyDeleteMary: What's true? The assumption that I'll survive?
DeleteIn spite of my privilege of living in a relatively safe country and having adequate resources, I'm not so sanguine about my chances of reaching a ripe old age. Lethal disease alter your perspective, as does being part of a community where people routinely die young.
ReplyDeleteAgent: Yes, after your brush with cancer, you must have a very different take on your chances of survival.
Delete