Observations

It is quite astounding how one can be the topic of conversation pretty quickly. People know that being talked about when it comes to something negative isn't the nicest of feelings, but when its someone else being talked about, its just easy to get involved and not actually think about how the other person feels.

I was on the bus the other day, staring out the window, contemplating the events of the last few days, and I could see people walking past. On their way to town, picking children up from school, going shopping or simply out for a stroll. One does not know their inner feelings, or their problems, for no ones life is concocted of the perfect recipe. People have their own problems, all different and unique to the person, and everyone should know that. People react differently in different situations, and everyone should know that. Everyone is unique. And everyone should know that too.

I went out last night for Abigail's birthday. I was seriously tired, and all over the place, but one of my best friend's birthdays is something I cannot miss if it is possible to make an appearance. Her family were as welcoming and comforting as ever and we enjoyed a top night. No talk of the past few days. No talk of negativity, or questioning. Just having fun. That is how it should be.

There's an elephant in the room.

Why have I suddenly gone from talking cricket in Melbourne to enjoying nights out in Bedford? Yes, I'm home. Facing inevitable questioning from everyone as to why I've, "come home from the trip of a lifetime", "bottled it" and "thrown away a huge opportunity". As I say, everyone can have their opinions on what they think I've done, but none of them were actually there. None of them felt what I felt, and none of them experienced what I experienced. Its extremely easy to sit in front of your keyboard or stand at the bar and say I've been an idiot, and if you are one of these people, you should be ashamed. A lot of people have simply accepted that I'm home, and we can now carry on with our lives. Good. That is how it should be. However, some people jump straight in with uninformed opinions and jump straight in with their observations as to what I've done without knowing facts.

So what are the facts? You don't need to know. Events happened, and as my sister says, "Everything happens for a reason". I'm starting to come around to that form of thought. People jump to conclusions, presuming I quit Melbourne like I quit uni, when that isn't true at all. Yes, I suppose you could say I "bottled" uni, but there was a story behind that. Just like there is a story behind this. However, I am now a branch manager, and not in debt. Quitting uni worked out well for me. Maybe this will trigger similar positive results. Who knows.

But people shouldn't bother so much. Human beings have a strange tendency to gossip about others, whilst forgetting about their own problems. Almost as if others problems are a distraction from their own. For, as I said earlier, everyone has their own problems. This is an inescapable fact.

“If someone isn't what others want them to be, the others become angry. Everyone seems to have a clear idea of how other people should lead their lives, but none about his or her own.”
 - Paulo Coelho

Mr. Coelho's thoughts are extremely appropriate...