Life seemed to have become quite chaotic and unpredictable for me. Several drastic events happened in my country and in my relationships with old friends. These distractions did affect my psyche and my daily routine. The unexpected stress and emotional disruptive vibes aroused a new challenge to my daily rhythm. My sleeping cycle went haywire and I was consumed with the need to follow up on news about the dispute between Cambodia and Thailand on border issues.
Nowadays, the local social media has been swamped with news and views on this border issue. This came on top of the intense local political struggles involving the notorious exPM whose daughter has become the PM. I wouldn’t bore people with our political problems as it seemed that every country seemed to have various political hurdles too. For example, the organised riots in several locations in America, the Middle East conflicts and the problems in Ukraine.
So, the stress level has been enhanced by new external factors which would eventually affect the way of life in our country. The latest concern was the leaking of toxic materials from gold mining processes in Burma into the river in the northern provinces. The arsenic and heavy metals has finally reached the river in Chiengmai. Experts found the the levels of toxicity has increased steadily making fish and people getting sick from swimming in the river.
The impact on tourism has been fatal as all hotels along the river became quiet and elephants could no longer play in the river. All water sports and tourism came to a halt. Fishermen could no longer earn their livings while fish and crops along the river started to perish. Eventually, the production of food along the river would fail which could lead to higher cost of living and famine in the future.
The report that the toxic chemicals had leaked into Mae Khong river alarmed me deeply as we lived quite near the river. I had started to wonder about the water filtration system of the village. I had to inspect our water filters and change the old filters for activated carbon ones. So, life has become more challenging and this made me more mindful of survival in the brave new world of AI and nuclear war.
Luckily, we lived in very favourable geographical location. But I tried to learn and keep up with current affairs and people’s sufferings. I just couldn’t switch off and ignore what’s happening in this world although I would feel stressful and sad because of the bad news. It seemed incredibly diffucult for some powerful people and politicians to live peacefully with compassion for those people suffering as a consequence of military interventions and aggressions.
There would be a big demonstration in Bangkok this weekend to demand the resignation of our failed Prime Minister. The demonstration would last a frw hours which aimed to be a big symbolic gesture of the majority of Thai people. Political stories and news have become very hot as more ‘blackmailed’ stories have started ti be disclosed by the Cambodian leader.
So, it would be very difficult to remain calm while all the vibes became very disturbing. But I knew all things are dynamic and always keep on changing. I have to remind myself to let go of the emotional turmoil vibes in the surrounding. By this time next year, we would be dealing with a very different socio-political problems. I should be mindful and note centered so that I wouldn’t be swept away by the frenzy waves of emitional manipulations. Life is full of new challenges each week! It’s good to have the chance to cycle along the river and be with Mother Nature to replenish my energy and be peaceful.
Wishing you peace, good health and prosperity.
Stay strong and cheerful.