24/09/2015

AaA - are you a fan?

If you have followed me for a while, you might suspect me of being a fan of AaA ( = Adapt-and-Adjust). I do believe that an important element to living in balance wherever you are  - is to adapt and adjust. To a certain extend. Especially if you move to another country for a longer period of time. Or come think of it, even if you are just visiting for a short while or coming as a tourist. If  you make another country your new adopted country and settle there for a period, I believe its good to try to meet your new country with respect, positivity and an open mind. To adjust and adapt, more or less. Lately I had and very interesting discussion with some friends about this:

- Should you change your style of dressing because it is not how they dress in your "new" country?
- Should you change your diet to whatever they are eating where you are now?
- To what extent should you really AaA? Is there a limit?
- How can you AaA without "loosing" yourself?
- Can you risk adjusting so much that you jeopardize your own values and believes? And can that be harmful to you in the long run or not?

Personally, I think it can be pretty easy, or at least it should be. I am a fan of diversity, wherever I am. There should be room for people to dress, eat, drink, read, write and say what they like. But at the same time adjust and adapt. Yes, I do think that that is perfectly compatible, because if you know who you are and in balance, you are a constant learner to life, and will never cease to develop as a human being. You will know what matters to you, what is important, and what your values and beliefs are. If anything, living in different countries has taught me:

- Do not judge other people or cultures, and show respect.
- Let go of whatever you can not change or control
- Life is too short not to be be curious. Be open to new opinions, food, ways of doing things. Its fun! Then at least you can say you have tried. And you can choose: you can take with you what you like, leave behind what you don't like, and move on. That's the glory of this journey called life.

So out of my comfort sone. So out of my element. And still.... at home. 






So, are you a fan? Of adapting and adjusting?

25 comments:

  1. Very wise thoughts! Compromise is required I think - adapt and adjust to respect others but not if it involves compromising your own values.
    Anabel's Travel Blog

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  2. You are best qualified to write about adapting and adjusting Eli. It is important to do that, if you have to find happiness in any new situation. I think if you have respect for the new place and don't think you're better or worse than the people around you it doesn't matter how you dress or what you eat - the warmth will show through.

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    1. Very wise words my dear friend Tulika. Thank you- big hugs to you sweetie:-)

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  3. Dearest Eli,
    Very lovely photos of a bubbly you!
    Yes, I too am all game for trying the new food, wearing respectful clothing for the area you are staying in and indeed, adjust and adapt!
    Sending you hugs and wishing you a happy weekend.
    Mariette

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    1. Thanks a lot dear Mariette. Sending big hugs back to you:-)

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  4. Words of wisdom and excellent advice! ♥

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  5. I agree.Although I am a person who takes quite some time to adapt and adjust,but I try to and that helps me to be out of my comfort zone and venture with an open-mind.

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  6. HI Eli - Adapt and adjust is definitely a good concept. However, Adaptation and Adjustment up to an extent is feasible, the extent where oneself doesn't get suffocated, post the breakeven point, one need not adjust and adapt at the cost of losing one's identity. Lovely and thought provoking post.

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  7. Think it's important to look at things with an open mind and interact with the crowd, shedding our glass tinted perception. It's priceless advice:)

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  8. Definitely yes. "Adapt and adjust" is the way to go. The good thing is we live in a fairly cosmopolitan world, Eli! What a nice read! Love your attitude!

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  9. I think if you are confident in who you are and know yourself as a person, it is pretty easy to adapt and adjust! Which you do so beautifully! :)
    Great advice Eli!

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    1. Thanks a lot dear Aditi:-) Hugs sweetie:-)

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  10. Adapt and Adjust is a great attitude. It's a sign of an open and a mature person! Enjoyed reading this post, Eli :)

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    1. Thank you so much Shilpa dear- appreciate your always kind encouragement:-)

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  11. Wonderful post and such lovely photos!

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  12. Lovely concept! Beautiful photographs and you look so pretty Eli!!!
    And the advice- adapt and adjust.. thats just how life is!

    Cheers

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  13. I feel it's easier to adapt and adjust concept when you are living for shorter intervals... but in the long term sometimes one may feel the constraint.But then there are always ways to tackle... I say this because within india itself people find it difficult to adjust to different cultures. If only people follow this concept and respect the place, world would be so much more peaceful.

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    1. Thats so true. Thank you so much for sharing:-)

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