I have just spent a few great days in Paris doing the tourist thing and taking in the city. What a beautiful city with loads of fine buildings.
A couple of things struck me while I was there:
Firstly my previous experience of the French people was that I didn’t find them that helpful or friendly. During my stay I saw or experienced a number of examples where people went out of their way to help others (or me!). So… I learnt that stereotypes are indeed very unhelpful and I can see lead to prejudice. Kindness I observed transforms peoples lives even in little ways…so what gifts can I leave with others in that way?
My wife and I had a great tour of the Opera house. It was built with different entrances – one for the wealthy and the one for the not so well off ( even though it was a republic!). From one perspective I could quite easily condemn this separation and inequality based on money. On the other hand I was challenged – how often do I enjoy privilege because it makes me feel different or better than others. Business class travel, what university I attended etc I could go on. What is it in us that we want externla ‘things’ to validate who we are? Ummm.
real time living 