How Connected Am I?

I must apologise for not being so faithful to this blog yet again. I was actually focused on another blog - the blog of UCAN (Union of Catholic Asia News). You can check there - www.ucanews.com - but I would like to share one entry from there here on my own blog with you. It goes like this.

I live in Bangkok, one of the many great cities of Southeast Asia. There is no shortage of life and people on its streets. Yet I sometimes wonder as a westerner living in the midst of such heaving life, just how connected we all are to life and those around us.

I see the western guy taking his friend home from one of the many bars and clubs. I see the blank look on his face and wonder what there is between them.

I reach out to a western friend to meet for a chat but realize after the call that he was already on his sixth or more beer and it is only eight in the evening. We never meet.

I think I have finally made a Thai friend amongst my neighbours and then I am asked the question - can I give some money to help?

I try to understand what is going on around me and the ultimate response to my questioning is simply that Thai culture is at play, nothing else.

I love being in Thailand. I admire the Thais for so many reasons. I love my work here. Yet I do pay a price. It is named by my simple quest - to become more connected in a city where so many around me seem to want anything else but this. It remains my quest as being connected with others is not just good for my soul but necessary for my survival.

Thank God for the good friends I do have. They keep me grounded in a city where life can just become crazy at times. They keep my faith alive in the midst of craziness.