Driving along an old road in Malaysia— the squeak of the steering wheel loud amongst the quietness within the car, looking out the window at incredibly bold and big mountains and beautifully overwhelming palm trees— the irony hits.
How could a place so stunning—one that captivates my eye from inside this beat up taxi— be home to poverty and shack homes while beautiful resorts occupy the oceanfront?
It is in this moment that I am reminded that some of the most physically beautiful places in the world are also the poorest. Beauty hits unrest. Poverty. Uncertainty. Simple meals & older cars & a slower pace of life.
My appreciation for this irony is strengthened. How is it that such a beautiful place could contain things that are seemingly ugly? My heart breaks for those who struggle to find money for their next meal. It breaks for those who may never experience anything other than the small village within which they have always lived. But I also recognize that this heartbreak amongst the beautiful landscape surrounding them is part of what makes their inner strength & spirit of joy so powerful. It’s one thing to have joy & gratitude when life is going great and you can afford to travel to remote places of the world and the bills are paid and you live in a country with freedom to share your voice. It’s a whole other ball game when you live in those remote places and can hardly pay for your family’s next meal, let alone a vacation.
Again, that word—irony— strikes a chord inside me. Maybe God allows heartbreaking irony so that we can truly appreciate the beauty of joy amidst struggle. Joy amidst pain. Joy when your physical landscape is beautiful but your family & financial landscapes are tough.
Every moment that I find myself lacking joy, or gratitude for that matter, I remind myself of the people I meet in poverty stricken places of the world. Though the water may be crystal blue and the palm trees a piercing shade of green, hardships amount for these beautiful, courageous human beings. And sometimes, I just have to reminisce on the depths of their smiles and laughter, despite their uncertainty of what tomorrow may bring. After all, life lacking material, but abundant with joy, is so much more fulfilling than anything a new purse or car or Instagram following could bring us. Finding that beauty amidst whatever struggle surrounds is the answer to deep, pure joyfulness.
Always,
Elle
