New World's Gate & Not bad enough

Gate to the New World

It appears that my destinations of entry and exit for my travels across the continent of Africa, are the two most historically rich locations of all.

The final stop.

Tangier

Meeting point of the Atlantic Ocean and Mediterranean Sea.

Gateway of empires.

A door from the Old World to the New.

Think of the countries that have direct interests in the Mediterranean:

Spain, France, Italy, Greece, Turkey, Israel, Egypt, Algeria, Morocco…

Appreciating the importance of such a place today, imagine the magnitude greater in antiquity.

A history lesson on the nations to occupy Tangier - Phoenician, Carthaginian, Roman, Byzantine, and many more - would be too laborious for the odd newsletter.

But consider this as a greater representation of Tangier’s uniqueness:

From 1923 to 1956, Tangier was a land of no nation. It was an international zone, ruled by committee with representatives from France, Spain, Great Britain, Italy, the United States,  Belgium, Holland, and Portugal, along with religious representatives from Islam and Judaism.

I am fortunate enough to have a cousin that lives in Tangier who I will stay with for my two weeks here. The latter half will include a visit by one of the most esteemed human beings on earth - my mother.

 Not bad enough

I used to wonder how more people did not throw off the shackles of their discontent lives, in pursuit of greater ones. Clearly there are masses of disaffected, morose, desperate people, living daily lives they loathe.

How can it persist?

There is not one reason above all. However, I recently came across an idea that may explain it largely.

The Region Beta-Paradox

“situations aren’t that bad, and so you don’t do anything about them, whether it be to take action or kickstart psychological processes to cope”

Bad enough to bear, but not enough to act.

A lack of urgency, derived from a lack of perspective.

Chronic misery. Often times compatible with a full length human life, but one characterized by Oscar Wilde’s observation: 

“To live is the rarest thing in the world. Most people exist, that is all.”

When is enough, enough?

I think it comes back to self-esteem.

There are two kinds of people, as I describe the conditions:

The first – earnest, introspective, effortful, growth oriented.

The second – lazy, dishonest, fragile, closed minded.

If you can truly look yourself in the mirror and know that you are the former, it is unlikely that you will be enmeshed in the darkness of self-deceit.

When I vocalized my intention to strive for a profession that gave me meaning to my mother, she reminded me of a fortunate trait I possess.

Intolerance

According to her, ever since I was a little boy, I cast aside that which did not serve me.

In the long-term, it will be my salvation.

In the short-term, it is a disruptor.

Whether you were born with it or not, the question remains…

How long can this go on?

Sincerely,

Jacob

P.S. Waking up to a view of the Strait of Gibraltar, Spain visible… yes.