Dear Readers,
I know it has been quite a while since I have written and/or talked to some of you. I have been extremely busy with classes for this semester in France. Busier that I had anticipated, but that does not mean that I have not had an awesome time studying abroad! I would do it again without a second hesitation, actually I think if I could do it again, I would do so for a longer period of time.
It has however been long enough that I now have become accustomed to many of the different cultural idiosyncrasies. I have found as I learn more, the more I learn that there are many more commonalities than there are differences with other cultures (not just with the French, but in general). I am also finding that in my classes the Professors seem to be frequently perplexed that their use of cultural stereotypes often are oblivious to students, not because the students are obtuse, but that the stereotypes themselves are outdated in this increasingly smaller world.
Over the years the more I have traveled the more I have adapted my personal idiosyncrasies or habits, picking and choosing the things that I do and perhaps not do, so that I am not quite so blindly following the common American stereotypes. Though, it is very difficult for me to hide the fact that I am an American…
There is one thing that I have found that consistently identifies who I am and that is the concept of the « American Dream ». I am constantly amazed at how much of my world prospective is driven by this cultural belief or ideal.
In some ways, I probably exhibit this notion, that « tomorrow can be better than today », that things can and will get better through hard work, devotion and the pursuit of knowledge (information). I have found that my desire to improve things, whether it be through my education or work, I am constantly (and for some irritatingly) innovating every aspect of my life, be it in school, work, technology, observations, personal research, use of services, etc. I am a person of ideas. Though, I may be a bit more strong willed at not just in creating the innovation, but pushing the need to implement it (though more often than not, I usually find the pursuit actually yields a different solution and that the pursuit of making things better can be reward within itself); the French, as a whole, by no means have this same prospective.
Which is something I have not been able to come to terms with, I do not like mediocrity. If you are going to do something, why not do it to the fullest ability? The French response would be a bit muddled. One, if it has always been done this way, why change it? Tradition, I find is much more central to their everyday life than to ours (which I think is do purely to age the of our respective nations and the difference in history). Two, by settling for the middle road, they don’t encroach on anyone else. There is less risk there.
Now, I do not know if one way is better than the other, but for me my worldview is so strongly centered around this « dream/concept/ideal » that I cannot see myself prescribing to anything different. However, having said that, I have and I will continue to modify and adapt my approach to achieving my goals in life and the role that I want to have today and for tomorrow. To not learn, to not change would be a fatal flaw.
The world is constantly changing, requiring people to interact in ways that they have never been faced with in the past. The Romans united an empire through the construction of roads. The roads of today’s world are not made of just stone but of ones and zeros (the internet), we are abound with access to relatively affordable transcontinental transportation, and the world’s seemingly growing expectance that people have at least a minor understanding of other cultures/societies.
The problem of course is that even with all of the new roads, we still seldom have any means of real communication with each other, worldly or domestically. I have a hard time understanding this, because to me unity, cooperation does not necessarily mean that you have to agree with each other, varying prospective does not have to divide us, but rather can unite us. All we « have to do » is learn to communicate. If we can move past just peering through a window in the wall that divides us and to actually opening the door, even if it’s just opened a crack – think about what all we could achieve.
Of course it is not quite as simple as just opening a door, we have a tendency to fear what we do not know or understand. There is risk involved, it can be raw and brutal, but it can be ever so delightful and insightful. Even being confronted with harsh reality can be a rewarding experience into itself, think how much we grow after being striped to our core – it can be and often times is an humiliating experience, but are we not usually better for it in the end?
Anyone that has talked to me more than just in passing probably has heard me talk about a Nietzschean concept that through our interactions with each other, the reactions that we receive are mirrors into ourselves. If we sit in the room and never go outside, are we not just missing out on the things that the world has to offer, but are we not missing out on things that we have to offer, not just to the world, but to ourselves?
I write this « Thanksgiving Message » to humbly thank you. Whether, I have interacted with you a little or a lot, you have helped me grow. You have helped me learn who I am, you have helped me learn about the reality of the world and you have helped me learn how to reach for my dreams. For that I am very thankful.
The world is an ever changing place, it is impressionable on to us and us on to it. Let us not be complacent in our interactions with each other. Let us not forget what it means to be human. Let us make the most of today so that our children can make the most of tomorrow.
I sincerely hope this letter finds you well. I wish I had more time to write you each individually, but, please, if you have a moment to say hello, I would absolutely appreciate it.
Sincerely,
Evan Ashcraft
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