I feel I am not unique in my lifestyle, although my outlook has been moulded by my interactions with remarkable individuals. For instance, Peter and Claire have helped me to envision a lighter future beyond the stage of consumerism in which we currently live. They have demonstrated that it is possible to change your surroundings by being the embodiment of the world you want to live within.
Whilst I can feel pretty powerless in the grand scheme of things (climate change, world cruelty, the list goes on..and on), I do hope to enact changes on a minor level. In this way I can influence others and perhaps a raindrop of ideology can contribute to a river of change. I aspire to become a practising doctor in the uk and I hope to achieve a balance within my practise of western medicine and more sustainable traditional practises. Perhaps in this way I can influence others to address their own health as that of a system rather than treating their ailment as a unique symptom. I hope that I can inspire others to live a happier and healthier life which improves more than what is perceived by the eye.
In the past I have volunteered within local communities with young scout groups and food banks, and within further communities by spending time in Namibia building wells and walls to preserve the relationship between native tribes and native elephant herds. Whilst studying my previous bachelors degree in Biomedicine I fell out of the habit of volunteering as much as I would like to. But recently I have joined a local litter picking society which aims to reduce the waste found in and around Brighton and its beautiful beaches. Although a ‘good’ act such as this does wonders to my mental health and as such is not a selfless act, the act in itself demonstrates to others that the changes you want to see in the world can be initiated at a local, if minor level.
From my current vantage point I am happy with the choices I am making: they bring me joy and that is enough. Enough is a word I have come to appreciate, one can always do more, be more. But that is not sustainable; one simply has to do enough. I believe I do, and so I am enough.
Dearbhla McIlroy, Biomedicine (Bachelor)