I just returned from a trip to South Africa and I have realized some interesting aspects of my life.

The most profound and affecting realization is the fact that I live in a bubble.  And the overwhelming and necessary urge to pop it.

Granted, it's a nice, neat, clean bubble; full of prosperity and happy smiles. Nice cars, nicer houses and a general feeling that everything is peachy.

Peachiness reminds me of complacency and complacency makes me feel boring and boring is just...boring.

So I've set about trying to find ways to stomp on, squeeze, pinch and prod my bubble into bursting (or at the very least making it the shape of a more Ben-like bubble).

The most effective way so far seems to be getting in a plane, train or automobile and at least leaving the bubble for a bit. And it has allowed me to see other bubbles around the world. With other people living and breathing and getting along and being like each other. Looking the same and either accepting their bubble or moving to a new bubble somewhere else where they feel a little more bubble-minded with the other bubble people.

Ok, ok. I know it's hard to really not be in any bubble. It seems that people create them everywhere. It's a sense of unity, a social glue that allows people to feel normal and part of a larger entity.  What a feeling to leave my bubble for a bit! It actually broadens my bubble.

And I feel a part of a larger bubble.

So, I'm off again (and urge you)...to seek out new life, new civilizations and boldly go where no bubble has gone before.

Benjamin