The scary world, just outside

The world’s a big, wide, scary place. For some, it’s too scary to step out, so they keep themselves sheltered. They’re scared by the apparent differences, by what sets us apart, scared of being turned away. It always safer not to take a chance, a chance that seem so daunting.

And why wouldn’t they be? The media paints life as this giant, menacing thing, with people doing awful stuff — killings, thefts, kidnappings. “I’ve heard there’s a ton of crime in that city or country; you shouldn’t go there.” Even though they’ve never set foot there, they’re already judging it. That judgment spreads to anyone listening, growing the fear of the unknown, word by word, action by action.

But when you do step into this world, it looks different. Sure, you might have a few rough patches — happens to all of us, no matter what. But that’s not the whole story. Life’s not a 50–50 split. You’re going to have your good and bad — c’est la vie.

If you truly get out there, talk to people, no matter how nerve-wracking it might seem to chat with strangers, you’ll find kindness, love, and helpfulness everywhere.

Out there, in the big wide world, you’ll find people ready to go the extra mile for you, giving experiences you’d never have had otherwise, crafting memories that’ll come back to you when life’s a bit too much.

The world is big and scary, yeah, but it’s also open, loving, and caring. Sometimes one seems to overshadow the other, but one good experience in this scary place can make it seem a bit lighter. That’s when you realize just how huge the world is, and how narrow our view can be at times. We get caught up in our own world, with our own ideas, ways of seeing things, and then we step out. We end up having conversations with people from different religious or political views, hit with a whole range of human opinions.

Once we have these conversations, something comes to the surface, something that ties us all together — our shared humanity. Take away the media bias, the stereotypes, and the surface opinions, and you’re standing in front of a person. A person who’s just as puzzled, happy, and sad as you are, someone with their own dreams and ambitions. You see a reflection of yourself, coming to terms with the reality we’re in.

Life isn’t black or white and the world isn’t good or bad, — everyone’s just trying to make sense of this crazy world, and each person’s got their own take on the world, on you, and on themselves. Some of us have given up hope for a better world, others stand like pillars of hope, and then there are those who bask in the hope of others.

Because while the world might seem daunting, strange, and unfamiliar, it’s just different. People might seem odd and alien with their customs but try to embrace it. Embrace each unique trait, hope, and belief, and understand where they’re coming from. Cause really, what are we but fellow citizens of this vast world, distant relatives, all just trying to make this crazy world a little bit cozier and more familiar?

In the end, it’s all about perspective. The world may seem like a place shrouded in darkness, but that darkness is washed away by the colours of the people. It’s a masterwork of a painting, painted with the diverse stories, cultures, hopes, and dreams.

So, while the world can feel like an overwhelming, intimidating place, it’s also a paiting, thick with the brush strokes from countless shared experiences and connections. It’s about recognizing that we’re all part of this insane artwork, either holding the brush, getting the colours or suggestion how to paint this or that part.

In the end, we’re all just painters on this incredible painting, each with our own brushes, colours, our own stories to tell. And while it’s true that the world may sometimes seem scary just outside, it’s often in its weird, diverse and scary moments that we find a sense of shared belonging and connection. It is in these moments, where the big scary world, seems lighter, giving us the energy to go through yet another day.

So, next time you find yourself questioning this scary world, embrace the weirdness, and ask, ask the people around you — talk to the people, let them know that you find this insane place mind boggling. Maybe you will meet fellow confused people, maybe you will meet someone that can overshadow that doubt, or maybe you will simply end up having a good conversation.

I would love to hear your stories!

when did you discover that the “scary world” outside was not entirely what you expected?

Have you had an encounter or experience that completely changed your perspective on a particular culture or society? Let me know! I love hearing stories such as this.

What places have you been to that have surprised you the most?