A Bad Day in Australia is easier than a Good Day in Timbuktu

By Catherine DeVrye

How do I know? Because, that’s where I spent Christmas and can’t believe it’s taken me until Easter to gather my thoughts on the experience…

Yes, there really is such a place as Timbuktu. More than just a name that conjures up images of a far-flung exotic destination, linked to the ends of the earth, the ancient city is located in Mali in the North West section of Africa. 

Once a major centre of learning and trade in the Islamic world, where camel caravans found an oasis from their trek south across the Sahara Desert, it is now little more than a dusty town where people try to eek out a living in the fourth poorest country on earth.

The Niger River, the third largest in Africa, once the lifeblood running through the town, is now 19 kilometres away, swallowed by the sands that have encroached mercilessly on the landscape year after year. I’ve been to every continent but this was the toughest trip of all.

Although I write and speak to organisations about pushing boundaries, it’s no exaggeration to say that I was outside my comfort zone in more ways than one… covered by dust storms and the pollution of vehicles and open sewerage; saddened to be greeted by friendly children and know that many were dying from AIDS; and camping in flimsy tents on the river bank where we’d spotted hippos earlier in the day, or on top of mud houses in the primitive villages.

It may be the fourth poorest country on earth but it remains a mystery to me how the people with an average life expectancy of only 44, remain so rich of spirit? The wealthy celebrated the New Year with the slaying of a goat while most seemed joyous with little more than couscous, yams and onions as they sang, drummed and danced 'til dawn.

It was amazing to return safely home and be in awe of something as simple as walking into a supermarket, stocked with all array of fresh and packaged food. I can only imagine how a resident of Timbuktu would react to such abundance that we take for granted.

I have had to remind myself that although we all have stresses in our daily life, it is no comparison to the every day struggle for survival faced by much of the world, and there’s no doubt in my mind that: A bad day in Australia is easier than a good day in Timbuktu!

About the author: Catherine DeVrye is an outstanding communicator with proven international management experience in the private and public sectors. She is a speaker, motivator and mentor, and she is the author of books that uplift and inspire. Catherine is a contributor to the Positive Path Network www.positivepath.net and you can visit her website at http://www.greatmotivation.com