Where is it really safe?

Recently I saw an interview on TV with Geoff Lawson, the former Australian Test Fast Bowler, who was recently appointed as the new Coach of the Pakistan Cricket Team. Not exactly the dream job that most Westerners would put their hands up for, particularly after the confusion surrounding the death of the last occupant of that position. Therefore it was logical that he would be asked why he would want to go to such a dangerous place like Pakistan seems to be at the moment.

He explained that it wasn’t really dangerous all over the country, only in certain spots. Certain spots that he would not be going anywhere near anyway!

My family can certainly understand this logic, having lived in Transkei/South Africa for 12 years during their transition from Apartheid to Democracy. Unlike Geoff, we lived close to one particular troubled area, the next suburb actually! Yet despite the troubles there, we often visited friends in this area. However we knew when to go there, and even more important, when not too. When one knows what the rules are (even when un-written) and reads the signs, one minimizes the troubles there. Despite the amazing potential for trouble and serious trouble at that, in that suburb, we didn’t experience any there! Well not in that suburb anyway! We did in our own, just not there!

Even when we did have troubles (In our own suburb) apart from the exceptions of the two petrol bombings, these were problems that people in Melbourne Australia and for that matter any city in the world, face too.

So the moral of the story is two-fold: Firstly, if you take reasonable care, you will be safe as one can be, anywhere, no matter where you are.

Secondly, no matter how much care you do take, no matter where you are, there will always be possible problems.

Therefore, whether you are in the most dangerous place in the world, or in the so-called safest place, take all reasonable care and concern everywhere and live your life the way you want, to the best of your abilities and as your circumstances allow.

Do not let fear of the past (or of the future) dictate your future. Just don’t be stupid either!!!!!