Last week I came home from a trip to Nepal and Bhutan and stories are spinning in my head. Bhutan is a land of mountains and temples bursting with colorful carvings, but most notably a deeply reverent Buddhist culture that values the good of all its citizens. Internet and tv were first allowed into the country in 1991.
After many years of his family rule, the king felt that democracy would be a better system so in 2007 he introduced a plan to elect a prime minister. The people rebelled because they loved him so much. They didn’t want to change their form of government. The king went from village to village to convince the people that democracy would be better for the country. He arranged for a mock election to get people used to the process and finally in 2008 a prime minister was elected.
It’s no wonder that Bhutanese people feel protected and unified. They appreciate their power and the intention of those governing. The lack of stress is evident in smiling faces and calm conversations. Americans engage in an ongoing fight to protect our individual rights. But what happens when our individual rights hurt others? What happens when they intersect? The Bhutanese don’t expect individual entitlements that jeopardize the whole. Consideration of others is ingrained in their culture. That consideration is palpable in the air.
Wow.
I want to move to Bhutan!
of course dear. I am so proud of you that you GOT IT. Just be well. mom