Add This
Accustomed
I was thinking today about how, as humans, we can adapt to any situation. It’s not something we’d like to do; at first we’d hate it, even be scared of it, but after a while we’d deal with it, survive in it, even thrive in it. Maybe it’s because I’m reading a book about a boy having to go through a similar situation, but for a while I was mesmerized by this idea. Then I realized that I myself am dealing with the same thing, although admittedly on a much smaller scale.
When I first got here I hated this place, it wasn’t comfortable….but now, unfortunately or not, I’m accustomed to living here. Whereas before I lived in an apartment, slept in my own bedroom on a queen sized bed, used a private indoor bathroom two feet from my room, drove anywhere I wanted to in my own vehicle, and spent as much time as I could with a beautiful woman by my side…now I live in an 8×6 plywood room, sleep in a sleeping bag, use a public toilet two blocks from my room, have to walk everywhere, and spend all my time with guys who are just as ugly as me. That’s just the way it is. Oh, and I also now eat with plastic silverware and wear nothing but a military uniform everyday. My point is, if there is one, that I used to hate this place, heck I still kind of do, but now I’m used to it. It is what it is. I am accustomed.
I don’t know if that’s a good thing or bad thing. I admittedly can’t wait to get out of here, so I can’t say I enjoy it. I can say, however, that it’s getting easier…and even better: it’s almost over.
I know exactly what you mean. I went through the exact same emotions when I first had to live on a ship. Your plywood room probably affords you more comfort and privacy than my coffin-sized rack did. You’re right though: the human ability to adapt never ceases to amaze me.
How are things? When are you coming back? I’ll make a roadtrip to TX when you back.