Press

The openness of the press here is insane. I first witnessed this in the English-language newspaper the Kyiv Post, but I was unaware this transparency laced through the Ukrainian press. Channel One that’s funded by the government openly criticizes the government. The first time I read New Time magazine I was surprised to see politicians and oligarchs presented as criminals with all their assets out on the table for the country to see.

In the US we didn’t have nearly the same level of exposure for the scumbags responsible for the last recession who tanked the economy through immoral deception and greed.

Excuses

I’ve heard a lot of defeatist excuses of why people can’t do something. These come from the people that often wake up late and consume instead of produce; who are waiting for answers from someone, instead of doing the hard work of trying to figure out the answers.

I’m not talking about the Babushka who're hanging onto life by a thread. I'm talking about capable people with an internet connection. I’ve been told many times how things can’t be done because of corruption. Sure, don’t try to build an apartment building without solid resistance here. But much of the opportunity doesn't have corruption, like industries that are the future of the world in online spaces.

Leadership

The leadership is mostly terrible in Ukraine; there are few role models to look up to. But often this lack of leadership becomes an excuse. Leadership also comes from within. Simple and routine personal choices turn into habit; these habits turn into the manifested reality of who you are. I don’t need a leader to tell me to brush my teeth, get up early and work, exercise, treat others well, spend time with positive people, etc.

Sure, it’s much better to have excellent leadership. But in the 21st century, this doesn’t come around too often. Therefore, you don’t want to rely on leaders to create the narrative of your life. If I relied on current political US leadership as my compass I’d be more anxious, aggressive, and lost. Leadership starts from within and goes out, not from outwards in. The best is to have both, but most of the world doesn’t have the luxury of being Norway.