A Bright Future: Fact or Myth?

So, is a bright future a delayed reality, or just wishful thinking that never comes true? I believe this is a question that has been haunting many people on Earth lately. I have a friend who fell ill due to emotional strain, overwhelmed by anxiety about the future of his only child. Another friend admitted feeling depressed after reading the constant stream of troubling news on his browser homepage. Meanwhile, one of our neighbors feels the weight of economic pressure so intensely that he has chosen to isolate himself at home, avoiding interaction with others.

This piece does not aim to find someone to blame for this chronic situation. We need to understand that everything happening today is part of a chain of events shaped by what came before. The economic hardships facing a nation today are closely tied to past actions, decisions, attitudes, initiatives, and responses. Just as success does not happen overnight, failure is never the result of a single, isolated factor. 

When life takes a downturn and places someone at rock bottom, or even below it, one of the most common reactions is to fight with everything they have to escape that position. Being forced out of a comfort zone against our will naturally brings discomfort, if not sadness or psychological distress. This is completely normal. It can happen to anyone. It is nothing to be ashamed of, nor is it a moral failing.

Illustration: Kolam Segaran, Mojokerto.

Traditional beliefs sustain hope

Before becoming known to the world as a “land of landmines” due to the widespread and often indiscriminate use of them in political conflicts, Myanmar was, and still is, a country with deeply rooted local traditions. Although international bodies may classify Myanmar as a failed state due to its economic struggles, this does not change the fact that it is home to UNESCO-recognized World Heritage Sites, including thousands of pagodas and well-preserved historical remains from the Hindu-Buddhist era.

Global recognition of what is visibly remarkable in Myanmar does not change another important truth: Myanmar Indigenous Belief existed long before, centered on reverence for nature and ancestral spirits. Springs, rivers, and oceans are not seen as lifeless objects, but as sacred sources of life, honored through offerings such as flowers, incense, and food. Stories—often cautionary or even frightening—have been passed down through generations to encourage people to exercise restraint when interacting with forests and their resources.

Although media and online sources tend to portray Myanmar in a negative light, the country has, to this day, lost “only” around 12% of its total forest area. The world often focuses on environmental damage caused by illegal logging, mining, landmines, and the loss of certain species. In doing so, we tend to overlook the role of indigenous values that helped preserve Myanmar’s natural environment long before waves of conflict struck.

A bright future is not a myth

In times of economic pressure, most people instinctively choose to cut back in order to survive. This is entirely understandable, even though it often comes with a long list of sacrifices. For example, food producers may reduce product sizes to lower production costs, while larger companies may cut down their workforce.

Myanmar, which today is often associated with large-scale scam operations, was once home to communities that treated conservation of natural resources as a spiritual practice rooted in their indigenous beliefs. When wildlife was abundant and forests were dense, their ancestors chose to take only what they needed—not out of necessity, but as a conscious decision grounded in a sense of joy and responsibility toward the future. This is especially striking when we consider what Myanmar is facing today.

According to recent statistics, only about 0.8% of Myanmar’s population still identifies as adherents of these indigenous beliefs. Yet, if we choose to see it differently, this small number can still be a source of optimism. It is a faint but meaningful sign that there are still a few people who recognize the wisdom of their ancestors’ teachings about building a brighter future.