Dear Consumerism,
Please be notified that I am officially waving the white flag of surrender.
It is unhealthy to fight what is because what is, just is - you can't do anything about what has already happened. Therefore, practicing the saintly art of surrender becomes the rational thing to do.
In my surrender I am cultivating a life of calm, and this is what results from accepting that you exist in the world.
Do not confuse this declaration with "giving up" or "quitting" or even "going away". I will continue to chip away at your destruction, violence, and lies, just not in an angry, adversarial relationship.
I can only despair if I think that I know where your planet-harming excess is taking us. I do not. No one knows, even if there are some strong indications of where we might end up.
As writer Alain de Botton suggests we all do, I am surrendering to the future with hope. In this place of peace we can talk about what to do with you and your "profit over people and the environment" ways.
In closing, I look forward to working with you to help us build better ways of acquiring and allocating our resources in ways that preserve the planet - for future generations of my family, your family, and all families.
Thank you, Consumerism, for taking time out from making money to accept my official surrender and withdrawal from your war on everything. Here's to better days moving forward.
I'm thankful that you have not actually surrendered, but are continuing to chip away at capitalism and consumerism via your lifestyle and blog. If we all cultivate a small oasis of calm, fail to be sucked in by the consumer hype to the best of our abilities, while helping others to change bit by bit, by example, we may win the war and save our planet yet!
ReplyDeleteCharlotte,
DeleteThis is my karma yoga, or selfless service, that I send out to the universe. I am most certainly not giving up. There is so much that needs to be changed that I am excited by the abundant opportunities for doing good things. It is possible for everyone everyday to do something that makes a difference.
I am encouraged by people like yourself and other members of our community that are making positive changes that lead to a better life and a better world. Together we are stronger than we realize.