Take Back Control of Your Earth
Posted: Monday, May 31, 2010
by e
Dhammabucha Rocksprings Meditation
ABC packed roughly 107 spots - or more than 45 minutes of commercial and promotional time - into the two-and-a-half-hour Lost series finale, according to our (very unscientific but pretty reliable) count. Just when the finale would unveil a major plot point, a break would occur featuring anywhere from five to 11 ads and/or sneak peeks for fall shows on ABC.
With budgets tight and income reduced, more commercials will be necessary. Maybe more commercials than actual content, for example; 45 minutes of commercials and 15 minutes of programming!
Not too long ago there were no oil rigs in the gulf of Mexico. Now there are over 4,000. With the ever increasing appetite for oil in the world, will the number of oil rigs reduce? Or increase to perhaps 8,000, or 100,000, a million!
Since greed has neither conscience nor bounds, when will all of this stop? It will only stop when we stop, because we are the driving force behind everything.
When will we stop? Can we stop? If we can't, then we should not complain about swimming in oil when we visit Florida or sitting through endless commercials when we try to watch a TV show. Until each of us individually stop, we have no footing upon which to complain.
Why can't we stop? We don't have to stop suddenly, all we have to do is cut down a little each day. We can begin by slowly cutting our gasoline purchases. We don't need all that power and prestige we imagine we get when driving a powerful gas guzzling behemoth anymore. We can squeeze into a compact vehicle and cut down on the trips we make.
Many of the wasteful things we do results in plain boredom and wanting action. "Let's get out of the house and drive down to . . ."
Why not stay home and take a walk? The reason we don't is because our minds are not calm, not peaceful, in turmoil 24/7 because we are spiritually immature. Like a bunch of preschool kiddies who can't sit still for more than five minutes, we haven't a clue as to what peace and contentment means.
This is the crux of the problems we face in the ever blossoming fiasco called energy demand. Unless we all take the effort to change our lifestyles, our lifestyles will be changed for us when the world goes to war over oil. I believe that we would rather kill ourselves than conserve, and that's the sad truth.
Until we are forced, kicking an screaming, to cut back on gasoline and purchases, the gas rigs will grow in the oceans and the commercials on the air waves as our quality of life deteriorates into abject environmental poverty. We are incapable of helping ourselves. We are too far gone to even consider cutting back, because we couldn't face the pain of doing without. We are so spoiled.
It's more than that, however. There is a subliminal feeling in our gut that we are too good to cut back, that cutting back is for only losers, underprivileged people, or people of a lower social status. It's just not our cup of tea to cut back on anything. That would be a surrender and acknowledgment that gross consumerism isn't working, that capitalism has somehow failed in its promises of ever increasing wealth for everyone.
So let's get over ourselves. How about it? Let's do something good for humanity rather than just think of ourselves all the time. Start by trading in you vehicles and buying something that uses half the gas. Then cut down on your trips. Cut them in half. Cut your electricity consumption. Turn off the lights, get energy efficient bulbs, turn down the AC and the furnace. Get a nice sweater and wear it during the winter and run around in a bathing suit in the summer. Think everyday how you can cut back on anything you don't absolutely need.
And when the harbingers of "the good times will never end" whisper in your ear, "You're an American, you shouldn't have to live like those heathens in Europe, so spend, consume, and let the good times roll," just remind them that their story is a false one, and that their only concern is the top tier of wealthy that makes money regardless of how badly the middle class suffers, or the earth.
Take back sanity and preserve our earth for not only ourselves but for our kids and their kids. Remember, our kids learn from us, and if all we do is encourage them to be as successful as they can be and make as much money as possible regardless of what harm comes to the earth, that's what the new generation will do, just like we did.
It's not impossible; it just takes a more spiritual view of the world and the interconnectedness of us all. California was able to cut its smog because it took bold action on vehicle emissions even as big business fought the changes tooth and nail. This is what we are faced with in changing the world - changing our own habits first because that's where the power is!
No big business, big oil, or lobbyist can control what we do as individual consumers. They can advertise lies and cajole congress, but they cannot make us continue to buy vehicles that line their pockets. For example an SUV profits an automaker $12,000.00 to $15,000.00 whereas a subcompact profits them only $500.00. And big business cannot force us to buy stupid, needless things just to stay in fashion and keep the wealthy in power. We have control over our lives, and we can bring these environmental terrorists to their knees. No one can really stop us.
Except ourselves.
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Top-level comments on this article: (8 total)You have said it all, E. I think we've all got a bit of a mindset around the big corporations being the responsible ones, but nobody makes something unless somebody buys it and uses it!Thanks for your article.For sure Jennifer, we all try to blame others for our own excesses. Thanks,......e
Yes e, if people would take your advice here we might be able to save our planet. Sometimes when I watch TV commercials the way they come out it looks like the end of the world is coming and there trying to get as much out of it as they can before it ends.Thanks David. Yes, everyone is trying to make a killing, economically, religiously, and politically, and that will kill us all.
Hi e.When I logged in just now, this article was the reader's number one pick. I can see why that is. It is a somewhat depressing but honest look at the situation. Something that needs to be said loudly and often.Respectfully,DianneI was as surprised as you about the front page exposure! Not sure exactly how this new system works, maybe Bruce will do a short article on the mechanics someday. But I am very appreciative of all the folks who have read the article. I hope it lived up to their expectations.Best.....e
I don't think you realize the full power of your words Mr. Rock. One minute you suggest a log in, in order to comment, and the next minute, it is so. Maybe that's how we'll change our insanity, one article at a time Mr. Rock, one article at a time.Thank you David. Interesting thought; taking back the earth one article at a time! We all need to do what we can.
Great article. I am all for living simpler lives, with less reliance on oil.Yeah me too Craig. With your background working in farming, I know that you are sensitive to nature and respect it, and hate to see it capitalized upon by unscrupulous and insensitive corporations.Over here in Australia a few farmers worked out how to power their tractors with oil made from their crops... the gov stepped in and charged them a fuel excise tax .....Hah! Should have kept it secret.There is a Buddhist monk in Perth that is becoming quite famous in Australia. I trained with him in Thailand in 1981. His lectures are very popular, drawing over 1,000 people when he speaks in Sydney. His name is Ajahn Brahm. Keep an ear out for him. He's very good.
Mr. Rock, It is very profound post. You are right about the fact that only we can change. We do not have to change dramatically and suddenly. We gradually change step by step. Thank you for your sharing your opinion.A little improvement every day in our new lifestyle of simplicity is all that it will take. Hope you are on board. Just begin by thinking of one small way you can cut down on your consumption of consumer goods, especially dirty goods like oil.
Thanks Shaw,...........e
"Why not stay home and take a walk? The reason we don't is because our minds are not calm, not peaceful, in turmoil 24/7 because we are spiritually immature. Like a bunch of preschool kiddies who can't sit still for more than five minutes, we haven't a clue as to what peace and contentment means. "Soooo true!Thanks Lorne, and thanks for joining my fan club. I tried to join yours but I think you have to submit an article first. I'll keep checking back.Best......e
I am Irish, I live in Britian. I agree with all you said, though those on low income cut back all the time because they have to..........should not those with money, apply it to green homes and set an example?? O f course they should, they have the money, convert or build, they can afford it!The money, but not the refined consciousness that would enable them to see beyond themselves. Thanks Jill.
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