When I was 19, I worked at a healthfood store. The clients, the owner and those of us who worked there, were, I guess you could say, rather 'hippie-ish'. Hippie-ish in a sort of early 90's kind of trendy way. Yes, we did lots of cliche things- drank wheat grass juice, had acoustic nights where the artists would sing about love and do Crosby, Stills and Nash covers The store would host events like "Stop Nuclear Radiation" with petitions and so on. But we were, deep down, genuine about our efforts, really. As predictable, and cliche as some of it seemed from the outside, I always believed ( and still do) that I was, at least, part of a group of people that were trying to live more consciously. It was a good start to my adult life, even if it was a bit' hippie extreme'. (Hey, at least I didn't have hairy armpits)
Anyhow, with the latest global warming trends, and the current flood tragedies in Pakistan and China, I am reminded of this time in my life because of a bumper sticker I remember having on my car . Yes, I even fell victim to the proverbial bumper sticker of the activist. I don't do it anymore though, as my car doesn't have to be my political platform. Um, yeah I get it, it's a car. Haha Anyhow, the one I had at the time said "Think Globally, Act Locally". It was meant to be a reference to recycling, but I put it on because I thought it related to everything. Changing your relationship with yourself to watch the relationships around you change.Make a garden and have a teeny effect on the oxygen levels on nearby areas, etc. Acting on a small scale for a bigger effect.
I think of all this as I am finally, today, voicing my anger and concern with what has been on my mind for months. The weather- the environment- (not to mention the economy, the ongoing war) is out of control, and we are very, very foolish not to realize it is in direct relation to society's selfishness and greed. (BP oil spill anyone?) That the shifts in the weather patterns, and the destructive effects it is having, are directly related to our declining morals and lack of respect for our beautiful, natural surroundings. Did you know the reason China is now experiencing this major flooding right now? Flooding that is taking lives faster than they can count? While torrential rains are the direct cause, it's the cutting down of thousands of trees that once rested on major cliffs and hills that normally protect these rains from invading, that has left the dry hills exposed, thus allowing water to flow freely into villages and small city tributaries. Watching a mother weep over a blanket covered infant who had drown, and Pakistan children squished against a fence trying to reach for bread, makes it clear to me that we are destroying the earth by killing our natural resources. Resources that have been put here to protect us. And for what? For more shopping malls, and cars and fast food restaurants? The basic human needs are so much more basic than what general society tricks you into thinking. I was at the ocean the other day and it was more violent than I'd ever seen it and it scared me.
Don't listen to the TV or be jealous of your neighbor or crave too many 'things' outside of yourself. You don't need 10 purses and more shoes, and that TGIF salad with fried food in a neon lit environment. Please re-cycle, buy local foods and support your farmers. Turn the water off when you brush your teeth. Walk when you can. Teeny things added up, do amazing things. Please stop giving so much of your money to malls and fast food chains. Let's please try to be more conscious.
Listen, I'm not naive- I know the other thoughts. As my boss said today- "Hunny, mother nature is going to do what she does and when the world implodes, it just will." Although I believe that the foundation of that sentiment is rooted in "hopefully not in my lifetime and I don't want to change my consumption lifestyle"- I understand that mother nature is willful and mysterious. My point is- the unnecessary suffering and catastrophes that can be avoided by a more conscientious society, should be avoided.
You know who is at the top of the global, over-consumption list? Yep, you guessed it, Americans.
Get in touch with bigger things,like nature and your own mind and heart and interpersonal relationships with not just loved ones, but your community. Then, instead of donating 10 through cell phone donations to climatic tragedies, we'll be using that money for joyful, happy things. Things like planting a garden or helping the elder generation or people in poor, urban areas and education. Look around. See what you don't need. Donate it.Think if you REALLY need something before you buy it. Plant something.I'm not saying live without fun things, but think about avoiding typical excess. Even if and when it does implode , we can at least look back or in the mirror and feel we've respected the earth we were given. In turn, we won't have to see so many tears and tragedies. And mostly, we'll be more in touch with peace and love. I sure know you won't find those things in a dollar bill or a store.
I guess I am a hippie.
I was in a cafe last week just relaxing and reading the paper, when a really beautiful version of the song "Tears of a Clown" came on over the speakers. I hold fast that no version has ever outdone Smokey Robinson and The Miracles original (although the ska English Beat version from the 80's is pretty great), but the particular version of the cover that I heard that day, was really good. It's from Marc Cohn's current record, which is covers of all 70's hit songs-mostly those on the 'AM' side of the dial. You remember him, right? The "Walking In Memphis" guy.
