The year is 2007. Computers, cell phones, fax machines, turbo-charged cars, heavy traffic, cable television, and politically biased periodicals have made our country a haven for propaganda and rapid exchanges of money. The lure of wealth and comfort has created a society content with long hours at the office and a perceived notion that it is more important to provide financially than emtionally for one's family. Blaming the coughs on cigarettes and pollen, we choke on the fumes of gasoline and stress related illnesses. Our food is injected with chemicals, all for the sake of maximizing profit and returning dividends to us, the investors in our own flavor of cancer and demise. Our houses are never large enough, our pockets have no bottom. We crowd on planes, trains, and busses in hopes of finding 7 days of solitude in a plastic covered corportate paradise. We drink to excess, we waste food. The evening news speaks of genocide and homicide as we watch the clock in anticipation of the reality TV shows that define our generation. We know how many votes a person received on American Idol but have no clue as to the number of dead in Darfur. Blue is the new black and red is the new green. What jeans are those? Nice watch. Stainless steel and granite. Diamonds and oil.
The concept of spirituality evokes images of stained glass and robes. The principal that enables churches to survive is the belief that those with faith have an internal safety net that will catch their soul when they are weak. In life they find humility in the concept of god and identify purpose in the living of one's life. Humility and purpose are not functions of church or god. They are not functions of money and the possessions they buy. They are related to the relationship that we have with ourselves. However, with the current state of our society, we often forget who we are and settle for the daily routine of self-defense mechanisms and carcinogen consumption.
After careful analyzation I have identified a few of the things that give me humility and purpose.
1) I have always been competitive. Whether is be the gold stars in the first grade or baseball or my career I have found triumph and humility in the various wins and losses of my life. Note to self: stay competitive. It makes you happy.
2) I love to enjoy the wonders of the outdoors. Currently rock climbing, in the past hiking and fishing. Note to self: go outside and play.
3) I like to drink and be merry. I really do. Note to self: I need to remember to do this in moderation and not let it effect my conmpetitive nature and time outside.
4) I love to watch my dog run and swim and play. It make me so damn happy to see her having so much fun. She is 6.5 years old and has not changed a lick since I got her. She must think I am a chamelion how many times I have changed. She is the best damn dog a man could ask for. Note to self: play with Hannah.
5) Music, music, music.
I challenge all of us to think as one unit to develop an idea that will make us all comfortable financially. Just like the family. That way we can get the hell out of this rat race and choose to feed our souls all day as opposed to 7 days out of the year. The importance of self should be measured in triumphs of the soul as opposed to the size of one's house. The largest roof in the world cannot cover us from the inferiorities felt from a dead soul.
Yes.
5 comments:
i blame all of society's problems, as well as my own, on rap music
i have felt the same for at least the past year, mainly inspired by the birth of my second as well as the balls out, do what you love in order to be happy initiative undertaken by our friend jason. although i've taken several steps to improve the quality of my life, including changing jobs for less money and vacation time so i can work in the same building as my wife, i still feel like something is missing. everyday i come to work and daydream of helping miller with that wine shop. we've all developed an interest in wine, but i've come to realize that what i really want is the challenge of working and taking chances with my best friends. earn a living while harvesting belly laughs and soul-feeding conversations. that's why i spend more time on the neatness than doing my paperwork. it seems a bit easier to see what's really important when you have kids, but much harder to attain. however, i'm still plotiing, planning, and daydreaming of that big idea that will tie us all together and allow us to live the dream. until then though, i'll be 10 minutes late every day and leave 10 minutes early. i'll teach diego how to ride a skateboard, then throw some rims on the new car i bought. xavier will learn golf and wear jcrew. my soul floats in this purgatory of where i am and where i want to be. i'm like the vegan with leather seats, the priest and and the sinner, the cps worker that spanks my kids (sometimes), the husband and father that will sacrifice everything for the happiness of those around me even if it leads to my own spiritual demise. i find humility everywhere i look, and get confidence from my friends. modern man? possibly, but i hope there's more to it....
i think we all struggle to find a balance between being work in a way that will provide financial independence and doing work that makes us feel above the GRIND. A difficult task indeed. until we all achieve this place it is important to take advantage of opportunities that arise to feel healthy, achieve laughter from the belly, be excellent to one another, love and respect each other, and find humility in our shortcomings and flaws as we strive to be neater as a people. as we get bogged down in the mundane and often trivial details of modern existence we must remember to feel blessed that we are part of an amazing group of friends. some of you may remember me as pauly popular, as i have accrued a large number of friends over the years. while i cherish and admire all of these people, they are not the neatness. they are not ted oconnor. there is only one big ed (well two, god rest his soul). so do yoga. a colorful plate is a healthy plate. three cocktails and a glass or two of wine is usually enough. say no to soft drinks or cocaine. go to bbqs in salsbury. procreate and dress your seed in jcrizzle. walk. make the bed. listen to pop electronica. get married. take your dog to great falls. play outdoor basketball for hours at a time. see live music. kiss your boos kepi. hang out with bobbi. contribute to the neatness. reading is FUNdemental. dont worry about spelling while blogging. become better friends with nellie. beg for a touchdown. stop buying us weekly.
see you later decorators
Don't blame it on the rain RS. All you need is an umbrella.
Well said, Donnie. Keep being the best father in the world.
I have never worried about you Mr. Finn. You have seemed happy since the first day I met you. Proud.
Maybe Eddie will hit the lottery, god knows he has been trying. You could publish all of Fairfax County's school books on the recycled scratchers he has burned.
I forgot to include #6: Using multi-colored pencils to create posters that tribute my favorite phish songs. For those of you that knew me when I was 20-21, you know what I am talking about. It doesn't matter....(overrated). Note to self: every silver lining has a touch of grey.
Post a Comment