Big Picture — The Stories We’re Told
Big Picture — The Stories We’re Told
“The total alteration in underlying circumstances has not been squarely faced. As a result, we are guided, in part, by ideas that are relevant to another world. … We do many things that are unnecessary, some that are unwise, and a few that are insane.”~~~ John Kenneth Galbraith
You would think the above Galbraith quote was from about a week ago, wouldn’t you? I don’t know exactly when he said it, but it definitely wasn’t recent. He died in 2006.
I wrapped up the Big Picture article last week talking about how the corporate and political leaders, the mainstream media, and the guy next door keep telling us to get real. They say this notion that we have in our heads of a peaceful, loving, compassionate world is never going to happen. We’re told that to think such a thing is remotely possible is just a pipe dream. In fact, I’ll bet some of you have been thinking the same thing as you read these articles.
Here’s the story we hear over and over again:
“Let’s face it, a part of our human nature is to be fearful and focused only on what we want. We use violence as a way to solve problems. We’re also greedy. If we don’t grab it for ourselves, the other person might beat us to it. In order for us to be safe, we have to rely on our leadership to do whatever is necessary to protect us from terrorists and criminals. In order for us to get all the things we want and need, we have to farm out our production and services to other countries where it won’t cost so much to get it into your hands. Sure, it may mean that you have to put up with inferior products and see your jobs go overseas and your home values diminish faster than your mortgage will go down, but hang in there folks, someday this will all bring you the life you want. It’s all for the best.”
Do you believe that?
Maybe you don’t believe it, and that’s wonderful. How many people in this world do believe it? Just here in the United States where we are getting ready for a presidential election, one candidate doesn’t believe this story and the other one does. If you look at the polls, almost 50 percent of the people in this country do believe this story to be true, despite the fact that their standard of living has diminished drastically over the past eight years. They believe it because the media is driving the stories of violence, corruption and greed into their brains every day. This is where most people get their facts– and if the news says it’s true, it must be. They hold up corrupt politicians and greedy corporate executives as being the models we should emulate.
Why do we buy into these stories? Maybe it’s because this is the story we humans have been hearing for the past 5,000 years. Maybe it’s because it’s so much a part of us that it has become who we are. Maybe it’s so instilled in us and our ancestors that it has entered our gene pool. This is the story we were taught in school. We even hear this from some of our pulpits. Scientists give is the same information. This is brainwashing to the highest degree. We’ve been put to sleep and we’re only now beginning to wake up.
Students of history will know about the fall of the Roman Empire. If you’ve studied this at all, you’ll be able to see some stark similarities between that fall and where the American “empire” is today. Our fall may not come from another country invading us, but will more likely be the result of our huge foreign debt and the fact that so many of our assets have been purchased by other countries. Yes, the United States of America is heading down the road to being owned and operated by China and the oil barons of the Middle East. That’s where this big picture of ours is heading.
What makes me sad is that so many of us, including our political and corporate leaders, don’t seem to notice. We’re too busy spending billions of dollars we don’t have on wars we shouldn’t be fighting, trying to figure out how to keep gasoline prices from going through the roof, and wondering what to do about all the American people who are losing their homes because of foreclosures.
How can we change this?
I do have some ideas and thoughts that I’ll be talking about next week. Come on back next week when this important discussion will continue. Invite your friends. We need many more people to be listening and sharing.
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“You yourself, as much as anybody in the entire universe, deserve your love and affection.”~~~ Buddha
I’d love to hear your comments on this. At the very end of this post (after the commercials and the tags) you should see a place where you can leave your comment. It will be a link that says “No Comments” — or “Comments”. Let me hear from you. Thanks.
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I meditate every day to help keep me sane in this crazy world we live in. Those glimpses we get of peace, love, acceptance and happiness when we’re meditating will soon grow into more than glimpses if we keep practicing. Keep those feelings alive. A meditation can be as simple as one, deep, conscious breath. When something happens in one of your moments to cause you to suffer, just stop and take one of those breaths and remember, “This too shall pass!” Another thing that is wonderful, especially at this time of year, is to have a fresh flower where you work. Just stop from time-to-time and look at it — don’t label it — don’t judge it — just be with it for a couple of moments. It really does work. I’m looking at mine as I write this.
“Each flower is a soul blossoming out to nature”~~~ Gerard de Nerva
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“Those who really seek the path to Enlightenment dictate terms to their mind. Then they proceed with strong determination.”~~~ Buddha
Namaste!
I share these words for you in closing — remember these words …
“Be happy now, my dear friends. Today is all we have. Be good to one another. Take comfort in whatever spirituality you are so inclined (or not), and learn to be happy despite your circumstances. Follow your path; pursue your dreams. Work hard, love your family be generous and forgiving. Do it today, while you still have the flicker of life, for one day your own candle will dim.”
You are special — and you are loved. You are the greatest gift you can be.
Shanti … (A sanscrit word meaning, “Let there be Peace. Peace, beautiful Peace. Peace within, Peace without. Peace in this world. Peace for all beings.”)
“Peace comes from within. Do not seek it without.”~~~ Buddha
~~~ Ron
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