We are a disposable society. We throw away just about everything. We don’t think about all avenues or roads we can take to change or improve situations; we just throw away. It’s easier. It’s cleaner. It’s not as messy. It’s not painful. It’s BS!
Bottled water – “just get another one and toss the empty in the trash.” Do you have any idea how many empty water bottles are filling landfills or recycling plants? Buy a reusable one. No, you can’t do that…it requires work: you have to wash it, refill it, etc. Gimme a break. Have we become that self-involved that we can no longer perform simple tasks anymore? Or perform them WITHOUT an attitude of resentment and anger? Yet, we can sit on our mobile phones FOR HOURS.
Our “societal disposability” goes further than products and items, plants, and animals (yes, even pets). It is seen daily in our relationships with other people. “Oh, I’m unhappy. let’s get a divorce.” “Oh, I don’t like what you said about XYZ subject, I unfriend you.” It’s crazy. It seems that fewer folks are willing to work thru the difficult or challenging times to preserve the relationships these days. It appears that ANY discomfort is a ticket to ride off and throw away the relationship. It appears that people now believe that all relationships should be like those in the fairy tales…all romance and nothing challenging or worth “fighting for”. It’s very sad to me.
We all read and hear horror stories out there yet very few folks get involved in making a change or a difference . It takes work and effort and time; apparently very few want to invest any of that. Society seems to sit back and watch. We’ve become a society of observers. Not many doers. Not many get involved.
Maybe it’s because of the fear of retribution or fear of saying the wrong thing; you know that nowadays you have to watch every single word you do. There are people who help others and then get sued because the person they helped was physically injured…losing sight of the fact that without the help, they would have DIED! I believe the U.S. now has a “Good Samaritan” law to protect people from lawsuits like those. It has gotten completely out of control.
People live in fear these days. Many won’t speak up for fear of being ridiculed or standing out. Many want to sink into the crowd and not be seen. What is that? Then you have folks who throw money at their “causes” thinking that will effect change. it does, to a degree, but nothing substantial. Lend your voice. Get involved. MAKE A DIFFERENCE. Don’t just write a check.
Change requires effort, investment, time, money, thoughts, beliefs, your heart. What happened to “blood, sweat, and tears”? Does anyone invest those anymore?
People are quick to criticize others but are less quick to step in and lend a helping, a teaching, a mentoring hand. Have we become a society of narcissists?
A clear example of this is selfie pictures. How many selfies do you take? Are you constantly taking them and posting them on social media? Why? Did your eye color change over night? Did your button nose become a straight long one? Did your hair style miraculously shorten or lengthen overnight? Why all of these selfies? Take that camera, turn it around and start taking pictures of what is going on right in front of you; the homeless epidemic, the beauty of the trees, your friends – just to name a few options. If you don’t want to or are not ready to get involved in a cause or a crisis, at least, snap pictures of the beauty in your life. No one wants to see your face all the time.
Selfies are NOT what this article is about; that was merely an example.
Do we really want to continue being known as the “disposable generation” or the “uninvolved society”? Get involved. Effect change in your life and in your community. It will spread outward from there. Spend time talking, visiting, being with loved ones – friends and family, people within your community. It doesn’t have to consume your time, but do something. Stop observing all the time. Quit watching TV shows as often. Record them to watch later and go out and help someone in need. Your situation is NEVER the worst on the planet. There is ALWAYS someone needier than you. We all have unique God-given gifts. Put them to use. not everything is money-driven. Where is your heart?
I believe that my gift is the gift of encouragement and inspiration. I am a very good listener and empathizer. However, I am NOT an enabler. So, if you want to wallow in self-pity for unknown long lengths of time, I will listen but I will continue giving advice and options to help you dig yourself out. That is one of my gifts. Humor is another for me. I make folks laugh. I make folks laugh when I am getting encouragement from them for tough times within my own life. It’s just something I do. I think I am reminding them and myself that life goes on and there is always laughter or a smile. No situation is ever the end.
So, do something. Stop being a member of this disposable society. Get involved. Effect a change in whatever touches your heart. It doesn’t have to set the world on fire…just ignite a small flame. Start small if you must. A small change is still a change.
PEACE
Pamtastic
