The Story of Stuff

Have you ever wondered what percentage of the stuff you own are actually used to its full potential or value? Looking at all of my stuff, I realized that I purchased stuff from maybe a year ago, or even months ago, but are "out of date" or "out of style" now. I began to realize, is it really "out of date" or "out of style"? or is it merely the mentality we have and the media influences that make us think that it's old?

I believe, we as a society, need to be more economical with the things we own, not be materialistic, and not be so influenced by the media and what businesses have to say about us. Watching ads can make us believe that we need that extra pair of shoes, or that facial cleaner, but will it really change who we are or make us happier? Most likely than not, the answer is no it wont.

So what can we do to jump out of the continuous cycle of purchasing unnecessary stuff? We can start by passing along this video to the people we know and love to educate them on the importance of being economical and environmental. We need to start by realizing that material belongings are simply materials, they usually provide a short term satisfaction because we feel bad after watching media ads that tell us to feel bad. We need to realize what makes us really happy is not the material belongings, or stuff, but the purpose that they are fulfilling. We need to be happy with the stuff that we have and not always look to have that new computer or new hand-held device. If the stuff you have works and does the job, than there is no reason to get a new stuff to replace it.

Think about the environment and the world we live in, help the planet and help ourselves by being more economical and modest. Look for ways to reuse and reduce waste and help the organizations that encourage modest consumption and living. 

Synchronization of Starlings on Otmoor

What can we learn from such beautiful aerial skills and coordination? These little starlings demonstrate how beautiful it can be for a group of organisms working together towards the same purpose. The daily flight taken by the starlings demonstrates their social interaction and ability to work together without ever colliding with one another. How can we be more like the starlings? I think the one thing that we have to realize is that we all work together towards the same purpose. Every organization or group of people usually work towards a common goal or purpose, and by each organism within that group working together, something magical and beautiful can happen.

So the lessons we can take from our little starlings is that working together can create something magical and beautiful where everyone benefits. We can also learn that there is a lesson to be learned from everything around us. By having a realization that a lesson can be learned from everywhere, we can better ourselves and the group we work with.

The Road Not Taken

The Road Not Taken by Robert Frost

Two roads diverged in a yellow wood,

And sorry I could not travel both

And be one traveler, long I stood

And looked down one as far as I could

To where it bent in the undergrowth;

Then took the other, as just as fair,

And having perhaps the better claim

Because it was grassy and wanted wear,

Though as for that the passing there

Had worn them really about the same,

And both that morning equally lay

In leaves no step had trodden black.

Oh, I marked the first for another day!

Yet knowing how way leads on to way

I doubted if I should ever come back.

I shall be telling this with a sigh

Somewhere ages and ages hence:

Two roads diverged in a wood, and I,

I took the one less traveled by,

And that has made all the difference.

What does this poem mean for you? Everyone has to make decisions in their life regarding which road or which route to take. Have you ever came across such a road? What was the outcome and the reasons behind the road you took?

Monsanto Unethical Food Production...What Can We Do?

After watching the documentary The World According to Monsanto, I wondered what would be of our future and the impact Genetically Mutated Organism (GMO) food products will have on us as we age and our offsprings. What seems originally like a brilliant and innovative agenda for GMO seeds and food products, to grow better, get rid of weeds, and save money, is all but a deceitful and misleading agenda by Monsanto organization to gain control over the food industry of the world. I will let you watch the movie first before going into more detail and giving you my insight and reflection.

Wow, powerful and deep right? How can one organization have almost total control of the food people around the world grow and eat? How can governments be so irresponsible as to trust their findings about GMO side effects and not test it themselves? How can the FDA and other regulatory officials trust such a deceitful and manipulative organization?

Power and greed go a long way in the revolving door that Monsanto has created. They shuffle officials and appoint people as they wish into top ranking governmental positions to further their interests. Organizations like Monsanto have so much power and finances that they can alter the playing ground and coerce people into doing what they please. Small time farmers and planters have no knowledge of the bait and switch tactics that Monsanto might be using, or that Monsanto scientists have been misleading or falsifying their test results. However, government officials should not be so careless and irresponsible as to trust tests by such an unethical organization. It is the responsbility of our government and the people we appoint to make decisions regarding our future and they are liable for making wise and thought out decisions.

So what can we do to improve our future and to stop such an unethical organization like Monsanto? My opinion is that everyone has an option and a responsibility to be ethical. If you feel a company or a product that you purchase is supporting an unethical organization, than you should stop supporting them. I will tell you how I plan to start taking responsibility for my decisions and who I support, I will start by not drinking anymore sodas and beverages with high fructose corn syrup. Yes, to all who know me, they know how important CocaCola, Pepsi, and Dr. Pepper are in my life and how much I drink sodas every day. After discovering that Monsanto is one of the biggest suppliers of high fructose corn syrup I decided that I will start by not drinking anymore sodas.

WHAT WILL YOU DO TO HELP STOP MONSANTO?