morbidity
i hate living across from a cemetery. it's depressing to watch families and friends pay their respects, especially when i'm just sitting on my porch across the street smoking (pretty ironic huh). it makes me think about the people i've lost in my life, which frankly isn't that much. i haven't lost any friends and the only person i've ever lost in my family is my grandfather, so i haven't had to deal with traumatic material like that often.
i've come to realize that no matter how bad your situation (especially if you live in the US), there's always somebody and somebodies out there who have it far, far, faaar worse. inner cities here may have broken bathrooms, cracked windows, and lead-based paint and asbestos in their walls and ceilings. but at least they have homes, windows, bathrooms, and walls. homeless people here at least have blankets and the rare gratuity of a passerby who gives them a few cents. on top of that, welfare programs here, as flawed as they are, at least exist. people here advocate, protest, and fight for political and socio-economic rights. people other places beg and die by the thousands for human rights and equality. i'm not saying that you don't have a right to bitch about things because everyone has their problems. but just remember that when you didn't get the cell phone you wanted for christmas or that $200 north face fleece for your birthday, that there are people in the world that would sell their children into slavery for less than 1% of that amount.
i tend to take a lot of stuff like that for granted. i'm not in any organizations, i don't do community service, and i certainly don't keep up with the news as often as i should. but at least i have the mindset right. i take stuff for granted because my family has spoiled me since birth (and being an only child helps). i hate it, but only a fool would turn down the things my parents do for me. i could change my mindset to not take these things for granted and go on the "live everyday like it's your last" approach, but for one, that type of mindset is bullshit, and two, it's pretty hard to do that when one is used to this type of lifestyle as a norm. not to mention that there isn't much one can do at this stage.
still, the world is not a pretty place. i am not envious of the kids born into this era. we are fortunate to be americans, and the little things we think are simply amenities (food, tv, internet) are in reality the bases of life that a large percentage of the world has only in scarcity. i know that at least for now, my plans after college entail making real change in the world. ask yourself the same question. do you think working in a corporate boardroom helps the greater good? or is it just for your own economic gratification? the most important thing in this world (as a general concensus, not my opinion) is money. green runs the world. but what good are you doing if you're just working for your own personal advancement, cutthroating others for your personal gain? so ask yourself: do you want to change the world, or just live in it?
unfortunately, the popular answer is all too clear.
i've come to realize that no matter how bad your situation (especially if you live in the US), there's always somebody and somebodies out there who have it far, far, faaar worse. inner cities here may have broken bathrooms, cracked windows, and lead-based paint and asbestos in their walls and ceilings. but at least they have homes, windows, bathrooms, and walls. homeless people here at least have blankets and the rare gratuity of a passerby who gives them a few cents. on top of that, welfare programs here, as flawed as they are, at least exist. people here advocate, protest, and fight for political and socio-economic rights. people other places beg and die by the thousands for human rights and equality. i'm not saying that you don't have a right to bitch about things because everyone has their problems. but just remember that when you didn't get the cell phone you wanted for christmas or that $200 north face fleece for your birthday, that there are people in the world that would sell their children into slavery for less than 1% of that amount.
i tend to take a lot of stuff like that for granted. i'm not in any organizations, i don't do community service, and i certainly don't keep up with the news as often as i should. but at least i have the mindset right. i take stuff for granted because my family has spoiled me since birth (and being an only child helps). i hate it, but only a fool would turn down the things my parents do for me. i could change my mindset to not take these things for granted and go on the "live everyday like it's your last" approach, but for one, that type of mindset is bullshit, and two, it's pretty hard to do that when one is used to this type of lifestyle as a norm. not to mention that there isn't much one can do at this stage.
still, the world is not a pretty place. i am not envious of the kids born into this era. we are fortunate to be americans, and the little things we think are simply amenities (food, tv, internet) are in reality the bases of life that a large percentage of the world has only in scarcity. i know that at least for now, my plans after college entail making real change in the world. ask yourself the same question. do you think working in a corporate boardroom helps the greater good? or is it just for your own economic gratification? the most important thing in this world (as a general concensus, not my opinion) is money. green runs the world. but what good are you doing if you're just working for your own personal advancement, cutthroating others for your personal gain? so ask yourself: do you want to change the world, or just live in it?
unfortunately, the popular answer is all too clear.
posted by KTrain at 2:42 PM
2 Comments:
hey, I know how you feel. Lately our Ed psych prof has been trying to show us the realities in american schools. It scares the hell out of me, and I am appaled that the great AMERICA would let people in its own country live in the conditions you find in the Bronx. The schools are falling apart, and it seems like no one cares or is doing anything about it. I am currently thinking of applying for "Teach for America", I want to make a difference. YET, I have already been told by a dozen people, "you cant make a difference, dont be disapointed" How many people have been told that? what if all of us banned together and DID something?
The inner city schools are a terrible place to be, they are falling apart, terribly over crowded, and the teachers are at arms. Yet, they are getting ignored.
There are so many problems in this country, and its supposed to be our responsiblity- how can we take charge if we are always being told its too big of a problem?
Americans are so selfish, I dont think most can see past their arms length and see how lucky they really are....If they had one night in someone elses shoes, what would they do?
I'm extra selfish right now. All I want to do is kill lots of animals and wear their fur. MMMMmmm, warm....
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