And the other thing is we all know it’s true. At least those of us being honest with ourselves. today’s mess came about slowly and in a rather insidious manner as we in the “civilized societies” became accustomed to listening, then viewing, then participating in the latest great new commercial thing, including gas guzzling or electronic machinery and now modern technology.

Problem is we haven’t kept pace, in terms of full awareness and understanding of “effects” that so many of these ever increasing “modern” changes have caused to our lifestyles. Mega Industries whipping out processed food (with much of the natural things leeched out and many artificial chemical preservatives added). The never ending new tech. devices. plastic toys, plastic wrap and plastic bottles (plastic everything actually) all for the sake of convenience creating an out of control approach to what we eat, how we eat and when we eat. How we do, what we do and when we do it.

The breakdown of many family units who struggle, on the one hand to keep up, but meanwhile seem to be able to have many of the technological devices (at the expense of more debt). And meanwhile most of the people on the planet are poor, or much worse. Our responsibility – YES! Because it is the mega companies going into these emerging countries (as well as our own) that, in many cases have increased their poverty through irresponsible activities so their gigantic concerns can make more money!

Everything is so mixed up. Billions are wasted annually, by our government to “protect” us. But nobody’s really keeping an eye on how the money is being spent and why.

The oceans are filled with plastic refuse and other waste, detritus and litter. We’re using up our “fresh” water at an alarming rate. We’re poisoning our lands and killing millions of creatures annually through neglect and careless decision making.

I could go on and on. But we already know these things. Take our great country of USA. I am proud to be an American, and of the bravery of our soldiers who’ve been sent to foreign shores, many to not return, or who return wounded (and should be honored and helped, not forgotten as many are). But I’m increasingly ashamed of my government. Who seems to be oblivious to the damage we’re doing to ourselves and our lands.

Politicians (for the most part) are more concerned with being re-elected and keeping their salary or are power hungry and all to frequently buying or should I say selling into those gigantic mega International Conglomerates, I mentioned earlier, because of financial support they will receive. We’re pretty sure if a politician speaks we’re being lied to. And for good cause.

If a politician isn’t busy being involved with cultivating people and influence then they appear to spend the rest of their time pointing fingers and accusing those with whom they are in disagreement. To the end nothing much gets accomplished at the government level, except chaos, confusion and disagreement. And I believe this is true in many other countries as well. Money, commercialization, commodities, greed, and the need for having it all, have replaced many important values we as a people need in order to survive and thrive.

We have lost our way, and I’m fearful that it will take some severe natural disaster for us to come to our senses and work together again, as we always do in times of crisis and disaster – and why is that, anyway … why can we only be good to each other when conditions are extreme?

What’s the next step? What can we do to help? I don’t have an answer, I feel in many ways I’m just one of the many that is part of the problem here and unless we the people, unified can come to a consensus and make some hard choices to change our current out of control lifestyles (so filled with daily waste and neglect), to work on improving our attitudes about one another, I fear things are not going to improve any time soon. In my opinion.

And I’m an optimist by nature, so that’s saying something. I hope my words hold some value and you’ll consider them carefully. I do believe each of us can make small changes that can be of help and I know there are those doing that very thing. So I stay hopeful in spite of all my words above.

I do believe in mankind, although I also believe it is time for more women to be in positions of power. We’re more empathetic, more willing to listen to other viewpoints besides our own, and (because we bring life into the world) are far less likely to see war and the killing of innocent lives as a solution to things. Again in my humble opinion, only.

Sincerely,

~ Penny