tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6860081054033261373.post4641977671079093601..comments2023-09-07T19:46:42.678+05:30Comments on Expat with Elephants: A Little Reality This Holiday SeasonAnonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16297041874272955885noreply@blogger.comBlogger2125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6860081054033261373.post-1824407468598128662007-12-15T21:27:00.000+05:302007-12-15T21:27:00.000+05:30Every little bit does help. Especially because peo...Every little bit does help. Especially because people find it difficult to do the big things. SO wrapping presents in the funny pages make a hell of a lota sense and is fun, to boot. And if you're not unplugging your Christmas lights when you're not home and when you go to bed, then your begging for a fire.<BR/><BR/>It's the little things that can turn people on to the bigger things. I think I'm a good example of that.Jen Khttps://www.blogger.com/profile/10089725828005017143noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6860081054033261373.post-76599846319177186972007-12-13T02:49:00.000+05:302007-12-13T02:49:00.000+05:30I've often thought this issue of the environment w...I've often thought this issue of the environment was so simple that anyone could get it. If we destroy the planet we can't live! It doesn't get any simpler than that. <BR/><BR/>Unfortunately religion always provides an “out” for accountability on how we treat the earth and ultimately eachother. When people are preparing for what they believe is a better "hereafter" then species extinction, plant and tree destruction, global warming and pollution are of little consequence. According to most theistic religions God gave the earth to mankind to do with it what ever he wants and Man is said to be the crowning act of creation. Thus, the belief is that because God made mankind the boss of the earth there are really no consequences and in the event there may be consequences (like we are now seeing) it won’t matter because heaven is perfect and that’s where all the good people go. <BR/><BR/>Human history has had many sad moments where we have failed to live up to the glory of our higher consciousness. We preached the gospel of peace but spread it with the sword and persecution. We wrote the Declaration of Independence but kicked Native Americans off the land and enslaved blacks. We liberated Europe but dropped atomic bombs on Japan. And now we have created the richest country in history but those riches have made us environmentally poor and have disconnected us from nature and all living beings. We don’t understand nor do we care how important every organism, even the so called hostile ones, are to the very existence of everything. <BR/><BR/>When you think about it it’s really sad that human beings are only doing what ignorance leads every living thing to do and that is to survive at all costs, even at the risk of its own destruction. A virus will kill its host and risk its own destruction for survival and we do the same thing. Humans however, have the capability of understanding our connection to the world while virus’ do not and that makes our "sin" all the greater. <BR/><BR/>Survival for us, the human race, is the Pursuit of Happiness a.k.a. things, money, status, and prestige which are all fueled by insatiable greed. We are simply consuming ourselves and there is no room for unity, compassion and love when the fires of greed, hatred and delusion burn out of control. There is no action or thought that does not have a consequence and we just don’t get that. <BR/><BR/>I once believed that human beings are selfish by nature but I have since stopped believing that. If I were truly selfish I would be most concerned with the economic, health, happiness and safety of my neighbor and all people and living things in the world. Ultimately, this would be the best way to keep me and my family safe and secure. The disenfranchised, underrepresented those who are persecuted, homeless and uneducated do not make the world a safer place for me and my family so, it is in my best interest if all their basic needs are met. No, it’s not selfishness that afflicts human beings it’s something darker, something so sinister we would rather destroy all of life for the pursuit of objects and things instead of sacrifice those desires to make the world a better place for all. <BR/><BR/>Sorry for the long response but I feel your pain and frustration.<BR/><BR/>May you be well, happy and peaceful!Rafaelhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/06679574104190453263noreply@blogger.com