We've Landed on the Moon.

I watched this documentary the other evening. I honestly didn’t think it was going to be that good. The whole premise was following a 5th Avenue couple go from living in one of the most consumer-driven cities in the world to a life dedicated to producing less waste and using as little as possible to leave the smallest carbon footprint on this planet. It was incredible watching them, as one man and one woman, struggle with this year-long task. Watching the things that men and women struggle with. How people respond to situations that are both unfamiliar and uncomfortable for them. In the end, I found the entire documentary fascinating for three reasons. One, it was mentioned by both individuals at different times, that they couldn’t really see ever going back to the way they were. No matter how much they hated it, no matter how much they were inconvenienced, no matter how long they went without disposable toilet paper (I know…I couldn’t handle that one either), both said that they could never imagine going back to the way things were. The second thing I loved was the notion they introduced that one individual or two or three would never change the system that is currently in place. The individual never created the system; corporate America did. As I started working through this, I realized the value and truth in this statement. American’s didn’t have grocery stores when they traveled West. They didn’t have skyscrapers when they were opening the local general store. Everything came from within 100 miles from where you lived, not a time zone away. Corporate America runs on efficiency. Spending less time, doing more. Robbing their employees of hard-earned time off because, heaven-forbid, work sits on someone’s desk for five days. I understand what good corporate America has done for us, because, let’s be honest, none of us would likely live with half the comforts we normally do. Third thing I loved about this documentary was the perspective that was discussed that another huge reason America has gone from living off the land, reusing our resources, and wasting significantly less to what we now know as America is due to the lack of community that currently exists. We, as human beings, were intended to live in community. With community comes accountability. When we aren’t held accountable to anything or anyone, we don’t care. Anything and nearly everything is done and with no remorse. With the introduction of corporate America came the disappearance of community. People became no longer relatable to one another, but rather, tools to use for production. Our work days became longer, stress levels higher, more work to be done, more unhappier days, and families crumbling at the seams.

All this to say that I think this translates well into many if not all facets of life. We need community in our lives. Corporate America will continue on, at least until we fold in on ourselves. But the only way to change the life we are either unhappy or complacent with is to surround ourselves with people. Ideas don’t move people. People move people. Find yourself a community of people. Whether religious, or social causes, or organizations, find people you relate to and continue to relate. It’ll grow your soul and challenge you beyond belief. Work hard at what you want and what you are passionate for. Not saying that going without electricity is for you, but find something that changes the face of humanity. Maybe not see the change effective in your lifetime, but do good for those to come. Do good period. 

Back from a lil break. I enjoyed it. Realized how much time I actually have to do things I don’t normally do. Read, draw, think. That’s one of the biggest things I noticed. I actually had thoughts. Not just what should I wear thoughts. Important thoughts. Where is my life going? What am I doing to take it where I want to be?

I’ve discovered Corrine Bailey Rae. John Coltrane and Duke Ellington know what real music is. Miles Davis’ “Kind of Blue” album is something special. Anytime I listen to any of these, I’m taken back to old timey NY with the class and sophistication that only true NY has. 

I think I know the direction I’d like to move towards. The design world. For years I’ve known I should have gone to an art (went so far as to started looking into transferring out of CBU after 2 years, but never made the move.) I found a well-known art school in NY that has a Master’s program. Thinking about the implications of this. 

Life without media attached at my hip as made me calm. Made me sleep more easily. Made me less aggressive to those in my life. I think that. 

Also discovered I enjoy reading. Books that I want that is. I’d like to spend more time doing so. That and drawing. Not just coloring my coloring book pages, but actually drawing. What I used to do in high school. 

I think I’ll keep up this trend. Maybe not constant, but I don’t want to become so numb to what life is really about because I’m sucked into the supposed “world” within the media. It’s not what life is. It can be an extremely useful tool, but cannot replace what life is. Enjoy today. 

Been feeling extremely overwhelmed and overloaded by technology recently. I’ve changed nothing, but feeling the need for a media vacay. I’ll use my computer at work for work-related things, but I won’t be on it any other time. Twitter updates will be removed from my phone. FB will be silent for a while. Text if need be, but please keep it limited. Hoping I can clear my head a bit. Enjoy the week.