Ethos

Is Consumerism killing our planet?

I saw a documentary today called "Ethos". What is Ethos? On Wikipedia says, it "is a Greek word meaning "character" that is used to describe the guiding beliefs or ideals that characterize a community, nation, or ideology."

The Documentary shows how an elite group of people actually run the world and we, the people, let it continue through our continued dependence on on Consumerism. I'll be the first to admit I don't want to let go of my 'things' and every month I want to buy new things, not related at all to food. So I am a consumer. One of the worst offenders. But after seeing this and feeling terrible after Christmas, granted I didn't buy as much as many people, but my kids got so much stuff from me and their father's family. So I asked myself - Is this what Christmas is really about? What am I really teaching my children? That blindly buying things without regards to the consequences is ok? Don't worry there will be more resoucres for the next generation - somehow.

No, I can't say that is a lesson I want to pass on. I would like my children to know peace and a love and appreciation of the Earth for which they live, much like the Native Americans of this country. Most all Native American communities of the past shared all resources -  growing, hunting, gathering, raising of the children. And if one person didn't have enough of something one of the community would give it to (no strings attached), because that's what you do when you are part of a community.

I feel one of the reasons Native Americans were mistreated so badly was because sharing in the community sounds a lot like socialism. And socialism, as we are all taught in school, is evil and must be stopped because it flies in the face of Capitalism. And America is and has always been a country of wealthy men who are Capitalists or businessmen. The bottom line - how much will I make? Is actually what our country was founded on and was built on the backs of minorities and before that slave labor because there were those who would make a fortune.

I digress, I would like to see our world change into a wonderful peaceful place where nature, and resources, are truly appreciated by our children and their children's children. I will continue to visualize this world to come.

Love and light!

R Trevino