Responsibility

[liveonearth]

"No snowflake in an avalanche ever feels responsible" ---Voltaire

This quote brings to mind the waste, pollution and useless "development" that our oil-rich society is bringing to this planet. I am a snowflake. I drive a car. I take a shower every day. I live a life of luxury--compared to the majority of humans on this planet. I enjoy my luxuries. Maybe more than most snowflakes, I think about the farmhouse at the bottom of the hill that we're about to flatten. The cars that we'll knock off the road and over a cliff. The skiers that will be buried alive. But I think I would be happier if I went back to being mindless like snowflakes in the avalanche: I can't stop the rest of the snowflakes so I'm going along. I have no choice.

Comments

Me too

[neptunia67.livejournal.com]

I often feel guilty for being so fortunate. I was born here, have two arms, two legs, eyesight, hearing and a somewhat stable mind. I'm strong and able, have a good job and good friends. I have the choice of eating what I want and the availability of food in abundance, and the means to get it. Sometimes I hate that I have so much! I feel like I should give it all up.

Other times, though... I think about what I can do with what I have. I can make a difference for other people. Maybe they will be those less fortunate people in my own neighborhood or town, or maybe they'll be someplace else. Either way, my ultimate goal is to spend my time helping people. I'll still be a snowflake in the avalanche, but I'll know that I'm doing some good while I'm being forced along. That's the best I can do.

Re: Me too

[liveonearth.livejournal.com]

That's one of the four agreements: Do Your Best. And it IS all you or I can do. When I know I'm doing it, I feel good. My worry is that I am not doing my very best, that I am taking the easy route still. I check myself constantly and wish that I found my own actions to be more consistent with my values...