We live in a cynical world. A cynical world. And we work in a business of tough competitors.
Jerry Maguire
It’s a real jungle out there!
There are a million reasons to be cynical. To ask yourself…
What good is it?
I know, cuz I ask myself that at times.
But I try to be guided by this framework for a mindset that I describe in two simple words…
impact mindfulness.
You see, this great country of ours was actually founded in mindfulness, which is at heart an optimistic ideal.
It was founded on the optimistically mindful ideal that all men are created equal and endowed with rights to pursue happiness, dignity, a good life.
So, what happened with all that optimism?
Where, when and how did our world turn so cynical?
I mean, we did do a pretty good job of pursuing…
but we pursued something else…
We even changed the phrase from happiness…to property.
We replaced the idea of happiness, by some slight of hand, with stuff.
And we became world class property pursuers, didn’t we?
We created a structural success unlike anything the world had ever seen.
Here’s the thing…
Now, I didn’t write that to criticize, but for you to realize…
that a lot of folks have suffered, indeed the entire planet has suffered, for you to have all that shiny success that you’re so rightfully proud of.
In fact, you couldn’t even have it if it weren’t for a whole lot of suffering…
Even that white powder you sprinkle into your coffee each morning, as well as the coffee itself, was brought to you by someone’s suffering…
I know that, since I’ve lived for the past 14 years at ground zero, where that shit comes from and the folks that bring it to you are poorer that you can even imagine.
And if you’re of the kind that likes to ingest white powder into other orifices, well then my point becomes even stronger.
All this is to say that our successful pursuit of property has an impact…
and a negative one, on people and planet.
So, my suggestion is that we be mindful of that…
impact mindful.
But what good is it?
What good is it for little ole me to be mindful and what does that even mean?
down to the clothes you wear, the food you eat, the shit you accumulate, the way you make the money that allows for said accumulation, how you treat your fellow humans, as well as the planet we’re all passengers on, and, certainly, the way you participate in your government via voting and other means.
The concept of impact mindfulness is pretty wide ranging.
And if you’re mindful, perhaps, just perhaps, you can inspire others to be as well…
You can spread the idea like a virus and thus change the world…
leave it better than you found it.
How does that sound?
So, I’d say, we start paying attention more towards mindfulness and less to property pursuit.
It’s about taking care to take care…of each other and our planet…
and there’s good in that, I think.
Here’s a funny little clip from one of my favorite shows, Portlandia…
it’s a parody of the mindfulness concept, but also shows how there are people out there who are at least trying…