The other day, I bought a new vacuum cleaner. The box was inordinately large for such a small item. Trying to do my duty as a good citizen of the earth, I asked if I could leave the packaging behind. “No,” I was quickly admonished. “What if you have to bring it back: what about the warranty?” There are logical flaws in this line of thinking. Firstly, I don’t want this much cardboard to clutter up my personal recycling system. Secondly, do they not make a product that is good enough to withstand failure? Should their product, it is only a vacuum after all, not be of such quality that it can withstand collapse for a year?
Needless to say, I brought it home and it worked and worked well. What was all that packaging nonsense about? We are leading overly complex lives, in my estimation. It is, in many ways, analogous to my purchasing story. We layer ourselves with images and problems that are unnecessary and detrimental to our physical and spiritual development.
What are we all about? I am sure all of us have asked this question. We are a consciousness that suddenly thrusts itself upon our body at twenty or so. It is a frightening and terrifying experience — the thinking person realizes that they are free and yet, at the same time, alone. This is not the tragic, romantic fiction of being abandoned by your lover for another. This is the intrinsic realization that you are 100% responsible for the development of the person you strive to be. No one can truly help you but you.
It is here that the “wheat is separated from the chaff.” (1) There are those, many in fact, who refuse to be a little bit brave and step out into the world: to act, in other words. They suffer the consequences of an unrequited life and simply accept “good enough.” We have all met them: the blank-eyed clerk, the aggressive driver, the bitter old man, the examples are endless.
Should we take pity and feel sorry for them? We, of course, should always be compassionate. I take the view, nonetheless, that everyone has a self obligation for their gift of life. If a person wastes it or anesthetizes it with the big five (alcohol, drugs, sex, money, and power), they must acknowledge their personal responsibility. But, of course, they don’t. Their misfortune is always external: it is because of an individual or a circumstance. Their first step to freedom has to come with the realization of private accountability.
The other group drives our society forward. These individuals take a chance — take a risk — on the outcome of unknown action. They do not know the results of life but know if they do not act, they must accept “the action of inaction” and refuse to do so. These are the “movers and shakers” who will undoubtedly save the world through innovation and creativity. Our school system must respond and make all students more imaginative and creative. Everyone deserves to be presented with a dynamic life. If a person then opts for the conventional, they have openly chosen a given way to live. We must then recognize and accept their decision, even though we fundamentally disagree.
The author and thinker, Eckhart Tolle (b. 1948) leaves us with a thought: To complain is always nonacceptance of what is. It invariably carries an unconscious negative charge. When you complain, you make yourself into a victim. When you speak out, you are in your power. So change the situation by taking action or by speaking out if necessary or possible; leave the situation or accept it. All else is madness.
A closing thought: This week, I spoke to a young woman who was deeply affected by the loss of a friend. The other girl had decided to end their friendship for whatever reason. My student stated, through her tears, that she was afraid of being alone. I felt like a cynical old man when I told her the truth – she was already alone since the time she was born. In this dire situation, it behooved her to find that inner strength to put this unfortunate occurrence in perspective. I always worry that this is somewhat harsh, but she notably brightened when she accepted that all power is self-contained and lies within. Only time will tell if her response was truthful or contrived for my benefit.
To sum up: This week we spoke about action and inaction: both have consequences.
A philosophical question: Why do you lose the receipt to the only item that ever breaks?
Just for fun: New Orleans Dixieland on Street
This week, on your contemplative walk, please ponder the power of action. Which is more powerful: action or inaction? The choice is up to each of us.
Every day look for something magical and beautiful.
Quote: Personal accountability is the greatest gift you will ever give yourself.
Footnotes:
1) wheat is separated from the chaff: This means to sort the valuable from the worthless. This idiom alludes to the ancient practice of winnowing (separating) grain.