This time we share allows us to exhale and think without too many distractions. Lately I have been thinking about the complex machine that is America and Americanism. A complex machine is defined as, “an apparatus consisting of interrelated parts with separate functions, used in the performance of some kind of work.” The specific cogs, power sources, rods and pistons that interest me are those of the self loathing system that is so essential to the performance of the greater American engine.
We are bombarded with self loathing messages to ensure that consumerism hums. On the most basic level, the messages are endless…your body smells, you are too hairy, your car is too old and your high heels are just not high enough. How can you live like that? A brief visit to any pharmacy makes this function clear. We can lengthen your eyelashes, ease your pain and bathe your sinuses in salt water; in short, we can make you better. The wheels and levers of mindless capitalism are oiled by dissatisfaction – dissatisfaction with who you are in your current state.
Style gurus and their mandates add power to the economic drivers of the mechanism. You are too fat…or too thin. Isn’t better to be something that you are currently NOT.? There are products for that. With all of this negative input a descent to self annihilation is almost inevitable. The nation’s horrifying suicide rate is no doubt swelled by those who can not make the grade.
Morality revs the engine. Asceticism is valued. The message here is do not be “too” anything. Connect with others but not sexually, eat food but not “too” much.” Often this message is mixed… drink all the wine you can …but not too much. Crazy.
Recently , Mother Nature has clarified a few things. As a tragic number of people die, air around the planet is clearing. Our relationships have deepened by distancing. Our hair is getting longer and grayer but, perhaps our vision is clearing. We are learning that exhaling – limiting our consumerism and questioning our motives- is a very good thing. We have been given the time to reflect. We may be more tolerant of the smells, hairiness, mistakes, and disorders that come with being human.
We can build joy because we are not building our reputations or our bank accounts. Ram Das once reminded us that, ” you can’t build joy on a feeling of self loathing. ” Let’s throw a sock in the flywheel of the self loathing machine and become happy with who we are.
I wish you joy.
Olio Folio 