Anxiety is all around us, but, it’s not your fault. We live in an anxious age. We live in an anxious culture. Anxiety comes from our careers, bosses, banks, celebrities, television, newspapers, fears, regrets and so much more. It even comes from our friends telling us what the new thing is and that we ‘absolutely must have it’. Government and big business want us all to be anxious because anxiety makes good workers and good consumers. It feels good to blame the government and big business, but as some point, we have to be realistic and take responsibility for ourselves and our lives. Trust me, nobody else is going to do it for you. It seems monumental, I know. But you can do it. The system deliberately produces anxiety while simultaneously promising to take it away. And all the things that the system promises to take away your anxiety (a pill, a new car, a bigger TV, a smarter phone, etc…) is the very thing that causes it. These things seem so important and necessary to live. But, in fact, they are slowly killing us. It’s a vicious circle. So what are these little evils I’m talking about? Here is the list:
Televisions, Cell Phones, Movies, Cars, Mortgages, Fast Food, Gyms, Shopping, Computers, News, Pharmacies, Gossip Magazines, Bills, Membership Clubs, Fashion, Debt, Credit Cards, Government, Work, Fear, Money, Clocks, Boredom and Waste.
Now you might not understand what I’m talking about here and that’s fine. It’s a work in progress. However, I’m pretty certain this list is the reason people are so stressed out and anxious about life. That being said, I know it’s easy to make a list of things that are bad for you. So, I’m going to keep it positive and make lists of things that are good for you:
Cut up your Credit Cards, Throw Your Cell Phone in the Trash, Ride your bike, Smash you television set, Burn your computer, Bake Bread, Grow a Garden, Throw out Your Watch, Stop wanting so much crap, Shop at Thrift Stores, Learn to play an instrument, Read great authors, Build Something, Reject Career, Get out of the City, Cook dinner, Play with Friends and Don’t Listen to People Who Tell you how to live your life!
I know… I know… But I’m telling you… These things will make your life better. We think we need all this crap that Apple, Nike, Microsoft, Sony, Warner Bros, Paramount… and every billboard on the block is trying to sell us… We don’t. All we really need is each other, a guitar and some home cooked food. That’s it.
Be Merry!
