There's nothing like grotesque images of the biological consequences of a bad choice to provide a personal epiphany. Why is it that we humans need to SEE the impact of our short-sightedness before changing our ways, when we've known better all along? Why do we need to hit rock bottom before choosing a better path? Why is it that so many of us walk until our toes just barely cross the point of no return (or perhaps until everything but our toes has crossed that point) before it dawns on us that we may have let things get out of control somewhere down the line?
We all know that this blind descent doesn't stop at smoking. Many precious commodities of our spoiled, western lifestyle consume our attention and our hearts daily: Poor eating habits, poor spending habits, hoarding, alcoholism, pride, poor anger management, poor time management, self-centredness, workaholism, an unquenchable thirst for entertainment, vanity, little white lies, uncritical thinking, unfaithfulness, poor work ethics, consumerism, materialism, and especially living a dull, pacified life - a life without vision.
We each have our own little tendencies, but it's never too late to learn from the mistakes of others (see photo above), and from our own as well (you know what those are)! The difference between an unexamined life and an examined life is like the difference between wading through a dark, murky bog and charging through the waters of a crystal clear lagoon. We don't need hideous images to shock us back into reality. The reality is that at any moment - this minute, even - we DO have the wherewithal to deeply and thoughtfully consider each choice we make, this road we're travelling, where it's taking us, and how we want our choices to influence the world once we're gone.
on 1st World, Consumerism, Critical Thinking, Health, In the News, Morality, Psychology, Research, Social Issues, Wistful Thinking
Thanks for the comment on my post, I didn't know what your new blog address was :( so was glad to find you again!
What does Widsith mean?
I've emailed you. ;)
A note about this post:
I used the illustration of graphic 'advertising' not as a criticism of extreme advertising tactics, but rather as a commentary on living an unexamined life. This problem exists in both the secular and Christian worlds. We're so caught up in the distractions of our culture (e.g. entertainment, consumerism) that our self-indulgence has grown to overshadow wisdom.
We're also sold on society's philosophy that says we should do just about whatever we want whenever we want regardless of the consequences. Our society not only celebrates the lifestyle that demonstrates a lack of forethought and impulse control, but it also triumphs in dodging the consequences of bad choices. Within this worldview there is little need for discretion, good judgement, impulse control, gratification delay, or reflection.
My concern is that we as a society have let go of the value of forethought, of meditating on our actions before carrying them out, and of letting that process lead us to wiser choices, both in the short- and long-term. The only logical consequence of this is a society that has forgotten integrity, maturity, and responsibility.
My point is also that each of us DOES have the capability of snapping out of our hazy, self-indulgent, short-sightedness, and taking a more thoughtful approach to the choices we make.
If our society valued a lifestyle of wisdom and forethought the majority of the population would follow suit! We need to practise this in our own lives, and rediscover the lost art that often accompanies reflection and growing maturity - the art of mentoring.