James Bond

AIG and Us



Posted: Friday, November 14, 2008

by
http://www.jamesandjanka.com/

As I read article after article about the $343,000 retreat AIG threw the week of November 3, 2008 I am becoming a little angry. Honestly, I am very angry. This isn't a "how could they" anger either. This anger is more like "how could we". I say we because I realize the people who are making these kinds of decisions aren't some evil mystical "other". They are us, they were raised by this society and they are acting like it.

I challenge anyone reading this to look around their office, home, dorm room, caf, or whatever environment they are in. Next time you are in the grocery store take a look at the shelves but for now just picture them, any isle you choose. Now, ask yourself where will all the can's , boxes, bags, and Styrofoam trays go once they are emptied? If you are really adventurous go take a look at your local dump. The fruit we eat has maybe a core, some seeds, a stem, and maybe a peel. The animals we eat contain hide, fur, beaks, maybe a fin or two. All biodegradable, but for some reason eating in a way that produces no waste is no longer realistic. It seems crazy to think about doesn't it? We couldn't possibly live in a way that was less damaging to the environment. Sounds a little like we all want our resort retreat doesn't it. Now take a look at the trash and the trash to be around you and think about the waste and abuse we participate in daily. How much of our energy is spent destroying our home (the earth) or separating ourselves from one another. Imagine a day without your cell phone, laptop, newspaper, or whatever tool you use to separate yourself from others sharing your environment.

Imagine a world where you didn't worry about your love ones when they were not with you because you cared so much about the people you were with. Your love ones likewise cared for and were cared for by those they were with. Could a world exist were instead of creating waste at your job you somehow added to the worth or resources of the planet. Could we recognize that we are truly part of one another, we share a common destiny, and a common home. Could we finally see that we are family?

I believe eventually these things will be realized but I don't think we will be the ones who see it. I think it will be our children that realize this only because they will be forced to deal with the repercussions of our self-centeredness. It will be them that shed the perception of the world that our egos force us to try to instill in them. The outdated contracts and paradigms that we have inherited are over due to be rewritten. Perhaps they will entertain us and allow us to participate. Just maybe if we can get past their unprecedented love and respect for one another we can join in.

James Bond lives in Southern California with his wife Janka and cat Wyatt. He works with a community college district as a coordinator of student activities. JamesandJanka also provide advice to couples on communication techniques and activities to increase intimacy in relationships.

This Article has been viewed 139 times. (Not updated in real-time.)
No comments yet.
We want your comments! If you can read this, you don't have javascript enabled, so you can't use this comment system. Please enable javascript.