Grounded

In the recent days my mind has gone from contemplating the vices of this world on the grand scale of things, to dissecting my very own shortcomings. Perhaps the two things actually relate on different levels and in many ways. The whole idea of making a positive difference in the world forced me to realize I must first practice what I figurtivly, preach. How... ? I began to review my lifestyle and much to my dismay I found much of it wasteful and frivolous. A few things started to sink in. I found myself thinking about a close friend and founding member of E² who has taken a trip to his country of origin, Tanzania. I had a few brief conversations with him before he left for his month long trip. In these conversations I gathered that the purpose of these trips to a land that is more then just physically on the other side of the world, was not to lay in the sun and get a tan. Instead, the trip was something meant to realign him with the reality of the world. He described it as a "simpler place". A place away from the clutter and over comfort of our "utopian" western world. This type of reality check is something that I would recommend to everyone. I have been attempting my own. Although, I am unable to do anything as dramatic as travel across the globe. With me, the next best thing to reality is the confines of my imaginative mind.

So to get to the point, I gave up alcohol. Well, to make things a little more clear, I gave up buying alcohol. The point of this sacrifice (if you can rightfully call it that) is not to abstain from alcohol, but instead to reallocate funds from a completely frivolous luxury to a much more practical endeavour. I thought to myself, "at my worst, I spent nearly 25 dollars a week on alcohol alone. " I imagined myself living a life where 25 dollars a week would be like winning the lottery. A life in someplace like Tanzania, where that much money for one person could make a world of difference. This analysis of my situation led me to the World Vision Canada website. Here, with my sporadic burst of inspiration I decided to sponsor a child. So, I did. I figure for 35 dolllars a month a kid will be able to eat and will get some education and all I lose is some damage to my liver, a hang over in the morning and another superficial connection with the "crowd". It is true this is only a minor step towards shedding my hypocritical ways. However, the feeling I get from this blows the doors off of any slight euphoria I found at the bottom of a bottle. I am keeping in mind now that this is just a step. As my financial situation betters so will my contribution. Furthermore, I am making sure not to fall pray to simply making a slight donation every month and feeling I have made a difference. I must not lose my resolve. None of us should lose it. There is much greater possibility for positive change out there. Imagine our message of awareness and change found its way far enough that multi-billion dollar corporations shed a few profit percentage points and donated to a worthy cause. There is a lot that can be done if we all just wake up and realize that we don’t need everything we have.