Today I realized that the world is beautiful. I realized that it is modern, fast-paced, intimidating, leaving me awe-struck and light-headed. I have lived in times where I felt I needed to keep moving; no dilly-dallying and smelling the flowers. I'm too busy and fast for that.
But then I realized what living is.
My father and I were talking this morning. About a lot of stuff, like the weather and other drivers on the already-busy morning highway. Our conversation had slipped to the subject of the government and the nation. Not what they are or what they do, but the people in them. How these men and women feel in their lives.
He brought up a video I had seen and showed him. It was titled "It All Goes Back in the Box".
Now stop for a second, and anazlye what that could possibly mean.
It was based on a game of Monopoly. This man and his female family member, whose status in the family I cannot recall, were playing Monopoly. The man, after long hours of trying and trying, had finally beaten his sibling or daughter or whatever. She had gone bankrupt at last; he was triumphant, filled with pride. Then the girl said these words:
"Now, it all goes back in the box."
What significance does this simple statement hold?
A lot, actually.
It shows us that we are a world of consumers, raised to work and compete and win.
But what happens after it all? Why do we do it?
It all goes back in the box.
Is it really important to us to triumph over our equals?
It all goes back in the box.
Does money, power and possession take precedence over knowledge, friendship and life?
It all goes back in the box, my friends.
Most of us are alive, but never living. Look out the window for me, wherever you are, and whatever you find, find the color in it. Not greys and whites, find the shine of every surface and see it well. Don't see it as dull and listless, see it as an object that may hold life and beauty. Hold the image close to your consciousness and breath it all in.
Then go find something worthwhile to do. Go ride a bike, go swim, go hike, go walk, anywhere, everywhere. Be sure to take in the observations before you.
Want to do something? Do it. Want to achieve something? Work at it. Nobody is going to give you what you want. Not unless you earn it or buy it, and money holds no worth if it all goes back in that box.
What if everyone in the world did this? Just think about it for a second: The world and its people, free, loving, caring, healthy. Like the song "Imagine" by the great John Lennon. No greed or hunger, just the world living in peace.
In all reality, there wont be world peace, but why are we confined to work our entire lives rather than being free?
We are the most advanced and dominant race on Earth. If you were a king or queen ruling over a nation, would you want pollution and unrest? If you would, then I'm sorry to say, you're a horrible person. This is our world. Our people. We must take care of them. Furthermore, we must mature so that we can take care of them. If we don't, we will perish.
But how do we get started?
Start small, one step at a time. Take care of yourself, your friends, family, any loved ones. Take care of yourself by being healthy, being active, being happy. Help everyone else to it, too. A healthy world is a prosperous world.
Respect everyone and everything. Your elders, your friends, your enemies, and most importantly, your environment.
Get involved in outdoor, fun, active things. Sitting around watchin television or on the computer doesn't burn fat or build muscle, it only burns time and fuses you to your chair.
Spend less time arguing, more time discussing ideas to further the world.
Exercise your mind.
Eat healthy.
Compliment people.
Smile.
Whatever you can do for the world's welfare is worth it.
Can't get started? Feel unmotivated? Get someone to do it with you.
Start with yourself. Like sand in an hourglass, one grain falls, then two, three, and so on until all of the sand is at the bottom. But in this case, there's no limit to the sand. Or the time.
It takes one person to motivate the rest. People need a leader; be one. Just make sure you're a benevolent one.
It all goes back in the box, so make everything you do worth it. It's all about living and learning, but why not teach as you go along?
Our world is beautiful. Just like the people in it. We have to shed our bad habits to bring out the color and shine in everything.
We aren't going to do it as individuals.
-Lucas Buckley, April 7, 2011
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