Rain Will Fall

As i refocus my life's work on meaningful and fruitful things it has given me a unique perspective on how out of sync people's value systems really are. For example looking at the subtle differences in cultures and value systems around the world shows how far we have really fallen. A look at a culture or set of beliefs in a place like Japan who focuses on family and the good of the people as a whole. In north america we laugh and moch people from asian because they live 15 to a house and take up all the parking for my brand new humvee or the new 5th wheel trailer.

 Have we every really stopped to understand how or why the people chose to live in such an less then ideal situation in the view of an american. Being sold the idea of the burbs with a white picket fence 2.5 kids and a dog named rex makes the idea of 15 people under 1 roof unbearable. Now think back to some of your most fond memories of a family gathering or a party with a group of friends. The smile almost beams off your face because you remember how good it felt to have the people you cared about most in one place.

Fast forward to being in the most crowded densely populated situation or area you have ever been into. It could be a concert of 30000 screaming fans,or new york city as the ball drops on new years eve. Imagine having that everyday no matter if you asked for it or not and you had no where to hide. The 15 of your closest family members under 1 roof doesn't sound so bad. 

The culture that we create for ourselves shouldn't be judged but celebrated daily. Each person's view of an ideal living situation is influenced in where they live. The expression "keeping up with the jones" is basically keeping pace with the people around you. Everyone trying to get just a bit ahead of everyone else to have that satisfaction of making it. Kinda feels like 

Our desire to make a good living and carving out a little bit of time for ourselves to enjoy the interests or hobbies that we keep. Family,travel,recreation are just a few things people work towards in there pursuit of there own tail. 

Why do we work ? Why do we choose the lines of work that we do? Because we are told to if we want to live like we have been accustomed to we have too. Is there any harm in that? Do 99% of the people enjoy getting up daily to run off to a career that they don't really like. Answering to a boss that doesn't really care about anything other then not doing anything.

We live in the world we create. If its 15 people in a house or a bachelor suite above a liquor store its the life we create. Now i am not agreeing with or condoning any of these ways of living but they are all temporary. Creating happiness in our lives is so much more then working or completing tasks. People identify themselves by the work they do, the people they are partnered with and the things they have. Life is so much more then things its about meeting that person who can influence your life for the better. Its the 85 year old man who is next to you on the bus,or the 8 year old little girl with her first bike. Spending 10 minutes talking to the people around you will add so much more meaning to your life and make you realize that there is more to life then things.

I remember hearing about a friend losing his job of 40+ years and he was completely gutted and had no idea where to turn. He was over 55 and left holding the bag with no savings living pay check to pay check having given his best years to a company that found him expendable for a younger more energetic person. We call it heartbreak and a life challenge the company calls it capitalism and a necessary move to protect the shareholders profits. 

Wouldn't you rather be in a place where you know no matter what you will always have somewhere to call home with people you love? How bad does that crowed house sound now?

Our value system is broken for alot of reasons. Greed is the driving force.

Make it a point to talk to someone around you today and ask them about something in there life. A life experience,a passion,a joke, anything of value to them. Do this for a few days in a row and you will start to understand how much happiness and how rich you become from it. 

Its really all in your hands.