A Notes to myself essay - “Less is Sometimes Better.”
LESS IS SOMETIMES BETTER
Regarding less, perhaps eating less would be the best example of “lessness.” Obesity is rampant and causes so much ill health, disease and suffering for far too many, increases healthcare cost voluminously and negatively effects the economy in many ways such as loss productivity. Eat less and Exercise more.
Thinking less in re: to ruminating and obsessing in particular rather than being in the moment…the here and now. Being present rather than in one’s mind. Not letting the mind “ride loose” so to speak.
Less verbiage perhaps…the constant need to talk. The need instead to be much more careful what one says and what so many others have to say heedlessly and harmfully. One does not realize that what one speaks is creative, effects life and beings and can rebound on oneself and others off-times negatively, harmfully. More listening attentively, and less gabbing most of which is unnecessary anyway.
Less 24/7 news – the constant repetition of mostly unimportant trivia – automobile accidents, shootings and crime of all sorts, and of course highlighting the destructive weather that is occurring continuously - leaving out much however, that is meaningful and necessary to be aware of and understood as a participating citizen. Less news concerning the USA and more news of what is happening in other nations around the world. Less ethnocentric and nation-focused info and more worldly.
Less hate speech. Speech that denigrates another person, another race, another sex, religion, nation. Less manifestation of hate in in all forms – in thought, speech and action. Greater consideration for our human family. Less hate and more compassion, tolerance and understanding. More love.
Less violence against one’s fellow human beings of all kinds. Less fighting, conflict and war – people hurting one another whether it be in civil conflicts, domestic violence, sexual abuse, violent criminality, government cruelty, wars, etc.
Less Nationalism. Less touting of the USA as some beacon of all that is virtuous and good above all others. Less, we are the greatest, the best and only powerful nation. Less America first period and more humility. It is all a fantasy, full of braggadocio, ego-mania, and a great lack of humility and appreciation of others. Less bullying other nations to do our will through imposing economic sanctions which only hurt the common person.
Less criticism – the constant finding fault with others and usually in a demeaning, inconsiderate fashion. We all have faults. Who can claim perfection? We need be kinder, gentler, more tolerant and forgiving in re: our feelings and attitude towards others.
Less pillaging and destruction of the earth and its creatures in all manner and form…drilling for oil, mining for coal, cutting down trees, polluting streams, rivers and oceans, destroying animal and bird habitants and wetlands, literally extinguishing animal, plant and insect species. More care for the earth, our home – Gaia, a living being of its own. The natural world that we need cherish and respect much, much more!
Less slaughtering of animals and the eating of animal meat in general - a major source of pollution, a tremendous waste of water and creator of health problems, and complete with a terrible attitude and utterly cruel behavior towards animals. Americans kill and eat an enormous quantity of animal meat. More fruits, grains, beans, nuts and veggies.
Less research, development and building of weapons lethal to humans including those that create mass destruction in particular nuclear and biological weapons. Instead, the development of a Peace Department of cabinet level to promote the elimination of nuclear and biological weapons, cordial and respectful relations between nations and peace in families, communities, cities and in and with the world.
Less money, time and energy given to the military, the creation and training of vast armies and navies used to coerce and do violence to our fellow beings and the destruction of cities and the land itself. Develop instead a national program of service where all men and women after completing high school are required to serve 1-2 years either in the military or in some kind of peace corps where they work to improve communities, state or national parklands and the like.
Less greed and overall selfishness. Less ego - less me, me, me and mine. Less need for opulence and the seeking of ever more pleasure, comfort and satisfaction of one’s ego needs which are never satisfied. Greater simplicity in living, and more generosity and caring for the well-being of others.
Less consumerism. Less buying. Less need for material possessions and property. Less need for all kinds of “stuff” which we really don’t need. Greater levels instead of simplicity in all ways materially. Instead, greater development of one’s creativity, one’s relationships and particularly one’s inner life…one’s spirituality where fulfillment is possible. For sure not in possessing more and even more money and possessions.
Less making the worship of money and its accumulation one’s God and the adoration given, and more honors and accolades given to goodness, honesty, generosity, gentleness, modesty, bravery and all forms of virtuous behavior. Reward and honor the simple goodness and courageousness of most people in their everyday lives, and less on the monied and seemingly powerful.
Less religious and fundamentalist dogma of all kinds - those especially which tend to constrict and divide us, and more “love they neighbor as thyself.” Let us join in a religion of Love where droplets from this infinite ocean may fall on all the human family indiscriminately – respect, consideration, forgiveness, tolerance, understanding, mercy and compassion and so much more.
Less on the constant focus on our differences and the issues and things that divide us and pit us against each other, and more the realization that we are one human family; where our differences can be respected and tolerated as they are truly an extremely positive influence, making life so much more varied, interesting, beautiful, and exciting. How boring would it be if we were so much more alike. We are all , every human being unique, distinct and different. Isn’t that wonderful.
