Boredom: Letters to a Distant Mother

Hello Mother,

How are you today? I am fine, and Father? Well, I guess I should be visiting soon. I will buy my ticket and let you know when I will arrive. Please let me know whether or not you can pick me up so I can make proper arrangements. Have you heard from my brother? I have not talked to him in months. The last I heard from him was in a postcard he sent from Amsterdam. His backpacking across Europe phase is in full effect. I can only hope he has some educational benefit from this. After all, he is behind in his units. Does he still go to the University? I know he was hesitant in applying, but your bribe was enough to go against his wishes. My job is going well; the pay is enough for me to have some extra money to put away in an account. You must be wondering if I have met someone special and I cannot stress it enough that at this point in my life, I am not looking for a significant other. I hope you can understand this. I am, after all, looking out for my well being.

See You Soon,
Your Daughter.

It's been a while...

"We are the music makers,
And we are the dreamers of dreams,
Wandering by lone sea-breakers,
And sitting by desolate streams;
World-losers and world-forsakers,
On whom the pale moon gleams:
Yet we are the movers and shakers
Of the world for ever, it seems."

-Arthur O'Shaughnessy

Rich vs. Wealthy

A rich person has loads of money.

A wealthy person may have money too, but it’s not that important to them.

A rich person is only happy with the money they make.

A wealthy person is happy with what they have accomplished in their life.

A rich person has a job.

A wealthy person has a career.

A rich person cares about what other people think.

A wealthy person doesn’t give a damn as long as they’re happy.

A rich person is just rich.

A wealthy person is prosperous.

A rich person is stuck in a rut.

A wealthy person is open to change.

A rich person may like what they do.

A wealthy person loves what they do.

A rich person doesn’t want to die.

A wealthy person will be content whenever they go.

A rich person likes to “get away.”

A wealthy person likes where they are right now.

This blog can also be viewed at oneloveforpeace.wordpress.com

I can dream, can't I?

It’s not about that white picket fence with the painted red door or those blue shutters…well, not anymore. The ideals are still there, but it’s what the people want that has changed. Sure, there are people that just want a “better life,” and there are those who are never satisfied with what they have achieved. Then you have people that feel greater opportunities and living conditions are better elsewhere and they usually find it in another country. So, they migrate to countries that have more to offer, like America, because they still believe in the illustrious American Dream. And what of those ideals? No longer is it the dream just to own land, live prosperously, and find happiness. Now that’s not enough, people want to “succeed” in what they do, be the best and have the most to show for it. That “success” is almost always measured in money and possessions.

Who wants to be a millionaire? Everyone. The only difference between those who are and those who aren’t is the road not yet traveled. That road is what leads to money. The people who take it are the ones who want it, no matter what. So they will do anything to get there, even if it means leaving their comfort zone (home, country, you get the point), and there is nothing wrong with that. As long as that road is taken for a noble reason…right? See, what really should matter is if money brings the people what they really want: happiness (or, in other words, the other road traveled). True, it is the same metaphorical road, but the outcomes are different. One leads to money which, in turn, can easily bring greed. The other brings prosperity, or happiness that doesn’t necessarily require money. It’s up to the person who takes that road. I’m sure that money can’t buy happiness per se, but arguably so, it’s a great substitute.

Those who still believe in the “American Dream” are the ones who aren’t even American. They are the ones who will risk their lives and their livelihood to come to America for that "better life" and better opportunities to reach that American Dream. It doesn’t matter what country they are from, they all want the same thing: to be happy. They get what they want since they paved their own road to go down. And there is nothing wrong with wanting to be greater because the dream that helped build America is still alive in them today.

So maybe what people should actually look at is if that road they want to take is what they really want. I would much rather be happy than be stuck in some dead-end job that pays well, but that is only my view on what being successful really is.

You can also view this blog at oneloveforpeace.wordpress.com

All you need to do is listen…

There are few songs that can portray a noteworthy message and have a good beat at the same time. The noteworthy message being: that one day there will be peace. The beat: a mix of Reggae and Hip Hop. The song: “One Day” by Matisyahu.

Matisyahu is a Jewish Reggae musician who has, somehow, conveyed a popular world view into just one song. He wants no violence and hate, but rather, freedom and equality. This is a common desire among oppressed people in third world countries, but Matisyahu is from America. I’m not saying that the U.S has no freedom, it does (it’s the foundation of our country…), but the fact remains that there are still people who don’t believe in equality. They believe they are better because of their ethnicity, religion, sexual preference, socio-economic status etc. So where does that leave those who are discriminated against? They get stuck in this permanent submission just because of another person’s one-sided view of the world. This is the America we live in today.

Americans pride themselves on being able to call their country a “melting pot,” but that is simply not true. I’ve heard another term that is a better description: we are a salad. It goes like this: The Lettuce acknowledges the presence of the Carrot and that’s it. Now, the Lettuce thinks that it is better than the Carrot because one can’t have a salad without there being Lettuce in it. But what the Lettuce doesn’t know is that the Carrot adds flavor and without it, the salad would just be rabbit food. This is an accurate representation of the American people. We acknowledge those who are different and put up with them (also known as tolerance). If the U.S truly was a “melting pot,” then people would acknowledge and accept those who are different from them, and not just put up with them. Our people are just tossed in a three thousand mile stretch of land, not mixed. Maybe all we need is some common ground to show that we are better when we work together to make what we have greater...otherwise known as ranch dressing.

Matisyahu’s song is beautifully written and just really sounds good. He knows how people are and wants change, and peace. He has hope for this world, and he’s not the only one.

Listen…and then you will see.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=k-aAZT15eHc

You can also view this blog at oneloveforpeace.wordpress.com