This is beautiful, I like it. There is very little that’s normal about how we built civilization. It’s sad that 90% of the people have to work shit jobs just to survive and even with those shit jobs they barely survive. We are as far removed from nature as we can possibly be. All of this contributes to the global mental health crisis. I don’t know what the answer is-I wish I had the answer-but I know this isn’t it.
I love your what-if’s. It would make the world much more bearable. Perhaps we can all implement some of the easier ones and foster change for the harder ones.
I loved this piece. Feeling in the jaws of the midlife sandwich and a corporate job (albeit in a much beloved public sector institution) that I’m more and more misaligned from each passing day. The week passes and all I can wish for is Friday. Then it’s Monday again. I often have this glum thought that I’m just passing time before, you know, it’s all passed. I want to have more times for the things I love - the ‘normal’ things you describe. Building courage to make that shift.
What if ... the possibilities are endless and could be joyful, as you've so aptly suggested. It's up to us all to embrace this "new normal", or at least those within our respective reach. I can't help but feeling that this is how we were meant to live. Thanks so much for writing about it so eloquently and making us think.
Wait I didn't realize you just had a baby! Congrats to you and your partner, that's so exciting!!! Also loved this read. Great thought-provoking questions.
I'm not just saying this...if my husband could meet u,&tell u himself...its like u took the thoughts right out of my mind. I got a district mgr position last year working for the greenhouse that supplies Walmart stores with their live annuals & perennials. I had 6 stores& traveled from mid pa to the Ohio boarder. Even in that short distance (& I already knew it was happening but it is different when u see it everyday) the deforestation in that small radius was sickening. I actually in one area had to heard rabbits out of a Walmart parking lot bc their homes were being destroyed. I road by a vavoline oil change and got into an argument w/the cops bc they were pulled over, with a manhole cover off, dragging a innocent raccoon out of the sewer. They tried telling me "she is sick". I said "with all due respect, your not the game commissioner and raccoons don't usually live long enough to even get caught alive with rabies". They didn't expect me to say I rescue wildlife so I wasn't a dummy. They kept doing what they were doing so I called the game commissioner after I parked my car. They didn't call me back till 3 days later. The cops said the raccoon was "sick bc she was seen walking back and forth across the street during daylight". I said, "well if that is the case every human is sick". She was a bit chunky so im 85% sure she had young ones...who then died bc they took her to put her down for no reason. She really had nowhere to find food expect for the dumpsters around the strip mall and super busy roads. It broke my heart. This area was/is still bulldozing too. This was in cranberry twp PA a very high class area. So without stereotyping, most of those ppl could care less. I really value your looks on what is happening to this planet...bc I feel the same. It is very important for us to teach the kids how imperative it to save mother nature and her children...the world is in their hands when we're gone. Your pics are absolutely beautiful. Ty for shedding light on these very true issues ❤️It's refreshing to know others notice these things on a daily basis. I read something the other day, "ppl should listen to the birds...not the news". I absolutely loved that. It should be "normal" to listen & respect mother nature...unfortunately a lot of time she gets ignored 🙁.
Thank you, Thomas. Written from the heart and for the heart.
Reading this I was reminding of a similar post I saw the other day where the author was accused of gaslighting a.k.a. putting the blame on the individual. But what you then go on to say is all about changing our way of life, changing the system. And that can only begin to happen by individual behaviour turning contagious.
Congratulations 😊 Enjoy the new significant perspective on life.
Re what should be normal…well put…not easy to have such a mindset if financial or other worries overwhelm…but resetting the normal even in small ways is beneficial and it has got me thinking why so many goals and ambitions become so skewed and empty. A lot to ponder upon.
These are the questions I ask daily and the goals that I strive for. My husband and I talk all the time about how to hop off the hamster wheel that is consumerism while the world around us keeps running. We make little changes towards that end frequently. Thanks for sharing this wonderful bit of motivation.
As someone who is about to return to work after a 5 week break and has also uttered the words "back to normal" this article really resonated with me. Yes, hanging out in nature and going for walks and exploring beaches feels more normal and natural than sitting at a desk for 8 hours straight!
What if we were content with what we have?
this, what a wonderful dream, what would the world look like, what would i look like?
how to do this on the daily...hmmm..maybe if i didn't mindlessly scroll would be a good place to start..
loved this post thank you
A great place to start! A life driven by intention.
This is beautiful, I like it. There is very little that’s normal about how we built civilization. It’s sad that 90% of the people have to work shit jobs just to survive and even with those shit jobs they barely survive. We are as far removed from nature as we can possibly be. All of this contributes to the global mental health crisis. I don’t know what the answer is-I wish I had the answer-but I know this isn’t it.
I love your what-if’s. It would make the world much more bearable. Perhaps we can all implement some of the easier ones and foster change for the harder ones.
Thanks for reading. I think you’re absolutely right!
I also like the term 'Imagine if' because when we engage our imaginations, fear goes out the window and possibilities become a reality.
For sure. It’s a crisis of imagination, not of technology or economy.
I loved this piece. Feeling in the jaws of the midlife sandwich and a corporate job (albeit in a much beloved public sector institution) that I’m more and more misaligned from each passing day. The week passes and all I can wish for is Friday. Then it’s Monday again. I often have this glum thought that I’m just passing time before, you know, it’s all passed. I want to have more times for the things I love - the ‘normal’ things you describe. Building courage to make that shift.
It takes courage to do things differently
What if ... the possibilities are endless and could be joyful, as you've so aptly suggested. It's up to us all to embrace this "new normal", or at least those within our respective reach. I can't help but feeling that this is how we were meant to live. Thanks so much for writing about it so eloquently and making us think.
Congratulations on your new arrival.
I couldn't agree more with everything you've written! Currently reading a good enough life. Which is providing plenty of food for thought.
This blew my mind
Wait I didn't realize you just had a baby! Congrats to you and your partner, that's so exciting!!! Also loved this read. Great thought-provoking questions.
Yes ma’am! Thanks so much 🥰
Loved reading this, and I find myself asking the same questions often!
Glad to hear I’m not the only one!!
I'm not just saying this...if my husband could meet u,&tell u himself...its like u took the thoughts right out of my mind. I got a district mgr position last year working for the greenhouse that supplies Walmart stores with their live annuals & perennials. I had 6 stores& traveled from mid pa to the Ohio boarder. Even in that short distance (& I already knew it was happening but it is different when u see it everyday) the deforestation in that small radius was sickening. I actually in one area had to heard rabbits out of a Walmart parking lot bc their homes were being destroyed. I road by a vavoline oil change and got into an argument w/the cops bc they were pulled over, with a manhole cover off, dragging a innocent raccoon out of the sewer. They tried telling me "she is sick". I said "with all due respect, your not the game commissioner and raccoons don't usually live long enough to even get caught alive with rabies". They didn't expect me to say I rescue wildlife so I wasn't a dummy. They kept doing what they were doing so I called the game commissioner after I parked my car. They didn't call me back till 3 days later. The cops said the raccoon was "sick bc she was seen walking back and forth across the street during daylight". I said, "well if that is the case every human is sick". She was a bit chunky so im 85% sure she had young ones...who then died bc they took her to put her down for no reason. She really had nowhere to find food expect for the dumpsters around the strip mall and super busy roads. It broke my heart. This area was/is still bulldozing too. This was in cranberry twp PA a very high class area. So without stereotyping, most of those ppl could care less. I really value your looks on what is happening to this planet...bc I feel the same. It is very important for us to teach the kids how imperative it to save mother nature and her children...the world is in their hands when we're gone. Your pics are absolutely beautiful. Ty for shedding light on these very true issues ❤️It's refreshing to know others notice these things on a daily basis. I read something the other day, "ppl should listen to the birds...not the news". I absolutely loved that. It should be "normal" to listen & respect mother nature...unfortunately a lot of time she gets ignored 🙁.
Thank you, Thomas. Written from the heart and for the heart.
Reading this I was reminding of a similar post I saw the other day where the author was accused of gaslighting a.k.a. putting the blame on the individual. But what you then go on to say is all about changing our way of life, changing the system. And that can only begin to happen by individual behaviour turning contagious.
Thanks for reading! Certainly wouldn’t blame the individual for top-down problems with top-down solutions.
Congratulations 😊 Enjoy the new significant perspective on life.
Re what should be normal…well put…not easy to have such a mindset if financial or other worries overwhelm…but resetting the normal even in small ways is beneficial and it has got me thinking why so many goals and ambitions become so skewed and empty. A lot to ponder upon.
Thank you!
I could not agree more!
Lovely post :-)
Thanks very much
A beautifully written post Tom and I enjoyed your images too.
I share your sentiments and wonder 'what if' every day.
Congratulations on becoming a Dad. 🙂
Thanks so much Gill!
These are the questions I ask daily and the goals that I strive for. My husband and I talk all the time about how to hop off the hamster wheel that is consumerism while the world around us keeps running. We make little changes towards that end frequently. Thanks for sharing this wonderful bit of motivation.
As someone who is about to return to work after a 5 week break and has also uttered the words "back to normal" this article really resonated with me. Yes, hanging out in nature and going for walks and exploring beaches feels more normal and natural than sitting at a desk for 8 hours straight!
Best of luck with the return to work! Like all things, balance is key