Marco Pantoliano

We the people, are in a state of crisis. Essential human qualities like fellowship, empathy, and honor, are fading rapidly. We are too wrapped up in competition, too obsessed with power and fame. We're surrounded with corporate crooks, corrupt politicians, scandalous financial executives, shameless celebrities, and doped up athletes, all setting a bleak example for future generations. Who's to blame for this rapid deterioration of moral fiber? The convenient answer - the people in control, the guys who run the show, those responsible for the shape of society. While this is true to a degree, we must all start taking responsibility for our part in the glorification of greed.

While those who have taken advantage are responsible for their share of the blame, the rest falls on every single citizen who passively let things get this bad. In every aspect of our culture, we are promoting greed, we are unlike any other country in the way we burn through resources, in the way we saturate ourselves with entertainment, sex, and commercialism. We expect immediate gratification, don't feel that we need to put in the work for the reward, and because of this we have completely lost our sense of substance. Our country has become a place where the strength of our ethics is determined by the risk of getting caught. The United States is a capitalist country, but we are not supposed to gain that capital by any means necessary. Now we're enthralled with excess, we have the most money, the most military power,the biggest houses, the biggest cars, the highest level of obesity, the list goes on and on. We are walled in by mountains of stuff, trapped inside a convenient bubble, expected and encouraged to live beyond our means, and now we're paying the price. 

A harsh toll is being taken on the bodies and minds of Americans. The day of reckoning approaches, where will you be, physically, mentally, spiritually? It's time we started being better to ourselves, and those we touch. Time to accept that there is beauty in everyone, and no one has the right to say different.  We must stop measuring ourselves by impossible standards, and start treating ourselves with the utmost respect. When we can do this, start conducting ourselves with more honor, and abandon petty aspirations, the world will be a much more pleasant place.

To hope for every man to conduct himself with honor, is too far fetched, dishonor is just as much a part of the human condition. However, as we evolve, we should be working to act with more honor, and less dishonor, for the sake of collective harmony. The fact that every man is flawed, does not give man the right to perpetuate negativity. It is up to us all, to monitor our more unworthy actions, and adjust them toward a positive course. This is the only way to achieve personal growth. People that shamelessly lie, cheat, and steal, are guilty of criminal acts against humanity. They're disconnected from their fellow man, viewing him only as a resource to be drawn upon. They spread destruction, and breed negativity, two things we need none of these days.

Ultimately, it's up to us all to stop thinking that someone else is going to solve our problems, and start taking action in bringing the change that we all want and need. If you see something going on that's wrong, do something about it, do the work that's needed to better yourself, and don't follow in the footsteps of crooks and liars, you will always pay the price for profiting from dishonor in one way or another. Conversely, when you act with honor, the reward is always great.

I feel in my heart that the people of this great land have the ability to change for the better, and pick up where we left off, setting a positive example for all humankind.

Tags: Self-improvemen T

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