Scarcity

There is no scarcity on the planet. Just greedy people who want to take things for themselves

Mother Earth doesn’t agree that there isn’t enough for everyone on the planet. Her reaction to my suggestion that things are scarce is appalled shock.  Look at the abundance, diversity and plain incredibleness of all the things on the planet. The problem–she says– is that humans have created a world where it pays to be stupid.

People actually cut down trees–huge trees that it takes decades to grow to make ugly houses that are full of synthetic materials that cannot be biodegraded. This isn’t science. This is ignorance and greed. People get salaries for doing work that harms the future. It isn’t logical or smart. It is just what it is–a bit stupid.

It pays to sell stuff without a recycling plan. For example, when you buy a car, there is no attempt to make you aware of its eco cost. When you shop in the Dollar store or Walmart or any huge massive  store for stuff that you will hate within a year, there is no accounting for the cost of garbage to the planet and to society. Forget accounting, there is no thought about the planet or the impact on the future.

It is stupid, insane and reckless. It makes people behave selfishly, greedily and heartlessly. And that pays. There is no heart in the path of consumerism except at Christmas time when missionaries raise funds to convert more brown people to Christianity,

Stores these days charge for bags and some offer  recycling bins on the sides. It is more ‘cost effective’ to set up huge food plants and drive the food to different grocery outlets rather than local producers grow the food and supply it. In truth it isn’t about cost effectiveness at all. Local farmers are more than capable of growing and supplying vegetables, canning food and milk and supplying it to stores in their 20 mile radius. But it would mean legislation that protects our food from US producers i.e., corporations. North American Free Trade Agreement also known as ‘Corporations will win’ works constantly against economic independence from US interests.

The severe under reported under employment and unemployment problem that Canada faces would disappear if local businesses were supported by the federal government.

But they don’t do it. Because they aren’t truly representative of Canadian people. They are representatives of US corporations.

There is no scarcity on the planet. Just greedy people who want to take things for themselves.

I guess the real question that people have to ask in these months leading up to election is if they want to work for a living or just enjoy the benefits of the exchange rate parity by siding along with USA. I think that path is scary for a few different reasons. Firstly, there is no guarantee that US will succeed in controlling the oil supply or the middle east. That situation could blow up in their face. Literally. Secondly, ethics and justice. It is unethical to side with war. This idea made Canada a peaceful and inclusive haven for all. Thirdly, the planet can’t take the cost of greed and stupidity.

What can you do?

Say no to irresponsible consumerism. Instead of driving to the mall, donate your time to the homeless. Find people that you can have deep and delightful conversations with. Instead of buying land, go and donate some time and care to people in your community who need attention. You won’t get ‘rich’ doing this versus devoting yourself to a corporate career of making money as a goal in itself, but you will have the chance to be grateful for what you have rather than comparing yourself to the Jones’s and how far they are versus you.

Gratitude according to Mother Earth is the single ‘force’ of justice that is required to right the balance and shift people’s thinking from scarcity to abundance and then to service.

My banker friends will ask, but how can thinking change things? somebody has to ‘do’ not talk How can you create an instrument that’s neither debt nor equity? how can you make a bond out of gratitude. How do you sell it?

You don’t. There are some things that are not meant to be traded. Land and other natural resources are meant to be shared equitably and not owned.

Then there is the other question, are you talking about Islamic banking? No I am not.  I am talking about actually working as if the Earth mattered. As if our work was about making other humans happier. As if our job was to serve others and not dominate them. As if each of us mattered in a bigger scheme of things.

Imagine abundance.