On a particularly tragic day for our community over a year ago, The Plaid Avenger responded with the following thoughts on his website:
“I can’t help but think of the scene from ‘The Matrix’ where Agent Smith is describing the need for the matrix: because when the computers made life idyllic and easy, the humans kept ‘waking up’ from the artificial world. They couldn’t accept it. And here in the 21st century in the USA, the richest, easiest country on the planet, I wonder if the same damn thing isn’t happening. For those of you from other parts of the world, and for those of you that have traveled in other parts of the world, you know that life for the vast majority of humans is a struggle. It’s tough. It’s dirty. It smells bad. It hurts. People work hard to stay alive. They suffer. They go hungry. What was the old saying about life being a struggle, and brutish and short? It certainly applies to most humans, but it certainly does not apply to most Americans."
"Maybe that has become a problem for us. Things have been too good for too long, and therefore people have to create problems for themselves. What problem could be so big that you would end your life for, and/or the lives of others? A girl? A guy? A Job? A grade in school? Your reputation?
“
You must be #@*!ing joking me.
“It’s too late to help the lost souls … but for the rest of you that may read these words, here’s a tip: when you get really down, really depressed, really anxious, really full of self-pity for your situation, then just do this: go to Africa. Go to the Middle East. Go to Central America. Go to India. Go to Central Asia. Go out into the rest of the world and discover what true suffering is all about. Go see people really in pain, really hungry, really in need, with real problems. And while your depressed ass is there, why don’t you try and help them out. Get the hell out of America for a little while and broaden your perspectives about what’s going on out there. I think you will be amazed at how truly pitiful your perceived problems will appear, and how much better your life can be for recognizing this knowledge.
“Take the red pill. And I’ll be on the other side to welcome you to the real world.”
Today, May 15, Bloggers Unite asked its readers to be a voice in helping make a real and positive difference in the world by focusing on a social cause of the writer's choosing. There are just so many valid causes or needs, worldwide and in our own backyards ... and it's too easy to become wrapped up in living comfortably. A positive difference could start by encouraging other's to engage, to get outside of regular routines or personal comfort zones, and devote time or money on worthy or relevant issues.
Whatever the issue, the topic or need -- a beginning point may simply be to ensure one's own focus is outward, and open to broadening personal perspectives. "Think globally, act locally" seems like an easy place to start.