When you tire of people.

Something weird happened the other day. My mother and I went to volunteer at a non-profit, and when we showed up to volunteer, they were astonished. They told us they would not be able to reimburse us in anyway for volunteering. We said we understood that (we were under the impression that volunteering didn't involve reimbursement), and they looked astonished. They even double checked to make sure we were serious, and then allowed us to proceed.

What has happened to Americans? Do we really operate out of what's in it for us? Has business and money seeped so deep into our need and desperation that we know no other way? If everyone stopped doing what they did for money, do you think they would still do it. I know that the richest (most of them) would probably still do what they do.

So what's the difference? What separates the rich from the poor. What separates the happy from the depressed; the needy from the content? There isn't one thing I believe, but a combination of many things. First be happy at what you're good and and be good at what makes you happy. Second, don't sit around waiting. If nothing is happening do something unrelated and without the need for reimbursement (charity, volunteer, nice). This could be a simple as helping a mother of three across the street. Typically though, the longer the event, the more rewarding it is. Thirdly, get out of your head. Go for a walk, exercise, motorcycle, theme parks, movies, the list goes on and on, but get out for your own sake.

So many times I see good people with great potential and talent waste away on things that matter not. There are a lot of things that are done inappropriately, get over it. It happens. I promise! There is no bad without there being good. More times than not I have watched, and listened, to someone rant about all things wrong with everything. You have to understand that is the majority of existence. It doesn't matter what you are looking at or for, there is something wrong with everything you can think of.

The most common talent I see wasted are artists. It is true that this age has thrown them by the side of the road like the beaten man in the good Samaritan. Yes, and like I said before there is overwhelming evil in anything you can think of. I have friends who are awesome artists. More than a handful. Many. I encourage them to hang in there. They are all different people, and different artists.

This world is starting to design itself out of the need for human talent. Farmers are being replaced by hormones and machines. Law enforcement being replaced by cameras. Artist and musicians being replaced by computers. Assembly line workers being replaced by mechanical arms. There is good in all of this if you look for it. You have to look for it though.

Farming is now becoming individualized. If you don't want mass produced, genetically engineered products, grow your own. Cameras are a huge leap. While they provide a sense of responsibility and help, most people see them as a violation of a right of privacy and a "big brother". Whatever way you see it, they capture life. Artist and musicians will never be replaced because their minds are more creative than a computer, they also have an emotion called bravery. Assembly line workers are now free to spend more time with their family (something I know all families could use) and find (and do) what they really want with their lives.

True there is an inherent reaction in our generational code (and I mean generational by 100's of years, not 10) to see the negative, but what if we forced focus on the positive no matter how small. Don't confuse this with optimism now, these things are real. Small, but real and they will not succeed and prosper by optimism, it will take a lot of hard work, dedication of many, effort of most, and never comes without sacrifice. Think about that the next time you see something negatively or in a overbearing darkness. Throw your optimism book away and DO something. Optimism is usually talk, not action.

The den of darkness cannot stay dark when a light is lit, everything gravitates towards the light.