Lifes Inertia

Doom Scrolling at every red light

It’s easy to get caught up in the whirlwind of our daily lives. The constant noise from our technology screaming in our faces has desensitized our connection with the universe and how we are meant to experience the rising and setting sun. Yeah, that might sound like a crunchy hippie thing to say. However, the true state of our shared existence tends to reveal itself to us in the most unexpected ways, and for me, that has not happened with the blue light of a device lighting up my face.

You cannot turn on the tv, or radio, and read the news without hearing about the state of the economy. All we hear is the world is at war with itself and you better hurry and pick a side. This sensationalized way of reporting has done a great job of breaking down the barriers of our intelligence and distancing us from the outside world.

Travel, no matter what scale it is on, is one of the few ways left that we can debunk the truths we have been told. The exposure to our local societies is what creates the limiting beliefs that shape mistruths into our psyche without our permission. If left unchecked, this unintended indoctrination breeds complacency, entitlement, and worst of all, the insulation of acceptance that can be downright toxic.

So, I am left to ask myself, what is the answer to this madness? How can I escape a false reality that I helped create by letting social media, news organizations, friends, and colleagues slowly shape my way of thinking? The answer for me is the only way I know how. That is through introspection and the rejection of acceptance of the way things are. This might contradict my zen buddhism training, but it allows me to see things for what they are while looking for a better way.

The challenge we face is reducing our time spent doom scrolling at every red light in an attempt to stop our brains from feeling anything but what they should. We must stop running from pain, and stop seeking out every distraction that provides just a moment's relief from our soul-crushing existence. Life resembles a roller coaster, offering us the choice to embrace its thrills or succumb to fear. Each journey in life is unique and occasionally unpredictable. Yet, it is crucial to acknowledge that the downhill moments play a vital role in accumulating the necessary energy to propel us toward our ultimate goals and eventually, our finish line.