IF I DON'T I'LL STILL BE OK | ACRYLIC ON CANVAS | 18X24 | 2021
March of 2020, we all felt the panic. Toilet paper ransacked from Costco, hand sanitizer prices jacked up on Amazon, seemingly everyone felt the same fears of the unknown as the COVID-19 virus started spreading throughout the US. What’s makes us act this way? What makes us fear the unknown so much we’d act so selfishly? In many of these situations, it’s due to our perception of scarcity. The self-centered belief that our needs are somehow more important than anybody’s needs. This near-sighted, individualist selfishness can be seen in so many aspects of life. Quite ironically, the inverse of this phenomena - far-sighted, collectivist selfishness - can reap so many societal benefits. It would be a society where the needs to all (including future generations) are considered instead of appeasing shallow, short-term desires. But instead we believe in scarcity. We believe in fear. From my personal beliefs,however, I don’t believe in scarcity. That is, I believe we have ample opportunities to achieve all levels of fulfillment (think Maslow’s pyramid). That we shouldn’t live in existential fear.
I believe in abundance.
I believe there’s so many facets of life, so many avenues for success, so many chances for gratitude. If the struggle is eternal after all, then so is gratitude. Further, I believe the Earth gives us everything we need to thrive. In fact, we have so much abundance, we’re to the point where we’re wasteful with our resources (an admittedly terrible thing nonetheless). There’s far too many opportunities for abundance to believe in scarcity. Far too much love, far too much sun, and far too many amazing people to not open your heart wide. The Earth loves us, the sun shines on us, and people care for us. We all deserve to approach our lives with an open heart.
So I ask, if you could live life with an open, gracious, and abundant mindset, how would you live?
To note: I’m not disregarding scarcities in food, water, and housing that affect various communities throughout the world. Many of these issues are complex and can be related to various factors including, climate change, colonialism, and neoliberalism.
P.S. permaculture can save the world
Happenings
Upcoming Shows:
Photography Show for the City Heights in Winter Series: Thursday, November 10th at Visuals SD from 4-7PM
Mural Unveiling at Esco Art Alley: Saturday, November 12 off of Grand Ave in Escondido
Come out!
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