This past weekend, I traveled from Guelph to Ottawa to Montreal -- apropos given it was Canada Day Weekend -- because my love was playing at the Montreal Jazz Fest.
When we stopped at one of the turnoffs in Whitby, with the typical options of fast food chains, I felt that depression of living in a bland-less world where the corporations have taken over. I jokingly posted on my facebook page: "Oh, Whitby...how I've missed you." The sad part is that many, many people are living like this throughout North America -- and it is getting worse.
I quickly had to search for an interesting tourist attraction in Whitby -- hoping i could find some redemption to the place. Lo and behold, there was the memorial for Camp X -- where secret spies trained in WWII. There is rumour in my family that my paternal grandfather was one and he happened to live near Whitby. So it is possible he had been at Camp X.
Standing there, looking out at the beautiful natural conservation area while a German family passed by on bikes, gave me hope for this place. I felt a sense of respect and honour for all that Canadians sacrificed so I could experience the freedoms, peace and humanitarianism. World tyranny was completely possible but people put their heart into doing what was right -- even despite the odds.
As we made our way to Montreal, stopping at one gas station rest stop after another, it was clear that corporations have taken over. Though sprinkled with the french language and dolloped with poutine options, our world has become a bland version of Blade Runner -- all in the time of environmental crises there is still this heavy duty consumerist, disposable culture.
As someone who lives from the heart, embraces uniqueness, humanity and personal expression, the landscape was starting to make me feel empty and hopeless for the world.
So, Ted and I decided to take a turnoff to a small Quebecois town, just to give us a feel for the down home. We found a gem of a place in St. Eugene -- though none of the shops were open, we still had a chance to soak in the quaint, quietude of a time fading into the background. This sign captures it all -- when franchises and companies were sponsoring local restaurants. Who knew things would get so out of hand?
As we made our way to Montreal, stopping at one gas station rest stop after another, it was clear that corporations have taken over. Though sprinkled with the french language and dolloped with poutine options, our world has become a bland version of Blade Runner -- all in the time of environmental crises there is still this heavy duty consumerist, disposable culture.
As someone who lives from the heart, embraces uniqueness, humanity and personal expression, the landscape was starting to make me feel empty and hopeless for the world.
So, Ted and I decided to take a turnoff to a small Quebecois town, just to give us a feel for the down home. We found a gem of a place in St. Eugene -- though none of the shops were open, we still had a chance to soak in the quaint, quietude of a time fading into the background. This sign captures it all -- when franchises and companies were sponsoring local restaurants. Who knew things would get so out of hand?
Arriving in Montreal, I felt a deep sadness and longing for the time of the 90s and early 2000s -- before internet was huge. When people protested against globalization. When there was simple privacy to express who you were without it being caught on camera. The romanticism of Montreal, along with its lackadaisical free-spirited ruggedness is getting lost in the big buildings. I wanted to breakdown and cry and how much people are becoming sheeple. We really don't know what we have until we lose it.
In meditation, I was sitting with how to transform these negative emotions of despair I was having. What came to me was a shift -- what I can support is local, grassroots economies. Solopreneurs or small businesses. This is how I can put heart into the world. I need to make efforts on how to seek these places out -- but they are there.
Now more than ever, consumer activism is necessary to alleviate the suffering in the world. We need more arts, culture, fair trade and ethical products in the face of people who just want convenience. It is all about choice and a bit of sacrifice. In comparison to what many of our ancestors had to do to give us this peaceful country, driving a little bit further or simple getting out of the car for a fair trade coffee versus a Tim Horton's drive-thru is absolutely not that big of a deal.
What conveniences can you give up in order to create a more loving, ethical world?
What conveniences can you give up in order to create a more loving, ethical world?
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