Dirty words

Got your attention didnt I? No as much as I always taught my students anything they wanted to know INCLUDING dirty words (it's my duty as an educator to quench the thirst of knowledge, however inappropriate the content) this entry is not about anything of the sort.

It is about the dirtiest, most horrible word in any language.

CONVENIENCE!

Wherever I look, whatever I think about that has effected the earth, peoples attitudes, relationships and overall mentality in a negative way has to do with convenience. Cars, packaging, plastic, air travel, break-ups, giving up, all these have to do with things, people, situations not being convenient enough for us. Why is it so onerous to walk to a place, to wash a plastic container and use it again, to compost our food in our back yards, to cut up old clothing and make new things, or even to stay in that relationship that is changing and isnt so easy to be in any more? Why are we opting for the easy way out ALL the time?

We have been taught that convenience is of the utmost importance, that the easy way is likely the best way, and even if it isnt, what the hell, its convenient! And those of us who don't always choose the convenient way are often thought to be wacky, or at best our behavior is seen as cute, or quaint, when it should be the way we behave at all times.

Yes, I recycle everything I can, and yes that is sometimes a pain in the butt especially when you try to live in my clutter, but I often have something others would pay for, and I feel good recycling. Its always a small thing but it is also always a good thing. I buy smart (or try to) and I discard smart.