Gandhi Had It Right

Ok so here's what chafes my hide at this moment...

So, I decided to take the plunge into ancientness by going to the grocery store at 9pm on a Friday night. As my constituent’s are dolling up there hair, dabbing cologne and stuffing down the sock for a romping good, yet predictable night, I choose to go to the supermarket, Wal-Mart to be precise. I almost broke out the black socks with my sandals just to make it feel right, but I did restrain myself from that. I arrived, gave my normal pleasantries to the octogenarian guarding the door under the guise of a "greeter," and went about my shopping. A task made easy by Verizon's free night and weekends, as I talked to my dear, sweet girlfriend for most of the time. Rounded up with the vegetables I join the masses trying to find a free or at least low volume check-out line. My luck was in tonight as I didn't have to wait and even had a nice and friendly conversation with the lady checking me out. I left my wallet lighter and my mind wondering if the choice of plastic bags had completely negated all the organic food I had just purchased. I walk out side and instantly sweat in the August humidity, find my car, and unload my groceries. The trouble began when I looked around to find a buggy return caddy (hence known as BRC, a term coined by me).

One was easily found. As I stroud over to it I looked around and realized there was, from any place in the Wal-Mart parking lot, roughly 20 yards to the nearest BRC. I thought, "Wow, that's convenient." But, then I noticed how, despite the rampant availability, there were buggies discarded throughout the parking lot. They rested there as soldiers fallen from battle with no regard to the proper placement. I was disgusted to think that someone couldn't take the extra 2 minutes and walk a maximum of 40 yards to drop off the buggy. Then I realized that was a shinning example of the stereo typical American.

Laziness is the cause of the problem. People are too lazy to replace the buggies, but that carries further. Obesity (not that I am a bean pole), Heart disease, kids playing video games instead of going outside to play and using that long lost art of imagination. Shame on us for letting this happen. We are too quick to blame with responsibility never falling on us. We blame our parents, other people's parents, politicians, minorities, majorities, other countries, but how often do we say, "Yeah this was my fault," or "This may not be my fault, but I will do something about it." If only that phrase rolled off the tongues during the times of conflict.

One of my favorite quotes, and something I have been trying to live by since I heard it last year is by Gandhi. He says, "Be the change you wish to see in the world." It's not easy, but I try everyday to live the example of what I want. This is where you would think I would say how we should all do that and live one happy life together. Bang that. That's what I am going to do, you can too, but you have to be your own example. Let's just hope our change is for the better.