The environments humans inhabit and create are becoming increasingly distant from the natural world.
This enables us to forget that, rather than standing apart from the rest of nature, we are a part of it, and it is part of us.
Capitalism benefits from the narratives that come from this artificial separation. It enables stories to be told that undermine our sense of self-worth and value as an inherent part of the whole of nature; we are too fat, too thin, too saggy and wrinkly, too loud, too quiet, too uptight, too easy going…and there is always something we can buy that promises to fix whatever is wrong with us, for a little while…
Capitalism exploits the way our neuroscience has evolved.
True contentment though does not serve the capitalist model our society is so thoroughly entrenched in. Deeply content people aren’t generally huge consumers, by definition!!
Try asking yourself: what do I really need? And don’t just accept the first thing that comes out of your brain (a fag, a drink, sex, a new bag, some chocolate, someone to be angry at…)
Autumn is just the right time to ask yourself this question. Allow yourself to follow the natural inward flow of energy that affects all of nature, ourselves included, at this time of year.
Take heart, for just as the trees are drawing their energy inwards and downwards, to gather their strength and focus for the coming turn in the year, so can you. What really nourishes you, what moves you nearer to a feeling of true contentment, with yourself and your surroundings?
Wishing you well…
