Truth-seeking

Our culture is invisible to us, our accents are invisible to us. What else? What else can we not see, and not know about ourselves?

Do we realize the impacts of our actions? I think that sometimes we do and sometimes we don’t. I know that when I make an effort to smile and say kind things, I add to the Good in the universe. And when I am short with others, or waste or harm, I am adding to the Bad in the universe. And good begets good, and bad begets bad. So on a micro level, and a conscious level, the answer is Yes.

But on an unconscious level—my choice of job, home, and auto, for example, I am less confident.

Yesterday, while waiting for the bus, I counted the number of single-occupant cars passing me, and tried to find the ratio of single- to multiple-occupant cars. I think a fair estimate is 10:1 or 15:1. So every time I drive my car and I am alone, I’m part of that parade.

Pluck a flower, shake a star.