The Opium Of The Masses

I grew up on the prairies of Canada and there were many days when my Mother must have worried about how she would feed us.  Times were tough.

In my adult life, I worked in Canadian High Commissions and Embassies in a few countries and travelled to many more.  I love to travel and have always been intrigued by the lifestyles of different cultures.  In France, the café au lait avec croissant was the best way to start my morning!  In England, the veggie pie and a cup of tea filled the tummy at lunchtime.  In Korea, kimchi and congee (watered down rice and water cereal) gave us tons of energy to kick off our day.  In Kenya, on safari, crepes cooked on hot rocks were a sweet treat.  In India, we craved dosa and mouth-watering mangoes!  And back here at home, biting into a crunchy sweet apple brings us lots of joy!  Yum!

Today as I reflect back on my experiences of cultures in 40+ countries, I witnessed that one thing stood out in every country.  The opium of the masses, the addiction of the masses, was not food.  It was the hunger for power and control over another human being.  History proves my point.  Countries historically have vied for supremacy.  Religions claim their religion is the best or most pure.  In society the white faces often attempt to control those of another colour. In corporate and government people crave power – craving for the highest positions of greatest authority and more money.  In our homes we may sedate ourselves with food and drink because the people in power role model for us that what we eat and drink signifies our social standing.  Of course we know that many types of foods and drink numb our senses and numb our intelligence.  As if these things will satiate the soul.  They never do because they are fleeting.

The consequences of this type of opium can be massive for the masses.  Did you know that if we smoke marijuana we lose our angel?  Spread the word.  People need to know. How tragic to not have an angel to protect us, guide us and bring us miracles.

What if the opium of the masses became kindness instead?  What if every day we reached out and did something kind for 5-10 people (or at least 1-2)?  Last week, I parked in a parking lot and was about to pay for my ticket when I noticed a gentleman walk over to the pay booth and then over to me to hand me a ticket.  He had paid for my parking!  Good parking karma, right?  (Or, can say “car”-ma. Ha ha!)  

What a different world we would live in if we were “addicted” to giving kindness.  We would celebrate when someone got the job WE wanted.  We would make sure every homeless person and animal was well fed, clothed and housed.  We would treat everyone we meet of different colours, cultures and religions with great respect to give back some dignity and life to those who have been harassed and downtrodden. 

Imagine countries no longer manipulating each other for supremacy.  Imagine if we would finally treat each other as equals.

So if you have lost your angel, pray deeply.  You may be lucky to get it back.  My client just did.