"The smart way to keep people passive and obedient is to strictly limit the spectrum of acceptable opinion, but allow very lively debate within that spectrum."
~ Noam Chomsky, American Linguist and US Media and Foreign Policy Critic
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"Pay no attention to the man behind the curtain..."
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"Right, wrong and truth are not absolutes, they're perspectives."
~ Holly Smith, just someone with something to say
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"Civilization is a conspiracy...Modern life is the silent compact of comfortable folk to keep up pretenses."
~ John Buchan (1879-1940)
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Civilization can only revive when there shall come into being in a number of individuals a new tone of mind, independent of the prevalent one among the crowds, and in opposition to it -- a tone of mind which will gradually win influence over the collective one, and in the end determine its character. Only an ethical movement can rescue us from barbarism, and the ethical comes into existence only in individuals.
~ Albert Schweitzer
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"The dissenter is every human being at those moments of his life when he resigns momentarily from the herd and thinks for himself."
~Archibald Macleish
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To go against the dominant thinking of your friends, of most of the people you see every day, is perhaps the most difficult act of heroism you can perform.
~Theodore H. White

Perhaps You're Already There

Perhaps You're Already There

The Parable of the Mexican Fisherman

This is the most important thing you'll ever read...if you really pay attention.

A boat docked in a tiny Mexican village. An American tourist complimented the Mexican fisherman on the quality of his fish and asked how long it took him to catch them.

"Not very long," answered the Mexican.

"But then, why didn't you stay out longer and catch more?" asked theAmerican.

The Mexican explained that his small catch was sufficient to meet his needs and those of his family.

The American asked, "But what do you do with the rest of your time?"

"I sleep late, fish a little, play with my children, and take a siesta with my wife. In the evenings, I go into the village to see my friends, have a few drinks, play the guitar, and sing a few songs ... I have a full life."

The American interrupted, "I have an MBA from Harvard and I can help you! You should start by fishing longer every day. You can then sell the extra fish you catch. With the extra revenue, you can buy a bigger boat.

"And after that?" asked the Mexican.

With the extra money the larger boat will bring, you can buy a second one and a third one and so on until you have an entire fleet of trawlers. Instead of selling your fish to a middle man, you can then negotiate directly with the processing plants and maybe even open your own plant. You can then leave this little village and move to Mexico City, Los Angeles, or even New York City! From there you can direct your huge new enterprise."

"How long would that take?" asked the Mexican.

"Twenty, perhaps 25 years," replied the American.

"And after that?" the Mexican asked.

"Afterwards? That's when it gets really interesting," answered the American, laughing. "When your business gets really big, you can start selling stocks and make millions!"

"Millions? Really? And after that?"

"After that you'll be able to retire, live in a tiny village near the coast, sleep late, play with your children, catch a few fish, take a siesta with your wife and spend your evenings drinking and enjoying your friends."



Know where you're going in life … you may already be there.





Tuesday, January 13, 2009

There is Hope...

Every time I find a site like A Path to Simplicity  I feel even more of a sense of hope for the future.  I believe the tipping point is coming soon, and the more people I see who are beginning to walk this path the more I believe that we can make a difference.  Every single one of us can have an impact on our planet...and our future.  Together we form something much more powerful than a sum of its parts.
Posted by Holly Smith at 8:09 PM 1 comments
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