Living in Duality
This painting has evolved as a way to let it all out. It’s a visual interpretation of some of the current challenges the life of our planet faces that can weigh heavy on us all. We as a human race are capable of amazing things. When we work together towards a common goal, it’s literally unfathomable what can be accomplished.
My hope is that in future years, for our children, and their children- that our common goal becomes one with who we are at heart. I hope that greed takes a backseat. We as a united species have the willpower, sustenance, and ambition to break the cycle and plant seeds of change that will make what seems impossible, possible. As we become more self-aware, and see our habits and recognize how we can change them long term, we can help each other do the same. However, we have to lift each other up, we need to drop judgement and criticism, and we need to see things for what they are. We need to help each other through this transition, rather than judge or criticize and blame. Together we can share ideas, talk about the hard stuff, and promote smarter ways of living by doing, to influence positive change.
The convenience, fast pace, and addictive obstacles that surround us are alarming. It’s no wonder many struggle to find happiness or peace regularly in their daily lives. Our bodies, as well as the planet are not designed to live this way. The eye opening experience of becoming a mother greatly intensified my awakening to this. We all know what’s going on with the destruction of the planet, but something in me started feeling it more, and it became a heavy burden on my mind. Working to do my best to be conscious of how I spend my time, what I eat and feed my family, and what the money I spend is supporting has become a focus in my life. Our choices either promote well-being for humans, animals, and sustainability for our planet- or they do the opposite. We make choices every day by how we speak to each other, whether we give one another our true attention, and how we judge or accept one another. We also make choices each day as consumers. Most conventionally grown and mass produced products are part of the continuous destructive cycle. Every item we purchase has the simple facts on the packaging related to ingredients and standards. The desire to know these things will create the ripple effect of creating a better world. When we make small changes, slowly the world around us changes, and that can change the world. Choices make an impact. Choices made by over 7 billion people every day can make an incredible impact. Most of us act quickly based on habit or convenience, and we don’t pay attention on a deeper level to our choices, or we don’t want to look deeper into our choices for fear of change. Chances are if we don’t consciously make our choices, we’re unknowingly contributing to the cycle that we must work together as a human species to break.
GMOs have become a big topic with sustainability of our planet, and it’s obvious why. In 1996 there were 3 million acres planted of GMO crops worldwide, and in 2017, over 282 million acres planted worldwide. The largest producer of genetically modified organisms (GMOs) is a company named Monsanto. Common GMO seeds are corn, soy, and sugar beets to name a few (think: corn syrup, corn oil, corn flour, corn feed for farming, soybean oil, refined sugar, etc.) GMO seeds are found on ingredient lists on over 80% of processed grocery items on the shelves in the United States. Many of us living today did not grow up consuming the same quality of food that the generations of today are consuming on a very regular basis. Regular consumption of these super seeds cause deadly tumors on lab rats within a matter of weeks; when compared to the lifespan of a human, this is equivalent to a few decades. Monsanto’s sister company is DuPont, who makes the common poison- Round-Up (that GMO seeds are designed to resist), along with other herbicides and pesticides. Each year one billion pounds of pesticides are used in the United States, and this is directly related to the destruction of the planet’s entire ecosystem. A significant amount of this is related to farming, however, the average homeowner “keeping their lawn looking nice” is also a vicious cycle. We follow the norm, believe what we see, and buy what we’re sold. Of course people using these products don’t have bad intentions. We just don’t know any different- and don’t find any reason to know different because we’re likely to do what those around us do.
It seems there has been a lack of genuine care for our health both mentally and physically for far too long; almost as if the world around us sets us up to live unconsciously. When we look deeper into the truth, most things we are bombarded with through advertising and marketing, we are better off to consciously resist. An attempt to influence our personal, spiritual, and religious beliefs along with the motivation behind our actions is there at every turn. The duality reveals itself eventually. This duality lies within ourselves, as our ego (mind, emotions), along with our heart (consciousness, being). All of our actions are connected deeply to the world around us- far more than most of us understand. We all struggle to let go of the survival mode of the ego, but it’s so planted in our mind, that this is how we interpret life most of the time, often not even realizing it. Many things in the world around us are motivated by greed, with a serious lack of compassion to the action itself or part of the universal consciousness. A cycle of functioning paves the way for people to become too busy in life, and distracted by marketing/media that is everywhere. We find blame for our actions, are overwhelmed, stressed, motivated by money and materialism, comparing, and desensitized to see the truth of the world. The media and marketing control and influence our thoughts and contribute to our ego driven desires. We become weighed down and exhausted. This keeps the most sacred and powerful part of our inner selves, that every human possesses- dormant.
The duality of my experience was conflicting on the inside, because I was no longer able to function in the life I was living in the same way. My view of the world had become dark and unfamiliar, and subconsciously ignoring the reality of the world around me was not possible anymore. I started to see the connected second layer. The greed involved in the way industries captivate our senses to keep us coming back, are often the root cause of many mental and physical ailments. Inevitably, this keeps the medical industry flourishing, and in turn fund the pharmaceutical companies, and vice versa. It’s an almost unbreakable cycle.
We’ve been lead to believe a myriad of various facts regarding our health, when in reality so many of the routines and beliefs are based on the recommendations by organizations that don’t always have our best interest at heart. National HEALTH organizations profit by billion dollar companies such as Nestle, Kraft, Johnson and Johnson, Tyson, Proctor and Gamble, Unilever, etc. to promote a way of life that effortlessly makes mega corporations profit. There’s a system in place that can’t be broken, or the money will stop flowing. We have a fear that if we don’t do “the norm” something bad will happen. I feel many factors in the current way of life suffocate the inner awareness, and helpful and healing capabilities of humans to help each other, care for the world around us, reach our highest potential, and simply be happy. Many industries that are connected to one another depend on this. Their primary interest is financial gain, at the expense of our health and wellbeing. Unfortunately too many of us live unaware to this reality, because the change in awareness is very challenging.
The spirit side within all of us is connected to something so much bigger, and this side within each one of us is directly connected to each other and our actions. This is what gives me hope, knowing that there is always so much potential for change, especially as our world reaches new levels of consciousness and awareness. Little by little the light is shining brightly through humanity, and I have hope that our world is changing from the inside out little by little, every single day. Something that lifts my soul is working with the youth of today, learning what students are passionate about. Knowing that many of these young people are seeing the world for what it is, and they are going to walk the walk to create change is a beautiful thing. I have hope that we are creating a new world, and all challenges bring about change and a new awareness. Every day is an opportunity for many small miracles...and they are all connected.
One of my favorite quotes that resonates … “To develop a complete mind: study the science of art; study the art of science. Learn how to see. Realize that everything connects to everything else.” Leonardo DaVinci
My hope is that in future years, for our children, and their children- that our common goal becomes one with who we are at heart. I hope that greed takes a backseat. We as a united species have the willpower, sustenance, and ambition to break the cycle and plant seeds of change that will make what seems impossible, possible. As we become more self-aware, and see our habits and recognize how we can change them long term, we can help each other do the same. However, we have to lift each other up, we need to drop judgement and criticism, and we need to see things for what they are. We need to help each other through this transition, rather than judge or criticize and blame. Together we can share ideas, talk about the hard stuff, and promote smarter ways of living by doing, to influence positive change.
The convenience, fast pace, and addictive obstacles that surround us are alarming. It’s no wonder many struggle to find happiness or peace regularly in their daily lives. Our bodies, as well as the planet are not designed to live this way. The eye opening experience of becoming a mother greatly intensified my awakening to this. We all know what’s going on with the destruction of the planet, but something in me started feeling it more, and it became a heavy burden on my mind. Working to do my best to be conscious of how I spend my time, what I eat and feed my family, and what the money I spend is supporting has become a focus in my life. Our choices either promote well-being for humans, animals, and sustainability for our planet- or they do the opposite. We make choices every day by how we speak to each other, whether we give one another our true attention, and how we judge or accept one another. We also make choices each day as consumers. Most conventionally grown and mass produced products are part of the continuous destructive cycle. Every item we purchase has the simple facts on the packaging related to ingredients and standards. The desire to know these things will create the ripple effect of creating a better world. When we make small changes, slowly the world around us changes, and that can change the world. Choices make an impact. Choices made by over 7 billion people every day can make an incredible impact. Most of us act quickly based on habit or convenience, and we don’t pay attention on a deeper level to our choices, or we don’t want to look deeper into our choices for fear of change. Chances are if we don’t consciously make our choices, we’re unknowingly contributing to the cycle that we must work together as a human species to break.
GMOs have become a big topic with sustainability of our planet, and it’s obvious why. In 1996 there were 3 million acres planted of GMO crops worldwide, and in 2017, over 282 million acres planted worldwide. The largest producer of genetically modified organisms (GMOs) is a company named Monsanto. Common GMO seeds are corn, soy, and sugar beets to name a few (think: corn syrup, corn oil, corn flour, corn feed for farming, soybean oil, refined sugar, etc.) GMO seeds are found on ingredient lists on over 80% of processed grocery items on the shelves in the United States. Many of us living today did not grow up consuming the same quality of food that the generations of today are consuming on a very regular basis. Regular consumption of these super seeds cause deadly tumors on lab rats within a matter of weeks; when compared to the lifespan of a human, this is equivalent to a few decades. Monsanto’s sister company is DuPont, who makes the common poison- Round-Up (that GMO seeds are designed to resist), along with other herbicides and pesticides. Each year one billion pounds of pesticides are used in the United States, and this is directly related to the destruction of the planet’s entire ecosystem. A significant amount of this is related to farming, however, the average homeowner “keeping their lawn looking nice” is also a vicious cycle. We follow the norm, believe what we see, and buy what we’re sold. Of course people using these products don’t have bad intentions. We just don’t know any different- and don’t find any reason to know different because we’re likely to do what those around us do.
It seems there has been a lack of genuine care for our health both mentally and physically for far too long; almost as if the world around us sets us up to live unconsciously. When we look deeper into the truth, most things we are bombarded with through advertising and marketing, we are better off to consciously resist. An attempt to influence our personal, spiritual, and religious beliefs along with the motivation behind our actions is there at every turn. The duality reveals itself eventually. This duality lies within ourselves, as our ego (mind, emotions), along with our heart (consciousness, being). All of our actions are connected deeply to the world around us- far more than most of us understand. We all struggle to let go of the survival mode of the ego, but it’s so planted in our mind, that this is how we interpret life most of the time, often not even realizing it. Many things in the world around us are motivated by greed, with a serious lack of compassion to the action itself or part of the universal consciousness. A cycle of functioning paves the way for people to become too busy in life, and distracted by marketing/media that is everywhere. We find blame for our actions, are overwhelmed, stressed, motivated by money and materialism, comparing, and desensitized to see the truth of the world. The media and marketing control and influence our thoughts and contribute to our ego driven desires. We become weighed down and exhausted. This keeps the most sacred and powerful part of our inner selves, that every human possesses- dormant.
The duality of my experience was conflicting on the inside, because I was no longer able to function in the life I was living in the same way. My view of the world had become dark and unfamiliar, and subconsciously ignoring the reality of the world around me was not possible anymore. I started to see the connected second layer. The greed involved in the way industries captivate our senses to keep us coming back, are often the root cause of many mental and physical ailments. Inevitably, this keeps the medical industry flourishing, and in turn fund the pharmaceutical companies, and vice versa. It’s an almost unbreakable cycle.
We’ve been lead to believe a myriad of various facts regarding our health, when in reality so many of the routines and beliefs are based on the recommendations by organizations that don’t always have our best interest at heart. National HEALTH organizations profit by billion dollar companies such as Nestle, Kraft, Johnson and Johnson, Tyson, Proctor and Gamble, Unilever, etc. to promote a way of life that effortlessly makes mega corporations profit. There’s a system in place that can’t be broken, or the money will stop flowing. We have a fear that if we don’t do “the norm” something bad will happen. I feel many factors in the current way of life suffocate the inner awareness, and helpful and healing capabilities of humans to help each other, care for the world around us, reach our highest potential, and simply be happy. Many industries that are connected to one another depend on this. Their primary interest is financial gain, at the expense of our health and wellbeing. Unfortunately too many of us live unaware to this reality, because the change in awareness is very challenging.
The spirit side within all of us is connected to something so much bigger, and this side within each one of us is directly connected to each other and our actions. This is what gives me hope, knowing that there is always so much potential for change, especially as our world reaches new levels of consciousness and awareness. Little by little the light is shining brightly through humanity, and I have hope that our world is changing from the inside out little by little, every single day. Something that lifts my soul is working with the youth of today, learning what students are passionate about. Knowing that many of these young people are seeing the world for what it is, and they are going to walk the walk to create change is a beautiful thing. I have hope that we are creating a new world, and all challenges bring about change and a new awareness. Every day is an opportunity for many small miracles...and they are all connected.
One of my favorite quotes that resonates … “To develop a complete mind: study the science of art; study the art of science. Learn how to see. Realize that everything connects to everything else.” Leonardo DaVinci
