Dear Future Joanne,
I hope that you have slowed down.
I am reaching out to you from the year 2017. Our aim while here is to develop, advance, progress, and BOOM. In the late 1800’s, as you have probably learned, manufacturing, business, and labor skyrocketed, a trend that continued into the 19th century. In 1989, the Internet as we know, the World Wide Web was developed. We have seen advances in every industry as we see the interconnectedness of each field and when one grows, those around it are soon to follow. Our eyes are on the prize.
But what exactly is this end-all prize we are seeking?
We are visionaries, we see the potential and do not wish to limit ourselves. Unfortunately, too many of us are focused on narrow goals and not looking towards what extensions emerge from our efforts.
We say we want the best for humankind; each country intensifies its efforts at achieving complete independence, strengthening their economy, bolstering their army, fortifying its food supply, and planting more cities to sprout at instantaneous rates.
But is this the best for humankind?
We have taken what we thought was substandard of the world of those even before me, and decided to rework the whole system—without considering that we would lose the very best that was set in place.
We keep on marching, marching, marching towards this explosion of growth and advancement. What so many of us do not realize is that we are taking these steps with the heaviest boots and trampling down our natural world that has been so keen in sustaining us. We justify the destruction that we are causing by simply laying down man-made paths to replace the once bountiful trails that now lay…desolate. Some of us do speak up though, I promise. It gets difficult because we are marching so fast and so synced that when one person stops to speak out, they too get trampled by these heavy boots.
We are moving too fast now, we need to slow down. Slowing down will let us realize the destruction that lay beneath our feet. Slowing down will allow us to realize that we are not here to ruin but to mend and create. Slowing down will let us stray from one end prize so that we can move side to side and recognize the prizes all around us.
Humans are social beings after all; the relationships we create are incomparable. The more time we dedicate to breaking down barriers and helping up those that have fallen beneath our oh so heavy boots, the more we will appreciate the simple values engrained in this world.
Hey Jo, I am not saying that advancement is abysmal, rather I am trying to present a better type of maturing. Moving forward in a way that not only causes no harm but produces benefits streaming in all directions. This sounds too good to be true for many of us here, but I know it is achievable.
Recognize but do not ruminate in our mistakes. Move forward slowly and synergistically.
Sending warm wishes and strength your way,
Your former self
