Progress vs. Excess

The concepts of progress and excess have been on my brain now in some shape or form for several weeks-finally coming to some sort of resolution this week.

In my class on Monday we discussed the concept of progress. What is it? Who defines it? And is progress the same for all? If we look at progress based on the stereotype of our nation, then progress equates with technological and economic growth. One student in class argued that "progress" creates choice, although in my opinion the more "progress" we engage in the less ability one has to deny participation. This idea is something that crossed my mind this summer-how difficult it is for one to truly live without participation in our greater society-at least within a high-income country.

And if we are measuring progress by technological and economic growth then what do we call the destruction that this type of "progress" has created. Destruction comes in many forms from environmental, relational, and spiritual losses that have been created throughout the advent of our recent centuries of "growth."

Our class discussion turned to happiness indicators as measures of progress, and several students were shocked to learn that the United States scores so poorly on measures of happiness in comparison to some of the "lower income" countries. (I was shocked that grad students had never heard of this before.) There is a behavioral economist who has done several studies and has demonstrated that our happiness depreciates even more when we are consistently living in comparison to those that surround us. In one study of his, he asked people whether they would like to make more overall money but make less compared to those in their neighborhood, or whether they would like to make a reduced amount of overall income but have more in comparison to their neighbors. Respondents were split in their answers-50% of respondents felt like they needed to have more than those around them. Why do we base our value in comparison to others?

The happiest children I have ever seen in my life were some I observed while on a hike during my exchange to Argentina. These kids were so poor that they were using a crumpled up plastic bag wrapped in tape in order to play catch in the dirt street, yet I have never seen bigger smiles and enthusiasm or heard louder shouts of joy as I did in that moment. I look at children in my own nation, who often have toys, items, and events beyond measure, yet I have never observed anything of that same magnitude in regards to children here.

We have so much and yet we want more, myself included. And then the irony is that we feel it is necessary to raise others in the world to "our standard of living." Although people are just beginning to realize that if everyone lived as we do, we would no longer have a planet on which to live. And I personally don't feel that continued technological growth or going to Mars is the answer.

So what then do I feel is the answer? Relationship. Relationship with ourselves, relationship with others, relationship with the Earth, and relationship in the spiritual form.

As a Christian, when I am living truly by the Word, then I recognize the passages telling me that my treasure is not stored here on Earth in monetary or consumptive values but rather beyond in Heaven. I recognize that the greatest thing I can do here on this planet is to protect the Earth that was given to us and to give of myself to others. To create change where change can be created and to live as simply as possible in order to allow "others to simply live." To love and have empathy for humanity and our world.

For Christians and non-Christians alike however, I feel that when we are truly listening to the yearning of our souls we make the right choices in regards to others, in regards to the planet, and because of all that in regards to ourselves. Yet how often do we really stop and listen? How often do we seek fulfillment beyond our usual patterns? And how often do we seek a new type of progress-instead of living a life of excess?

Just some thoughts in an otherwise ordinary month.....;-) Enjoy the day....