Ants Marching

“ He wakes up in the morning
Does his teeth bite to eat and he’s rolling
Never changes a thing
The week ends the week begins …”

Dave Matthews depicts the idea of mundanity leading to mediocrity through lyrical metaphor in his song Ants Marching. Though I believe in the societal prevalence of this mindset, I do not buy it in its simplicity. I am surrounded by successful people who, in the priorities of their own life, have reached the extraordinary; yet when a quote, such as the one written by Margaret Mead, is read to these same people, it elicits an inappropriate giggle as a ritualistic response to what they prematurely assume is only a witty citation.

Ever emerging is this great paradox whereby we are consumed by the idea of personal self growth, whilst are quick to tire when enlightened about the global impacts of our choices of consumption and consumerism. How is it that we think the world revolves around us when it comes to ‘receiving’; but think we can do nothing significant when it comes to ‘giving’. I can’t help but to relate back to the proverbial chicken and egg dilemma – is it that we are too preoccupied with our own lives to reach out to make a global difference? Or it is that we feel that we are too small to make a difference so indulge ourselves in our own lives?

The solution for me is simple – there is one person who challenged me to ask for a ceramic cup instead of a disposable one, in an effort to reduce waste, as I sipped a fair-trade, organic coffee with her inside a local Starbucks. Never did I subsequently doubt that in a short moment, within the confines of everyday seemingly mundane activities, could a single person surpass mediocrity in the efforts to make a difference.

I plan to instill change, first and foremost, by perpetuating the principle that inspires the idea that a single socialistic cup of coffee could eventually translate into an application for labour amidst the coffee fields of Costa Rica.