Is it the countless lies, the corruption, war, destruction, hunger, inequality, injustice? It makes me sad to think about these things, and I think about them every day, whether I want to or not. If I were to seriously engage with the tragedies unfolding before my eyes, I would probably go mad. Am I even aware of what is going on? Isn’t everything much worse? The lies, the deception, the murders and executions, not only in Gaza, but all over the world?
It doesn’t help to dwell on events that are beyond our control. We empathise, we are angry, we feel helpless, broken – and we are glad to be far away. We feel we are entitled to be relieved and privileged, and while relief is human, privilege remains relative. People are generally fed up with our chaotic times. Their lives are less affordable, their jobs are often a drudgery they drag themselves to five days a week. Even people with good middle-class jobs and decent pay want out. At art openings and during our psychedelic salons at Cabaret Voltaire, I sometimes meet people who tend to feign a certain sense of professional optimism. Behind their masks lurks pure despair: What will become of my job? What about AI? What will become of my money, my family, my life? People on the next rung up the social ladder worry about their reputation. How do I look in the eyes of “the world”? Will I be publicly defamed and destroyed, my ego in shambles, my pride in the dust? Does anyone love me at all?
What should we all do? It seems clear that those who have enough should share with those who have less, and many people do. It is too easy to blame those who could but do not because they are so greedy and needy. For them, as for us, the question is how to make the world a better place without sacrificing ourselves. After all, any kind of commitment, from love to business, not to mention politics, requires an investment of time, money and effort that we may not have the energy or the means to make.
When it comes to difficult times, there are two tricks: if you consume less, you save money, and if you save money, you feel more secure. Give away some of that money and you’ll not only feel rich, but also good!
Nature is free and accessible to all. We call her our mother; she is the gift that keeps on giving. By spending time in the forest or the mountains, by the sea or in the desert, we show our affection and admiration for her. It responds to this love by bringing us closer to ourselves and, step by step, liberating us from everything that weighs us down. Until we feel free to dive into ourselves and recognise who we were when that was still enough.
Let’s escape from the cities as often as possible. To build a more natural and largely autonomous life together wherever possible. To love nature, our lives and each other.
Have a colourful autumn, everyone!
Susanne Seiler