Lesson One: Arrogance

Capitalism exacerbates the arrogance of the human need to own things. Since the beginning of human history, this desire to conquer and control, is the catalyst for misery in the world. This idea is encapsulated in the driving experience we endure daily.

There is an exceptional amount of ownership arrogance on American roadways. Whoever drives the biggest, baddest car has the biggest…, well, anyway… More than in the vehicles themselves, this arrogance exhibits itself in our driving habits. We are atrocious, maniacal monsters! We cut one another off, thwarting the laws of physics, we blast through the yellowish-red glow warning of impending doom, because we are so important, we need to get to where we are going. Or else.

There is a pervasive myth in Los Angeles, an insidious and destructive myth:

“You must own a car to live (to succeed) in Los Angeles.”

My first lesson in this green journey obliterates this myth. Here is the truth: I CAN, I repeat, CAN, live in Los Angeles without a car. Further, you CAN! Yes! YOU CAN, live in Los Angeles without a car. It is actually a thing of liberation. We can pause, we can slow down the frenetic pace of our lives, and we can enjoy our communal journey. We miss out on so many of God’s beloved people when we are alone, picking our noses in our solitary, fiberglass coffins.

Indeed, it is a risky thing sharing our daily journey with the masses, because we cannot continue in our stereotypical mental prisons. We are forced to think of others in new ways. Ultimately, we are forced to reconsider the exceptionality we assume of ourselves; we must recognize the continuity between others and ourselves.

Truthfully, it has taken some small adjustments. I need to think in some new and creative ways, but living in this new way is not only possible, this new life is inspiring and invigorating!