Complacency is the precursor to stagnation. Complacency is a state of self satisfaction unencumbered by worry, or the knowledge of impending doom. Stagnation is to be without motion; neither moving forward or reverse. If you become stagnant, you're not creating a ripple in the pool; you stand to putrify and be a bog to society.

There is always work to be done.

So you completed the daily grind. You got your kids off to school, you worked today. The house is clean and the family's fed. Your bills are paid, the yard is in order, your fridge is full and blah, blah, blah. Is it over? You sure hope it is because you're tired. The grind is killing you and you feel have nothing left to give. Everyday is wash, rinse, repeat and you're OKAY with that because it gets the job done. These are the symptoms of complacency!

Let me ask you.....

What have you given of yourself lately? What have you contributed to the world? I'm not talking about finances because the greenbacks are constantly migrating.

Did you listen to someone today? I mean really listen? Can you remember what your spouse or children said when you asked them about their day? Are you getting rote responses like "fine," or "it was okay". Maybe it's time to break the family out of their trance. Let them know you're paying attention and that you really care. If we get caught up in daily routine and robotic responses, we're going to miss something important. That's the reason people stop talking; they figure no one is hearing them. It's important that we engage those we love from the babies to the adults. I know you may not want to play Candyland for the 100th time. No you don't really care what Susie said at recess today; and if your husband complains about his braggard co-worker one more time. I know, it gets hard; but try not to completely tune them out. Don't let complacency stifle the love and growth of your family.

What about your community.....

Have you ever volunteered your time? Worked in a homeless shelter for one day? Spent time with the elderly? Helped a kid (not including your own) learn to read? Sometimes it's doing things of this nature that help fill that "void" in our lives. I know it may not seem like it, but volunteering your time can be fulfilling in ways that a paid job could never be. You're sacrificing your time to help a fellow human being. It's the least we can do because somebody already sacrificed for us through war, poverty, oppression, etc. Don't let complacency take away your sense of community.

How about the environment.......

I know, we all know what we're supposed to do. Are we actually doing it? Are you recycling? Do you have a compost pile? Have you replaced your light bulbs with CFL's? Are you unplugging your appliances when you don't use them? Do you avoid meat atleast one day a week? Do you walk or ride you bike once in a while? How about public tranportation or carpooling? This is even simpler; if you see a piece of garbage on the ground do you step over it? Do you pick it up? If you ever take your kids to the park or walk the dog, bring a small bag and a pair of gloves and pick up some of the garbage you see (it may look odd but I promise you; it won't kill you). Even if you can't do all of these you can pick one. Don't let complacency ruin the earth.

I hope this note has made someone aware of an area in which they could change or improve. A lot of us spend our time on selfish pursuits and still feel empty and incomplete. It's because we miss out on the karma of reciprocity. When we give of ourselves freely, I truly believe that it comes back to us three-fold. The same is true if you're offering nothing, or worse......negativity. We have to nurture the connections between ourselves, our families, our community and the earth. If we don't, these connection will perish. I'm not talking about becoming a martyr, just do what you can. I don't want you to worry either. It's just that sometimes we forget about these things in the routine of everyday life. In essence, if we're not careful we become drones. Don't let complacency rob you of the joy found in being a decent person.