Does our society produce the condition of anxiety in its members? Although it may not be setup as an intentional mechanism to produce a population of anxiety prone individuals, the effects are certainly present. If we take a good look around at the societal conditions in which we live, it is no wonder that so many people smoke and drink to excess, become substance abusers, workaholics or obsessive to a fault. Society cannot nor should it be used as a scapegoat to condone actions or behavior that is obviously unacceptable but it very well may play a pivotal role in why such behavior occurs.
We are judged by our own fellow beings on how we dress, act, talk, how much money we have, the type of car we drive, the kind of job we work and virtually every other aspect of our lives and being. How can anyone truly relax and be himself or herself in a world where we’ve been conditioned to believe that who we are is somehow inferior to who we should be?
Have you ever noticed the different reactions you provoke from people in various situations? Go to the bank and make a withdrawal from your account rather than a deposit and notice the cool demeanor of the teller. Now make a rather sizeable deposit and see how much warmer that demeanor becomes. Go to a restaurant and order a cup of coffee rather than a whole meal and see how much service with a smile comes your way. Try being more observant and you’ll begin to notice the subtle and sometimes not so subtle differences.
Walk into a fine jewelry store in old jeans and see who gets better service, you or the impeccably dressed man in the expensive business suit. People do judge by appearance whether you want to believe it or not. Apply for a loan and watch the crinkle in the loan officer’s nose when you tell him about your fast food restaurant job even if you have been there ten years and have good credit. It’s a bit difficult to feel confident when you’re made to feel unworthy.
We do not live in a society that nurtures the human spirit. If anything, our society serves to break down the human spirit, filling us with stress, anxiety, tension and depression. We are definitely in desperate need of a change in societal values – one that supports and uplifts rather than one that condemns and oppresses. Of course, we have to be realistic in realizing that it would be no easy feat to achieve.
We may not be able to change the world around us but we can break the cycle of conditioning. You can change your own behavior and reactions. We can start by not being so judgmental. We can learn to treat others courteously just as we would expect to be treated. We can open our minds and hearts to realize that the value of a human being cannot be measured by the amount of possessions owned, the type of job worked or the clothes worn. The human spirit is immaterial and cannot be compared to such trivial pursuits.
It is the quest for power and wealth as well as the attempt to live up to perfect standards set up by imperfect beings in an imperfect system that causes an enormous weight of anxiety to descend like a storm cloud that looms indefinitely. But you can be a ray of sunshine breaking through the grey sky. The choice is yours.
