Resolutions

As we toggle back and forth between fantasy and reality the need for an effective method of discerning between the two becomes apparent.  The Trash Can University is dedicated to the prospect that we are indeed citizens and not brands or consumers or lemmings or however we allow ourselves to be defined.  A major obstacle in successfully traversing todays landscape is very simple.  Everything lies in its definition.  For example what is marketing?  Once defined as matching the needs and wants of the consumer with the products and services available; today it’s a matter of conditioning the consumer to buy products and services that are available whether they need them or not.  Much of this is crap, unnecessary and redundant.  Does Ron Popeil realize that most homes come equipped with an oven and a stove?  Most of this ends up at the ever proliferating consignment stores, yard and estate sales and eventually wind up in one of the five gyres (ocean garbage dumps), at least one being the size of Australia for heaven’s sake.  Does anyone know the working definition of an amateur athlete? How about free market capitalism?  Anybody?

During this awkward time between the gift giving season and the new year we often look reflectively on the previous 12 months and attempt to resolve to improve ourselves. Now I believe this is simply the product of a vacuum created from all of the holiday excitement, resulting in self assessment due to boredom or gluttony.  What of these New Years resolutions?  Are they dreams or goals?  Has anyone reviewed last years resolutions and assessed success or failure?  Here at The Trash Can University we ascribe these as goals to be met or exceeded, not wishes that are ultimately unfulfilled. Furthermore we believe that the statute of limitations on a resolution is seven weeks; meaning that if you are able to continue with your resolutions beyond Presidents Day February 18, then it’s likely that you’ve conditioned yourself for successfully fulfilling these resolutions, making them goals and not merely dreams.

This is why at The Trash Can University we start considering our goals for the upcoming calendar year during Thanksgiving break.  Customarily our first resolution involves giving.  In our county, there is a 25% poverty rate.  This means that 1 out of every 4 people living amongst us, whether they be children, adults or the elderly are hungry and cold if they have shelter at all.  This is embarrassing in a country that is so chock full of exceptionalism.  Insulting really.  The good part is that starting in early December we at TTCU are conditioned to think about these embarrassing statistics, giving responsibly to local people in need, thus creating muscle-memory and ultimately renewal on January 1, giving us the potential of surpassing the statute of resolution limitations.  Believe me; if you’re paying attention and give more than lip service to social concern, you’ll never run out of opportunities to give for the entire 12 months, thus creating a less dreadful reality for many instead of living in our own fantasy.  Oh, btw, do the same thing concerning exercise, weight loss or any other goal for the upcoming year.  It’s not like there aren’t things to improve on.

Dr. Burbank