The Cookie Jar

To anyone who knows even a little about me will probably know that music plays a HUGE part in my life. While I can't sing or dance (and sorry to those people who have had to listen or watch me do either of those two things), I can't help but become lost in music. I have a pretty wide selection too... everything from Keith Urban to Eminem (who has a new CD coming out soon... WHAT!) to Jason Mraz to Pink Floyd and more. My favourite artist, however, is probably Jack Johnson - his music is relaxing, interesting AND his lyrics have a point!

The other day I was listening to the song Cookie Jar, by Jack (we're on a first name basis). I encourage you to check out the song:



On the front, the song is about a boy who shoots someone. They question from the boy to the father to the media, who all have an excuse about why the boy's actions cannot be blamed on them.

I truly believe that this is a trend that everyone continues. As I suggested in an earlier post, there are so many negative and destructive things that happen every day, and how easy it is for all of us say "well it's not my fault" and continue with our lives.
What is it that is keeping us from taking action? By taking action we are admitting to ourselves that there is a serious problem, and some people find that hard to admit? Or do we feel that if we stand up to fight, we are taking all the blame and will become the target of criticism? Are we driven by forces that make it personally better if the destruction occurs? Or are we all just lazy?

I think it is a combination of these 4 things. Going back to the song, take any one of the people that have been put up for blame, and consider their position. If the media man was to take the blame, he would be admitting to himself that there is a severe problem, he would be giving "media" a shameful connotation, he would be losing a great story to headline the news with, and lastly, taking the blame would require a lot of work on his part - you can't just take the blame and not do anything about it.

We see this attitude everyday in society... we are constantly placing the blame elsewhere because it is convenient. "I got a bad test mark because the teacher couldn't set a fair test", "I got a speeding ticket because the cop was in a bad mood", "the bum on the street is homeless because he is lazy", "the boy shot the gun because Eminem raps about guns". We reason with ourselves that all of these horrible things around us are not our own fault, but someone else's fault. This takes away our guilt, our personal connection, and lastly (and most importantly) our reason to do anything about it.

It's easy to do this, so I'm not writing this blog to condemn or insult people, more just to make them aware of this phenomenon that occurs... the matter of the fact is that I have done this many times as well. However, through my volunteer time with The Working Centre, I have begun to understand the necessity of accepting responsibility for the way our community operates. Through this acceptance, it has made each visit back to WASL feel more important and meaningful.

At the end of the day, someone (it doesn't matter who it is) has to stop the finger pointing and not just accept that there is a problem, but accept that they are a part of the problem - hence preparing them for a road to solving the problem. I hope I am able to delicately bring this idea to the youth at Stepping Stones International to help them take charge of their future!

Thanks for listening,
Matt