We Pay Too Little Attention To Our Need For Tranquility, Peace and Serenity

"There is a pervasive form of contemporary violence to which the idealist...most easily succumbs: activism and overwork. The rush and pressure of modern life are a form, perhaps the most common form, of its innate violence. To allow oneself to be carried away by the multitude of conflicting concerns, to surrender to too many demands, to commit oneself to too many projects, to want to help everyone in everything, is to succumb to violence...it destroys the fruitfulness of ones own work, because it kills the root of inner wisdom which makes work fruitful." ~ Thomas Merton

With so many Americans today struggling to make a living and make ends meet, it's a sad story many have to tell about their frustrations of not having enough quality time with their families, the financially harsh choices they often have to make every day, the exhaustion of their own bodies and spirits as they strive to maintain some optimism for the future against so many seemingly depressing odds. Many smoke, over-eat, over-shop and try to keep up for their childrens sake who can easily be affected by materialistic peer pressure from school mates. Many parents and children are on antidepressants. And many working Americans have stress related health problems. Every working American deserves a livable wage as well as time for tranquility, peace and serenity in their lives.