Charles Bukowski, patron saint of poetry and humanistic composition (and of alcoholic drinkers) used to assert, that human beings, regardless of why (cause or motive), would always end up drinking some form of this alcoholic beverage at some point in their lives. I think he used common sense and not to arrive at that assertion. In fact, what he asserts, is what has inspired me to make this post. I like to see society as the sum of a whole, and ourselves, in turn, as part of that whole....
Habits, vices, manners, customs, are some of the ways we usually refer to explain (to others, or even to ourselves) why we do what we do. In this sense, we forget that in our minds are engraved many aspects of our lives that today explain broad characteristics of our personalities. The actor (from Game of Thrones), whose real name escapes me but who plays Jamie Lannister in the series, recently spoke about the impact alcohol had on his life. Not because he was a heavy drinker of the substance, but because of the obvious and incalculable damage that today, more than 40 years after his childhood, still brings tears to his eyes?
Some examples such as Bukowski or Mr. Lannister are unfortunately abundant in any latitude you look at. Regardless of historical time, the amount of money in our wallets or even whether we are happy or not, alcohol is a constant. It defines part of our behaviour... It seems a bitter truth, difficult to accept and even more controversial to discuss. But I bring it up, because it is part of the philosophy that gives this community its name. Minimalism, although it would seem a priori, far from the mundane and ordinary habit of drinking alcohol and enjoying it, does not escape from being able to offer us an approximation to the truth.
Clearly, our realities, regardless of colour, religion, belief, gender, economic status and whatever else you wish to add, have become intolerable for the vast majority of human beings. It is what lies behind the impulse to seek pleasurable outlets for our existence plagued by needs, demands and little empathy and companionship. Added to the fact that we tend to romanticise certain moods and certain actions; we are practically too easy bait for the most consumed beverage in the world, after water...
And if you think about it, dear friend, existence can be too overwhelming. It is neither a justification, nor an excuse, still less a sign of ‘weakness’. It is simply what it is. What we have to live with. Sometimes, we can adapt and become one with the system (you are born, you grow, you work, you reproduce and you die in silence), other times, it simply costs more. Alcohol is an easy, cheap and socially accepted way out of deep, hard and complex problems and issues. Minimalism is the knife that cuts in half the possibility of being one more, and ends up on the side that tries the opposite. Understand, analyse, think and learn from what happens, and nothing else.... Think about it.
