Monday, June 4, 2018

Refuse

The essential part of a buffet is that the diners can see the food on offer and select from a wide choice of variety. Yet at the most sumptuous buffets, many of us eat a bit of everything and end up overeating to the point of discomfort. We find it difficult to refuse even when not forced to eat.

At the smaller buffets, we are better at exercising restraint. But when the buffet spread gets larger in terms of food items, we lose control! It is a human behavioural trait that when we are offered plenty of options, our judgement is affected. When we are spoilt for choice, our choice gets spoilt and awry.


It is pertinent to note that when we don’t refuse, we receive refuse. The first ‘refuse’ is the verb that expresses our unwillingness to accept. But the second one refers to the worthless, unwanted or plain, simple trash. Those who cannot refuse the excess on offer; end up having excess refuse in their stomachs.

The analogy can be applied in many spheres including environmental concerns. The mounting menace of trash heaping up is a matter of distress. However, it is clear that gluttony is the cause and this gluttony is born of the inability to refuse the excess. We consume more than we require and end up with a growing pile of refuse.

We can do our significant bit for our environment by refusing the needless. We should refuse to use vehicles when we can walk. We should refuse to acquire more when we can use less. We should refuse to consume more when we can consume less. When we refuse thus, we will be relieved of refuse in our bodies… and in our world!

For the ailment of profuse refuse
The ointment is to simply refuse!


~ Pravin Sabnis

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