I TRAVELED FOR A LIVING as a flight attendant with Delta Air lines. It is a great job and it literally can take you around the world. During my 28 years of flying, staying in different cities on various overnight layovers, I began to notice something - here in this country and abroad. If you have traveled or moved lately, maybe you have noticed the same thing as well - we're living in a cookie-cutter world.

In the past each continent of the world had its own energy, a specific feeling that made it unique. The same could be said about different countries, states, and regions. Traditionally each area had its own unique flavor and distinct characteristics and as such, attracted individuals that matched that particular energy. People are attracted to specific regions because they match their own interests, family heritage or personality. Huntington Beach, where I live, attracts a more relaxed, fun-loving type of person.

Traveling around to various regions of the world, one could enjoy a variety of customs, clothing, money, foods, songs, dances, and spiritual traditions. Even the languages and dialects of certain places drew people in. Look at Europe where these differences provided you with entertainment and extraordinary culinary experiences and could affect you physically, mentally and emotionally in different ways.

When I was in Rome, Italy years ago for a brief 14-hour layover, I felt like I was home and yet I had never been there before and couldn't understand a word they said! There was an indescribable connection there for me. One I can't explain. But, hey, my name Gina is Italian, so maybe that means something!

Over the years I've noticed that much of this diversity is gradually dissipating - and it seems, with careful planning. Languages are all assimilating slowly, slowly, into the one global language of English. Monies are being integrated into one global currency. Every town in the world now seems to have a McDonald's or Burger King. And more recently, a Star Bucks is popping up on every corner.

Small businesses, especially in this country, are quietly being targeted. Take the office supply business for example. There used to be a myriad of small independent office supply stores where personal and individualized service made the shopping experience enjoyable for the customer and the employees as well. Then massive stores like Staples, Office Depot, and Office Max appeared on the scene. Small business could no longer compete price wise or efficiently offer the same volume of services as the national chain stores. Many of these neighborhood businesses had to close their doors. It should be no surprise to find out that these three mega-store chains are now having financial difficulties. Soon, one or two of these giants will bow out of the market and there will be only one and possibly two places left to purchase office supplies.

This scenario occurs over and over, one industry at a time. In agriculture, small farmers are slowly being replaced by corporate industry. It is becoming less and less feasible for people to go into business for themselves. Just opening up a business bank account takes a mountain of paperwork. Employee benefits and taxes paid by small businesses are consuming more and more of their profit margin. Unable to compete and/or comply with complex and expensive state and federal laws, they soon cease to exist, leaving us with only large, faceless bureaucratic organizations. And most of corporations take on a depersonalized and desensitized view of the individual - employees and customers alike.

One of the more glamorous aspects of being a flight attendant is definitely the layovers. It used to be a thrill for the crews to shop for unique items in various cities around the country. However, today, one shopping mall looks like another. All have the same basic stores with little or no variety or local flavor. Even the food courts offer few choices where local foods and flavors can be enjoyed. Individuality and diversity are slowly dissipating. With everyone is working nine to five or even more, there is much less chance of individual creativity. One town looks like the next, one region is becoming more and more similar to the others, and each individual is becoming more and more like the next person. Welcome to our cookie-cookie world.

Here's something else that makes these trends even more interesting. Throw in some emotional upheaval like September 11th and you get everyone's thoughts flowing in the same direction. There have been numerous government-generated studies on physical and emotional health that can accurately predict how the public will react when a given a certain set of circumstances. They know what fear and fright do to people. They know how exactly how the masses will respond.

One mind-pattern is much easier to control and manipulate. Most animals operate with a group mind, commonly referred to as a "herd mentality" because most have not yet realized their individualized mind. Whatever one animal does, the others will automatically follow, without thinking. Creating a "herd" mentality among humans is the most effective way to control them.

We see this effort being demonstrated every day especially through television. Commercials run over and over, 24 hours a day 7 days a week. One commercial suggests that 7 out of 10 Americans are depressed, that 1 out of 3 cannot sleep and that 1 out of 2 Americans are confused. Are you? Are your family and friends? Or is this what they want us to believe so we will buy their drugs or force our doctors to prescribe drugs we do not need? Think about it carefully. Are you in control of your own thoughts or is someone shaping them for you? Look closely at the circumstances around you and make your own decisions.

I would like to ask you these important questions:

• Did you come into this world as a uniquely radiant, multi-dimensional star-shaped cookie only to find out that only plain old flat, round cookies are acceptable?
• Throughout your life, have you tried to change, shape and mold yourself into something that you are not?
• Have you cut off those magnificent arms that you once had from your unique cookie just to fit in?
• And if so, did you do this to please others or to please yourself?

Maybe that is why people are depressed, unable to sleep and confused!

It is more important than ever to choose to live our lives in freedom. Yes, we should think before we act, but always maintain our individuality. And celebrate, honor and respect the individuality of others as well. Let's set aside the judgments or programming of advertisers, big business and government. I invite you to step outside of the current cookie-cutter world and really live the life you were meant to live. I invite you to live out the life of the brilliant star that you are and taste how sweet life really can be!

© 2008, Gina E. Jones

ABOUT THE AUTHOR

Gina E. Jones is an award-winning author and screenwriter in California, USA. Her book, Flying Between Heaven and Earth, was voted a finalist in The National "Best Books" 2007 Awards (Fiction & Literature: New Age Fiction category). For more information: www.FlyingBetweenHeavenAndEarth.com.

Gina is also the founder of Scene The Light Productions, a multi-media company commissioned to bring inspiring and entertaining spiritual messages to Light. Her passion is the study of spirituality, metaphysics, prophecy, ancient civilizations, and nutritional health.

You can reach Gina E. Jones at: gina@SceneTheLight.com.