The Patriotic Parasite

I wish I did something of substance. I wish my day was spent serving a real purpose, making a real change in a life. What I do most of the day is help people who really don't need helping, who just propagate this millstone of capitalism and greed that crushes and rolls over us. We are grist, and instead of doing what my heart wants and trying to stop it, my job--what I am paid to do--is to try to feed that wheel. Ironic how I hate what I do--very biblical, in a Romans 7/lamenting sorta way.
I love to serve in some capacity and at this point in my life all I am doing is taking; I am a parasite. Ugh! I want to be a writer first, but I want to become a professor so that I can try to make a difference as a job. I don't want be what I do, but I want what I do to be a strong reflection of who I am. If and when I move south again, I want to get off my bony little ass and do at least some the following:
(1) volunteer at least once a month in a food bank or shelter
(2) actually volunteer with kids--become invested
(3) Start taking Pilades or Yoga (this is not service, but it'll help me and I need to be reminded that I want to do this)
(4) Switch to at least 75% organic (right now I'm probably 40%) foods. Co-Op preferred. Decrease packing and consumption overall.
(5) Join community env. group.
(6) Possibly Tutor writing
(7) Shop at places besides Home Depot, Wal-Mart and Barnes and Noble

I sincerely want a life that is service first and today I was realizing how little I am doing to see that come to fruition. Volunteering as a baker this past summer cemented in me what servitude can be, and how much it matters. I don't want to live the normal American lifestyle of one's head firmly up one's ass, and the best way to keep it out is to spend time doing things for people besides myself, not for myself.. So you go, Spooner, and you get your serving on. Yeah!