Pledging Allegiance

I had a small revelation over my toast this morning. My toast, the honey I put on it, the wine I had last night, dinner, yesterday’s lunch… All of it had been locally produced.

My food’s origins were far less abstract than what I was used to. They were more tangible, leaving me with a deeper connection to my surroundings. I felt part of a greater whole.

It got me thinking about the hierarchy of duty: Who should I consider first when making any sort of decision? To whom do I owe a pledge of allegiance?

I realized you must first pledge allegiance to yourself. Without you there is no one else. Then you owe allegiance to family. Then to friends. Then you can pledge allegiance to your town/city. Your state. Your country. Then, and only then, do you pledge any allegiance to the world.

Events that exist outside of our sphere of influence are necessarily abstract and fuzzy. We’re disconnected from them and inherently misinformed. Pledging our allegiance to these forces causes confusion and frustration.

Our duty is first to the local; we work our way out from there.

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