Imagine a pet mouse in its little cage, running on its treadwheel. No matter how much it runs, or how hard, it gets absolutely nowhere.

The mouse in this analogy represents the consumer.

No offense to anyone. We are all consumers, although not necessarily to the same degree.

Nevertheless, in this story I would like to compare "Person A" running the treadmill, with "Person B" walking his or her Path.

Let's say that both Person A and Person B want a new backpack.

Person A, the consumer, "wisely" decides to research what the market has to offer. Off to the library for a pile of recent backpacking magazines. After hours of reading biased articles, studying biased equipment reviews, and gawking at biased advertisements, its back to the computer to spend more time perusing newsgroups and biased gear-related websites for even more so-called information.

After all this "research," Person A's head is full of other people's opinions and beliefs. As such, he or she feels very knowledgable.

But it is not real knowledge. No matter how complex and extensive, it is only a morass of merchandising propaganda spewing from companies, and opinions and beliefs from consumers who are often very inexperienced despite their claims to the contrary.

None of this morass will help Person A in any way. It simply opens his or her pockets. For the marketeers fishing for people's hard-earned money, Person A is the sucker. What is the bait? The so-called information in the magazines and on the internet.

Let's say that Person A spent eight hours running the treadmill. With the most appropriate consumer beliefs, he or her purchases a backpack. Ho hum. (no matter how expensive, how complex, how feature laden, that pack will soon become just another meaningless possession.) But then comes the day to go hiking. At least this person now has a backpack. So it is off the treadmill at last, and into the wilds. Great!

OK, Back to the start. Let's say this time that Person B spends those same eight hours making a backpack.

In those eight hours, Person B spares his or her precious mind of a tidal wave of corporate brainwashing, and an avalanche of private opinions. Moreover, he or she learns and practices an exceedingly valuable skill - sewing his or her own gear.

The two approaches both lead to a new backpack. But only one of those backpacks is going to impress everyone (when Person B explains that he or she made it themself.)

This is not meant to promote my backpack kits; I am only using that as an example to highlight the different mentalities between Person A the consumer running the treadmill and getting nowhere, and Person B walking his or her Path, learning and practicing new skills, and enjoying a well-earned sense of pride in the results.

Instead of a backpack, let's say that Person A wants to buy a new car. So he or she goes through the same routine, running the treadmill. And let's say that after months of "research" he or she springs for a brand new Corvette, Hummer, or you name it - pick your dream machine.

Now picture Person A stuck in traffic. What difference the type of car?

While cycling across the country I noticed that the people with newer, more powerful and higher performing cars and trucks were the most frustrated drivers. The congested traffic, road conditions, and the cops do not allow these people to put the pedal to the metal. The impatience often leads to frustration, frustration to aggression, and the aggression sometimes leads to what appears to be inane hatred of other motorists, and sometimes even to mangled vehicles and bodies.

Such is life on the consumer treadwheel. It gets people nowhere, and it fails miserably in providing the promised happiness.

Imagine a $15,000 wall-mounded television. It is nothing but a treadmill. Most newspapers, magazines, and merchandise-related internet sites are the same. They get people nowhere.

Stepping off the treadwheel, switching off the tv or computer; throwing the magazines into the recycle bin, we might enjoy a walk or bicycle ride. The fresh air and exercise will surely bring a sense of revitalization. We may see a few interesting birds, plants or trees. And we might enjoy thinking our own thoughts, as opposed entertaining the incessant barrage of other people's thoughts. Returning home, we might spend a few enjoyable hours on a hobby, and yes that could include sewing our own gear. Or making a knife, or woodworking, knitting or whatever - the possibilities are unlimited. Then we might complete the day with a good book - only you can decide what that means. It might mean astronomy, math or science, adventure narratives, higher consciousness, or whatever. The point is, when stepping off the consumer treadwheel, we walk our own Paths, and live for the benefit of ourselves, rather than for other people.