One of the primary markers of consciousness is the awareness that no man is an island; we are not alone, such that most things we do will have an effect on someone else.

I vividly remember sitting in my apartment in college, high-speed internet included in the rent I shared with three other people. Napster blew up, and I owned every song I could imagine and more. Eventually the stories came out about the RIAA fighting back and by the time I got to law school, colleges, students and grandmothers were being sued for downloading music and movies without permission and without paying.

I researched this issue to discern whether I could justify downloading in this manner any longer. I understand now that Limewire and similar services are legal because there is a lawful purpose, i.e., peers actual do send others files and information over these networks that do not violate state and federal laws. I also learned that media could be copied (in some instances) for the purposes of training and education. And even that sharing among family members could be justified. But, when I was downloading Zapp & Roger, it wasn’t for my mom and dad, it wasn’t to learn their techniques, and it wasn’t something I was ’sharing’ with someone else who was entitled to share it with me.

I have debated this issue with friends and family. I understand all the rationales: music companies charge too much, the artists already make enough, I’m not hurting anyone. But, all you have to do is watch the TLC Behind The Music to know they aren’t making as much as we think. And sure, CEO’s and music execs make tons of money but they aren’t the only ones involved.

No one is talking about Sharon in human resources, James in marketing or Luisa the file clerk at one of these music companies. They have families, too. And, as CD sales plummet and illegal downloading continues in spite of the availability of legal, online pay sites, there is a human cost to our actions. This question boils down to what we want our actions to say about us.

It doesn’t have to be called wrong or right, illegal or legal to be conscious of what we want the things we do to say about us. Do we want to say, “I can download this legally because (1) I am blessed and able, (2) this puts money into circulation that eventually comes back to me, and (3) this honors the work of musicians, technicians and printers that for the most part aren’t thought of?” Or do we want to say, “I have to get mine and I am not concerned about the people whose livelihoods are affected by my choice. ”

If the music costs too much the appropriate response and the appropriate message is sent by not purchasing it. And I put myself in the shoes of one of those artists. What if my legal services were available for pay on a website, but somehow someone found a way to hack into it and give it away for free? Sure, I could be a wildly successful and wealthy attorney because of my site, but it still would not entitle someone to appropriate my work in that manner.

We make conscious choices with our dollar. When we spend (most times) we are choosing to validate, encourage and express our support for a product or service. We are making a qualitative statement. And, I like to think that when I buy a Kirk Franklin album or Common video I am saying affirmatively, “thank you for the way this has blessed my life.” Now, I know there’s not a lot of time in the day to think about purchases and iTunes like that. But, that is what walking aware is all about: recognizing the power and the choice we have in each moment to contribute to the good in ourselves and others.