Do YOU have a Social Conscience?

One theme that runs through this perspective is being open enough to look and see what is wrong, before we can hope to fix it.

For whats the point in fixing a tap, if its the light that's not working.

Right now we could do with a little light shined on a few things that no longer make any sense.

What is abundantly clear is that our modern society has become increasingly dysfunctional. See the recent news around an Oxfam report (an economy for the 99%).

In an article dated 16 january 2017 entitled ''Even it up" they  state  that " 8 men own the same wealth as the 3.6 Billion people who make up the poorest half of humans according to a new report published today''.

The article can be viewed on their website (www.oxfam.org).

It seems that the process of globalisation which has been a hallmark of the modern world, has not only been dangerous to the health of our natural world. A rot has set in to our modern society itself.

The increasing economic divide in our society, the process of wealth concentration in a few hands is a dangerous precedent for the future.

Wealth is not trickling down through the economy. It is not heading in the direction of the poor and dispossessed. It is being sucked by a magnetic force in the direction of a privileged minority, while it eludes those who need it most.

Our monetary system is stagnating as pools of money coagulate in concentrated pools. For a lot of the world its just not circulating at all. It is not benefitting. It is not reaching. Its not working

So what has gone wrong?

This is a complex issue. There are many causes, and the international trend away from workers rights to a form of protectionism for business and finance is part of it.

Around the world, workers are increasingly being marginalised, while groups such as shareholders , directors , bankers are increasingly being increasingly rewarded and in some cases protected.

A transfer of wealth has been underway for years, and the poor and working classes around the world have been paying the price for it.

We live in a world where rewards are also being distorted by an unfair marketplace. Where real value and contribution is increasingly not being recognised and rewarded appropriately.

 A World where CEO's earn ever greater multiples of a workers salary. Where kicking a football is infinitely more valuable than the ability to save lives.

Increasingly our society idolises the trivial, and is loosing sight of value or reality.

Homogenous, boring globalisation. Rampant commercialisation and consumption. Privatisation. Confiscation of the worldwide heritage, for the benefit of the few.

Yes, power can be corrupting. It can be abused. There are plenty of examples of that daily on the news.... HOWEVER...

It can also be used as a transformative power for GOOD. For Capitalism, when combined with caring, with compassion ,can be used to generate good. It all depends ultimately on what damage is done on the way to capitalistic victory, and what good is done with the end result. The proceeds.

Once you have it, the capital, you have a choice,. To use it all yourself, if you can, or to do something noble with it.

There are powerful examples of the benevolence of wealthy patrons making huge differences. Andrew Carnegie is an exceptional one, and a super example to anyone currently lucky enough to find themselves in the top economic elite.

Luckily there also seem to be modern day equivalents, who have expressed a willingness to follow that noble lead. Reportedly a number of people to be found in the list of the eight richest people are also planning on doing something similar.

Just think what good could be achieved if that example was embraced by more of this group. What sort of legacy of love for the world that would amount too. What a difference that could make. What could then be possible.

Why waste valuable resources to conquer space, when we have so much to do to ensure that our own space, this wonderfull planet earth, remains a life sustaining one? Why not use them to ring fence and protect vital natural resources that are under threat.

Why not undertake your own massive renovation projects to bring life back to the large areas already laid waste by human activity?. Why not create new forests that can help influence climates and bring lasting relief from issues such as local droughts?

Why not help by using these financial resources to bring more life sustaining enviroments back to this planet , and to protect those we have.

That would have a lasting impact. That would be a lasting legacy. It would benefit generations of people. It could play a priceless role in helping sustain a life supporting environment for us all.

For generations people would have reason to celebrate and remember such philanthropy. For right now such acts could make an enormous difference.

After all is said and done, what is the point in being ridiculously wealthy in a world that's struggling for survival?

In a world of interconnectivity, ultimately all our fates are linked together. Its important at this time to have a social conscience.

Its important to leave a legacy of love for our HOME.

The Wonder of Winter

Winter is my favourite time of the year. There is something special about the cosy darkness and the quality of the light(when it comes),

The weather can also get the upper hand so as on Saturday here.

We woke to a white world of snow. Because it was hazy there was a grey veil wrapped around the landscape. Traffic lay still. For a short period nature had won.

Looking out from the front of the house you could believe that the world stopped somewhere just out there. It was like looking out over the end of the world. No houses, no cars, no movement apart from the birds.

Nothing human moved. Stillness. Rest. Solitude. Quiet.

Given the right conditions even cities can fall silent under the velvet force of snow.

Sometimes we get a phenomena called ice rain, when the roads can directly freeze and people can ice skate on the roads.

But even in the depths of winter, if you brave the cold, you can see signs of life in the garden.. In a sheltered spot a winter Jasmin with cheerful yellow flowers has been blooming since December..

Look further and you can see spring bulbs beginning to form, ready for early spring which after all is not so far away. That means with luck the garden should have year round something blooming..

Walking in the snow with the dogs is a real Joy. They really know how to enjoy themselves in it. Just as children they have a sense of playful wonder and spontaneity.

Apart from the birds you may not see much movement , but the snow tells the tale of what has passed that way. The sound of it crunching under foot. Even dodging the icy bits.

The World has wonder in it.

Embracing the Divine

"The most beautiful experience we can have is the mysterious. It is the fundamental emotion that stands at the cradle of true art and science. Whoever does not know it and cannot wonder, no longer marvel, is as good as dead, and his eyes are dimmed.""

(Albert Einstein)

 

Look around you, and you will see that the Divine is all around us. It is to be found especially in the living things.. It is to be found within ourselves.

When we attack our natural world, we attack ourselves. We become our own worst enemy.

Defend the Divine in yourself. Defend the Divine in the World.

Embrace the Divine.

The Shift. A Thought for New Year

''No matter how far you have travelled down the wrong road , turn back''...(old Turkish Proverb)

 

You may recall that I recently spoke about our ability to choose whether we are positive or negative particles in the tidal wave of humanity engulfing the world.

You may be wondering what I am talking about, and what this has to do with environmentalism and protecting our biosphere. You may find the concept not concrete enough, so here is another perspective , an exert from the latest living planet report (www.panda.org).

I refer to comments made in the above report by Marco Lambertni , which I think sum the situation up very effectively.

"' We need to transition to an approach that decoupleshuman and economic development from environmental degradation...perhaps the deepest cultural and behavioural shift ever experienced by any generation'.''

He then goes further...

'' These changes are upon us, and if we are awed by the scale of the challenges that this generation is facing, we should be equally motivated by the unprecedented opportunity to build a future in harmony with the planet''.

Thank you Mr Lambertni.

In essence we now have a choice at a defining moment in our history as a species. Do we consciously change, and evolve, or do we blindly follow the same path knowing it leads to destruction.

We can now consciously choose to change and evolve. We can set a new course now that we can recognise that the one we are currently on is no longer a good or wise choice.

That choice to persue harmony, to value and protect what is divine, could be one of the most unifying positive choices we as individuals or as a species could make.

When we evolve and transcend our current limitations of character and nature , we will open the floodgates to joy.

Wherever you are in the world, I wish you a very happy 2017.

.

Its Christmas time!

Because its Christmas time I thought an appropriate photo must include.... some snow!

No doubt you too have received a bunch of nostalgic looking Christmas cards....with pictures of snow on them! Every year I get them... and every year they seem just that little bit more redundant.

Nostalgic yes, but here in the northern hemisphere the traditional notions of a traditional white Christmas seem to be mostly an illusion these days, certainly where I come from.

Indeed last Christmas the media was full of stories of camping , barbecues and unseasonal butterflies.

All of which makes Christmas a great time to appreciate that for whatever reason , our climate and weather patterns appear to be changing dramatically in a surprisingly short time period.

I have today discovered two articles on the David Suzuki website that I would highly recommend to anyone who fancies a bit of perspective change over the festive period. One a bit lighter in tone than the other.

The first is entitled ''12 ways to green your holidays'' at www.davidsuzuki.org . The second is entitled ''tread lightly to lift the burden of the world".

I would suggest that the second article contains some insights that may help explain the mystery of the disappearing snow.

Wishing you a merry, meaning full Christmas.

The Advent of Perspective

Decenber is a busy month with a lot of interesting things contained within it .

Here in the northern hemisphere it is the darkest month of the year, the month of December lights. Depending on your perspective the darkness is either to be feared , or welcomed for the cosy interlude it can be.

For it is the time of the winter solstice for us in the north, (and for the southern hemisphere, the time of the summer solstice). The period of maximum light in one hemisphere , and maximum darkness in the other.

It is therefore a time of extremes.

Our behaviour tends to also become pretty extreme at this time of year, because of course it is also the time of advent, the run up to Christmas, with all the pressures and expectations that brings.

Many of the traditions associated with Christmas seem to be slowly disappearing as the festive season is again hijacked by a commercial world that wants to sell us things. It has become a celebration of our excesses, a vital barometer of the health of our economies.

I can tell its the run up to Christmas because the roadways around here are full of livestock wagons, full of unfortunate animals who are about to satisfy our generally excessive consumption of meat at this time.

The Christmas commercials come earlier each year with large multi nationals churning out picture postcard commercials celebrating a phoney commercial version of the Christmas spirit.

It has apparently now become a trend here to have two Christmas trees. I have just seen a news article about a couple who have 100 trees in their house! More does seem to be better these days , even if you don't need it.

This does provide an interesting opportunity , for anyone who cares to look for examples of the unnecessary excesses in our society. Do you think our experiences of Christmas are getting better as a result, or do you think they are being diminished?

Advent in Christian tradition is the time of the coming of the king, the promise of something good.. Long before Christianity, this special period was celebrated for its potent reminder of the natural cycles of which we are all a part.

Why do we in our culture then trivialise it. Why are we loosing touch with the very point of it. Why have we allowed it to be hijacked and contorted into a celebration of our consumerism?

The dark nights make it a perfect time for a bit of reflection, a bit of reconsidering.

Why not consciously choose to take a bit of the pressure out of the whole thing?Why not stand back a bit. Why not be less excessive with your gifts. Why do you feel you have to give so many?.

We could try to concentrate on quality rather than quantity this Christmas period. Try to rekindle some of the older traditions associated with it. Try to stand outside of the pressure and busyness of this period.

Or try not to pack so much in, try to slow down and enjoy it. Try to make real contact with your friends and family. Work on our relationships, our sense of community.

We could... consider buying less meat, make a concession to a hint of vegetarianism in our feasting. Be aware of the cost of what is being served up on our Christmas plates.

Simplify your Christmas , if you dare. Strip it back down to the basics. On every level we could be better off.ur wallets will likely thank you for a bit of moderation and any post Christmas hangover could be just a little less intense!.

Use this period of Advent, the promise of something good, as a turning point.

Make something good with a simple change of perspective.

Less can be more.

The Wave

'Exponential problems require Exponential solutions" (mark Spain)

A wave has been forming and its beginning to rise higher. It is a human wave, that has the power of a tsunami, but a tsunami without end. It keeps pushing onwards, relentlessly swallowing the world.

All the signs are that it is only going to get stronger as all the ingrediants are there for a perfect storm which will engulf our world, and which shows little sign of exhausting itself.

Our success as a species has come at a huge cost to our world, wherever you find yourself in it. These changes do not respect artificial borders and boundaries as we consume our way through our world.

this wave will then keep rolling on, so what can we do? we cannot run from it, because it will eventually overtake us all..It is therefore time to think creatively.

There are after all many kinds of waves, not just those composed of water. Their are radio waves , gravitational waves, sound waves, I could continue.

Waves do not out of necessity have to be destructive, for they can be constructive. They could for example be a wave of hope, a wave of positive contribution and change.

In the end it all depends on the nature of the particles from which the wave is composed. That determines whether the wave is constructive, creative helpifull(a blessing), or whether it is a negative force to be feared.

Positive, negative. Ying, yang. Creative, destructive. The wave is what we make it.

We get to choose what sort of particle we will be in this wave. We could choose to be a positive one. We could choose to attract and inspire other positive particles. Where necessary we can change our natures to honour our potential to be positive creators of something good and worthwhile.

We can choose to be inspired and directed by a vision of making a better wold.

The whole process is remarkably simple . All you have to commit to is making your own bit of the world a better place.

Why not be a Beacon of hope , a positive creative force for change. Work on your own life. Inspire others to do the same, to also become positive energetic particles for good.

Who says the coming wave has to be a harmfull one? It does not. But unless we become positive particles by confronting our shortcomings and being motivated to change, it will be a devastating wave that engulfs the world.

The choice begins with you. Positive or negative. Asset or liability. Constructive or destructive.. Only you can choose which you will be.

Become a better particle. Help create a positive human wave of change.

Thanksgiving.

So another Thanksgiving day has passed, and hopefully if you celebrated it you enjoyed it.

In Europe we are not familiar with it as it is, unlike Halloween a tradition which until now has not crossed the pond. In a way that's a shame as the idea behind it seems a nice one, giving thanks, being gratefull etc.

It is a celebration of the first successful harvest from the pilgrim fathers, the first western settlers, who were apparently helped by an indian summer and some very kind local Indians. It is celebrated on the 4th Thursday in November, and the following Friday is called Black Friday., the day when many americans are free to shop.

I wonder what the pilgrim fathers would make of things today? It was really not so long ago, America is such a young  nation and when you stop to consider it it takes your breath away.

I have for example just been reminded by my computer that in 1805 William clark rejoiced when he reached the Columbia estuary on the pacific coast.. Look at what has happened in the intervening 200 odd years!

The landscape has been radically altered. Great cities and infrastructure projects have left their mark. Progress at an astonishing pace.

The pilgrim fathers would not recognise modern agricultural production. They would probably be shocked by the scale of it, the mechanisation, the bombardment of pesticides and fertilizers.

They would probably be amazed at how we have increasingly moved away from respecting and working with nature, and now increasingly challenge and abuse it. How we destroy it.

They would probably be dismayed by the destruction of virgin forests, and the hunting of species such as the buffalo to virtual extinction.

They would probably not have liked to bear witness to how inappropriate farming methods created an environmental catastrophe like the dustbowl.

They would probably not approve of the wastefulness in our land usage and production or the way in which so much of that usable food production is simply thrown away into landfill sites.

They would have probably been horrified at what subsequently happened to the indigenous peoples ofAmerica (the so called red Indians). After all it seems that in part they owed their survival to the friendly natives they encountered.

All in the name of progress, the persuit of a dream at any cost.

What then would they have made of Black Friday, the celebration of our consumerism?

Where are we likely to be as a civilisation in another 200 years?

What lessons can be learnt from the growth pains of the American nation?

If mistakes were made , do we have to keep on repeating them?

Be thankfull. Be gratefull,. Be aware of the cost.

.

Empowerment

Questions are powerfull things. They help to illuminate the path to solutions.

Questions such as ...why do things have to be the way they are?.. Is there not a better way?....What can we personally do to help find it?... or...How can I contribute to a better world?.

There are so many aspects of modern life that we accept without question. Should we do so?

Following on from last week, I want to emphasise that no matter what the outcomes short term, I can see some positive in the fact that electorates are beginning to question, beginning to seek change.

In fact you could go further. You could say that they give reason for hope, because they prove that seismic change is possible.

For we now live in an era where the tools have never been better to enable this process. They are available to more and more of us.

The technology is there to connect, to inspire, to organise, to form groups, to form movements to form revolutions. It has already happened throughout the world. Movements, political uprisings.

To be clear here, I am advocating the intelligent use of this power for the purpose of good. with the aim of bringing more Joy, more hope , more peace, to our world home. I am talking about a soft revolution, a raising of our levels of consciousness.

Individually we may feel powerless, but together we are strong. Together we can change the world so lets try to make sure that we are seeking to change the things that need to be changed, for the right reasons.

The right questions can shape the process.

Short term performance versus long term vision and stability. Emotional reaction versus wisdom. Sprint or marathon...Hopelessly lost Versus a sense of direction..

What we need now is a sense of long term vision, a sensible course that honours us and honours the world we live in. I say this because I believe that future inhabitants of our home will look back with abhorrence at many of our current norms.

Throughout history, with the benefit of hindsight, we see that accepted practices were in fact wrong. Currently a lot of our accepted practices are I believe morally and ethically wrong.

Despite all our advances in technology, we are stuck with our stone age mindsets. We have until now failed to live up to our potential. We have failed in our duties as guardians of this planet.

The right questions, asked now, could make all the difference. 

Currently it feels like we are zig zagging in a random ,chaotic emotional manner without a long term plan or destination. The short term nature of our electoral processes, needs to be somehow balanced with  meaningful long term objectives.

Vast sums of money were apparently spent on the last election campaign in the US. Was it money well spent or was it wasted. Where could it have been better spent? What long term good could have been done with it?

How many great candidates are out there who will never have the chance, because they do not have access to sufficient funding? Why is their not more choice?

Could not one person with a computer now become a catalyst for change without a huge war chest? Could that not be an inflection point towards a better world?

In a world of interconnectedness who knows?

Empower yourself. Ask some questions.

Particularly ask questions of the corporations, governments and institutions you support. if you don't like the answers... withdraw your support.

People are powerfull things. Together they are strong.

The Emporer has no clothes!

I am not American, and I have little knowledge over the next president other than the usual media stories which are often not very flattering.

Many appear to be totally disillusioned, so here is another perspective which I hope has some positive in it.

Firstly, it is clear that voters around the world are beginning to feel actively discontented about the malaise that the world finds itself in. Short term policies and short term thinking and responses . A lack of wisdom and vision.  A combination of factors have created a real mess.

While I am no expert in politics or economics, simple common sense has led me to the conclusion that our institutions have ceased to function well. That dysfunctionality is I believe dangerous for our society, and dangerous for our world.

Our political systems seem to be rife with lobbying groups, and interests that are eroding the integrity of a system that badly needs an overhaul. They have in effect been compromised.

The effect of this is that all to often the hope is crushed out of politics as yet another politician with promise is thwarted in their attempts to engender meaningful change. Or yet another election promise dissolves and disappears like dust in the wind.

We need democratic systems that truly represent and protect the interests of the electorates as a whole. We need International institutions that truly work and can help shape and guide and positively influence the expanding global village. We need gobal wisdom, and global solutions to global problems which do not respect artificial borders.

Meanwhile the trust is gone. Electorates feel despondent and disillusioned. Faith has evapourated. More of us are noticing that the Emporer has no clothes. He is bankrupt, and not just financially. That is a good.

For in effect, the cement that binds our society together is weakened with some sort of rot. It is therefore time to rebuild something better. The more people that realise this, the better.

One of the main culprits seems to be an out of control financial system that is proving very adept at exploiting the benefits of globalisation. Our democratic and legal systems should be in a position to exert control, but they seem to have lost it.

In the end it is now up to us as individuals, as consumers and voters to start saying NO.

The good news is that voters around the world do now seem to be stirring into action. Their real discontent is leading to real change. While the choices now being made may not currently be the best, the process of change has started.

It is still dark but this could just be the beginning phase of a new dawn. A glimmer of hope.

Our responsibility as individuals consumers and voters is to make sure that that process of change goes in the right direction. We need to see beyond the short term electoral bribe. We need to be aware of the bigger picture.

We need to get a lot more organised and sophisticated. We have to empower ourselves, because ultimately, we are the power. Its time to stand up and say enough. It is time to exert our power to make the world a better place.

Going back to Americas next president. He is obviously a very talented man. He has shown a great talent for accumulating wealth. He has won a presidency. He is also a parent and a family member.

He must be aware that the fate of his family, of those he loves, is directly connected to that of all of us, because republican or democrat, or whatever your political or religious beliefs or your financial status or other distinguishing feature, WE ALL SHARE ONE HOME.

This is the one unifying truth that is not being adequetly honoured in modern politics. Whoever you voted for, what answers were they offering up to prevent your quality of life and that of your children, from deteriorating further?

Let us hope that Americas new president has the wisdom to see beyond simple economics and the fortitude to make a real positive difference FOR THE WORLD. For what is the point in a healthy dynamic growing economy in a world that is dying around it.

America cannot continue to live in an isolated fortress within a global village.  Eventually the global nature of the problems we are facing will overwhelm it too. Far better to take an active role now in making sure it is a world fit for all to live in.

Hopefully the new president will be wise enough to appreciate that his descendants will not be able to live in an ivory tower, if the world around it is no longer a fit place to live in. 

Lets hope for a pleasant surprise. Lets hope for wisdom. Let us hope he leaves a positive legacy for the world.    .