ฮฑ what can i do to make the world a better place? ฮฉ
Posted: Sun, May 7, 2006 08:42:47 AM
well first off -- fill up my coffee mug -- BRB ---
i know that sounds a bit glib, but these days, i have more than enough strife, turmoil and chaos in my immediate vicinity, that taking a more global view seems a bit counter-productive. it is not that i do not care that our civil liberties are being whittled away, nor that my government is playing a fame of nuclear brinkmanship with a middle eastern country, nor that the rich are getting richer nor that the corporate wants more of my money and gives me less bang for my buck. i do care about these issues and many more, in fact if i chose to i could go on for hours about how terrible and strife-filled the world seems to be getting these days and worry myself sick about what to do to change it. however, one of the gifts i have received as a result of working the program, is the ability to let go of things beyond my power to control and make changes to the things i can.
one of things i can change is my behavior. if i feel that life is uncivil, i need to look at my actions, am i being civil and courteous? if i feel that gas prices are way too high, am i cutting back the miles i drive to reduce demand? if one of my peers who chose to use, ended-up in the hospital, am i being warm and welcoming instead of judgmental and harsh? if i do not care for the direction that my government is taking, am i participating in the process or just whining about it? while none of these actions, on the surface, seem like they will affect great change, in actuality each can contribute to a greater whole. if i want to affect peace i need to speak and act as peacefully as i can right now. i do have the ability to start change, at least in my tiny pocket of the world, and the rest i must leave up to powers greater than me, not the least being THE POWER THAT KEPPS ME CLEAN AND PROVIDES FOR ALL MY NEEDS! so off to a sunday and hopefully affecting peace through my living actions.
i know that sounds a bit glib, but these days, i have more than enough strife, turmoil and chaos in my immediate vicinity, that taking a more global view seems a bit counter-productive. it is not that i do not care that our civil liberties are being whittled away, nor that my government is playing a fame of nuclear brinkmanship with a middle eastern country, nor that the rich are getting richer nor that the corporate wants more of my money and gives me less bang for my buck. i do care about these issues and many more, in fact if i chose to i could go on for hours about how terrible and strife-filled the world seems to be getting these days and worry myself sick about what to do to change it. however, one of the gifts i have received as a result of working the program, is the ability to let go of things beyond my power to control and make changes to the things i can.
one of things i can change is my behavior. if i feel that life is uncivil, i need to look at my actions, am i being civil and courteous? if i feel that gas prices are way too high, am i cutting back the miles i drive to reduce demand? if one of my peers who chose to use, ended-up in the hospital, am i being warm and welcoming instead of judgmental and harsh? if i do not care for the direction that my government is taking, am i participating in the process or just whining about it? while none of these actions, on the surface, seem like they will affect great change, in actuality each can contribute to a greater whole. if i want to affect peace i need to speak and act as peacefully as i can right now. i do have the ability to start change, at least in my tiny pocket of the world, and the rest i must leave up to powers greater than me, not the least being THE POWER THAT KEPPS ME CLEAN AND PROVIDES FOR ALL MY NEEDS! so off to a sunday and hopefully affecting peace through my living actions.
∞ DT ∞