Take Action and Make a Better WorldWritten by Nisandeh Neta
Albert Einstein is quoted as having said, "the world is a dangerous place to live, not because of people who are evil, but because of people who don't do anything about it".These days, everybody is aware of social, environmental, emotional and spiritual destruction that penetrates every aspect of our life. Although we all 'know' this reality, we have funny ways of dealing with this knowledge. Some look other direction, "If I don't see this homeless person laying in gutter, then he isn't really there." Some pretend it doesn't exist, "It's not possible that they kill women and children, so it cannot be so." Others convince themselves it's not really their problem, "Let people in Middle-East kill each other, it doesn't affect me." Some say, it's not their responsibility; "I pay my taxes, so government should take care of that." Still others like to complain about situation, "In old days it was better, today everyone is corrupted, they should have..." The common thread in all these reactions is - inactivity. The result is a terminal disease called apathy. The only cure is taking action. Someone has to start and lead way, creating a better world. What about you? YES, YOU! You know what is wrong. Take a moment and make a list of all things that are presently wrong in world. From extinction of rainforests, warfare, poverty, violence in schools to favoring your work over your family. Make this list as complete as possible. Then take a look at it and get horrified for a moment. OK, STOP! You know what can be done differently. Take another moment and change your energy. Think of all possible solutions to any of problems you have just raised. Don't censor yourself. Just write down anything that comes to mind. Immediately your energy increases once more. OK, STOP! Now ask vital question, "What is it that I can do?" What can be your first step? Any action will do. Write it down. Commit yourself to do it. Starting now. How does it feel inside? If it looks like fear, name it excitement. How does it feel now? OK, stop analyzing, brainstorming, planning. Go out there and do it! NOW! I can hear you think, "I can't change this world alone?" Do you really believe it? Take action and people will follow. Most people are afraid to take initiative. Even when they realize that there is a problem, and even when they have a possible solution. People are afraid to take risk and be visible. People are afraid to make a mistake or look foolish. Most people prefer to sit in familiar shit, than to risk unknown... But something different is happening as soon as you are willing to become visible. Suggest a possible course of action, and start doing it. Immediately people around you will become confronted with their indifference. Some will support you, some will object. But apathy dissipates.
| | Quality of LifeWritten by Boyd Martin
Last night I watched Discovery Channel's "Extreme Martial Arts." I've always been inspired by discipline, purity, and soulfulness of martial arts training and accomplishment, and this show had it all. One segment was about breaking things such as concrete blocks and wooden slabs, using pure intention and force. At one point, after a few injuries were featured, announcer quipped, "It's not about pain. It's about not minding." That set me off in a couple of directions pertinent to physical well-being and how we get into compromising situations with our bodies. The most inspirational people to me are those who are extremely physically challenged, and yet accomplish great things or accomplish normal things, but only through sheer determination, inner vision and heart. They have risen above their "handicap," and have actually applied it to their advantage in creating deeply soulful lives. They are "not minding" their situations, and are finding within themselves power to experience a high quality of life. Such people as renown physicist, Stephen Hawking, great violinist Itzhak Perlman, Helen Keller, or champions of Special Olympics (who are champions of much more)--managed to achieve a high quality of life because they persisted in achievement of it, and that challenge tested much more of their abilities than those of us with eyes to see, legs to walk and hands to grasp. To me, these are super-people of humanity. They are testaments to power of life to transcend against all odds. The lesson for us "able" people is, here we are with all our limbs and faculties intact, and yet we insist on feeling sorry for ourselves because we're overweight, or have acne, or are depressed. The mystery lies in what drives these challenged people to be such inspirations and to accomplish so much for humanity. In my previous article I discussed power of decision, and certainly at some point in these people's lives, they made a heart-and-soul decision to rise above their disabilities. But more than that, there is a quality of striving and a certain emotional and spiritual center that glows brighter, and it informs them of their right to a quality life. I'm defining "quality life" as one in which goals are regularly achieved, morale is high, there is a high sense of well-being, and an aura of satisfaction around every endeavor, and all of this radiates out into world and uplifts families, communities and nations. But there are two insidious mutations of "not minding" that can disable anyone, and these are COMPLACENCY and COMPROMISE. They are pretty easy to spot in even a cursory self-inventory. Such rationalizations as, "It's not really too bad. I can live with it," or, "I'm getting too old for this," or, "It hurts, but I can still work," or even, "Somebody else with more talent and focus can do this instead of me." These are all "comfort zone" statements, and are single most destructive elements to anyone's quality of life. Of course, there is value in these rationalizations in that they invariably lead to more extreme and serious conditions, and when conditions get serious enough, changing them can become a matter of life and death--sometimes too late.
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