Wow! I am stunned to log in and see that it’s been since June 29th that I’ve written here. So many ideas have been building in my head, and I’ve found many interesting and inspiring things to share. First and foremost, this blog and website are about being catalysts for change, so if it’s change you’re after you are in the right place. There have been times when I’ve been pretty…wishy-washy about what I am willing to say here, never wanting to step on anyone’s toes or offend anyone, but the soul-searching and just plain living I’ve been doing lately (part of my reason for being away from here — time flies when you’re doing fun and interesting stuff!) has taught me that I must be clear about what I say and that we need more people to stand up for, and share, what they believe in.
I am glad to see that many, many shows I’ve watched lately, and many books I’ve read, are addressing the truths I so eagerly seek. It’s strange how the Law of Attraction works, in that all of the subjects I’m passionate about or interested in seem to be falling into my lap, and more importantly are getting major mainstream media attention. I’ll be reading a book about vegetarianism and our factory farming processes (Food, Inc.) and see a show on Discovery about climate change and how the farmers in China who are trying to grow organically can barely find the resources to do so, and are struggling to survive with rising temperatures threatening their livelihoods…did you know that the most highly-used staple food in the world, rice, is in danger of not being able to flower due to higher overall temperatures? According to the farmers on the front lines, the race is on to develop a rice grain able to withstand sustained higher temperatures; apparently rice is very particular, and will not flower unless conditions are just so.
I’m learning about genetically modified crops which people like Bill Gates are championing (not all gm is bad), grains which can withstand heat and tropical droughts in Africa, for instance, only to learn in my next reading session that huge companies like Monsanto hold so many patents on grains that genetic pioneers for good causes and organic farmers alike may be unable to create the futures they so passionately believe in. It scares me.
Then I read about the reality of the world oil situation, which ties entirely into how economic cycles will play out in the future and bodes well for organic farming, local businesses and the planet as a whole, but will hurt countless people financially unless we truly change our ways. What will it take for each of us, as individuals, to wean ourselves from a fossil-fuel-based life? For it is individuals en masse who sway the tide of behavior, not governments nor corporations. Advertise all you want, but people caught in a financial crisis can’t afford luxury when necessities are hard to come by. There is, however, plenty of opportunity in creating our new world, and those who look ahead and stay informed can not only thrive but also be proud to be part of positive social and economic change. See below for ideas and inspiration.
Speaking of sea changes, we’ve all been taking about how we are on the cusp of the age of consciosuness, of mind over matter, and we have discussed here many times the incredible power we each possess to change things with our thoughts. Individually and collectively, we are learning that we are far more capable of adaptation and creative solutions to challenges than we ever guessed. Things are not static, nor are they hopeless. This is an exciting, trying time and there is not other time in history I’d rather be alive. I am so very grateful for this time I have on Earth, and I hope that in some small way I can be of help in creating solutions to the challenges we face. We are an incredible species with amazing capabilities which we are only now waking up to. Women and men are evolving and releasing old ways, and everything from race relations to the way we raise our children is changing (you may enjoy Gary Zukav’s books about this subject).
The question I put to you is, what part in all of this are YOU playing? For each of us is important; no choice is without consequence. For every story you hear that depresses or scares you, there are people and organizations springing up to do something about it, helped along by the amazing connections made possible by the internet. If you want to feel useful, or passionate, or inspired, do a tiny amount of research and you’ll find empowered men and women creating change which you can be a part of. Some examples that have inspired me include:
A Stroke of Insight: A Brain Scientist’s Personal Journey: After my Dad had a stroke last year I became keenly interested in our capacity to heal. This is a fascinating tale of healing from the inside out after a stroke, told by the scientist who experienced it, and who was told it could not be done. A different and very compelling story is told by David Servan-Schreiber, a doctor who healed himself from brain cancer, again after being told there wasn’t much hope for him. His book, Anti-Cancer, A New Way of Life, is a compelling account of how cancer works and the many ways we can counter-act it, for both preventive and healing purposes. I hope it helps my friend Daan, who is dealing valiantly with a brain tumour and who is one of the most inspiring and joyful people I’ve ever had the pleasure to meet. These books and others, for instance Lee Strobel’s The Case for a Creator and the amazing The Brain that Changes Itself show us clearly that there is more than meets the eye here, as far as what we are capable of, and that the traditional scientific way of looking at things must expand and evolve.
Lori Painter, a fellow blogger and I must say an all-round incredible human being, writes consistently moving articles about how we can all go about creating a better world, from our bodies and home environments to the planet as a whole. Get educated and then get involved; just as it should take a community to raise a child, it takes each of us making conscious choices to create change. Read or watch Food, Inc. and Michael Moore’s Capitalism: A Love Story; read Your World is About to Get a Whole Lot Smaller: Oil and the End of Globalization, and watch the powerful National Geographic videos about our human footprint Lori has posted on her blog Inspire2Act. Then watch some inspiring videos like those found here and feel the collective soul of humanity that you are a part of.
Just as pursuits such as getting a financial education and making more conscious choices are connected, and will create a better world for us and our children, WE are all connected. Aspire to that highest of joys and the connectedness that can move us to great things and BE part of the change!
