It's important to recognize all the hard work that people are doing. These days just thinking about the affairs of the world - and dealing with the consequent feelings - is hard work. Basically, unless you are totally tuned out and in your own little zone of zombie-like mindlessness - convinced that everything is hunky-dory - then you are doing hard work. Just to stay sane in this fucked up world is hard work.
Thinking Globally and Acting Locally is a worthwhile concept. There seems to be the greatest potential for effectiveness with local efforts.
I am going to write more about this hopefully. I have been doing a lot of thinking recently about "nonviolence," specifically creative nonviolence - defined as that which "serves life." This is in contrast to destructive actions, which are hurtful and divisive.
I think that the future of social change is in the potential for creative nonviolence to effect true change - even a societal transformation. What we need is to begin to appreciate each other for our own intrinsic worthiness - we are human beings and we are endowed with a human spirit. It is time to realize that we are all sufficient solely in that being. The fact that we are human beings with human spirits is enough. It provides reason enough for treating each other with basic respect.
When I was in Tacoma (for the special operations west weapons expo) I was able to make some observations about the use of hateful and antagonistic behavior toward the weapons contractors (or employees thereof.)
What I saw was a separation. I saw an increase in hostility - an escalation. I saw division. That's not going to help bring people together to face our common challenges. I think that real change will happen when we build bridges and make effort to understand each other and respect each other for each of our own basic humanity.
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