Author: VisionaryExtraordinaire

It’s not impossible

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We are fortunate to live in this time with all we have gained over the last thousands of years as we arrive to the culmination of much wisdom and learning. We now have the ability, we have the resources and we have the humanity to overcome what appears to be impossible. This is the biggest challenge we’ve had to date to preserve our values and raise humanity to new levels of connection. It can be done.

In the long arc of history, we have learned to survive the elements, living on an unpredictable planet with many dangers ranging from inclement weather to devastating earthquakes or tsunamis.

We have learned to prosper and develop vast knowledge even in the darkest of times which brought light and beauty to our world.

We expanded across the globe destroying much we encountered and then learned the value of democracy.

Recently, we’ve begun to see the humanity and the rights of others we had scorned in the past and have held out a hand of comfort and compassion.

The clash of viewpoints today has to do with the dying model of controlling others. Do we force agendas and make others come to our way of thinking? Or do we reach out in curiosity? Do We The People realize our power, the power to come together to create a world of inclusion and diversity by making plans for our communities based on empathy and understanding?

You may be thinking, ‘well this is all very Kum-by-yah and peachy but I live in the real world’. That’s just fear talking. Fear that it’s impossible or threatening but in reality this way of thinking likely takes you out of your comfort zone. Take a good look deep inside yourself, many of us were made for this time, for a time to sincerely reach out to others to understand and come together.

What is your part in bringing people together? That is the most important question. Here is a TED talk you may find helpful.

Nevertheless, She Persisted

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It’s nearing the first anniversary of my mother’s death. She had a good, long life I remember fondly with twinges of sadness and a full heaping of gratitude. My mom had an unwavering desire to bring people together, to find the good in everyone and never to judge a person based on race, sexual orientation or anything else you can name. She joined the League of Women Voters as a young woman, fought hard for the rights of people and the environment. I learned a great deal following her around doing tasks such as going to the Children’s Hospital wishing well where we cleaned out the coins left by those generous and those despairing. She did not have much time with four kids in tow. She was devastated by the death of her husband, our dad, at a very young age, nevertheless, she persisted.

I listened to conversations around the dinner table on human and environmental rights, with varying political views creating some raucous and lively disagreements but through it all, she was determined people would speak civilly, with respect and an attempt to understand the other side. This at times was no easy task, nevertheless, she persisted.

Through subsequent trials and tribulations, she fought hard, went back to school, found work she loved. She volunteered and gave back to the community. She cared deeply for her friends and family. For a couple of decades she wrote a weekly ‘family letter’ intended to keep a wide range of siblings and step-siblings in touch with one another as we ran around the planet in our teens and twenties. She could have let it go, nevertheless, she persisted.

As a result, my step-siblings have nothing ‘step’ about them. We love each other and argue with each other as if the same blood runs through our veins. In a way isn’t it true? The same blood that goes through my veins runs through every human on the planet, from the same source of star dust, created and returned to the earth since the beginning of time. The people of this earth have had many struggles, nevertheless, we persisted.

I feel my mothers strong desire within myself, the urge to bring all kinds of people together, to listen carefully to one another, with respect and an attempt to understand the other side. Politics are the avenue for figuring out how to live together in a peaceful society. I think we have forgotten this simple fact. So, in honor of my mother, even though in this day and age this may seem an impossible task, I will not be deterred from doing all I can to make this world a better place. I have many who say to me, it’s impossible, we can’t move forward from here, the divisions are too wide. I have people who tell me I’m a dreamer and a naive idealist. Nevertheless, I persist.

 

 

You are not a pathetic loser if you don’t pass along that meme

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No, you don’t have a cold, cruel heart if you don’t repost the poor, downtrodden puppy, the wounded veteran, the guy with fifteen months sobriety, or the kid whose class wants to know how far and fast a meme can travel the world. Many of the memes now are ways for those with malicious intent to worm their way into your computer. Feel free to pass them by without a care in the world. Instead of passing along a meme, find a puppy to rescue, find a veteran to thank, support someone trying to clean up their life or volunteer in a school.

Besides, passing along memes, while sometimes entertaining, will not save the world or even make the world a better place. If fact, many memes are mean and derogatory, judgmental and divisive. We have to stop the click and share of such destructive material. I know many folks get a hit out of it, a satisfying jolt of adrenaline and righteousness. If you are one of those folks, the best thing may be cold turkey.

It takes a clear eye to see how people on either side of the spectrum throw enough mud to keep us angry into the next century. I, for one, would like to wrap this up before then. This fight for democracy will not be won by putting others down.

I listened to some friends the other night, staunch liberal friends, talking just like my staunch conservative friends, the topics might be different but the sentiments were the same. I want to control my world and that means I have to control yours as well. If I don’t understand where you are coming from, then you must be wrong. It’s my way or the highway.

This is not going to get us off the pendulum swing and out of the hatred that has gripped this country. It’s time to ask questions. Time to find out why other people want what they want. Down deep, it’s likely the same as you want –

  • To protect family, keep them safe and give them the best in life
  • To be able to do as I want in my own life and not worry you will try to make me live your values and morals.
  • To have clean water, air and good food to eat
  • To be able to afford what I need and want
  • To love this planet and love one another

Soften your heart. Listen with your heart. Talk from the heart.

Learn something.  Be curious. Be creative. Go!

 

Political Parties are Not the Problem

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Wait… what??, you say? Yes, Republicans and Democrats, Progressive and Conservative, Green and Libertarian are not the issue. These are ways of thinking, ways of solving problems, all with some good ideas, all with some bad ideas. Ideas are never the problem.

Greedy, power hungry people are the problem.

Violent, destructive people are the problem.

Disturbed, delusional people are the problem.

Blind followers are the problem.

Tuned out people are the problem.

This is an important distinction as the media likes to sell papers or boost ratings by creating easy divisions to tell stories that keep people angry and tuning in. Politicians who want to force control will use dividing the political parties as ways of keeping their base behind them. They all spend a great deal of time with pundits and surrogates to keep the fires burning.

Don’t fall for it. Stereotypes are ways of separating. Thinking you already know all whiny, cry-baby libtards or cold-hearted, racists republicans is a lazy way of living on the planet. I know it’s scary to step out of our comfortable ways of dismissing large groups of people, but if we want to survive this latest crisis in America, that is what is required.

Listen carefully for the folks that say they want to start taking out immigrants, start shooting them dead. Listen carefully for the folks that say one thing and do another. Watch out for people who have shut out anything but what their guy says. Focus on the threats to Americans through the disturbed, frantic need to have control. These are not political party issues, these are social issues, legal issues and police issues.

Start talking with your friends and family about separating the political person from the disturbed person. Talk about how society needs to come together – all political, social, economic, racial, everyone – to find solutions for the social ills of our country.

Stick with journalism, the reporting of news based on facts without opinion or assigning emotions. It’s less entertaining but news is not entertainment. Even your local news is yelling and excited and sensationalizing to get you to tune in. Don’t be so easily manipulated.

Then we can actually get somewhere. I have faith in you. Reach out to one of the tuned-out folks. They are overwhelmed and scared, needing your support. I know you are open-minded, willing to listen to the other side, challenge your own thinking so reach out to someone different from you to see who they really are. Do it today.

We Need American Basics

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This is what I am talking about. It’s not about a Republican or Democratic agenda, of course there are good points and ideas on both sides. We can’t even get to that until we solve this problem. What I’m talking about is HOW this administration is going about it’s business. We must have fair and transparent government which means we need journalism, we need congressional investigations into Russia and to know the financial ties the administration has that may conflict with Americans best interest. Thank you John McCain for speaking up, please continue, there is more to be said and done. Get others on board. Please stand up for what is right.

http://www.nbcnews.com/meet-the-press/video/-that-s-how-dictators-get-started-mccain-defends-the-free-press-880252483608

Why do Bad Things Happen to Good Countries?

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There are four reasons why I believe our country continues to struggle to find solid footing.

  1. When an outdated way of thinking is becoming extinct, there is a wild grasping to maintain the status quo. This, I think, is the natural way of people. When change is too far out of one’s world view, it can cause panic, fear and anger which lead to wanting strong controls.
  2. We are human beings with flaws. In the past few decades, Americans have become weary, hopeless and frozen to find a way to make politicians do their jobs. Gridlock made much of the country apathetic and unable to even talk about politics. Social convention ruled that polite conversation did not include religion, sex or politics. It came to be that people couldn’t talk about opposing political views without becoming enraged and abusive so conversation stopped.
  3. Some of our suffering comes from people who are misguided and drunk with power. There is a profound immoral and malevolent aspect to humanity. It’s hard to accept this happens. When we ignore this aspect of our world, it can gain traction and pop up seemingly without warning. It’s time to take the blinders off and take a good look at who is wielding power and what they gain from that power. Also consider, who are the powerless and how are they being ignored?
  4. Each side claims to have the higher ground. Right would say they follow a morality of loyalty to country and military, ability to carry weapons, care for the unborn and getting government out of our lives. Left would say their morality is to care for the planet, disenfranchised people, public education and protection of the little guy from the 99%. If you look closely you’ll find those items are not owned by right or left. All humans care about all of those issues. It’s how you go about solving these issues where we find differences.

Change comes when we help ourselves. We cannot rely on politicians to do the work we need to do. Much of our divisiveness comes from what we hear in the media and our politicians. Power can only be maintained if there is anger and hatred for one another because then we remain closed. The way out of this mess is to band together as a people and demand our politicians follow our lead. Here’s how to do that.

  1. Open your mind to the “other side”. Where is there a point you agree with even if just a small sliver? What main issues do you agree need to be addressed?
  2. We have the freedom to decide for ourselves how we want to interact in this world. Be aware of how you might be judgmental, biased or close minded. Are you passing on degrading or sensational memes and articles? Or are you ignoring what’s going on hoping it will all just go away? How can you be part of the solution?
  3. Be aware of how you might follow party lines without question. Do you challenge your leaders when you don’t agree? It’s unlikely you will agree 100%. It’s time to allow for disagreeing with your own party and agreeing with the other party. We need to become more willing to cede points and negotiate to find collaboration.
  4. I see some of my friends saying they won’t even look at what the ‘other’ has to say as they get too infuriated. This usually has to do with where ones facts come from and arguing about what is true. We need a way to break out of the idea that only your sources have the facts. In the meantime, let go of how they are saying what they want, to what they are saying that they want. For example, we all want safety from terrorists and an excellent vetting program. What ways can agreement be found that both of you can get behind?
  5. Use a marketplace of reputable news sources, consider where the information is coming from using logic. Think deeply about conspiracy theories by either side promoted by a narrow set of sources. These are generally opinion and are often used to create panic so power can be asserted over the fearful.
  6. Reach out to one another. Only “We” can fix our problems. What do you have in common with the guy who voted opposite of you? Where do you and your coworker agree? How can you and Aunt Bea talk peaceably about solutions?
  7. If you become angry, stop and walk away. The anger is yours to figure out. Only talk to people when you can stay calm, open and listening.
  8. Encourage creativity, new ideas and ways of thinking. We haven’t thought it all up yet. We don’t have absolute answers to every problem. The world is a growing, changing place. That cannot be stopped. We need to be adapting every day.

Coping with Fear in the New World

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Here’s a lesson on how fear and anxiety work. You read or hear or think up something you find alarming. Your mind begins to spin a story on all the horrible and awful things that might happen. As these thoughts occur, more anxiety grows, more thoughts occur, more fear, more…

Okay, whew! How to get off that horror-go-round is as follows –

  1. Breathe. Slow down. Remind yourself thoughts are not reality.
  2. Breathe again. Is what you are afraid of happening right now? Likely not. Good!
    So now, you can consider, could this problem likely happen in the future? If so, what can I do today to help?
  3. Take action. It could be creating a plan, getting some help, making a donation, talking to other interested people, praying, doing an act of kindness, participating in a group that helps. Be one of the helpers Fred Rogers spoke about.
  4. Remember balance. Fear works best when you are busy, distracted, overwhelmed. Fear flourishes when negativity becomes the lens through which you see life. Write 5 things for which you are grateful every morning and evening. Look for what is going right during the day.
  5. Do something kind for someone today. That is the best medicine.

Pen Pals for 21st Century?

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Maybe it’s time to resurrect the idea of Pen Pals. This was something done in the 50’s and 60’s to connect children from around the world through letter writing. Today it would be even easier. Some bright tech person could create an app where parents sign up to video chat, or secure email, or some other privacy safe avenue with a family from a different country. Whole families could gather for conversations. There would need to be an option for what languages are in common. Maybe there is a way for schools to start such a program.

What do you think? Any one out there want to give it a try?

Top Environmental Organizations to Support (and which ones to avoid)

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Take heart and remember we, the collective we that cares about our planet, has got this. I know it doesn’t seem that way, but we are rising, organizing and getting it done.

Today finds us inundated with overwhelming bad news from the new administration on all fronts. It’s enough to send someone back to bed for the rest of the year AND it is only overwhelming if we imagine we have to do something, about everything, right now. Good news – you don’t.

What do we need to do? Pick one or two areas close to your heart. Do some research on who is doing good work in those areas. Find a way to support those organizations local and national. Then breathe, have some fun and remember it’s okay to laugh. It all feels so very bad right now but sinking into the dark won’t bring the light. Be the light and take action from there.

Today we talk about the environment so I did some very short research on top environmental organizations. The article spells out who is doing good work and who is not or is pretending to be for the environment when they actually have another agenda. This article is fairly old (2006) but I noticed the organizations listed are very much active and working hard today.

http://www.motherjones.com/environment/2006/03/guide-environmental-non-profits

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We need Organizers

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Are you pretty good at cleaning out the closets and keeping those papers filed in the proper places? We need you to volunteer at all the embattled organizations trying to keep democracy afloat. It’s an overwhelming time as the new administration puts out change after change after change. We need a well run machine to calmly and precisely document and manage responses.

This may also be a good way for introverts, tech folks, nerds of all kinds to bring their particular skills to the table. People to process data and put it together in a way we can manage.

What do you think? What ideas do you have in this regard?