Does real, lasting change come from anger and vitriol or compassion and inclusion?
You decide…
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See the author’s TEDx Talk on Creating Extraordinary Intimacy in a Shut Down World
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Up until this election cycle I was not what you would call a political activist, not by any stretch of the imagination. During the previous 40 years or so I managed to maintain a comfortable upper-middle class lifestyle for myself and my family and always voted for whomever would have the least negative impact on that. My previous and somewhat apathetic voting record simply reflected the microcosm of my personal concerns and those under my care. If my choices worked out for others in my community, nation or the world at large, great, as long as our immediate needs were met. If not, oh well, at least we have our little piece of the American Pie.
That no longer works for me, nor, did it ever work for the greater good of our society. And today, I made my voice heard in several important ways to reflect that change of… heart.
Being Connected Means We ARE Responsible
They say timing is everything. Last night, my Partner and I were among a relatively small group of people who gathered to hear Don Miguel Ruis Jr. speak at a small local spiritual bookstore. A highly respected author and sage in his own right, his father (Don Miguel Ruis Sr.) is perhaps best known for his book “The Four Agreements”. One that had a profound influence in the “awakening” of my partner (her words).
During his talk, DMR Jr. spoke about who we really are is not our body or the voice in our head (mind). Instead it is the animating life force in each and every one of us. That each of us IS life. This makes us all connected in a deep and fundamental way.
Now, this world view is not new to me, but for some reason hearing it from him made it suddenly more real and not just a warm and fuzzy concept. As a result, it became even more clear to me that the more we as individuals attempt to differentiate ourselves and experiences from others, the more separated we become with them and ourselves. Please understand I’m not saying or advocating to not celebrate our differences, which I view as a gift to all of us. Instead, become more cognizant that at the very deepest and most fundamental level we are truly One. And what we do or fail to do to another has an impact on all of us at some level. And the culmination of the countless little impacts will make itself inexorably known, eventually. Usually in the form of some sort of breakdown.
…the more we as individuals attempt to differentiate ourselves and experiences from others, the more separated we become with them and ourselves.
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You don’t have to ascribe to my world view or anyone else’s for that matter to be aware of the mess our country and the rest of the world is in. Never in my life have I been so concerned for the future of our children, grandchildren and future generations. Maybe it’s age, or hopefully, a bit of wisdom whispering within the recesses of my consciousness, who knows. What I do know is that I cannot ignore what is going on anymore. Nor can I continue to go through life pretending that what happens to anyone else on this very intimate planet of ours is not really my concern. I now know it always has been my concern, I was just unconscious to it up until recently.
Then, as it happens, this morning my little town of Santa Barbara, CA was visited by whom I consider the first true People’s Politician –Bernie Sanders.
My First Political Rally
In my previous life, the thought of attending a political rally held the same level of interest as watching the grass grow. I felt they were useless, boring and a wasteful distraction of the much more important business of getting ahead in my career.
So here I am, waiting with my Partner and a friend for at least three hours amid a sea of at least 10,000 people to view and hear Bernie speak. While waiting for him to show up, I looked at all the young, old and in-between faces beaming with hope and concern for our collective future. Faces of all races, creeds, ethnicities and sexual orientation. Faces that revealed a love and concern not just for their own circumstances, but for the greater good of our country and the world at large. Faces reflecting the courage to stand up and no longer be counted as sheeple for the use and pleasure of the status quo.
The event was magnificent, inspiring and deeply, deeply connecting. I saw the truly glorious side of Humanity in those throngs of hopeful yet determined eyes. And in the reflection of those eyes, I saw myself, just as hopeful and determined and curiously basking in the glow of knowing what it is like to not just be focused on my own wants and needs.
My First Vote as a Democrat
I’ve always considered myself as politically independent. I still do. However, given my previous focus on voting as a highly driven entrepreneur with the bank account in mind, most of my previous stints at the ballot box were almost exclusively Republican.
Given the inherent deep flaws in our political system, especially the ability of money to influence outcomes on either side of the isle, I consider the vast majority of politicians to be corrupt, with many corrupted absolutely and completely. Call me naïve, however I see Senator Bernie Sanders as a rare exception to that crowd. The only reason I switched to a declared Democrat was so I could participate in the California primary to help him achieve the nomination.
I saw the truly glorious side of Humanity in those throngs of hopeful yet determined eyes.
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That vote went into the mail box this morning. This was not just a vote for me, it was a vote for everyone. Every single human being with whom we share this precious home called Earth. Because let’s face it, what happens in the most influential country in the world will also impact many others who live in hovels or palaces elsewhere.
Whether Bernie gets the nomination or not is out of my hands, I did what I could. Should the unfortunate happen and the only two choices for the next POTUS are two people that most in the country cannot stand and/or trust, all is not lost.
That’s because what I saw in that sea of people today is the beginning of groundswell seismic shift that will eventually lead to the end of the status quo. It will lead to a government by the people for the people. It will lead to a society that actually gives a damn about what happens to their brothers and sisters on the other side of the planet. It will be the start of a large segment of the species finally “waking up” to the fact that we are all part of the same whole. It will be lead by acceptance and be fueled by compassion.
Today, for the first time in my life, I voted for everyone.
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Image: DepositPhotos.com