Managing Moments on Life's Journey

Imagine that it is mealtime and the whole family is eating chips with tomato sauce for dinner.   A very vocal member of the family insists on this diet because he does not want to try anything new, throws terrible tantrums if he doesn’t get his way and believes that chips are the best thing for him.  

One would hope that there would be a wise parent who would explain basics about nutrition, and insist that they have a variety of foods, recommend that the boy try something new and of course, that one person with certain inclinations should not be ruling the whole family, right?

The coal industry in Australia is that little boy, insisting that we all do what is particularly unhealthy for us. Where is the wise parent?

Imagine if we had had very persistent, influential and powerful telephone exchange workers, insisting that we keep their jobs in spite of progress?  Imagine if we had had very persistent, influential and powerful slave traders who still insisted on keeping their lucrative trade? Imagine if we had had politicians with a vision, like a wise parent, who rather than give into interest groups and the tantrum at hand would have supported all research into environmentally sustainable options.  

Very likely we would today be in a position where we would be exporting to the rest of the world, perhaps even being a world leader in alternative energy sources.

The parallel to our personal lives is obvious, if we give into instant gratification and eat all the Tim Tams while not shifting from the couch, then eventually our body and mind will show the consequences.

When I hear a business representative say that we (Australia) should not be reducing our omissions till the others do, I want to scream!  This is not a kindergarten!   The debate is over, whether you believe in the research or not, just think about it logically: We have more people on this earth than ever before, consuming and emitting more than ever before – it is going to have an effect.   We are consuming more than our fair share, we may be able to find clever ways of producing energy but other resources are finite, once we have burnt the coal it takes some time until more appears!

We need to own it, grow up, take responsibility and demand of our leaders to be wise, see beyond self interest, and powerful interest groups.

Whether you like the film Avatar or not, it is a testimony to how our mainstream thinking has changed over the past 5-10 years.   The concept of our interconnectedness with other species, animals and plants and our past, present and future is now accepted by many, perhaps even most.

Mindfulness suggests that we look at any object and see the story of its interconnectedness.  If you look at a table, see the wood, a tree, sun, water, earth, worms, butterflies, nails, iron - centuries old deposits, timber workers, carpenters and so it goes on.

In essence everything is interconnected.  In my breath are particles of air of those who came before, (including Jesus, Hitler and anyone else you care to remember) and of every animal, every plant – and hopefully this breath will be there for generations to come!

As in the family with informed and wise parents, so we as a country, a world, need wise politicians.   Let’s demand of them that they be wise and see the big picture, that they lift us up, bring out the best in us, inspire and demand of us to be wise caretakers of mother earth.

We are all part of the grand interconnected puzzle. What is your strength in influencing positive change in the world?

Until next time
Warm regards
Charlotte

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