What’s happening in the US is a symptom of a bigger issue. Humans are, for the most part, selfish and warlike beings. Seriously, we are. Here me out.

Until we can figure out how to find the balance between humanitarianism, stewardship of our planet, and fulfillment of our individual dreams we will continue to careen toward ruin. We are fast-approaching the point of no return. I’m not trying to be an alarmist. I believe we can still pull out of the nose dive, but we need to act now and continue acting.

What are we supposed to do, you ask? Let’s break it down. Protests, phone calls, and emails are all well and good. We need to tell our leaders who represent us on a macro level what we will and won’t tolerate and what they should be working on; but we need to do more. Well, here’s some ideas. Let me know if you have more.

Humanitarianism

• Be kind and Compassionate to your fellow humans.
• One of my friends organizes a collection of hundreds of back-to-school packs for kids in need.
• Another helps run a food pantry (one that has not qualification process, requires no ID, and never judges).
• Or, maybe your work is on a smaller level like sharing your garden harvest with your neighbors, taking food to the person next door who is recently widowed or recovering from illness or surgery.
• Find out which classroom supplies your kid’s’ teacher is short on and donate some.
• Donate money to organization that help those in need like Care and Share or your local homeless shelters. Incidentally, food banks can use your money way better than the expired canned goods you just donated.

We should care for each other as we would ourselves. Machiavellian philosophy and practices have no place in the modern world. If we want to survive as a species we need to work together. That’s the way it’s always been. After all, we’re all just walking each other home.

Stewardship
Campers rule: Always pack out what you packed in and leave things better than you found them. It applies to little campsites and the entire planet. Think about it. It’s that simple.

Individual Dreams

We all have dreams and aspirations. Our dreams and aspirations are as varied as the humans who people the planet. Joseph Campbell said,

“Follow your bliss. If you do follow your bliss, you put yourself on a kind of track that has been there all the while waiting for you, and the life you ought to be living is the one you are living. When you can see that, you begin to meet people who are in the field of your bliss, and they open the doors to you. I say, follow your bliss and don’t be afraid, and doors will open where you didn’t know they were going to be. If you follow your bliss, doors will open for you that wouldn’t have opened for anyone else.”

Dreams and aspirations are important. Don’t be afraid to manifest yours. Sure, you’ll probably stumble a few times. But there are great people on big stages and tiny ones making a difference in the world every day by living their dreams and doing what they love.

But what about the people out there that are hurting, in need, downtrodden? Those who have no resources?

My friends, I’ve been there. In some ways I’m still there and in some ways I’m not. Here’s the thing, you’ll find that the people in the most need are often the people who are fully willing to share what little they have. But here’s the thing, those hurting, in need, and downtrodden are the very ones we should be supporting. Let’s not let the current US administration and state of the world make us forget what’s really important. Meanwhile, to the rest of the planet, please give us some grace while we fix this stuff.

Love.