Think before you act

Alongside intense media focus on economic issues and religious conflicts, public concern for environmental issues is growing in industrial and developing nations. The biggest issue at hand seems to be whether human beings can create meaningful and fulfilling lives while reducing eco-destruction which is destroying the earth's biosphere. Is it Humanity's dream to become exinct? What do you think of before you make decisions of what to eat, how to travel and what to buy?

Debates continue about topics like the state of carbon dioxide emissions, holes in the ozone layer, air quality, pollution, melting glaciers, global warming, disappearing plant and animal species and life-support systems which enable us to grow food and recycle what is ecologically sustainable.  Hundreds of thousands of approaches are taken to promote restoration and survival of vegetation.  At the same time, corporate interests and the global economy compete for attention and power, and may be destroying the very things we desperately need to survive.

Since humans seek to survive this era of unprecedented uncertainty, we would benefit from realizing the implications of being interdependent, biological beings. We need to acknowledge social and spiritual needs and address our lifestyles which jeopardize our ability to satisfy these needs. We must remember that ecosytems, plants, animals and other creatures share the Earth.  Our species may have evolved remarkably quickly because of the nature of our brain which separates us from other creatures. And yet, the results of greed, ignorance and inflexibility characterize dangers of short-sightedness. If you dream of a more wonderful life, define it.

In order to redefine meaningful existence, we must accept responsibility and be accountable for our actions.  Each decision we make has consequences that resonate long after we think they do.  Each choice we make has a domino effect. Since we're caretakers of a planetary system, its our duty to take steps to raise awareness of the state of our planet and to act to preserve it.

The next time you go to buy groceries, think about the supply chain that brings you the products. Rather than buy from a local farmer who has fresh produce and supplies which do not travel far, buying from larger superstores has repercussions. You may have more variety and product ranges, and food may sometimes seem cheaper, but the reality is that it brings much higher costs.

That fresh produce grown far away is picked before its ripe by people paid just enough to live. Bananas and other exotic fruits and veggies don't grow in northern climates. Even berries and produce that grow in the north certainly aren't available all seasons of the year.  Foreign produce brought in must be refrigerated so it doesn't spoil. Transport freezers also require energy. Since we haven't yet created teleportation,this food travels by ship, plane or truck, the implications are higher uses of fossil fuels, higher levels of pollution, flooding, oil spills and other disasters.

Increased demand for certain foods prompts growers, animal breeders and fish farmers to increase the size of their harvests. Mad cow disease arose because farmers desired to save money and get more for less by feeding animals chopped up animal remains when these animals are herbivores. Widespread bird flu outbreaks in chickens arose when humans were raising them in inhumane conditions and again taking short-cuts. New diseases in farmed fish also arose in part due to human greed. Consider the implications of irrigation. Water is drained from places in large quantities to grow agriculture in areas which lack water.

Our observations of what's going on in the world may never be comprehensive. We probably won't ever know everything. Yet, the little we do interpret is more than enough to cause us to rethink our personal choices. Recognize that everything you do and consume goes much further than simply satisfying your basic needs. You don't need the latest fashion or the newest models. Constant economic growth isn't possible so why do we permit consumer brainwashing? Increasing economic wealth isn't the basis for satisfying all human needs. Reconnect with the nature that sustains you. This will restore meaning and purpose to your human existence.

Non-violent monks driven to vaccuum cleaners

A Buddhist temple in Malaysia has been invaded by large colonies of biting ants.  You may think the solution is simple: step on them, spray them or rid yourself of them some other way.  Those options may work for you, but calling an exterminator or killing creatures of any form aren't options for non-violent monks. Could you evolve to 'live and let live?' Do you always seek control? Would a vaccuum be enough for you?

More than one monk has been driven to employ a vacuum cleaner to capture the ants alive, but that strategy didn't work.  The ants broke through the bag.  In another case, they climbed the handle of a broom to bite a monk's hand.  More ants continue to enter the building.  They're smarter and more resilient than you might think. Some creatures aren't deterred by the way you wish to do things.  They go about their own business and find ways around you or bite their way through. "Ouch!" 

The chief monk told a Malaysian newspaper, "When an ant drops on you... you just have to shake it off."  The thing is, when many ants are dropping on you and going further than causing havoc to your schedule, to taking over your home, and causing physical harm, what would you do? Nothing? This seems to be the approach of the Buddhist monks. It may be a new test for their patience.  What about yours?

Trading places, spaces and identities

Okay, so you're having a hard time understanding someone's behavior or point of view. What are you doing about that? Maybe you ignore the person and hope he or she goes away. You could request clarification, but the person in question may simply repeat what was already said and leave you confused or frustrated. This is an invitation from the universe to gain insight into yourself.

If you wish to better understand someone, you have other options. Imagine you trade places. That's right! Pretend you're the person with whom you disagree. If you were in this person's shoes, how would you feel? What would your motives be for a particular opinion? What do you gain from being inflexible? What does this say about your personality? How do(es) culture, social role, religion, age, gender and life experience influence your perception and attitude?

As you ponder answers, you begin to see new points of view. You begin to see that the anger, fear or resistance are simply layers of illusion to be peeled away. What matters is you open the heart and show compassion. Listen to what someone is really saying. Words and gestures are smokescreens.

Eureka and then some

It is said that if a person is balanced and following a path which is good, windows of related opportunity will appear. Thus, the person could evolve to recognize the value of these choices, and courageously move ahead into a more fulfilling life. Whether you recognize or distinguish among opportunities in your life is up to you. It may be possible to reflect on past events and recognize connections to choices you made and why you are where you are now.

Last night, one of my dreams helped me to connect some of my past with my present. I think back to early 2005, when I was regularly visiting my maternal grandma in a nursing home. When possible, I assisted her at mealtimes, wrote cards and read them aloud to entertain her with stories. I also met the healthcare staff. One nurse sort of stood out. She shared hardships she had endured. This nurse also told me about her 4 sisters, especially the story of one “who was a bit different” and had moved to another side of the world. The life story of this stranger intrigued me.

On different occasions, this nurse added details, including how this one of her sisters had married an Australian and immigrated "Down Under". The nurse herself had gone to visit and worked for 5 months in Australia, before returning to Canada because she really didn’t like it. All the things she described that turned her off, from poisonous snakes and spiders to extreme heat and various challenges didn’t phase me at all. In fact, her stories sparked curiosity in me and I asked more.

A few months later, when the nurse’s younger sister was dying from cancer, the older sister visited from Australia. As I sat with my grandma in her nursing home common room, I saw the familiar nurse walk by beside a tall, tanned woman who was wearing an ‘Australia’ shirt with her jeans. I heard it wasn’t long before the younger sister died. I only glimpsed the Australian sister once more in the nursing home before she returned to her climate. Little did I know then that a move to Australia would become an option in my own life or that I would take it.   Was this a sign from my guardian angel preparing me for my future? Looking back, it makes sense.

Angels are described as the powerful guides who offer us clues about ourselves and reveal options for our future. It’s easier to discover new sides to ourselves with their assistance. They may influence the kinds of people who enter our lives. Perhaps assisting each of us to move closer toward our own self-discovery is their key purpose. It can seem easier to look back and sense the presence of Divine intervention than to look forward and figure out how to benefit.  Yet, you can do it.

To communicate with your own guides, you have to acknowledge something beyond you is really present and appreciate all they do. Unbeknownst to you, they may have saved you from danger, drew your attention to things you had overlooked or inspired you with solutions to a situation that you hadn’t known or considered. They are your source of inspiration. You are able to feel their presence by way of events unfolding around you. Once you’re aware of their guidance, you will recognize new potential.  Influence the directions you go from where you are. Faith is within your reach. 

The value of a grain of salt

If you've never tried goal-setting, it may seem scary to you.   Maybe you think this requires lots of work and you'd prefer to spend your time differently. Maybe you make other excuses.  People may have also told you stories about their failures. Sometimes people permit fear to make an activity seem harder than it is.  They spend time going about it the wrong way, giving their fear too much control. 

You won't get results just because you avoid or think you do enough of the 'right things.' Goals aren't usually achieved simply through the efforts of your choice, and boasting about what you did. Think again. It's unwise to assume you'll resolve your fear by doing nothing or only doing things your way. Take your fears of goal-setting with a grain of salt, or decide your rationale isn't good enough.

If you have set goals before, didn't follow through and gave up, you may also be turned off the whole idea. Either way, if you're results-driven or motivated by a sense of progress you didn't have, that's an issue.  Let's step back a moment. 

Why has goal-setting lost its appeal to you? Is it because the process didn't live up to your rigid expectations or you didn't get what you wanted? Please! Intentions are insufficient. Consistent action is needed, and patience and self-confidence. You don't only work your timeline.  Other variables are at play, like events beyond your control. Take pride with a grain of salt.  Don't give up. If at first you didn't succeed, learn why and start again.  Chances are, your wisdom will propel you further.

The truth is that goal-setting will be as easy or as difficult as you make it to be. Decide in your mind that you'll be willing to have faith in your life and your potential. Believe that if you consult other people for advice and take steps to learn about you, then goal-setting will come naturally. Each and every day you can trust yourself, you will evolve to find ways to satisfy your needs.  If you struggle to get your heart in the right place, my advice to you is to just let go of fear and trust the events already unfolding. Learn to open your eyes wider. Recognize connections.