Transforming Our World — Micro to Macro
Each seemingly small yet positive move forward in thought and action possesses true transforming power.
Building upon that with other such moments will significantly improve your overall life and the world around you.
"A defining human trait
is the capacity to be more skilled, more resilient, more nurturing, and more tolerant than we are at any given moment." (1)
What can each family do to foster a soulful center and prevent its absence’s negative ripple
effects in the world at large? All positive, potentially widespread change can begin with us when
we as individuals and families commit to the challenge. Personal accountability, truth and humility are
the key.
Nelson Mandela eloquently addresses this issue:
"… The first thing
is to be honest with yourself. You can never have an impact on society if you have not changed yourself...Great peacemakers
are all people of integrity, of honesty, [of] humility." (2)
NOTE: There is a related Stephen R.
Covey quote in green type near the upper right corner of the page.
Howard Zinn on Hope
“To be hopeful in bad times is not just foolishly romantic.
It is based on the fact that history is not only a history of cruelty, but also of compassion, sacrifice, courage,
and kindness. And if we do act in however small a way, we don’t have to wait for some grand utopia
in the future. The future is a succession of presents. And to live now as we think human
beings should live in defiance of all that is bad around us is itself is a marvelous victory.”
Famous Developmental Psychologist Urie Brofenbrenner on the Family
When a family unit functions well,
it is the most “elegantly designed social service system.”
"21 hours: Why a shorter working week can help us
all to flourish in the 21st century."
So compellingly asserts NEF (the new economics foundation) of the United Kingdom. Here is more
of their innovative concept:
“Moving towards much shorter hours of paid work offers a new route out of the
multiple crises we face today. Many of us are consuming well beyond our economic means and well beyond the limits of the natural
environment, yet in ways that fail to improve our well-being – and meanwhile many others suffer poverty and hunger…A
‘normal’ working week of 21 hours could help to address a range of urgent, interlinked problems: overwork, unemployment,
over-consumption, high carbon emissions, low well-being, entrenched inequalities, and the lack of time to live sustainably,
to care for each other, and simply to enjoy life.”
Frank Outlaw On The Ripple
Effects of Language
"Watch
your thoughts; they become your words. Watch your words; they become your actions. Watch your actions; they become
your habits. Watch your habits; they become your character. Watch your character; it becomes your destiny."
Benjamin Zander On Our Collective Future
The conductor of
the Boston Philharmonic Orchestra asserts: "The symphony orchestra is the ultimate metaphor for
our collective future: the aim of the orchestra is not to win, but to make sure every voice is heard."
The
Global Empathy Movement
The Empathic Civilization
by Jeremy Rifkin is "the first book to explore how empathetic consciousness restructures the ways we
*
organize our personal lives
* approach knowledge
* pursue science and technology
* conduct commerce and governance
* orchestrate civil society
The
development of this empathetic consciousness is essential to creating a future where we think and behave like the whole world
matters." Quoted from the Teach Empathy website
Get more information now and view a video lecture by Jeremy Rifkin.Link to the book.
On a related topic, read about "The Top 10 Insights from the Science of a Meaningful Life in 2012."
Reimagining the Fire in Your Hearth
It's truly amazing to see the advancements in electric inserts for your
fireplace. You can get realistic looking dancing flames and even the crackling sound, plus an efficient horizontal heating
element.
Here is the Duraflame electric log set that we have and love.
No fine particulate matter up your chimney and into the air, no carbon monoxide, no hazardous
air pollutants, no greenhouse gas emissions.
You'll significantly help the environment plus the many individuals
with respiratory problems in your area.
AIR POLLUTION & ASTHMA
 An excellent online resource is the website for the American Academy of Allergy,
Asthma & Immunology. (1) Joann Ellison
Rodgers, Psychology Today article, November/December 2006 issue, page 74.
(2) Nelson Mandela as quoted on the
Oprah Winfrey website.
NOTE: If you're curious to know all the ways in which having an "Eco-Mind" is more
socially responsible and might just save the world, visit this other page on our website.
Interested in our monthly News Clipping Service Subscription? Comes via email and works out to only 25¢
per week.
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DID
YOU KNOW?
*
"It is easy to choose between right and wrong. But to choose the greater of two goods or the lesser of
two evils...those are the choices of our life." —
From film "Fanaa" (India)
* "We are all agents of transfiguration.
Go forth and transform your personal relationships, your community, your world, so it becomes hospitable to joy, to justice,
to freedom, to peace."
—
Desmond Tutu
* Violent media is poisoning our nation's soul, according to film critic Mick LaSalle.
* The 2023 Legatum Prosperity Index takes a valuable global perspective on overall quality of life and the capacity
of various countries to foster "happy, healthy, and free citizens."
"Good
manners are all about kindness, which till fertile soil for social justice."
— Connie Schultz
*
"Mindful travel is a net positive for the planet. By choosing our destinations well and remembering our role as citizen
diplomats, we can create international goodwill and help change the world for the better."
— From www.EthicalTraveler.org
* People who are altruistic to others also garner health and psychological benefits for themselves.
Strategic
Consumer Activism: A Primer
If you would now like to be a more mindful
consumer, here is a resource to get you started.
Easy Steps You Can Take Today to Combat Sexism
As quoted from the commited group at The Representation
Project:
1. Tell 5 people about the film and share the trailer.
2. Parents—watch TV and films with your children. Raise questions like “What if
that character had been a girl instead?”
3. Remember your actions influence others. Mothers, aunts and loved
ones—don’t downgrade or judge yourself by your looks. Fathers, uncles and loved ones—treat women around
you with respect. Remember children in your life are watching and learning from you.
4. Use your consumer power.
Stop buying tabloid magazines and watching shows that degrade women. Go see movies that are written and directed by women
(especially on opening weekend to boost the box office ratings). Avoid products that resort to sexism in their advertising.
5. Mentor others! It’s as easy as taking a young woman to lunch. Start by having open and honest conversations
with a young person in your life.
You are now dialed into a national movement to stand up to sexism and challenge
the media's limiting portrayals of gender. Together we will make a huge impact on contemporary society.
More
general information is here. If you'd like to go straight to the statistics behind this critical issue.
Modern Abolitionist
Movement Currently Building
There are some
27 million slaves in the world today, more than in any other time in human history. Find out about the documentary film CALL+RESPONSE, and what
you can do to help.
* Sex slaves (a startling number under age 10)
* Labor slaves
*
Child soldiers* Child slaves
"Justice is what love looks like in public." — Cornel West
Organ & Tissue Donation
FACT:
"Your organ donation could save the lives of eight people, and your tissue donation could
enhance the lives of another 50 people." — www.DonateLifeCalifornia.org
Three of our family members are registered future organ and tissue donors. Do consider
the gift of donation yourself today.
For more information about becoming an organ and tissue donor.
Organ transplant facts, everything you need to know.
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"I wanted you to know that as someone putting together some
resources on organ transplants, your page was really helpful. Thanks!"
— Melinda M., emailed comment
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