"Peace Crane" © 2011~    acrylic painting by Carol E. Fairbanks

                                                         Focus on Change

Gandhi said "We must be the change we wish to see."  If I want things to change for the better in my life, however, I must first see them differently.  I can't manifest a better version of "Carol Fairbanks" if I am constantly ruminating over what has happened in the past or am talking constantly about what I don't like about the present!  My focus needs to be rather on the qualities that I dream about.  For my life to BE what I would like...for instance, more like-minded friends.... I need to spend more time with those kind of people doing in activities that nurture friendships which share those values that are important to me.

Just what are those values that are important to me?  Extremes are out...definitely the word is BALANCE.  Planet Earth is in big trouble because of the major imbalances in the way we live.  All of us (me included!) certainly need to pay attention to our choices, including a healthier balance of the factors in our decision-making.  Everyone is screaming about the "economy" and seems to think that is the most important thing to consider when making a choice.  But what good is an "economy" with no healthy planet to have it on?!  We had better look at, in a big way, how decisions about getting money are affecting the environment and the health of everyone depending on it!

Another area that needs balance is in the area of human conflict.  No one "wins" if we destroy the planet with weapons of war.  It's kind of hard to enjoy a "victory" on an uninhabitable planet!  So maybe we had better develop alternatives to the traditional military solutions.  I believe we are intelligent enough to create a world that works for everyone, if we engage our wisdom instead of relying on our weapons. Polarized thinking of "them or us" has got to go!  We are all ONE people........ an integral part in the network of life on this planet!  What happens to one part, happens to all...both good and bad!

Lastly, I feel that the quality of community is sadly lacking in our world, especially in our Western culture.  Competition is the focus, rendering a few fortunate "winners" and leaving the rest feeling like "losers".  We make everything a contest to see who is the "best,  from making money to physical activity to the art making.  That approach is divisive and sabotages a unity within groups of people, as people are sometimes less than loving in attempting the "climb to the top".  Because of this, I value my Volkssport walking groups that are noncompetitive and designed for "all people of all ages and abilities".  Volkssport philosophy is a wonderful model for the whole world in creating community!  Yes, you can have fun when everyone is a winner!!

So my focus is on oneness, of all people everywhere, of all life. I see us all making choices to be prosperous, while wisely using and protecting the earth's resources and sharing the bounty equitably with all.  We are developing better ways of honoring diversity and compromising so that everyone is happy and secure. And I am part of this ideal, feeling valued for who I am and honored, as everyone is, for the gifts we all bring to this harmony of life.

Yes, it CAN happen!

The Japanese arch, known as a Torii, is a visual symbol of that transcends our concept of a finite world toward an expanded view of sacred life in all its fullness.  There is an article on the internet that says that these arches are not the same torii. Really, it doesn't matter.  It is still rather amazing that both of these torii survived these devastating disasters.  Maybe their survival is saying that "man" cannot destroy the real essence of life. We can obliterate what we build, but we can never eradicate that perfect idea of life.  That's comforting in these days of strife and challenge.  Yes, that arch is made out of a Truth that will last forever.