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Our Vision
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| Our Vision |
| A Vision For a New Society |
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| What would it look like, this new society? Also, why and how would it be different? For that matter, is it even possible to create a “new “ way of being in society? Let’s deal with the last question first. To us, the answer is an unequivocal - “YES”. Societies, and their ways, don’t just happen, they are created. The current state of our society didn’t just happen - it was created. Furthermore, it was created by people - people like you and us. All of us, black, white, yellow, red, and brown; young and old, rich and poor; female and male; straight, gay, lesbian, bi-sexual, and trans-gendered; Canadian, American, French, British, Irish (both Protestant and Catholic), Spanish, Italian, Greek, Israeli, Lebanese, Iranian, Syrian, Japanese, Chinese, Indian, Pakistani, Chilean, Mexican, Tanzanian, South African, etc. (you get the picture); Catholics, Jews (orthodox, conservative, and reform),Anglicans, Lutherans, Baptists, Unitarians, Mormons, Hindus, Islamics, Scientologists, New Agers, spiritualists, metaphysicians, atheists, and agnostics; civilian and military; popes, archbishops, ministers, rabbis, priests, deacons, elders and gurus; and the private and public sectors. If we have omitted anyone from the foregoing, please include them, because we don’t want them to feel left out! Historically, all changes, significant and insignificant alike, have been brought about by the efforts and caring of a small group of passionate people. There are usually one or two voices, speaking out, trying to make a difference, trying to bring about a change to what they see as a negative situation or condition. We feel that the current state of our society is not only unacceptable, but that it is getting worse; and it is getting worse in your part of the world. This applies no matter where you happen to be reading this. Just look around the neighbourhood/city/village, etc. in which you live. We are sure that you will see what we see here - greed, violence, lack of caring/respect/courtesy, aggression, and much more. These conditions exist because we allow them to exist, and the only way they will cease to exist is if we cause them to not exist. Now you may say - “Sure; good luck!” But let us ask you one question? What if instead of everyone reading this and saying “Sure, good luck!”, said instead, “I don’t know what I can do, but I will lend my one voice to the effort.”? The answer is that we would see a groundswell movement for change that would be incredible! But if everyone reading this ignores the situation, or feels nothing can be done, then nothing will happen. We guarantee both conditions. There is nothing more powerful than a desire for change that is put into action. On the other hand, there is nothing weaker than apathy. Imagine if this were to work. Imagine if each of us were to lend our individual voices and efforts, we would indeed create a new way of being - in other words, a “new society”. Why would this happen? The answer is simple, and its called The Principle of Critical Mass. Basically what this principle states is that if enough energy from different sources is applied to the same concept, then eventually that concept “takes on a life of its own”, and begins to grow beyond the individual energy from the different sources. The Principle of Critical Mass is real, and has occurred innumerable times in the world. One that comes to mind immediately, is the Vietnam War protest; another is the crumbling of Communism. The same Principle would work if sufficient numbers of us, in different parts of the world, were to change our way of being. It doesn’t have to be all of us; it doesn’t even require a majority. It does however, require a sufficient number of us. How many? We don’t know. We do know however, that once that critical mass point is reached, it will happen. We don’t know about you, but we sure wouldn’t want to be one of those who, if only we had included our efforts, would have been the ones to have made the difference, and would have been the ones that caused critical mass to kick in. So, now it’s happened. Critical mass has come into play, and we have created our new society. Let’s take a look at how and why this new society would be different. It would be different because we would be different. How? The first thing we would notice would be the absence of the “me first” mentality. No longer would there be a “what’s in it for me”, or “let the other guy look out for him/herself”, or “do unto others before they do unto you” way of thinking. Instead we would witness a way of thinking and being that recognizes the truth of the concept that the opposite of the “me first” mentality would be much more productive and rewarding. Imagine a home, street, neighbourhood, community, city, country, or world, where the focus was not on protecting what you have (and all the while seeking to have more), but rather was on respecting both public and private properties, and looking to enhance and beautify what was already in existence, regardless of whether or not it was “yours”. Imagine a society that did not value what label you wore, what car you drove, or whether you lived in the most desirable neighbourhood, but valued instead, your worth as a fellow human being. Imagine a society that did not measure success by the amount of your “material” assets (money, property, “things”), but measured success by the depth of your “personal” assets (honesty, ethics, caring, etc.). Imagine a society that didn’t depend on the depiction of violence and destruction for its entertainment, but rather found enjoyment in excellence in the arts, learning of accomplishments in science and technology, and athletics (both as participants and spectators). Speaking of technology, wouldn’t it be wonderful if the video Game of the Year was not one that encouraged the players to “bomb and destroy to your heart’s content”? Imagine a society (read countries) where the defense planning and national security was not the main focus, but rather the health, well being, and education of the people was of prime importance. Imagine a society city/province/state/country) where the people elected to govern, actually did govern with the best interests of the citizens as their motivator, rather than being re-elected, and doing whatever was necessary to gain that re-election. If you can imagine all this coming to pass, then you could see that we would be at the point where the people who chose to remain aggressive, greedy, unethical, negative, and destructive, would be so few in number (wherever they lived), that they would come to realize that their negative behaviour was weaker than the positive strength of the majority, and would join in or leave in defeat. Now, many of you are going to say that this concept is utopian, pie in the sky, naive, and otherwise foolish. Many of you may also say that we are “dreaming the impossible dream, and reaching for the impossible star”. Maybe it is, and maybe we are - AT THIS POINT. But we need to make a start, if only at first with 1 or 2 people in each area. We few need to focus not on changing the world and everything in it - AT THIS POINT. The major changes can come later. For the moment, let’s each focus on what we can do in our own homes/families and neighbourhoods. Let’s speak up or write to the appropriate person/agency when we observe obvious disregard for laws and/or other people. Speak up if you are offended by what you see and/or hear on TV or radio, or what you read in newspapers and magazines. Write to the media source in question, letting them know that you are not happy with what you have seen or read. On the other hand, if you do see or hear or read something with which you agree, and do not find offensive, do phone or write as well, letting them know of your approval. Let’s set an example for our families, friends, and business associates. Let’s resolve to conduct ourselves in an honest, ethical, courteous, respectful manner. We may not notice results immediately or even in the short term, but remember the Principle of Critical Mass. It will happen! Remember too what astronaut Neil Armstrong said when he stepped on to the surface of the moon 30 years ago (and we are changing a word or two): “This is one small step for humans, one giant step for humankind”. Help us take that giant step for humankind by taking that one small step for you and yours. To learn more about POINT, its' purpose, direction, and spirit, please go the next page About POINT. |
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