To me, one of the most profound statements put forth here in recent memory is this:
If anyone’s missed it, a great thread’s already been started about this one idea that is filled with valuable insights about what this statement means and holds for us:
“those who endure to the end shall save others”
So before even reading this thread, I recommend reading that above one first - as it gives an important perspective from which to motivate the will to do more than just survive; adding to us a strength, aim and raison d'être that is so very specific to what we’re working towards here.
What also makes the above statement so important and useful I think, is that it flies in the face of so much of our negative programming about what, as STS individuals, motivates us - why, in general, we prepare, and the thinking that goes into much of what we do. We can allow the idea to become a part of who we are gently AND deeply - so that we can, hopefully, take a better psychological and ‘spiritual’ approach to the work we’ll be doing to stay healthy, aware, strong and viable - in the coming months and years.
I also think that taking this mindset on can be quite powerful because it not only speaks to our aspirations for self-actualization and the realization of our future selves (individually and collectively), but serves a very useful purpose; it helps us to preserve ourselves and OTHERS so that we may, together, be a strong and positive force for the future. This may sound a tad lofty, but its infinitely practical too - because:
1. no one can do this alone anyway (which we know) 2. we’ve already been given a Big leg up on the Big Picture, and this is a part of the myriad of ways we can pay for it. And if those aren’t reasons enough, how about the possibility of living in a world (which includes as many of us as possible) that holds multiple more wonderful possibilities for us than this one - especially since we’re all pretty much in the same boat.
But, of course, we do have to work for it. And it helps to take careful stock of where we presently are, and where our individual weakness may lie.
Everything we do (or don’t do) sends some kind of signal to the Universe. Be it: praying, doing Eiriu Eolas, exercising, positively (or negatively) dissociating, gathering knowledge, prepping, helping a friend, performing our day jobs, cooking a yummy but healthy meal, cleaning the house, participating here, and so on. How much more of the many constructive activities can we fit into our lives such that the Universe sends a helpful signal back and sort of says “I see you and I hear you - and here’s a helping hand”; engaging as much as possible with the good stuff - not in anticipation of a “pay off’ per se - but with the idea that doing these things is simply an effort to align ourselves more closely with our better and ‘higher selves’ and what is of the highest value in, and to, the Universe. Building our Ark for the sheer joy of it and the faith that, along the way, doing so is also helping to build a road to our combined futures.
Some of the challenges and blockages to raising ourselves by the proverbial bootstraps - in order to ultimately be there for others - can come from any number of places, inside or out. We all may have some days that don’t feel particularly productive (and just aren’t). Or some of what’s posted here about world news, experiencing our programs, etc - may feel a bit daunting (join the club!). Or, we are already dealing with some major things and just don’t feel ready to take on a new practice, perspective or approach to the major business of fortifying ourselves; “I can’t take on another bit of work - I’ve got enough on my plate already!”
The paradox (for lack of a better word) of taking on more of the practices and preparations recommended here, however, is that one not only does doing so make one stronger in meeting the future - but doing so can actually facilitate doing and being even more. The statement “you want to get something done give it to a busy person” applies; active people already being practiced in willing themselves to Work already have a faculty for doing and being even more; growth laying the groundwork for even greater growth. In effect then, the more that one adds to one’s being, and does, in all four rooms as G might say, the more that one may find they CAN BE, and can get done. Now isn’t THAT an interesting prospect? How much more might one accomplish if one were just willing to take that "scary" bull by the proverbial horns?
This thread therefore is about some of the practical knowledge and psychological tools of ultimately helping ourselves to help our fellow travelers, and loved ones, to stay healthy, safe, and growing; in order to be there for others when our planet seems almost unrecognizable from what it is today - a time that seems steadily approaching. There are likely thoughts and insights that will be shared here, and ways of looking at this subject that I haven’t considered, or that we haven’t been made aware of yet. But I’ll be starting off with what I think are some major ones. And I hope that others will share their insights into this topic too.
So, turning the WEF’s tag line on its head a bit: Have everything that will be helpful to ourselves - in order to be of help to others - and be happy!
If anyone’s missed it, a great thread’s already been started about this one idea that is filled with valuable insights about what this statement means and holds for us:
“those who endure to the end shall save others”
So before even reading this thread, I recommend reading that above one first - as it gives an important perspective from which to motivate the will to do more than just survive; adding to us a strength, aim and raison d'être that is so very specific to what we’re working towards here.
What also makes the above statement so important and useful I think, is that it flies in the face of so much of our negative programming about what, as STS individuals, motivates us - why, in general, we prepare, and the thinking that goes into much of what we do. We can allow the idea to become a part of who we are gently AND deeply - so that we can, hopefully, take a better psychological and ‘spiritual’ approach to the work we’ll be doing to stay healthy, aware, strong and viable - in the coming months and years.
I also think that taking this mindset on can be quite powerful because it not only speaks to our aspirations for self-actualization and the realization of our future selves (individually and collectively), but serves a very useful purpose; it helps us to preserve ourselves and OTHERS so that we may, together, be a strong and positive force for the future. This may sound a tad lofty, but its infinitely practical too - because:
1. no one can do this alone anyway (which we know) 2. we’ve already been given a Big leg up on the Big Picture, and this is a part of the myriad of ways we can pay for it. And if those aren’t reasons enough, how about the possibility of living in a world (which includes as many of us as possible) that holds multiple more wonderful possibilities for us than this one - especially since we’re all pretty much in the same boat.
But, of course, we do have to work for it. And it helps to take careful stock of where we presently are, and where our individual weakness may lie.
Everything we do (or don’t do) sends some kind of signal to the Universe. Be it: praying, doing Eiriu Eolas, exercising, positively (or negatively) dissociating, gathering knowledge, prepping, helping a friend, performing our day jobs, cooking a yummy but healthy meal, cleaning the house, participating here, and so on. How much more of the many constructive activities can we fit into our lives such that the Universe sends a helpful signal back and sort of says “I see you and I hear you - and here’s a helping hand”; engaging as much as possible with the good stuff - not in anticipation of a “pay off’ per se - but with the idea that doing these things is simply an effort to align ourselves more closely with our better and ‘higher selves’ and what is of the highest value in, and to, the Universe. Building our Ark for the sheer joy of it and the faith that, along the way, doing so is also helping to build a road to our combined futures.
Some of the challenges and blockages to raising ourselves by the proverbial bootstraps - in order to ultimately be there for others - can come from any number of places, inside or out. We all may have some days that don’t feel particularly productive (and just aren’t). Or some of what’s posted here about world news, experiencing our programs, etc - may feel a bit daunting (join the club!). Or, we are already dealing with some major things and just don’t feel ready to take on a new practice, perspective or approach to the major business of fortifying ourselves; “I can’t take on another bit of work - I’ve got enough on my plate already!”
The paradox (for lack of a better word) of taking on more of the practices and preparations recommended here, however, is that one not only does doing so make one stronger in meeting the future - but doing so can actually facilitate doing and being even more. The statement “you want to get something done give it to a busy person” applies; active people already being practiced in willing themselves to Work already have a faculty for doing and being even more; growth laying the groundwork for even greater growth. In effect then, the more that one adds to one’s being, and does, in all four rooms as G might say, the more that one may find they CAN BE, and can get done. Now isn’t THAT an interesting prospect? How much more might one accomplish if one were just willing to take that "scary" bull by the proverbial horns?
This thread therefore is about some of the practical knowledge and psychological tools of ultimately helping ourselves to help our fellow travelers, and loved ones, to stay healthy, safe, and growing; in order to be there for others when our planet seems almost unrecognizable from what it is today - a time that seems steadily approaching. There are likely thoughts and insights that will be shared here, and ways of looking at this subject that I haven’t considered, or that we haven’t been made aware of yet. But I’ll be starting off with what I think are some major ones. And I hope that others will share their insights into this topic too.
So, turning the WEF’s tag line on its head a bit: Have everything that will be helpful to ourselves - in order to be of help to others - and be happy!
