Over the years each of us has developed their own “viewpoint” from which we observe the world around us. Working with the CWG material taught me :-
POSITION determines PERSPECTIVE which determines PERCEPTION
Those opinions soon become strongly held beliefs, and we can become blinkered, only choosing to see evidence which further strengthens those beliefs. The Internet and the media is awash with “experts” sharing their opinions and beliefs. Problems start to arise when those beliefs are presented as incontrovertible facts.
The Sufi poet Rumi wrote :
“Out there, beyond any ideas of right and wrong, there is a field. I’ll meet you there”
In her book “Embracing Uncertainty”, Susan Jeffers introduced me to a word which the Janists use liberally in their conversations – SYAT. The word literally translates as “To the best of my knowledge at this moment in time” She also shared a different way to observe the world around us – the “maybe” world”.
Maybe Global Warming and Climate Change are a direct result of human actions over the past couple of hundred years.
Maybe they are simply part of the Earths natural cycle.
Maybe they threaten the survival of the human race.
Maybe they don’t.
Maybe chemicals like SLS, SLES and Parabens are harmful, possibly even lethal to human beings.
Maybe they aren’t
Maybe the present economic system based on annual growth and cyclical consumption is sustainable.
Maybe it isn’t
You get the idea.
Will deciding to reduce our energy consumption and our carbon footprint really have an effect on Global Warming and Climate Change ?
Maybe it will. Maybe it won’t
But I reckon it won’t do any harm to change. SYAT.
Will deciding to use only chemical free, organic toiletries and cleaning products really be better for our health, and that of our families ?
Maybe it will. Maybe it won’t.
But I reckon it won’t do any harm to change. SYAT
Will changing from our “take, make, break and throw away” society demanded by our present economic system, to a “reduce, reuse, recycle” society create a more sustainable future ?
Maybe it will. Maybe it won’t.
But I reckon it won’t do any harm to chage. SYAT.
This blog is not here to ram opinions and beliefs, mine or anyone elses down your throat. It’s not here to tell you what to think. Just to ask you to think again before making choices which could impact of the future of you, your family and the environment.
Can we make a difference ?
Maybe we can. Maybe we can’t.
But I believe we have to try.
Fritz Schumacher wrote.
“We must do what we conceive to be right and not bother our heads or burden our souls with whether we’ll be successful. Because if we don’t do the right thing, we’ll do the wrong thing, and we’ll be part of the disease, and not part of the cure.”
Mitakuye Oyasin
Mike P
January 2011
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