What Can We Do In Today's World?

[PurpleParrot]

Many of the thoughts shared on these posts and other internet places, classroom and even my own observances of others has lead me to feel another level of concern which I didn't think to look at before.

Over the years, I've often been concerned about other people as well as the environment. Recently, well in the recent two years or so, I felt there was little I can do but just work on myself and try to see what I can do for others around me. At least I thought if I encourage others to go onto their spiritual paths..or anything related to that..cheer them up...maybe there was something I could do...

The past few days, I felt some sadness for what could happen to our world as well as many of the youth around me. I think today I was almost going to cry when I saw a lot of younger college students sitting on the stairs outside of a building..

I have been hearing about how its getting even more difficult to live in this world to get anywhere. I still see that as an obstacle to overcome though. Yet, I think sometimes peoples dreams are easily crushed(have you heard of that poem about a dream deferred...I know it is in reference to civil war but there is this other meaning to it) and that there seems to be so much negativity. Sometimes I wish conversations around me can go beyond gossip to more constructive things such as to discussions in what can we do to make this better and improve ourselves. I hang around so many groups of people and of course my favorite ones are like minded people who are into their spiritual work and self improvement/environmental/societal improvement. Lately,I have heard from adults about how some of them feel embarrassed about the younger people in their own ethnicity/race as in having no sense of direction and engaging in destructive behaviors,etc. I see that too. I've been starting to feel more and more concerned about the infants, toddlers, children, pre-teens and teenagers...They're the new generation. There are people in my own generation still trying to make it through but it just seems the job market and college and life circumstances daunt them. Perhaps I'm just viewing my own self objectively and I really feel like crying about myself. Who knows. Maybe I'm perceiving this in one angle. I even feel that the ones in their twenties(my peers) who are in successful places even seem jaded. Is our spirit breaking? Or are we just having difficulty finding out the next steps in our new paths.

People seem to be escaping..some seem pigeonholed already...I dont want to see this happening..I do all I can...

Some songs that might be programming songs....would still inspire me..like Collective Souls "The World I Know", Michael Jacksons "Heal The World" and "Man In The Mirror"....

I fear living in a mundane,routine, organized world with no spirit at all.

I mean I know everyone is aware of this....but I guess I just realized this on another level again.

Well...

What are you guys doing...do you know other people who are taking action...what is there that we could do in our own areas....

peace!

[SilverInfinity]

Hey PP, when I first saw your myspace profile my impressions were you are a very social person who could make friends that support you and you support them. Have you thought of using this quality to start an awareness club on campus? You can state your mission and if you're very discreet and honest about it, then there will be others joining who also feels there is too much negativity or that their life feels too mundane/serious. If you would write a good letter to the student body, this club will eventually be a legacy and grow to promote compassion, good old-time jokes, and fundraising for community get-togethers on campus. You can even have organic producers, spiritual teachers, and independant drama/film companies sponser your events.

It is a fresh idea, but maybe one that is flawed or too farfetched...

Anyways, this takes someone with strong leadership qualities and courage, and I see that in you. We talked on aim and you told me how you wanted this to be a happier place. I'm sure you will be satisfied with what changes you make in the world, but you are just one person and you don't need to drown yourself into too much compassion (don't forget that).

[Lone Wolf]

very interesting observations, Purple Parrot. I really don't know that there's anything I can do to effect a change in others. People can only change if and when they want to. I also think that the process of "awakening" can be very challenging and painful and although I may want to take on challenges, there are people around me who may not wish to do that. 

I was watching a Sunday Evangelical show last week and I thought about all the hundreds of thousands (if not millions) of people who sit there, waiting for a religious leader to tell them what to think and feel. I realized how incredibly difficult, painful and terrifying it would be if any one of them were to begin to question their beliefs. The initial loss and isolation would be devastating.

I'd say that thinking for ones' self is basically contrary to the overall "program" of this planet.  It is a very difficult road to travel when you start asking questions.

What I'm finding is that I need to focus less on others and more on myself. There are parts of me that look to be told what to think too, even if my beliefs are in the category of "alternative." The other thing I'm working toward is to let go of needing the people around me to "see",  or to change in a way that will make me feel better/ more understood. This is hard to do. But if I try and interfere with how someone is choosing to walk thru life, (because it makes me sad or frustrated), I run the risk of being rejected, or being on the recieving end of some sort of hostility. I have experienced both and I really don't want to put myself in that position anymore. It is in no ones best interest. The best I can do is work toward (the ever elusive!) self love.

Margo

 

[PurpleParrot]

Dear Margo,

Yeah--I resonate with what you said which is true. You've got me inspired to say all of this I guess..which is just echoing of things we already know. I realize ultimately(time and again) we can only change ourselves and that we can only walk our own paths--that no one else will walk it for us and we are always here to learn. If we are going through something painful, we subjectively view it as painful but objectively on the Oversoul level or higher vibrational level perspective, we will know its a lesson to teach us about ourselves--we will also know what it is. I feel I've gotta stand stronger on my path and walk it more confidently than I have before. I've gotta believe in myself and in my own purpose. My purpose should not be something that defines who or what I really am but sometimes I feel like its my backbone.  I'm getting there and the journey is always the journey. I feel like I've gotta be this and that..be open, be more flexible, be guarded, be strong in self, not be too rigid, be relaxed, be tolerant, and the adjectives go on and on. yet,despite all of this, I can't pressure myself. Maybe thats why I couldn't see those people sitting on the porches looking a bit lost. I know thats probably really many aspects of myself. I"m learning and progressing though but its not easy to show this to others who see progress as a step in career,salary, or school. I need to allow myself to be for the most part since I'm not a robot or a slave but just a human girl (coming out of young adult hood and transiting to adulthood--more responsibilities to self and more independence) experiencing this part of God(lol of what we call Earth in 2006..who knows what they call timestreams/parallel simultaneous existences up there on the higher levels).

I guess for now I choose to label my path as that of the student and the healer..that I need to learn, teach,navigate and heal myself while doing this with others. I know that I cannot interfere with the learning or healing process of others unless I am guided to it(if we are learning and healing the same thing and its needed)and I often need to be reminded of that as I go along my journeys. Its hard though when one thinks they know how to fix someone else's problems yet one can only "fix" themselves. I also realize that if I try to change others, overtime they'll run away from me in some way or get upset or angry. There's also that negative aspect where people will become too dependent on me and I would feel drained. I guess I know that I am often giving and too generous because I'm scared of losing people in my life..but if I continue to "smother" others, I'll push them away. I also probably need to learn how to receive too. I must be careful..no one is truly mine. I guess some where hidden subtly in my conscious that because I just "Lost" someone or many someones, I feel in someways I could lose many others but whats there to really lose?!  I should learn how to be supportive and accepting...and learn when to provide advice. lol...and know I cannot keep up to everyone's expectations or I could really lose myself lol. I also should learn how to have a balance between being with others yet being with myself...but its all about permitting Oversoul to take me by the hand until I can blend with it in my life--to walk with that awareness on my path.

I apologize if I sound repetitive when I speak about myself here lol. I feel that I have gone through a year of experiences that have propelled me forward on my spiritual path and my personal growth and yes it was stressful, painful at times but I am coming out much more stronger. I still sometimes seek reassurance and validation from others. I still sometimes seek the need to be with others to compensate for my loneliness(which I used to be okay with), to cushion myself and rejuvenate from all of what I perceived were hardships this year(but I know life will always have a challenging series of events and its all a matter of how I cope and deal with it--and its how we perceive all of it in the end..if we laugh at it or let it pound us) but I also know that I can stand on my own without others. Its just that I guess when I fall, I have people in my life as well as Oversoul to lean back on to help me bounce back if needed...become resilient. We can't let things get to us..and not add energy to the things(situations) or people we perceive as enemies. I'm learning that again as I had used to let things overwhelm and frighten me to states of negativity,trepidation and pessimism and now I am realizing that its me who's making these things daunt me...that I can change it around..transform it and find it no longer insurmountable. Haha I don't have to slay my situations but just know how to deal with 'em!!! Life could be this weird game if we saw ourselves as warriors fighting or video game players going to different levels. Lol this sorta sounds like an affirmation here:With the allowance of God and my higher energies/Oversoul, I can transcend anything that is thrown at me!!

I'm here to see that I change..so I guess I'm here to see that things change here. I should never give up faith in myself...thats just giving up faith in this world.

I keep looking at children..I feel like I've been guided to look at people younger than me for a reason...either to look at this aspect of myself...or to know that this may be a key to my own future...I also am going through emotional times..thats all being human...I'm cleaning out things within me..so this is probably why I saw these college kids and felt sad the other day.

lol those were all my thoughts that just came out now..

i also hang out with Christians, falun dafa practitioners,etc...and I often have to be strong in myself, yet tolerant and not trying to change them..or let them change me..just allow myself to learn with them...its not easy when we do have many questions as you had said...and we have to find our own answers...i'm getting there with finding my own answers..i just need to validate and reassure what i find.

 

Silver Infinity:

 Thats a great idea. Yeah I do happily meet and connect with so many people everyday..I know too many..how many are real friends , that I have yet to decide but not place resentments or hatred if I feel they are not true--to let those attachments go...just accept them for what they are and why they're there. I guess I'd need to learn how to "attach and detach" when necessary. People come and go as we learn..we just share some of our paths with each other for certain times. I dont know why I would start an organization or how I would go about it and what the intentions are.
Could it be a truth seeking, spiritual life exploration organization? What would we do and would it be allowed?

I have friends who gather at a park once a week or for other spiritual events(based on eastern spirituality though which I'm going back to exploring as well..but it all boils down to what we learn at the end of the day about ourselves)..but we don't have a set structure..its just to socialize and connect freely...

I think you have an idea there...but we'll see if its meant to be!!!

thanks!!!!!

 

well thanks guys for letting me share this long post...