From Duped to Empowered: Embracing Positive Change in Our Challenging World?
The dictionary definition of 'dupe' is to trick or deceive, and nobody likes that. Being duped though can trigger a personal awakening though, action…almost like an awakening. Words like 'brainwashed,' 'autopilot,' 'robots,' and 'mass consciousness' often come to mind when I read or hear about what’s going on in our country. News reports, social media and the use of journalistic sensationalism do a great job of focusing on the negative or the next something we need to buy. I have to stop, process and gain a sense of peace and balance after surfing the Internet or reading about what is happening in our world. While I haven't fully mastered this rising above the muck, I'm on a journey to embrace the agency we all have to live fulfilling lives, pursuing our dreams and deliberately looking for the good. So, what if I am beating a different drum? I'm grateful for stepping off the hamster wheel per se or at least slow down the go, go, go pace many lead. Even though I am only one person, I can still do something to buck the status quo which is not working - at least here in North America.
'The Great Reset' by Schwab and Malleret suggests that many changes that have affected our country resulting from COVID-19 were planned, which doesn’t surprise me. Just as organized religion hid truths for centuries, some government leaders aim to expand their already vast control. However, there's a growing awareness of the need to prioritize values that may seem forgotten, one of those being Mother Earth Goal 7 | Department of Economic and Social Affairs (un.org); Goal 15 | Department of Economic and Social Affairs (un.org); and shift away from traditional sources like fossil fuels to name one example. Given North America's significant CO2 emissions https://ourworldindata.org/co2-emissions we have our work cut out for us.
I know I am not alone in these sentiments of unrest, uneasiness. A 2022 survey revealed that 63.5% of Americans believe the country is generally on the wrong track, with various concerns, including high inflation, political polarization, a failed public education system https://www.the74million.org/article/americas-education-system-is-a-mess-and-its-students-who-are-paying-the-price/, subpar healthcare , and government overreach. Despite the fact that these are no small challenges, I believe in the potential for positive change. It may be glacial, but the momentum is building. That translates into taking constructive actions. Getting involved at the local level with the government. Yep, there it is in black and white. Since we’ve created a culture that idolizes the dollar, voting with how and where we spend our money is pivotal too.
Occasionally, I can get down, and am amazed at the world in all its chaos and find it necessary to vent like writing a blog such as this. Yet, I also take steps to make a difference at a micro-level. As I grow older, I've become more accepting of people and their intentions, realizing that many are doing their best. I'm also becoming more involved at the local government level because I genuinely care and realize that because of the overreach, “we the people” have given to government, in order to make a lasting difference we have to let our voice be heard with those we have put in office. It's a journey, and I'm optimistic about the possibilities for positive change. How about you? What do you think about the current state of our country?"
