Sunday Story…Progress

Get to the bottom of this!

Lately, we have been inundated with interesting economic news. Disaster after disaster looms. And not just here…the entire world seems to be in turmoil, economically. I just heard from someone in Europe recently who said and I quote: “I am a bit gutted but I work for the higher end of the business and bookings are low yada yada recession blah blah blah…” The Chinese this, the Indians that, Bonuses for Bankers, Wall Street continues. We need growth, economic growth to continue to fuel our lives. BUT WAIT there’s more…it sounds like Ron Popeil hawking the next great fishing thing or a cook set all coming with that really cool ginsu knife that cuts cans and tomatoes and stays sharp all the time!

We are in trouble as a society and a culture. And we are trying to solve our problems with the same level of thinking that created them. No offense to our new president but putting a new wrapper on an old idea is like wrapping old fish in new newspaper. Looks good, still stinks. And it is not going to solve the problem long term. How about we do some 180 degree turns? Since you cannot have peace while preparing for war…let cancel the Department of Defense and start the Department of Peace. Instead of the consumer price index, let’s have the consumer happiness index. When it goes up we all benefit! Cancel public works in favor of good works. Instead of bailing out businesses lets educate our children to solve problems instead of taking tests. Federal Bureau of Investigation becomes the Federal bureau of Instigation…how can we instigate new ideas and thinking? Central Intelligence Agency? How about an Emotional Intelligence Agency? Department of Commerce? Maybe Department of Character? Department of the Interior….OK, but only if the Interior refers to the landscape of my soul. Hmmmm…Homeland Security? Maybe Global Security? How about the Surgeon General? You have got to be kidding…no wonder our healthcare is a mess…Maybe we should have a Minister of Health? A department where our health is paramount not our sickness. A Department of Restorative Justice rather than the Department of regular old justice. And we need a Department of Mediation and Reconciliation instead of the Department of Corrections. Internal Revenue? How about a little External Revenue? Attorney General? Czars of this or that? Fighting the war on drugs, poverty, and crime? Maybe we should declare the war over. Stop the bellicose talk and begin the peace talks. Quit naming departments and their heads after out dated martial systems. It isn’t working folks. It is broken. All our efforts to fight this and that epidemic of badness have failed to eradicate it. Oh it changes a little from time to time but really it has not changed.
I am tired of constantly hearing about growth…growing jobs, growing the economy, growing green technology. I want progress. I want to hear about companies that are progressing with their communities through partnerships with people instead of lip service about giving money away while not providing benefits and caring for their employees. I want government to be about people instead of things…like bombs and planes, and humvees. I want government to be progressive about changing the landscape of our minds and souls interior instead mining our mountains, rivers, and valleys.

We have grown. Our population has increased. Our GDP is larger. Lots of things have grown but have we progressed? Do we only measure progress by the size of our Gross Domestic Product? By the size of our revenue stream? Whether or not we have a trade deficit, a balanced budget or a peace hinged on mutually assured destruction? We have traversed into bizarro world. Maybe we should look at the least of us…the elderly, the children, the homeless, the sick, the tired, and the poor. How are they progressing? Are their lives getting any easier? And don’t start the “pull themselves up by the boot straps” conversation. People are living in the canyons west of where I live and other people are mad because “Those People” don’t have any way to dispose of their trash and waste? Shouldn’t we be mad about the fact that they don’t have a place to live? Shouldn’t we, as a society, as a community, want to help those around us who can’t help themselves? This is not progress folks.

Progress is when the least of us is cared for and loved. Can you look at that homeless man and see the little boy he once was? Running playing, hoping and dreaming? Or do you see your own fear and loathing? “Oh God not again. Don’t THESE PEOPLE know any better? Why doesn’t he get a job?” Progress is when our communities are clean and well cared for. Where people can live sustainably, be happy and grow up and old together. Progress is not just when I get to worship the way I want to but when you get to worship your way right next to me and we both smile. Progress is when the elderly are respected as wisdom keepers and the link between generations; their stories are carried forth as learning tools. Progress is when no child goes to bed hungry, scared or in pain. Progress is when a helping hand is there to teach and create an environment of health and healing. Progress means we are becoming the human “being”. Progress meant the entire planet belongs to the family and the family is all of us. Progress is when the Power of Love is more important the love of power (Thanks Jimi).

Oh and by the way…Happy Valentine’s Day…send some love to someone you have a hard time loving.

Namaste

John
“Teaching Focus, Inspiring Transformation”