Getting Real in the New Economy

If you're anything like me, you're probably pretty conscientious. But, let's face it, in an economy as predatory as ours, it's an uphill battle even for those of us who make our beds in the morning, floss regularly and show up on time.

In this economy, others I know who are equally conscientious do all kinds of crazy things to stretch their money. Times are tough and, with the ever increasing concentration of wealth into fewer hands, getting tougher. And we're doing the best we can.

image courtesy of Pixabay

So let's get real. We need to survive this savage period while helping others to get through it unscathed. Here are a few things we can do.

For one, let's lose the new age chatter. Forget about manifesting. While the money is evaporating all around us and going to the pockets of the very rich, it's going to take more than magical thinking to get us out of this predicament. We're in a situation that's like monetary musical chairs, on a crumbling ecosystem. This is serious, and we've got to get serious too.

And let's skip the tough love. We're already getting enough of it from the economic realities we're immersed in. Let's support each other and create trusting, caring relationships. We need all the support we can get these days.

Immersing ourselves in community goes a long way. Together we're creating solutions, making new friends and building support networks. Community gardens, environmental groups, tool sharing, free stores -- the more ways we find to share, the better off we all are, and the less isolated we feel.

image courtesy of Pixabay

And let's pat ourselves on the back for the good decisions we've made, for the tenacity we show at checking the job boards daily, keeping our resumes current, and finding creative ways of getting by.

And for taking care of ourselves. In an economy that doesn't give a damn about anything except profits, it's a strength to eat well, to care for our appearance, and to make our well being a priority.

Morale boosters are a must these days. Some of the things that work for me are eating good but simple food, putting a few fresh wild flowers around the house, and indulging my creativity when I can. I find that putting some effort into my personal appearance elicits a positive response from others too.

Finding free, fun things to do can make a big difference. Playing cards or board games, going for hikes, having friends over for dinner, going to free nights at the museum, and getting involved with community groups helps everyone involved feel good. Focusing on the things we enjoy helps to take the edge off. It's easy to be intentional about this when we realize that most of us are struggling with money, time or both. We can all do our bit to lift each other up.

image courtesy of Pixabay

One of the most meaningful things we can do is keep the big picture in mind. Since we're alive, we're the place of power between generations. We're the ones who can make a difference, honouring those who came before us and being in service to those to come.

Getting through these tough times is our challenge. How can we transform the world around us? How will we find better ways of living on our debased planet? What small steps can we take to influence our world in a good way?

There are small things we can do to make a difference like shopping at second hand instead of box stores. We can also give away what we don't need, live more simply and find free and second hand sources of the things we need. We can redefine our values, grow food, and build community.

And, whatever we do, let's be kind to each other. Most of us put on a happy face, and we don't know what kinds of hardships others are experiencing. Kindness is like a salve when we're all being chafed by a rough world. Here's a song to inspire kindness and appreciation for the world around us.

Collectively, we need to find a way to make a just transition to a cleaner, greener society. The basis for our emerging society needs to be kindness, fairness and sustainability. Our relationships are what will make the difference. We need trust and goodwill more than ever. The way we conduct ourselves now is the foundation for the new society we're helping to bring about.

Congratulations on surviving these brutal times! I look forward to the better times we're creating together. And, who knows? You might just be the one who makes all the difference.

image courtesy of Pixabay

Because We're Alive, We Are the Place of Power

Because we're alive, we are the place of power. Future generations are counting on us, as are our ancestors, many of whom dedicated themselves to making a better life for us. We're the ones able to act on their behalf because we are alive.

Taking the long view, we'll need all the love, smarts and resources we can muster to keep our souls from shrivelling and to do what's right. It's up to us to protect our planet, and to bring about a better future for all of us.

We need to cut through the fake news, refuse to be divided and not get suckered into the blame game. We're here to find and support each other as we stand up to politicians who've broken their promises, and to the billionaires who have tainted our politics, media and cultures.

photo courtesy of Kyle Cottrell

Let's face it: most of us are unacknowledged by our media. We're portrayed in all kinds of unflattering ways, but we see ourselves reflected in trends that aren't media driven: the popularity of Bernie Sanders and Jeremy Corbyn, the increased number of vegans, the popularity of 'buy local' campaigns and gardening, the tiny house movement, the thousands who take to the streets over injustices, and our love of community. 

We don't need validation by the media when we have each other. We need to reclaim our public spaces, tax dollars and voting rights, and correct the systems that have caused anguish for so many. Let's discuss the future, grieve together, share food and find new ways of expressing what we want so our many kindred spirits can find us and join in.

Branding doesn't work for us; we're learning, growing and evolving from the ground up. We welcome people from all races, nationalities, religions, genders, gender identifications, ages, classes and movements. All have insights and abilities to contribute, and all are worthy of respect and inclusion. Let's demonstrate the peaceful, wise and sensible way forward in all its many forms.

Let's stop those pipelines and end fracking, and get on with clean energy, proportional representation and decent standards of living for all. Let's protect our land, water and air together and stop exploiting each other. It's time to create a harmonious way of being with each other and with the magnificent planet that sustains us.

It's our duty as citizens – as human beings – to seize this critical historic moment and to work together in ways we never have before. If we're alive, our lives have meaning. It's our job to protect and restore our world. 

Future and past generations are counting on us. And we're going to have a wonderful time together while we envision and create the future we want.

photo courtesy of Kinga Cichewicz