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Possibilities for 2019: Join Us!
“And if we want to achieve our goal, then let us empower ourselves with the weapon of knowledge and let us shield ourselves with unity and togetherness.” —Malala Yousafzai (Winner of the Nobel Peace Prize, Author of I Am Malala, Founder of the Malala Fund for girls’ education).
“What a world this will be when human possibilities are freed, when we discover each other, when the stranger is no longer the potential criminal and the certain inferior!” —W.E.B Du Bois (1868-1963, Author, Activist, Co-Founder of the NAACP).
One of the things I loved about the 2018 movie, Bohemian Rhapsody, was the Live AID concert showcasing a billion people from across the globe who joined together to raise $127 million for famine relief in Ethiopia. In a recent example of united goodwill, in 2018 we witnessed the daring cave rescue of the Thailand soccer team, involving people from different countries rapidly working to prevent an imminent loss of lives.
Worthy causes (addressing issues such as hunger, disease, education, violence, natural disasters, equality, justice, environmental and public health) are bigger than any one person and bigger than any single country. When we cast aside our differences to work toward solutions, we achieve miraculous results. Through collaborations and creative problem solving, we are able to garner resources, skills, and talents to accomplish what we can never achieve in isolation.
Imagine what is possible for this planet when we learn to work together: medical breakthroughs, technological breakthroughs, educational breakthroughs, scientific breakthroughs, artistic breakthroughs, environmental breakthroughs, and so on. We can solve world hunger. We can eradicate some of the most deadly human diseases. We can create sustainable, healthy environments. We can implement gender, racial, and economic equality in schools, businesses, communities, and governments. We can live, together, in peace.
If these goals sound unlikely, remember that we now routinely travel in airplanes flying 35,000 feet in the air (at 550 miles per hour), and we communicate via cell phones and the Internet with people living almost anywhere on the planet. Surely we can use our collective intelligence and vast resources for the common good—and not simply for profit or power.
Expanded Vision
Reaching our shared goals will take vision—the kind of vision that sees the intrinsic value of nature and the inherent worth of all humans and animals inhabiting our earth home. We will need to go beyond the idea of people, plants, animals, land, water, ocean life, and trees as “things” to be exploited. We will need to see beyond man-made geographic borders, man-made flags, man-made wars, and man-made separations. We will need to expand our ideas of what it means to truly love.
Small Daily Tasks, Mighty Results
Worthy undertakings require sustained efforts. Whether we are completing a college degree, raising children, advocating for social change, or starting a new project, perseverance is needed to see us through the difficulties and obstacles that inevitably arise. Learning healthy ways of doing things will be required. We will also need to understand more about each other and about our earth home. We will need to change. We will need to grow. We will need to engage in life-affirming actions—individually and collectively—each day.
It’s Up to Us
What is your vision for your life? What is your vision for your family and friends, your community, and your world? Where can you apply your talents to aid the greater good? Where are you needed?
Let’s focus our collective efforts and create something beautiful, loving, generous, and kindhearted in our lives and in our world! Future generations will thank us.
We begin today.
Join us!
In joy & gratitude,
Diana Ensign
Really enjoyed your blog posting. A beautiful inclusive vision for 2019 and beyond. You have the sensitivity to see into the soul of what truly matters and articulate it clearly.
Thank you Linda! Happy New Year wishes! May the year (and each day) bring you moments of inner peace, joy, and happiness. : )
A wonderful vision for a New Year!
Thank you! May all the love and beauty we visualize continue, each day, with small daily acts for ourselves and for others. Happy New Year!!
Beautifully written, Diana! A wonderful vision!
Happy New Year Marolyn! May our visions for the common good guide us well into the future. Thank you for helping with the next generation and beyond! : )
Hey Diana,…I agree with everything that you shared…yes, it takes vision, but more than that, it takes committed action…I invite you to challenge all of us, your readers, throughout 2019 to assess just where we are with putting vision in to specific actions…thank you for guiding and leading us…blessings for 2019! Charlie
Wonderful suggestions Charlie. I’ve read that accomplishing goals requires: 1. Visualizing the goal. 2. Visualizing the benefits from achieving the goal. 3. Visualizing obstacles (in order to create solutions to potential problems). 4. Visualizing a strategy (action steps). This approach has scientific backing. [References: Mark Waldman; Andrew Newberg, M.D; Gabrielle Oettingen]. So, yes, specific actions are indeed necessary to achieve goals (and, as you say, committed, ongoing actions). A spiritual (or more intuitive) approach might simply involve getting quiet each day, listening for heart guidance — and then — taking actions in thoughtful alignment with that guidance. A good question to ponder or meditate on: How are we putting our vision (once we have a vision or goal) into specific actions? Do we need outside help with this last step? Do we need more resources or knowledge to implement the action steps? Are there people we can reach out to for guidance or support? Thank you Charlie for prompting the discussion on implementing specific steps we can take to lead us forward in healthy ways! Possible future blogs ideas indeed. Peace in the New Year! : )