Fear is that darkroom in your mind

Fear is that darkroom in your mind

where negative thoughts are developed.”

How can we make this world a better place?

In a society used to instant answers to solve all problems, we cringe when we hear of crimes in our city. We are afraid for our children, our families, and our friends. Can we continue to live a life of fear?

We need to ask and keep on asking until we find the answers.. We have to stop ‘treating the disease’ and start focusing on the ‘cause’. Once you know the cause, it’s a matter of time that you’ll find a cure. And this principle can be applied to basically any problem plaguing society, such as poverty and crime.

Rise in crime rate in major cities has been a major concern, resulting in death of innocent victims and the loss of a sense of security. So what attracts the young to a life of crime?

Loss of self-respect, low income and absence of higher education are some of the probable causes. These three ingredients are enough to destroy a society and lead future generations, into a self-destructive cycle. But as we delve deeper, we realize, that as we ask ‘why’ we’ll find, that we as individuals can do something about it. The power of one, is greater than you think. I’m sure each citizen, asks, what can I do to help, and if you’re ready, read on, because you can make a difference.

First let me orient you on exactly where we are. Little do we realize, we are all in the same ‘fish bowl’, and it is our responsibility to ‘clean up’ our act. The reality is harsh, and we need to face it. We are the cause. We can’t escape, and we can’t blame the other guy, the society at large or even institutions. But being part of a whole, we need to do our part, as a citizen, for we are the social structure making up the whole. It all starts with ourselves.

Let’s start with low self-esteem among the poor. Why? Because they can’t afford the necessities, like rent and food. Why? Because they have a low paying jobs’ Why? Because they don’t have higher education. Why? They dropped out of school. Why? Because maybe, they didn’t have a role model, or parents couldn’t afford school, or maybe, they just weren’t good at school? Why? Because their parent was a single mom, or could have been criminal. Or their parents had low paying jobs, working long hours to make ends meet. Or they just had trouble understanding the teacher because they were holding down a part-time job to help the family household or just had A.D.D. Whatever the reason, they are the disadvantaged and find life just plain hard. Why? Because society did not care. It’s the other guy’s problem and so there is no one there to listen to them and help. Why? People who are successful are just too busy to help, they’re too busy being part of the rat race so that they can be successful.. Why? Because they associate self-worth with material gain. Why? They have forgotten, who they really are. Why? They are caught up in the cycle of material gain looking for happiness where it does not exist. Why? They are missing God in their lives.

In some primitive cultures, villagers band together to help each other. If one member of the village, commits a crime all the villagers are involved in solving the situation. Everyone stops what they are doing. They form a circle, around the offender, and take turns speaking to him or her. They all talk about the GOOD, this person has done, and the value he is to the village as a whole. They make him feel good about himself, wanted and needed. They continue for a few days, to restore his self-esteem, and self-worth, so he can return to being part of the whole.

Of course, they are a primitive society, what do they know about our civilized way? The way of prisons, and punishments. Their objective is to retrieve the lost sheep, so that things can return back to the original state. Our objective is to cut off from society, isolate, mistreat them so that they are hardened criminals, and then put them back into society to see if they can fit right back in. And if they can’t get a decent job, (obviously because they are labeled and discriminated), and worse, taken advantage of, they return to their former life of crime. Organizations like the John Howard Society, try to help them get back into the mainstream. But our justice system and society as a whole fails them and thus fails everyone else.

So where do we start. Let’s start with the end of the cycle and work our way to the beginning so we can create a new beginning for future generations.

Can one person make a difference? How many times, have we asked ourselves this and concluded, that we can’t change the world. What can one person do? And we’d answer probably nothing. We are a little pebble among the giant rocks.

Yet all through history, we see time and time again, how one individual can make a difference. One such example is Ghandi, successfully influencing a nation and finally obtaining freedom for his country, without going to war. Mother Teresa, quietly working for the poor, doing what she felt was the right thing to do. Sometimes, going against the church for what she felt was right in her heart. Princess Diana, who although quietly living a life of suffering through her own personal loveless marriage, dedicated her time for good causes. Such individuals stand out in society as they live their life in integrity. They stand for what they believe in, never wavering or acting selfishly. They are the little pebbles that when thrown in the pond, make ripples that can be felt on all sides. They move the world, inspire others, and keep the fire of faith alive.

Where can we start?

As parents we can live our life in integrity and thus teach our children to do the same. But the road is long and full of tangled weeds. Weeds such as racism, prejudice, and selfishness. They can be pulled out and thrown aside, but if a tiny part of a root remains, they will grow back again. Pulling them out is not enough they need to be snuffed out by integrity.

As teachers, we see these children every day. We can identify those who have low self-esteem, and help them find, their purpose or ‘raison d’etre’ . Look for the good, inspire and lift their spirits. Be the model for them and live and teach with integrity.

As employers, our responsibilities are twofold, to our shareholders, and to our employees. Companies, need leaders with integrity. Those companies, ruled by corruption and selfishness, don’t stay long in business. Loyalty is reciprocated between employee and employer

As lawmakers, lets change our prison system. If the cause of crime is caused by low self esteem, then, lets find ways to raise that esteem. If on the other hand, there are psychological or medical causes, then help them as you would persons, that are ill.

Again I ask, can one person make a difference? Each person is part of a whole called society. If everyone does their part, we as a society can change.

Like small atoms, we vibrate with energy. One molecule affects another molecule which in turn affects another, and so on. When we live in integrity we raise our vibrational level. At a subconscious level, we affect everyone close to us, until we all vibrate at the same level. Will it take time away from the rat race? No all it demands, is that you have loving thoughts, toward all life around And every once in awhile, walk a mile in their shoes, and be slow to judge.