Sharing a Few Thoughts On Making a Difference, a Better World

Article Title: Sharing a few thoughts on making a difference, a better world
Category (key words): Oprah Winfrey, contribution, making a difference, peace, world peace, spiritual, inspiration

Article Summary:
A global change in thinking and actions fueled by emotion and especially passion is the only solution to the immense problems of the world, like poverty, hunger, disease, Aids, etc, war, ethnic rivalries and so on.

Other Articles by Craig Lock are available at: http://www.selfgrowth.com/articles.html
(Personal growth, self help, writing, internet marketing, words of inspiration and money management)

Publishing Guidelines: This piece (as with all my articles) may be freely published, electronically or in print. .

"We share what we know, so that we all may grow."

*
SHARING A FEW THOUGHTS ON MAKING A DIFFERENCE, A BETTER WORLD -
THE STATE OF THE WORLD and HOW TO CHANGE IT? *

"Without a global revolution in the sphere of human consciousness, nothing will change for the better in our being as humans."
Vaclav Havel, former President of the Czech Republic

* sorry about all the 'caps' - I'm not shouting in 'net-speak', but just trying to make the headline stand out (always breaking the rules, but that's the story of my life!)

Author's Note:
This article (in point form) was largely based upon notes I've taken from Oprah Winfrey's most uplifting TV program from some years back, as well as adding some additional points and thoughts, based on my own view of the world (and philosophies).
*

But what can a mere I do to make some difference in the world?

Some personal strategies for achieving a sense of purpose, honesty and living with integrity. Be motivated by the deepest values in your life. Makes for a far more fulfilling life. How do you get a sense of value in the family?

* Community with God
* Absolute honesty with people (listen to that, politicians)
* Spirit of Service.
* Develop a Mission statement for your life. Doing this gives you a framework for setting goals.
* Empathy and caring. Take care of yourself then you can reach out and help others.
* Develop a family mission statement.
Once you have it keep going back to it. This keeps you focussed and on track. Review from time to time to monitor your progress.

Ask, how are we going to solve problems? Listen to others and their opinions - more than we talk. Keep quiet. This is why we have 2 ears and one mouth.
People's biggest need is to feel appreciated.
Don't give up. We ALL have the power to make a difference in the world.
Try to find meaning in an imperfect world. There IS a SPIRITUAL SOLUTION to any "seeming impossible" problem. "The spiritual is stronger than any material force, thoughts rule the world."
- the great and inspirational American philosopher, Ralph Waldo Emerson

Some problems of the world:

* Poverty, hunger and malnutrition
* Disease (endemic), like Aids
* A 'force of Evil' - ie. man's inhumanity to man in people's hearts (Iraq today)
* Violence (WARS), ethnic violence and divisions, tribal rivalries:
* Countries agression against others, based on either a desire to control, for power, or perceived FEAR
* Criminality
* Drug addiction
* Cancer
* Aids, Bird Flu, malaria and other epidemics
* Religious and political intolerance,
ie. a lack of tolerance and understanding of other people and other cultures
* Man's lust for power and desire to control others, ie.
acting out of self interest and excessive greed, rather than others (people, as well as countries)

and so on.

But what can a mere I do about these seemingly insurmountable and impossible global problems to solve?
You can raise and ignite the public consciousness at a local level regarding these issues with emotion and passion (and that's what I try to do through my writings).
.
I truly believe most people are basically good with generous hearts and a strong spirit. That is inherant in the human condition... and needs to be drawn upon. 'Ordinary' people just feel helpless, powerless to do much, to make a contribution. They don't what they can do; as most people think that it's only politicians and leaders who can change things - make a big contribution..

However, I believe that each one of us can sometimes do far more than we ever imagined - in making a significant contribution to the world (through "the power of one"* *). Enough ripples can make a wave. Just be kind and compassionate to others - doing this at an individual level has way more impact than force (heed that, politicians of the world!).

A practical example of this at work...

What might have been? Wouldn't Iraq have been a different country, if it had been flooded with kindness, thoughts of good-will and practical help, like medicine, food, education, etc in the early 90's (after the first Gulf War)? With pressure from outside and within the country (internal and external as in apartheid South Africa), peoples attitudes in the "cradle of Civilisation" would have changed (about the West) and an unstoppable force, a flame that could never be doused, the spirit of goodness and concern for humanity would have been set in motion... which like a wildfire on the prairie (that's a simile by the way) would have spread throughout the Middle East...
And ultimately even vicious tyrants like Saddam Hussain would have been removed by the Iraqi people themselves...with minimal bloodletting (unlike the current chaos, the ongoing nightmare in that 'blighted' country). And Iraq and the world would have been a far better and more stable place today (and perhaps without the "unwinnable war on terrorism"). The "tides, the sands of history" would have been irreversibly changed, yet man never seems to learn from the lessons of history (and especially the politicians!). Incidentally, I saw how things changed "miraculously" in my former country South Africa through the efforts of great men with a vision of a peaceful future for their "beloved country". Enough of your opinions on geo-politics, Craig (it has got you into enough trouble in the past, "stirrer").

Summary:
A global change in thinking and actions fueled by emotion and especially passion is the only solution to the immense problems of the world, like poverty, hunger, disease, Aids, etc, war, ethnic rivalries and so on.

"Without a global revolution in the sphere of human consciousness, nothing will change for the better in our being as humans..."
Vaclav Havel, President (former?) of the Czech Republic
*
Often it is only the Power of God, working through people that can change things. Miracles arise from pain - the goodness and magninimity of the human spirit in intense suffering. God is more powerful than AIDS. We all have the spark of divinity within us; so what we understand by the concept of God (truth, righteousness, goodness, etc) is in all of our hearts. However, we can easily allow the 'blights' to return to our lives, if we are not careful and aren't in touch with our "spiritual selves" ( enough of that airy/fairy stuff" now, Craig). Then we are not picking up the tools of light - which comes from God. The power of spirit and grace in "I am". Spend precious moments with God: in meditation and prayer. Prayer allows us to see situations from another perspective, in a new light. It changes your reality, your consciousness, to God's reality. Prayer can change any situation (because it changes one's perspective about situations) and it works through FAITH.

"Faith is the pillar of strength that allows man to achieve the impossible, reach the unattainable and solve the unfathomable."

So
Live with HOPE and joy..

We could do it differently to make a better world - through daily prayer. I want to be used as an instrument, a vessel of God - let that power come to me and flow through me.
THE GLORY and GRACE OF GOD. God is in us, within us, around us. If we all pray deeply enough, the problems of the world could disappear.

The immense problems of this world cannot be solved at the same level of thinking that created them. I think it was Albert Einstein who said something like that. Words of wisdom! So elevate your thinking to the highest levels of consciousness - to the benefit of all humanity.

Prayer (which is a form of 'thought power', ie energy) is a tool powerful beyond measure, as it changes our perspective on situations and events, raises our thinking, elevates our levels of consciousness to see problems at a different level, another realm. Like a "birds-eye view" from above. This altered thinking changes the chemistry in our brains (like a drug for mental patients... and I know plenty of them*!), our state of mind when in a state of meditation or especially when at prayer is at a deeper level of consciousness; so that each one of us thinks, then ACTS differently... and this changed mindset brings forth different and amazing results. Together with drawing on the unlimited power, the life force of God, our Creator, of course! FAITH + ACTION is the key: These different forces (beings), you and God are working in "synch", in perfect harmony... and all you have to do is tap into and let this Unlimited Power manifest in your life.

* Anyway, I think one has to be a bit "nutty" to be an "airey-fairy/arty-farty" writer!

We hide from our light. We think, it's a simple matter of getting the right politician to fix the country. But that magnificent inner spirit is already within us. Just pray with all your heart and soul for your deepest desires...

"In the name of God protect our children, and so on"....
And in spite of the state of the world,
don't carry the burdens of it on your shoulders by taking yourself and life too seriously.

Evil will go when God tells it to go. It will go when God tells us to go...to do something about it ...and make a difference in this amazing world of ours. So find a worthy cause, adopt this 'calling' and 'fuel it with passion. Then this path may even become 'your life mission'. The magnificent spirit of the 'divine' lies within each and every one of us - it's what makes us human. It's so powerful. It is our responsibility...our choice.
But

what will YOU do about it?

Edwin Hubbel Chapin once said, "Every action of our lives touches on some chord that will vibrate in eternity." That is the definition of a
legacy. Wouldn't you love to do something that might strike a
beautiful chord that will "vibrate in eternity"?
(Without being a too boring "Mr goody goody two shoes", please!),
you can help build a better world by just being a better YOU.

"Our deepest fear is not that we are inadequate.
Our deepest fear is that we are powerful beyond measure.
It is our light, not our darkness that most frightens us.
You are a child of God.
Your playing small does not serve the world.
so that other people won't feel insecure around you.
We were born to make manifest the glory of God that is within us.
It is not just in some of us; it is in everyone.
And as we let our own light shine, we unconsciously
give other people permission to do the same."
- from Marianne Williamson

I love these inspiring words, as uttered by former South African President, Nelson Mandela in his inaugeration speech in 1994. I have admired and respected this great man, for many years - for his immense generosity and graciousness,. as an icon of magnanimity, and especially his "great nobility of spirit"

A global change in thinking and actions fueled by emotion, passion and especially tinged with a large helping of FAITH, I truly believe, is the only solution to the immense problems of the world: issues like poverty, hunger, disease, Aids, etc, war, ethnic rivalries and so on..Fired with emotion and passion, in our own little ways and in our own little spheres of influence, we can all raise, then ignite the public consciousness. So it's up to each ONE of us to do just what one person can do to make a difference, a better world.

If we can't do "great things",
let's just do "little things in a great way"
Be happy and have great fun in just doing what you can do.

craig

"Lord, make me an instrument of your peace; where there is
hatred, let me sow love; where there is injury, pardon; where
there is doubt, faith; where there is despair, hope; where there
is darkness, light... and where there is sadness, joy.
I shall pass through this world but once. Any good therefore
that I can do, or any kindness that I can show to any human
being, let me do it now. Let me not defer nor neglect it, for
I shall not pass this way again."
- anon (thanks for sharing, dearest mom)

"Deep within us there is a flame that burns, and that flame is the spark of God. In some it burns brightly, in others it is barely distinguishable; but always it burns...and with love and acceptance the flame gets higher and brighter. We can help others to kindle this flame by seeing the good in them, even if they don't see it themselves."
- anon

* *
"One SONG can spark a moment
One FLOWER can wake the dream
One TREE can start a forest
One BIRD can herald spring
One SMILE begins a friendship
One HANDCLASP lifts a soul
One STAR can guide a ship at sea
One WORD can frame the goal
One VOTE can change a nation
One SUNBEAM lights a room
One CANDLE wipes out darkness
One LAUGH will conquer gloom
One STEP must start each journey
One WORD must start a prayer
One HOPE will raise our spirits
One TOUCH can show you care
One VOICE can speak with wisdom
One HEART can know what is true
One LIFE can make a difference
You see, it is up to YOU."
- Author Unknown

P.S: Here are a few of my thoughts. Enjoy...

"Ignite the light in your soul,
then you will spread light in people.
Plant beauty in yourself
and harmony will blossom in your home.
When harmony perfumes the home
There will be order in the nation.
If there is order in the nation,
There will be peace in the world."

Adapted from ancient Chinese proverb with humanity by "young" Dr Andy Eastcott, Gisborne, New Zealand

"Let each one of us build bridges rather than barriers, openness rather than walls. Let us look at distant horizons together in a spirit of acceptance, helpfulness, co-operation and peace. Let our leaders look at the future with a vision - to see things not as they are, but what they could one day become."

"I believe it is our responsibility (or CHOICE) as human
beings to 'serve' others through sharing our 'God-given'
abilities, knowledge, experiences and especially talents.
These are our gifts from our Creator; but what we do with
those talents is our 'gift to God'. I want to light a
candle of hope and love, by shining my own 'little light'
(note alliteration!) on the world as brightly as I can.
This spirit is my 'little gift' to God, Life, the Universe,
Infinite Spirit, the Ultimate Source."

"The task ahead of you can always be overcome by the power within
you...and the often seemingly difficult or even "impassible") path
ahead of you is never as steep with the great spirit that lies
within you."

"We have it within; but we get it all from without. There is a well-spring of strength, wisdom, courage and great imagination
within each one of us; but once we draw on this truth, it gets watered from without, by a Higher Source - the Source of Life and Love, which is God, the very Ground of our Being."

"When the world is filled with love, people's hearts are overflowing
with hope."

"Be the very best person you can be with "loads of" FUN. Become the person you are CAPABLE of being ... and ALL the person God,
Our Creator intended and CALLED us to become."

"Let the light of your BEING shine brightly; so revealing Who
You Really Are. Be a Bringer of the Light, which emanates
from our soul, God, our Creator, the Source, the Essence of Life
(and Ground of our very Being).
Therefore, it can do more than illuminate
your own path.YOUR spirit will help makes the lives of
others easier by illuminating others paths. For this light
is our humanity, the spirit of God, truth, wisdom, beauty and
especially love...and it lies within each one of us. Through
your actions and your being, let your light, YOUR spirit
truly shine brightly on the world, like the radiance emitted
by a candle at midnight."
- Craig Lock (adapted from Neale Donald Walsh in
'Conversations with God Book 3').

About the author:
Craig's mission is to encourage people to believe in themselves and
help inspire people around the world to achieve their goals and dreams in life, whatever they may be.
http://www.craiglockbooks.com

All proceeds go to needy and underprivileged children - MINE!

"Our talents are our gift to God...
but what we do with our talents are our gifts TO God."

"Blessed are the peace-makers...
because they will accumulate plenty of Frequent Flyer points."

"Together, one mind, one soul at a time, let's encourage, impact, uplift and perhaps even inspire the world."

PPS: Check out my "cyberpal" Kelvin's great ezine Ramblings http://www.ringold.net/ramblings.html

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