- James McNaughton
- Newcastle-Upon-Tyne
- United Kingdom
Project Manager/Founder, Homelessness And The Arts
This conversation is closed. Start a new conversation
or join one »
Your wish to change the World?
I've worked with alot of people who have many different ideas on how to change the World in the few years I've been working, and this, along with JR's TED Wish, had me thinking;
What is your ultimate wish to change the World?
How can your wish be fulfilled?
What needs to happen for your wish to be fulfilled?
Topics:
Thoughts Wish better world
Younus Ali
This partcular thing can influence the society, one lives in :)
The more we interact with other people and cultures, the more positive influence we can be, to all those who come around us...
Simple way yet a hard one to get grip on
Cheers
James McNaughton
Colleen Steen 500+
Younus Ali
Many regards
Tim blackburn 30+
itll never be fufilled, as people time after time choose to be contoled, rather than live.
M.A. Lucas-Green
Collaboration.
Collaboration.
Kristine Sargsyan 500+
Jimmy Strobl 50+
Now there is a huge difference between ego and egoism, if you meant the later I totally agree!
Younus Ali
0 ego state and infinite opportunities for happiness :D
Debra Smith 200+
Mark Meijer 100+
Debra Smith 200+
Mark Meijer 100+
But my point in principle was simply that we couldn't have learned about the degenerate nature of greed unless we've seen it in action. I've heard it said that the fool who persists in his folly will become wise (sooner or later, usually later). We're learning the lesson about greed because we see its effects everywhere, and we only see its effects everywhere because it has been taken to such extremes.
That said, I learned today that a one-way plane ticket from Tokio to Hong Kong now costs 1,500 euros (well over 2000 dollars). People are fleeing the island for their lives and All Nippon Airways are trying to make as much profit off of it as they possibly can. And people apparently consider this normal. So maybe we haven't learned enough yet. I mean if we had, we wouldn't allow this, right?
Mark Meijer 100+
http://markmeijer.blogspot.com/2010/12/there-is-nothing-wrong-with-world.html
There is nothing wrong with the world, except in what we make of it. What needs to change is our perception, because perception causes behaviour. Degenerate behaviour? Means degenerate perception. We can't change the world, we can only change ourselves, and only by virtue of honestly looking at what we're doing. That's why JR's wish is so wonderful, because his projects challenge people's perception.
Amily shaw 10+
Mark Meijer 100+
Challenging our surface-level perceptions, for example by reminding yourself that problems can also be viewed as challenges, is a very good first step. In the long run, though, it will be extremely difficult to maintain, unless we also challenge deeper perceptions.
As Debra pointed out in another comment here, greed (and its counterpart, aversion) is one big reason why the world is the way it is. At the same time, greed and aversion is also the reason why we want things to be different. We seem to think that they are inevitably part of human nature and there is nothing we can do to get over it. This is a deeper perception that we need to challenge.
Amily shaw 10+
just out of curious ,is greed another form of "positve human motivation"?(as i call it-the desire for the better and how we define this nature is affected by our perceptions too).if no , then how do we make sure that our perceptions of this very human nature is not contaminated by our own" greed"?
Colleen Steen 500+
It's human to be frustrated at times Amily. Do you think our "perceptions are affected by the environment"? Or do you think/feel that at times, we have the opportunity to change the environment in our little space and thereby change our perception of the environment? If, as you say, that we are "yearning for a better world", which I agree with, do we have the opportunity to create the "better world" in our own little space? I get frustrated sometimes when I think about big changes in our world, but if we each take little steps and make little changes, it adds up to big changes:>)
I like the word "challenges" to replace "problems". As one of my dear engineer friends says when faced with a challenge..."it's not a problem, it's a feature"! If we can face some challenges with joy, humor and love in our hearts, it often changes the character of the challenge:>) This idea is not so "difficult to maintin" Mark. What we focus on expands:>)
I enjoy your perspectives Mark and Amily...good thread:>)
Amily shaw 10+
Do you think our "perceptions are affected by the environment"? Or do you think/feel that at times, we have the opportunity to change the environment in our little space and thereby change our perception of the environment? ---you really see the point here. i meant both.
Colleen Steen 500+
Yes, I think I see the point and was reinforcing it:>) I believe everything is interconnected, so, in my perception, if we change something in our lives, other things will naturally change as well:>)
I also agree with your insightful idea that: "Our expectations of the world", sometimes "cause hardship in the relationship with us and the world", and we take many things for granted. With my belief that everything is interconnected, I have no expectations that the world is going to provide my contentment without effort on my part. I like to fully participate in all the life processes and I am responsible for my own perceptions of the world:>) Sounds like you feel the same way?
Amily shaw 10+
p.s what Mark said is very true as well, thank you all for the inspirational conversations.
Younus Ali
Wish others should think the real way to enlight themselves.
God bless
Colleen Steen 500+
When we recognize the connections between all of us, I think it's easier to really listen to and understand others on many levels. I was simply listening to you:>) I also feel that when we recognize the connection, we help ourselves when we help others. When we are kind and respectful to others, we are giving ourselves that gift as well. When we hurt others, we are hurting ourselves. I believe that in hurting others, we abuse our power. The real power is in love:>) Are we still on the same page?
Amily shaw 10+
Colleen Steen 500+
Amily shaw 10+
Mark Meijer 100+
Kristine's comment is in my opinion a very respectable goal, which follows naturally from the regular practice of deep cultivated introspection (no need to take on any more than one is willing, but willingness is bound to change as perspective changes through introspection). It takes some effort to get into it, but it becomes an automatic thing after a while, at which point you wouldn't want to do without it anymore ;).
Amily shaw 10+
http://bigthink.com/ideas/14769
Mark Meijer 100+
But I think she's wrong that altruism is the same as self-sacrifice. There's a reason that I included this line in my previous post: "no need to take on any more than one is willing, but willingness is bound to change as perspective changes through introspection".
Don't sacrifice. If someone considers something (such as overcoming the ego, or whatever else) as a sacrifice, then probably better don't do it. One would be likely to become resentful and expect something in return, and this would only cause harm. Things deserve due consideration, but I think it's only wise to do something if it doesn't seem like a sacrifice (keeping in mind what may be sacrificed when not doing it). Just be aware of your own drives and motives. And as said, whatever one considers to be a sacrifice or not, may change as perspective changes.
Amily shaw 10+