It's the End of the World

 Posted by DAVID.

Published December 21st, 2012.

 

If you are like me, naturally comfortable mulling over potential conspiracy theories, then you probably fell into slumber last night with a bit of anticipation about the demise of civilization as we know it.

Then you woke up, and (perhaps with a bit of disappointment)... nothing.

Everything seems the same. The radio station that wakes me up sounded the same. Brushing my teeth, I looked the same. Getting dressed, nothing unusual. Driving into work, people are driving the same (unfortunately... ).

I do take comfort knowing that NASA is watching closely though...

http://www.popsci.com/science/article/2012-12/how-watch-world-not-end-tomorrow

Still, a week after the tragedy that happened in Newtown, Connecticut, things don't necessarily feel the same.

Personally, I had grown numb to the stories of mass shootings... for instance, the mall shooting in Portland a few days before the tragedy barely lit up my radar. The stories are all too common.

But Newtown was different. I think we all know that. What now begins to register, a week after letting thoughts and assumptions settle a bit in my brain, is that with some certainty I feel I can finally say that the human condition is in decline. It feels like we have reached a peak in the recent past, and our momentum is just beginning to creep downhill.

Hope is being challenged.

While our intentions are decidedly environmental with this blog and our project, it feels appropriate to reflect a little bit on who we are and what we are doing with our selves... with our lives.

Why do we continue to let tragedy happen, then talk about it? Why do we continue to talk about change, but not implement it? Why do we depend on a broken system of politicians who go on vacation while something called the FISCAL CLIFF is looming ?!?!

Shouldn't we all be a bit more concerned? Shouldn't we do something different?

It all seems so comical sometimes... and it would be if it wasn't so painful to think about.

Historically, civilizations begin to decline when leadership goes awry, when power shifts so decidedly in one direction, and when the abuse of that power leads to anger, frustration, and eventually revolution.

We are a series of tribes by nature. Any system that tries to control the actions of tribes eventually succumbs to the disparate nature of tribal actions.

Control is not power. Power is being unique in this world. Power is finding a voice, and letting it be heard for the betterment of the human condition.

Perhaps it is time for some (re)Evolution.

In that light, two things are on the collective agenda:

First - feel tribal tonight. Stare up at the moon, scream aloud, and beat your chest. Do it to feel alive. And thank the stars for not ending the world... for giving us a bit more time to figure this thing out...

And secondly, as we slip into this holiday weekend, and we all begin to stuff our bellies with good stories and memories of holidays past, it might be wise to take a moment and reconnect with your self. Ask your self - "what have I done lately to make the world a better place?"

If you don't have an answer, find a charity and donate. I know of one I can recommend...