Assumptions

How often we “people” make assumptions based on our own personal values and what we believe to be “right”.  For instance, I personally believe in honesty in all matters, being ethical, being able to hold my head up and being unafraid of anyone looking into what I have done.  It doesn’t seem unreasonable to “assume” or expect that such an approach should be “the norm”  and yet sadly it is not “the norm”.  Now it seems that “the norm” is acceptance of unethical behaviour, bullying, victimization and character assassination of anyone who does uphold the values of ethics, honesty and legality.   How did we, as people, as society sink so low that we accept this?

History has revealed widespread corruption, criminal activities, bribery as well as assassinations of character and murder when someone has the courage to take a stand against criminal or questionable behaviours in business and in politics.  The question is, does that make it acceptable?

All that is necessary for the triumph of evil is that good men do nothing’ (or words to that effect)

“The Henrik Hudson School District Library Media Centre provides a model essay for students which ends with the words,

Perpetrators, collaborators, bystanders, victims: we can be clear about three of these categories. The bystander, however, is the fulcrum. If there are enough notable exceptions, then protest reaches a critical mass. We don’t usually think of history as being shaped by silence, but, as English philosopher Edmund Burke said, ‘The only thing necessary for the triumph [of evil] is for good men to do nothing.’”  (https://tartarus.org/martin/essays/burkequote.html)

Faced with clear evidence, and suspicions, of unethical practices, manipulation, intimidation at Regional and Municipal Councils, as well as some dubious happenings in the private sector, one reaches the point of saying “When is it enough?”  When do we reach “critical mass”?  What will it take for enough “Good people” to demand change?  When will we reach the tipping point when we all stand up and say “this has to stop”? or as in the movie “Network”  we say “We’re as mad as hell and we’re not going to take it any more!”

Is each of us “complicit” in perpetuating this decline?  Are we, as bystanders and observers, the fulcrum upon which the change will occur and critical mass be reached when we ALL say, to ALL elected people “Clean up your act”.

Subtle lessons along the way

Loving this Quick Start Challenge more than I can say on so many different levels!  First and foremost it’s making me take action!!  

I’ve heard it said that “We teach what we most need to learn”.  In my video I remarked on how the second week challenge made me “walk my talk”.  It just dawned on me how much more meaning there was to that than I first realized.  “Walk my talk” what does that mean? Well, here I am telling myself that my intent is to “inspire people” to sing their song or express the music inside them.  Connect that with “We teach what we most need to learn”?  Ergo – How can I  teach people to follow their music if I don’t take the appropriate action myself?

I’m a great believer in owning what I say.  By that I mean, first I have to be aware of the difference between setting an example and “do what I say not what I do”.  I see now that my comfort zone lay in “thinking” about doing what I said I wanted to do.  The more time I spent thinking about it the less I did.  Comfort lay in never having to challenge myself, comfort lay in not taking the risk of failing or of people not hearing what I felt my message was.

One of those “duh” moments – if I never put it out there who knows if people will hear it?  If I never put it out there, I can’t be seen to fail but … maybe there are people out there who just might be encouraged to reconnect with what makes them feel more alive.  Is my fear of failure more significant, or carry more meaning, than reaching even one person? If I believe that then I’m whistling in the wind.

In my video I quoted:  “Most men lead lives of quiet desperation and go to the grave with the song still in them.”― Henry David Thoreau, Civil Disobedience and Other Essays: Collected Essays of Henry David Thoreau

I do sincerely desire to connect with people and see them successful.  “No man can fail if some ONE sees him successful.“, is another one I love.  Sorry – I could’t find who said that but it is significant.  It reflects the amazingly supportive community demonstrated in the Quick Start Challenge group.  While there is some validity in the observation that the internet and social media reduces the personal, human interaction/dialogue between people, I also see that this group alone is creating dialogue amongst people all over the world and connecting us in ways hitherto impossible.

We are not alone, there are more of us with shared visions, ideals and philosophies than we ever knew.

I’m relishing this journey!

Sing your Song – Quick Start Challenge Video

This may be late but boy is it an accomplishment for me.  Thank you to the Quick Start Challenge team for making me take action!!  It occurred to me that in this age of instant gratification it’s “easy” to seek perfection – not a “bad” thing but it can inhibit us so much.  I learned that sometimes the most important consideration is how much effort we put into just “starting” and from there being willing to learn more and – reach out to others to ask for help.  Babies learn to walk by frequently falling down and getting back up – like riding a bike or learning to ride a horse.  Even the best show jumpers or dressage riders fell off when they began – so I look forward to falling on my face less frequently and becoming accomplished!!

Quick Start Challenge! Come with me on a journey!

My first ever “blog” post!  This is exciting.  Inspired, prompted, prodded by the team at Quick Start Challenge, this is stretching me beyond my “coulda”, “shoulda” in-activity and the non-challenging “comfort zone” of wishing and hoping and – yes – going nowhere.  Let the roller coaster ride begin.  I’ve had this goal/dream for years and now it is a reality – thank you.

I love writing, many times indulging in flights of fancy and deep thoughts, inviting others to join me.  This is no exception.  It is most definitely a flight -potentially soaring beyond the mundane.  As I learn more  and discover the immense potential of this learning experience, I trust this will not be a “fancy”.  My intent is to embark on a sustaining business which will support me and those who follow the blog and their own personal life exploration alongside mine.