Newsflash, we are just clicking our way toward catastrophe. The Bulletin of the Atomic Scientists (BAS), (yes there is such a group collectively looking after the doom and gloom factor on the planet) has sped up the timeline to the planet’s demise. They’ve moved the minute hand of the so-called “Doomsday Clock” two minutes closer to midnight. We are five minutes from the utter destruction of the world as we know it. The two contributing downers; the proliferation of nuclear weapons (cited in earlier forecasts) and the destruction of human habitats from climate change which the BAS just added to the myriad harbingers of catastrophe.
This is quite the dilemma. As a society we are faced with an enormous task which is echoed in the remarks of Stephen Hawking, world renowned mathematics professor at University of Cambridge, and a fellow of The Royal Society, "As citizens of the world, we have a duty to alert the public to the unnecessary risks that we live with every day, and to the perils we foresee if governments and societies do not take action now to render nuclear weapons obsolete and to prevent further climate change."
When hearing of nuclear proliferation and global warming on a daily basis it often gets added to the list of worldly concerns. And in fact, don’t we also add it to the daily information, family and work issues that we encounter. This “clock” makes me wonder. With the onslaught of information, do all these crucial concerns just get watered down in the rhetoric of politics, media, business agenda and more importantly my agenda as a human on this planet? How truly alert, aware, and conscious are we to what is going on around us?
Perhaps a more heightened awareness would force us more often to contemplate the way in which we are living our lives, as well as foster a deeper place of reflection. How many times do we hear of bombings in Baghdad, the horrible atrocities in Darfur and the polar bears losing ground to global warming – without actually giving it more thought. What if we were to pay more attention to what is going on around us? In the spirit of keeping it simple, here’s a three step reflective approach that can be utilized daily especially in the workplace because it provides a context of time and space.
-
Take a look in the mirror. When a disturbing news item appears on your computer, TV, radio etc., don’t just ignore the momentary confusion, ill-feelings or anxiety it creates. Take a look at it from a personal level. Engage this news item as if it directly impacted you on a personal or spiritual level. What is your personal experience? What are your personal insights? Does this event challenge your personal values as a human being on this planet?
-
The Micro-Lens. Now take that reflection of your inner value system and apply it to the crisis. Remember that you are trying to relate to this item on a more personal level fostering more empathy and compassion within yourself. Is there anything in your personal life that you can do to alter or impact this crisis. If could be as simple as prayer. Inner dialogue. Taking a walk out into nature for a short break. In this step you are honoring and acknowledging that we are all connected on some level. You are bringing even the slightest thought of attention to something that would generally roll off your back. Allow this learning experience increase your awareness of what is happening around you. Will you react differently to such news next time? Can you alter your behavior or attitude?
-
The Macro-Lens. How is this critical news event impacting people on a global level? Who are the people involved and what are their experiences? Now that you have observed your own feelings, applied your own value system to it and given this news item personal attention, what is the change you can make, to make a difference? It might be as simple as reading up on what is really happening so you can be educated when sharing with others. You might volunteer, write a letter to your local politician, join a dialogue to raise awareness.
These three suggestions are just that – suggestions. 5th-century BC philosopher Lao-Tse once wrote,
"If you tell me, I will listen. If you show me, I will see. But if you let me experience, I will learn."
To reflect is to learn. To reflect is to stop and take a look, even for a moment to better understand more about what makes us tick, how we can improve ourselves as human beings, and how we can act toward positive productive change.
