Ideas born today will set you free.

Not long ago I myself did not think of how I affected the world.  I used to concentrate on the "American Dream" and what that could do for me.  I kept running into questions I did not want to have answered.  Knowing too much about what your personal actions do to others can be uncomfortable to think about. 

This war on Terror has rocked my beliefs.  I started researching what I once did not care about.  I started opening my eyes to the oneness of this world.  MY own actions daily were helping to perpetuate violence or slavery of one form or another.

So, what can little me in a world full of old money and centralized media mega giants controlling the message do? 

I started taking responsibility for my own life.  I started changing everything I could to reduce my input into this machine of violence.  We will be chating about many things here that will help us to change the world.  I hope that we can have open discussions that help educate everyone about there own impact. 

Peace will win in the end.  The powerful are overreaching, and forward thinking people are needed to manifest change.

My wife and I just joined a Community Supported Agriculture Project.  Over 40 local farms are selling organic produce directly to our group!!!

Peace and Love,

Joshuapeaceseeker

Comments

[debbe]

Thank you for making me re-think the first moment awakening when I realized and accepted responsibility. I had left a frustrating meeting focused on lots of injustices toward people ---- money guiding the direction; people . Feeling a sense of desparation and dispair on the way home. I stopped at a card shop. My eye caught just one with my call-to-action, "Don't wait for the leaders, do it alone person-to-person." --- Mother Teresa. This changed much of how I've approached life and work.

The War on Terror upped the ante for me too. What you are talking about broadens the calling.

Debbe

[Joshuapeacesekeer]

Small actions every day ad up. I went to a town hall meeting yesterday and spoke my mind to a group of politicians. I let them know that some people are aware of what our government is up to. And I told them groups of us are working to change things. That some of us see peace as a viable option. That some of us expect passionate leaders with conviction for the truth.

Peace and love,
Joshua

P.S. Going to town halls is a great way to get your message out!

[Oguchi]

If the world can be changed--and it can--then, people--persons, individuals--can do it.

Dream = [en]vision is the individual's and also, the collective, tool for a job like this.

We teach ourselves how to dream so that we can recognize that all we have been doing, all along, is dreaming and living not just in (those) our dreams, but living those dreams. Such discovery can re-direct us and hence, redirect our world.

Do you know what you have been dreaming?
Now, what are you going to dream?

Oguchi

[Joshuapeacesekeer]

A group of my friends and I are helping with a community building project next week. We are recycling old torn down buildings into community centers and helping beutify the city of Portland while also reusing old material and preserving the planet.

The little things ad up. I am conecting with more and more people each week. Together we are making differences in the world.

Any ideas for projects or habit changes are welcome.

Peace,
Joshuapeaceseeker

"If no one will lead, you must lead!"

[Joshuapeaceseeker]

I would like to start a list of companies and products that conscience people should not support. How can one expect the world to change for the better if they are directly supporting oppression?

1. Wal Mart - Terrible labor practices

2. Coca-Cola - Running over foreign government via the World Bank and killing thousands

3. General Electric - War profiteering, false news through all NBC affiliates

4. Non Organic Chocolates - Almost all coco comes from slavery, unless it is from a certified organic farm.

It is not so much what I am against; it is what I am for that drives me. There are great alternatives for just about every product. Do some research or ask me too.

Peace,
Joshuapeaceseeker

[debbe]

I've learned that creating a kinder more generous, thoughtful world starts within your own consciousness and home. Many of us can probably identify with unconsciously throwing our discards in the "goodwill" bag and tossing it out at a collection center, getting our receipt for a tax deduction and feeling that we did good for someone. ...Or waiting to fill up a grocery bag over the holidays for the homeless with the unwanted things in the pantry or in a quick trip to the Safeway to pick up the sale items.

Some years back, Mother Teresa's insight seem to jump out at me about these thoughtless acts. "It's not what you do, it is how much love you put into the doing."

Here are two changes I made trying to step into the principle she taught. I humbly share them as examples of WHAT YOU CAN DO to love your neighbor:

1. With a little research, we found a small refuge for the homeless and elderly that maintains a "grocery store" like place, where people can actually shop for food with dignity, having a little basket and picking out what they want and need. When we shop we often buy with this in mind, thinking about what goes together and imagining the needs. Several times a year, we split our pantry, taking half of it to help fill the shelves at the little store.

2. We discovered a place where "women in transition" can come to pick out a whole outfit or two to get them started in finding a job and beginning a new life. A couple times a year, I pick out several outfits, complete with all the accessories, shoes and all. I have everything cleaned and box up the accessories as I would love to receive them myself, so it gives sense of being a gift one friend to another. If there is a story behind something, I've occasionally written a note to pass along the meaning too.

I continue to see excess with more clearly all the time. Old habits are hard to break. I am grateful for what I have learned from Mother Teresa's insight. It has truly changed my perspective on many things.

Debbe