What can I do? I mean really, is there any point in caring? Does it make any difference? When I see images of starving children, or rainforest destruction, or when I’m confronted with the facts as to the extent of our current ecological and economic crisis, I think ‘This is wrong! We have to do something about this!’ But what can you do when our ‘elected representatives’ appear to be powerless to ‘fix’ the problems, and we live within a social framework that relies on, and encourages unethical, self-destructive behavior.
I’ve been campaigning and fighting political battles for decades. It’s tedious, exhausting and disheartening. I feel like I’ve been repeating myself for years, and still, most people just don’t want to listen and don’t seem to care. Why is it so hard to get people to act? I feel like I’m fighting a losing battle and even though, in my heart, I know that not caring or acting is wrong, I only have so much strength and will to keep believing that it’s worth it. Am I wasting my time? Would I be happier if I ignored my self-righteous urges and just made the most of what I have today? Should I just forget about future generations and injustice like everyone else seems perfectly happy to do?
Don’t give up. Your courage and perseverance are admirable, and the causes you’re fighting for are crucial. Never doubt what your heart tells you, and always say what’s in your heart. You are one of the few humans who‘s brave enough to look reality square in the eye without cringing or looking away. Not only are you unafraid to acknowledge what you see, you are also moved enough by what you see to want it to stop and you feel the need to do something about it. It’s true, most people are unwilling to acknowledge or respond to the things they see, because they are humans, and humans have a very limited capacity to deal with future problems, particularly when their immediate needs are as relentless and demanding as most people’s obligations tend to be. Denial is a powerful tool that allows people to feel safe and comfortable in the face of crisis, and to continue on, business as usual, doing the things they do to make their problems worse. Don’t be discouraged by this mass ignorance. There are still plenty of other humans with resident sparks, who need you and appreciate you. Some of them will be outspoken like you are, others may be quiet and disillusioned, but the more you continue to communicate your message by speaking up in public, writing letters, asking questions, submitting articles to publications and joining with other groups and individuals who share your concerns, the more you will be contributing to the solutions. You can’t fight this battle alone, but you don’t need to. Your team is out there waiting for you, you just need to find them and co-operate with them. You will never be happier or more fulfilled than you are when you’re fighting for the things that are important to you. Exhaustion, tedium, disillusionment and despair are all part of this struggle, and without them your life would be bland and meaningless. Most people are not truly happy anyway. They are blinded by fear and insecurity and the loneliness that their pretention has created for them. They do act. Their actions consist of going through the motions of pretending to be alive. As long as your actions are honest and fair, and true to what you believe in, no matter what you do, it will always be worth it.
The Spark
The Inkling 