You're probably a lot like me, having daily doses (whether you've asked for it or not) of what's wrong with our planet via the internet emails and hard publications. Countless conspiracy theories take up countless webpages. Sites are designed to focus only on doom, gloom, predicting global destruction. Of course, there are websites designed to focus on what is GOOD with our planet, too, but these seem to get pushed into the background so that the more sensationalistic news takes precedent. I guess it's much more fun for some people to vent. It is a good outlet for frustration. Maybe it makes people feel more alive because it brings together a great energy of fear and confusion, an urgency to live in the present? Or, maybe it challenges people into having a sense of self-importance to come up with the ultimate solution to worldly problems?

Talking about change and how to go about it is a start, but it rarely seems to get past that for many issues. I have been part of organizations for creating a new paradigm, world transformation, etc., but all the majority seem to do is talk everyone else to death and never take real action outside of sending their highly opinionistic emails. It is as if everyone knows exactly what should be done and yet waiting for a leader to tell them what to do! And as a result, little or nothing else actually gets accomplished. People wait and wait and wait, and for what? In the meantime, people are getting high from complaining about this conspiracy or that political party....as if the effects of all this ranting becomes euphoric, such as from having ingested a powerful aphrodisiac.

Through emails and chat rooms I see that people have some idea of what is going on around the world, albeit the fact department is rather sparse and sometimes downright wrong. All in all, people are genuinely concerned about Earth and where we are headed. But, the same questions pop up everywhere: What do we do about the negative things we see going on? People seem to be at a loss for action, almost paralyzed into physical inactivity. It's not that people don't love - people do. People do care. But, for too long people have allowed others (i.e., the government, private organizations) to do so much of the work while they remained only spectators or armchair/computer critics, the feeling has become:

1. that whatever we do won't matter much because "they" (the government, etc.) will make the final decisions about everything, anyway, and

2. that there is a constant "us versus them" war going on.

I have to tell you that both of these are cop-outs, an unwillingness to take the chance and be responsible. We can't continue on this way if we are to integrate and create change. There is no "us" and "them." It is all US. If we keep creating division, then we will continue to live in separation. If we keep throwing off the responsibility to others, then we will be treated (indefinitely) like incompetent children.

I'll give you an example of what I'm talking about: people who habitually complain about world hunger, yet have never gotten out of their own home to feed anyone else, or invited anyone one in for a meal, or even donated money to help feed them. Many people are guilty of this, to some extent. Obviously, we have our lives and needs that must be met, work and family, and not everyone has the time to do much else.

Well, where does one begin to create change in the world? Within yourself. For more details on ways in which to do this, please refer to Changing The World From Within, as I won't repeat it all here. Once you have made a commitment to changing yourself, you are then changing the world, one person at a time. You are now working on self-change and zeroing in on what is important for you and where your talents are. Each person is skilled or interested at working in different fields.

The next first step - and I say this is another first step because it must work in tandem with change from within the self - is a major stepping stone towards creating change: To conserve the vast amounts of energy which goes into complaining, arguing, talking about what's wrong or disagreeing with others how to solve problems (because not eveyone will always agree), and instead direct all of that vital energy into physical reality and create something positive.

Don't wait for someone else to proclaim themselves the new leader - be your own leader! Follow your own heart. If you don't like something go out and do something to change it. Yes, it can be as simple as that. Get going on your own, start your own group, or find a group that has the ideals you relate to and join them. If one feels homelessness is their pet peeve, get into building habitats for humanity, work at a shelter, create jobs for the homeless in your own businesses, babysit children so their parents can find a job. Other people have expertise in writing, creating group meetings, growing food, cooking, educating others. Each person can contribute what they can in the way that works for them, respecting their own abilities. The possibilities are endless. Remember, this is not about competing or comparing one another's abilities or actions. We are all valuable.

And, sure, there are many ideas of what a better world this can be, but it won't get there until we each stop wasting our precious energy only on venting (but please don't ever stop communicating) and get down to doing something about it. On the links page are listed several organizations you may be drawn towards in helping people and the planet. Give it a look. Thank you.