SOCIETY TODAY
Obstacles, Opportunities
Society today is complex. Friends, Parents, Siblings, Spouses, Co-Workers, Sex, Relationships & Love, Religion, Education, Obligations, Responsibilities & Opportunities, Hopes, Dreams & Expectations, Right & Wrong, Today & the Future, Money & Debt, Travel & Vacation, Honesty & Deception, OMG! ...and the list goes on!
It has become difficult to know what the correct path is, especially for the younger generations. Regardless of what some believe, in this modern world there are just too many influences and powers pulling and pushing us in every direction... and they all say they are Correct; they have the answers and can show you the way to a more Happy and Fulfilling Life - but you know most of it's BS. Just more Sales Crap. More stuff - from Advertisers, Organizations, Media, Individuals, Social Influencers, etc. who all have an agenda.
How, in and amongst all the noise and clutter of today's world how could there possibly be Clarity of Thought, Clarity of Mind, and of Spirit? The Christian based Central Belief System that Our Society once enjoyed is no longer stable or valid; neither in operation or in believability. This leaves us as a Society without a compass, without a common direction and it is easy to see.
What is missing is a Central Belief System. A Central Belief System must be actual; articulated and purpose filled to carry any weight. It must be lived to be true, and not just spoken about, especially if you are a person of influence (which in truth, we all are to one degree or another).
In days past this Central Belief System was basically dictated to us all... and in simple times (like the 1950s) it worked. Christianity was woven into the fabric of our Society, but that social fabric has begun to come apart - unravel. In todays highly complex world there are just too many competing "Belief Systems" that contradict each other and the old ways, and they often times sit on entirely different platforms.
What must be realized is that we are entering an era that will be guided by what I term the "Personal Belief System" and our Society will have to adjust in order to accommodate - but there still must be a center... something that holds true in everybody's Personal Belief System. Something as simple as Love and Consideration.
It is easy to become "caught-up" in what I will call an Alternative Lifestyle in which the individual himself or herself becomes the central and most important variable instead of considering others... not just First, but at all. I do not mean ignoring the self all together. You must have money in order to help others financially. If you are not healthy how can you help or set the example for others? You cannot because that would be Hypocrisy.*
* Hypocrisy is the act of engaging in behavior that contradicts one's own stated moral standards, beliefs, or principles. It is
essentially a disconnect between "practicing what you preach" and the actions you actually take.
If we, as a Society do not let some outside institution dictate what our Central Belief System should be, as we have in the past (the Church), then how do we establish a new or different one? It's easy. If we are, or are not doing a certain behavior because we might go to Hell and suffer damnation for eternity (the Christian Motivation) then what will motivate us to be Civil... what becomes the central motivation? Again, how about Love and Consideration?
This presents a Great Opportunity for each of us. If we can choose a Personal Belief System for ourselves then we will be Self-convicted and self-motivated to maintain a high standard of behavior based on Love and Consideration for others as well as for our selves. Doesn't that sound better than behaving a certain way because of the threat of eternal damnation and suffering? I believe it does and is. Behaviors based in Self-Conviction are much more deeply felt and adhered to compared to behaviors based in threat or in negative consequences. This is Truth. The Personal Belief System creates a Whole Person, an individual who's perceptions are based in Love and Consideration - just like Jesus would want.
A good way to start this process is to sit down and write down the 10 most important things you would do, and the 10 most important things you will never do... and then live by that code, your own personal Code of Behaviors and Considerations. Jesus said, "Love one another, even as I have loved you." If you like it when others love and consider you (and we all do... it makes us feel special and important) then you must Live the Life that is an example of this, your own Personal Standards... and don't make exceptions even when it is difficult. This is where you find inner-strength and Self-Love. If you do not love yourself, how can you love others? So set your own standards, your own Personal Belief System, and then live by it even when it is difficult. Be proud of yourself for being Strong.
Lead or Live by your own Example. Let other people see you. You become the standard for others to follow... and if we all do that - what a wonderful world it would be.
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