What the system doesn't like, the system will fight

TPTB, or "the system", if we choose, like to have things their way. That's been pretty much standard for most of the history of humankind. The apathy of the Baby Boomers has mutated into an active I-don't-care in many of their offspring. Though most have believed throughout history that strong leadership and beneficial policies must come from the top, there is a growing number of people, both old and young, who know that's simply not true.

The pessimistic view sees everything is broken, and it is: our political and governance systems, our educational and training systems, our financial and economic systems, our legal and (so-called) justice systems, our religious systems ... and the pessimist is right, they are broken, most beyond repair. Those running or managing those systems never tire of telling us they are either not broken (which certainly doesn't ring true because we all see that they are) or that they can fix them, which they can't (or don't want to), otherwise they would. The optimists think we should support them in making the necessary changes, but sooner or later they realize that nothing is really going to change because, well, nothing is really going to change ... officially.

So, while some people are thinking about what can (or should) be done, others are simply doing it. There are any number of things ... little things, seemingly insignificant things, but important things ... that can be done. It all starts with talking, really. I don't mean talking about the weather with your neighbor or the cashier at the supermarket, I mean talking about things that matter with people who matter to you. The question cannot be "What can we do to change things?" Rather, the question is simply, "How can we make our (not my) immediate lives better?" But, what's "better".

This is pretty simple too: "better" is less stressful, more rewarding, more harmonious, move involved, more communal. Celebrating a birthday is always better with others than alone. Holidays are more enjoyable with family or friends than "just the two of us". Once we realize that a helping hand is worth its weight in gold, we can learn to accept support from others in doing whatever it is we think needs to be done. What starts at home, in house and garden, can slowly, but steadily expand to the immediate neighbors, the neighborhood and beyond.

The key, however ... and I can't stress this enough ... is finding what we share in common, not what makes us different. In other words, in spite of all differences between us, there is still a whole lot we have in common. These can be wishes, hopes, dreams or aspirations. The moment we realize that if my neighbor is doing well, I'm probably doing well, too. But, believe me, folks, that's where it starts. So, if you're already on good terms with your neighbors, expand your horizons, increase your action radius, find someone different to find out what you have in common. Just do it.