If we were to ask a genie to transform the human race into a
completely sustainable entity, where our impact was completely in step
with the growth of resources and our lives were longer, healthier and
in complete harmony with the planet, the genie would blink his eyes,
grant our wish and turn us all into trilobites. Something similar to a
horshoe crab. But that isn't what we want right?

We can not escape the truth that when we talk about sustainability, we
are often still talking in terms of dominating the planet and still
talking about making the planet what we want it to be, still resisting
what it is. When, if we want to live in harmony with the planet, that
is something we can just do, right now, in our own lives. As soon as
we start projecting that desire into the behavior of others, we start
building authorities that would have to police eating and crapping. I
don't know anyone who would want such an odd and futile job.

Is it possible for us to live responsibly for future generations
without creating more paper work and just be the change we wish to see
in the world? I know I consume far less fossil fuel than ever before
but I don't think that's the measure to responsibly look at. It may be
that the feelings of confidence I feel, that humankind will generate
the tools to use and invent the systems necessary to navigate the path
ahead are more than just feelings. They are the product of work. Not
simply blocking out what I don't want to hear and taking the things I
am able to see seriously is work. Those feelings of confidence I have
in our abilities inform everything that I do. It seems that the only
measure of success that one can rely upon, when considering if they
are living responsibly, is the extent to which they believe in people.
If you give up on us, your behaviors will likely not be as kind to the
future as they would be if you believed in us.

It isn't hard to imagine, that if you don't give up on people, if you
do the internal work necessary to see the world as it is now, accept
it as it is and can spiritually find the perspectives necessary to
maintain your faith in people, and put your lot in with life, that you
may be in complete harmony with the planet. If you can feel good about
being alive now and know that you are doing what it takes to sustain a
vision of life that you believe is whole, it seems to me that
everything you do would be done in the service of that. If you do the
work of finding peace with what is, you may be the highest form of
life possible. Just a thought.

So, about these causes and messages of revolution going around, that
request that the world behave differently than it does, before going
and joining them, it may be best to make sure you still believe in
people, before rushing to action. You may not be on the side you think
you are. If you've given up on humankind, I suggest you find the faith
before lifting a finger to change the world. If you need help with
that, let me know. I'm happy to share what I see.

Sid