| April 22nd marks the celebration of Earth Day, | | | | - "creating a new generation of young leaders |
| launched over three decades ago when 20 million | | | | committed to positive change in themselves, their |
| Americans demonstrated for a healthier planet. | | | | communities and the world" |
| How far have we come since then, and how | | | | More and more proactive organizations are |
| effective are our strategies for change? | | | | learning to ground themselves in a more positive |
| From a law of attraction perspective, we still | | | | focus. |
| have lots of room for improvement. Many of us | | | | We can practice this same "pro" instead of "anti" |
| don't use the power of our vibration effectively, | | | | strategy in our own efforts to create change in |
| and instead slow our efforts by having a | | | | the world. Instead of chastising restaurant owners |
| sabotaging focus. | | | | for using Styrofoam containers, suggest they |
| Listen to some of the goals and mission | | | | provide an earth-friendly alternative. Rather than |
| statements of various "save the world" | | | | glaring at SUV owners at the gas station, praise |
| organizations: | | | | the carpoolers at work. When contributing to our |
| - "We tackle the most serious environmental | | | | cause, rather than focusing on those working |
| problems." | | | | against us, notice the other volunteers who |
| - "No compromise in the defense of Mother | | | | devote their time and money to help. |
| Earth!" | | | | This subtle perspective shift contributes to |
| - "An anti-nuclear protest and lobby group." | | | | dramatically more successful results. |
| - "Safeguard the earth; defend natural places; | | | | Making Peace |
| protect nature; stop the fouling or depleting of | | | | Another important key to effectively creating |
| resources that support life." | | | | change is to make peace with what is. That may |
| Although it might seem noble and politically correct | | | | seem contradictory - or even impossible - to |
| to protect ourselves or fight against something | | | | many, but when you understand how the Law of |
| we view as "wrong," feeling the need to protect | | | | Attraction works, it makes good sense. |
| or defend means we're flowing negative energy. | | | | Recognizing that all is well allows us to release the |
| The belief that there is something we are | | | | resistance that prevents positive change. As long |
| "against" calls forth contrary, fear-based energy. | | | | as we are "against" anything, we're adding more |
| As we engage that energy we actually | | | | power to that very thing. |
| strengthen the very problem we're trying to | | | | Releasing resistance allows movement, and the |
| change. | | | | best way to do so is make peace with what is. |
| The challenge doesn't stem from just the mission | | | | Easier said than done sometimes, but when you |
| statements of organizations, but also in the | | | | realize its power you'll have good inspiration for |
| thought patterns and actions of group members | | | | practicing it. As long as we're attached to results |
| and activists. Which would be fine if that's the | | | | or cling to the notion that things have to change, |
| way the world worked. If we could stop | | | | we keep that change from happening. |
| something by pushing against it we'd have had | | | | Three Steps to Change |
| much more success by now! | | | | So how to be an effective agent of change? |
| But that's not how it works. We don't get what | | | | Here are three powerful steps to get started: |
| we want by fighting against. What we resist, | | | | 1) Get clear about what you want. You can use |
| persists. (As evidenced by our well-funded wars | | | | what you don't want as a starting point in gaining |
| against drugs, terrorism and cancer.) | | | | clarity, but that's as much as the contrast will |
| For Effective Results | | | | serve you. |
| So what's a good activist to do when seeing | | | | 2) Learn to stay focused on your desired end |
| something gone "awry"? An effective approach is | | | | result. Whether it's through symbols, photos, |
| simply to align (in thought and action) with what | | | | mantras, or deliberate choice of language, get in |
| we want rather than with what we don't want. | | | | the habit of looking in the direction you want to |
| Since whatever we push or fight against we | | | | go. |
| create more of, the trick becomes giving up the | | | | 3) Take action that feels good. Let inspiration be |
| resistance while still allowing the change we want | | | | your guide. Because like attracts like, we don't get |
| to see. | | | | good results by taking action that feels bad. If it |
| A redirected focus on what we want rather than | | | | doesn't feel good, it's not taking you to the |
| what we don't want creates a completely | | | | outcome you want. |
| different energy, manifesting more positive | | | | When we embrace these principles, there is |
| results. | | | | literally no limit to the magic and miracles we can |
| Here are examples of group mission statements | | | | create. Our power as creators affords us the |
| that line up success: | | | | ability to achieve the "impossible," whether that's a |
| - "dedicated to driving sustainability mainstream" | | | | restored and healthy planet or simply an employer |
| - "supporting people's active engagement in | | | | that agrees to turn the lights out. Do yourself and |
| creating a just, sustainable, and compassionate | | | | the causes you care about a favor: stop fighting |
| world" | | | | against what's wrong, and use your power to fuel |
| - "dedicated to aggregating a massive nationwide | | | | what you do want. |
| movement by communicating a positive vision" | | | | |