The Tides are Changing

Photo Snapwire, Pexels

We are a tribe, a global tribe. An individual can choose to belong to the tribe and live by tribal rules or live on the fringes and choose one’s own rules to live by – this could be legally or illegally (if the latter, then one would suffer the consequences the tribe foreordained).

A current tribal way to live is by the work ethic. Those choosing to live outside the work ethic are either shunned or admired and a few even cast as saints.

Just so, an individual can choose to belong to the Eternal or choose one’s own path. In belonging to the Divine, one lives an Eternal perspective. Choosing one’s own path one does what the self pleases or desires (both legally and illegally). At times the self’s desires take over the person’s will and addictions become their life.

As a tribe, we collectively can choose to either follow God’s ways or follow our own. For the history of mankind, we have chosen our own path. Our tribal desire for more and better has led us to our current state – the addiction of accumulation has become our way of life.

Those who rebel are seen as unfit and even crazy. At times in our history they have been locked away.

What if we did not want to buy into the addiction of more and wanted to live in unity with our Creator? The first step is trust in the Eternal Way over compliance with tribal ways. Tribal unity creates a strong bond. It is not easy to break away. One is judged, criticized, condemned, and punished by its members. One may be abandoned by the community, tossed out, locked away, or even killed. The tribe does not look favorably upon those opposing its agreed upon ways.

If one is vocal about rejecting the ways of the tribe, the consequences will be even more severe to avoid the spreading of the rebellion.

Currently, our global tribe is not united with the Eternal. So an individual tribal member has the choice of following tribal ways or seeking to unite on one’s own and in so doing suffer the consequences of the tribe. There are many seeking to unite individually, using a variety of tools and methods; for example, joining a community of worshippers and following their ways. They are not the mainstream, however. For the most part, the mainstream humors these individuals, even respects and pseudo admires them, but if the individuals were to become a threat to the mainstream they would not be allowed to continue activities without consequences.

A threat would be to the core of the current tribal way of life, currently what I call “consumerism” which is all encompassing of the work-to-live principles.

What feeds consumerism is money – currency – electronic, paper, gold, other perceived valuables. Forsake money and all its trappings for the love of God – some already do this, like those choosing the religious vocation. What if more than just the few, the small percentage, chose this path? Consumerism and the world as we know it would crumble. Those invested in this system would not allow it to happen and would seek to destroy perceived threats. First by discrediting the one(s) perceived as a threat.

The love of money does not make one happy. The pursuit of things and experiences does not make one happy. Only uniting with the love of God brings true happiness. This is the message that has been lost in market-focused societies.

We do need to feed ourselves, clothe ourselves, have shelters, fresh drinking water, healing medicines, education – but beyond this we have no need … but market drivers have made us believe we do. It has made us believe this is the way to fulfillment. Fear grips us that we won’t have enough. Fear is pervasive. Fear is corporatism or consumerism’s tool of control. Break the fear to break the binds that chain us to a belief and a lifestyle outside the realm of the Divine.

We are terrified of breaking the chain, taking the step away from earning more than we need is like free falling off a cliff.

To eradicate the fear, do its opposite – instead of acquire, give. Instead of accumulate, share. Instead of earning more than needed, earn just enough. St. Teresa of Calcutta says do not just give of your abundance, but give until it hurts. With time freed up from earning and earning even more, serve those in need. Seek out those who need help and help them. If we all did this just a little more than we are now, it would be a powerful change. Maybe just the change needed to turn the tide.