LET'S
TALK ABOUT . . .
"DUELING IN A DUALISTIC SOCIETY"
Recent events in our world have left many wondering where we are headed in the future. This past week the U.S. stated emphatically that the world is experiencing global climate change. Centuries- old power dynamics are shifting globally. Financial markets have slowed down in terms of last year's record climb. Political arenas are desperately searching for solution-oriented leadership. There is a noticeable increase in existential, be it philosophical or spiritual, emphases in the media.
Politically, economically and existentially the world is reeling between opposing forces vying for control. Interestingly enough, all those "isms" of the last century have left many hopeless that a solution will ever be found that will re-stabilize our world. The fear is that the powers that be will not be able to agree on an approach or a solution; and yet, there is an increasing move toward global dialogs and attempts toward solutions agreeable to collective majorities of any given persuasion.
Desperate people do desperate things to meet what they perceive are their most attention-demanding needs. Desperate needs often make for desperate alliances on either side of any given issue. In short, we live in an interesting time in history where ideologically-opposing forces are dueling on multiple levels. We feel all around us the uncertainty and instability of the "dueling in a dualistic society." This, in turn, generates a felt sense of anxiety around powerlessness and helplessness.
Most of us will never have the opportunity to work toward solutions at higher or the highest levels of power and influence. Those who do not only have incredible opportunities they bear incredible responsibilities regarding the influence they exert. These may appear to be glamorous positions but in reality they are very difficult and stressful positions that are accompanied by high costs for themselves and their families.
"DUELING IN A DUALISTIC SOCIETY"
Recent events in our world have left many wondering where we are headed in the future. This past week the U.S. stated emphatically that the world is experiencing global climate change. Centuries- old power dynamics are shifting globally. Financial markets have slowed down in terms of last year's record climb. Political arenas are desperately searching for solution-oriented leadership. There is a noticeable increase in existential, be it philosophical or spiritual, emphases in the media.
Politically, economically and existentially the world is reeling between opposing forces vying for control. Interestingly enough, all those "isms" of the last century have left many hopeless that a solution will ever be found that will re-stabilize our world. The fear is that the powers that be will not be able to agree on an approach or a solution; and yet, there is an increasing move toward global dialogs and attempts toward solutions agreeable to collective majorities of any given persuasion.
Desperate people do desperate things to meet what they perceive are their most attention-demanding needs. Desperate needs often make for desperate alliances on either side of any given issue. In short, we live in an interesting time in history where ideologically-opposing forces are dueling on multiple levels. We feel all around us the uncertainty and instability of the "dueling in a dualistic society." This, in turn, generates a felt sense of anxiety around powerlessness and helplessness.
Most of us will never have the opportunity to work toward solutions at higher or the highest levels of power and influence. Those who do not only have incredible opportunities they bear incredible responsibilities regarding the influence they exert. These may appear to be glamorous positions but in reality they are very difficult and stressful positions that are accompanied by high costs for themselves and their families.
Perhaps the issue facing most of us who are just trying to live out our lives within the spheres of influence where we spend most of our time is to figure out who we are going to choose to be in the midst of it all. We need to figure out how to live well among all the forces shaping the spheres of our lives. There was a book written by Francis Schaffer years ago whose title has echoed in mind, repeatedly challenging me to answer for myself the question, How Then Shall We Live?
Where do we seek guidance for how to navigate our way through these complex and uncertain times? What are the principles by which we live out our lives? What is our ethical basis for doing so? How do we know if we have, in fact, lived well?
Until next time . . . this is, Just Janice!
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