MORE H.E.A.R.T., LESS HATE

In the last post, I talked about developing your personal mission and also about finding organizations where you can actualize that mission. Your professional mission can usually be addressed through work related organizations, however your personal mission is often best addressed through personal actions and non-profits.

We have all seen the arresting images of the shell-shocked boy in the back of the ambulance, the drowned boy lying in the surf, pictures of refugee camps with thousands of people forced out of their homes and villages. It seems every day we hear about new acts of hate and other assaults on civilization. We are inundated with what appear to be senseless actions that harm individuals, groups, and whole populations around the world. They are perpetrated by lone individuals, insurgent groups, religious factions, and even governments against their own people. They are local--a murder down the street; regional--a suicide bombing in Paris; or global--famine in Africa, genocide in the Middle East.

The hate that leads to these actions, the almost guaranteed angry response, and the sheer number of instances leave most of us with an almost overwhelming sense of frustration, helplessness, and anxiety that affects our lives even if we aren’t directly the victims. The problems are so pervasive, vast, and intractable that we believe we are powerless to address them.

So, can we as individuals and groups do anything in the face of this onslaught? I would propose that on a personal level, we can actually do quite a bit, even in seemingly small ways. I would propose that we take H.E.A.R.T. in our daily activities. We can all build simple and what may appear to be inconsequential changes into our daily behavior. Every day we might:

Hear Listen to and read about what’s going on around us. Watch for signs of hate, who are the perpetrators and their institutions and what might be motivating them; how is the information disseminated and by whom, and what’s their own motivation. Look for signs of anger against particular groups, anything that says “those people”, or threatens harm.

Empathize Take a moment every day to stop and think about an individual victim of an act of terror or other act of hate. Some of the most arresting images in the media are of individual victims, usually an innocent child. Try to feel their pain, how powerless they must feel, and their hopelessness. Try to understand the perpetrators, the causes, the institutions, their leaders, and how their actions might be countered.

Appreciate what you do have. Most of us reading this have potable drinking water, reliable electricity, a toilet, regular meals, access to media, and the ability to go to bed at night and expect to survive until morning.

React Be a voice! Be willing to speak up and speak out against actions, people and organizations of hate. Recognize and encourage the positive and constructive voices. In individual conversations with friends, acquaintances, co-workers, the media, and government, speak out. Support and encourage effective and enlightened leaders, and become one yourself. Once a day is enough. Go to act.commoncause.org, put in your address and you will find the names and contact information of your state and federal government representatives. Call and write to them. Once a week is enough, but do it. You may feel like you’re throwing mosquitos at the bug zapper, but they do often take note. Consider becoming a force for good on social media, and write to the traditional media. Pass this post on to other people you know. Hit the SHARE button.

Take Action Once a day, do a random act of kindness. Obviously, vote, and vote for those who will attempt to reduce hate. Vote also with your wallet. Look at the negative media, the shock jocks, and boycott their advertisers. Boycott unethical companies. Buy from companies that support people and planet as well as profit. Consider socially conscious investing. Become a more effective and enlightened leader by looking at the Mission chapter and the Ethics chapter in “CEO Mastering the Corporate Pyramid” (Amazon). Look at joining and becoming active in a group at the local, regional, national, or international level if you aren’t already engaged with one. Guidestar.org lists over 1.8 million nonprofit organizations, from local food banks to global peace initiatives, searchable by their mission. Your homework assignment this week is to find one or more to support with a donation and/or your time. 

I may be naive, but we can’t do nothing, we must do something, anything. We cannot be indifferent! Every week, once a day, by your actions and your example, live a life of H.E.A.R.T.