Buddhist Catholic Contemplative Evangelical General Christian Hindu Jewish Latter-day Saint Muslim New Visions Progressive Christian

Beliefs

Topics

Columnists

Resource Library

Research Tools

Video

Podcasts

Thought Readers

Faith In Media Tracker

Newsletters

Ad-Free & Subscriber Log-In Subscription Support

Follow Patheos

The Principles of Spiritual Living

Home
New Visions
Can We Save the World?

Can We Save the World?

Last updated on: May 25, 2016 at 6:00 am by Terry Drew Karanen

Can We Save the World? 2016-05-21T11:13:10-06:00 Terry Drew Karanen

LOGO Patheos Explore the world's faith through different perspectives on religion and spirituality! Patheos has the views of the prevalent religions and spiritualities of the world.

I admit it. At times it’s just overwhelming to me.

I don’t know about you, but sometimes the charity emails, social media postings about the great needs of people locally and around the global, and the unending mail delivered to my house requesting donations is just too much.

I go to the grocery store and there’s that same guy with his sign at the entrance to the parking lot, asking for money because he’s homeless. Is there anything we can do to make a difference? Are the requests we hear about saving the world impossible to make into a reality?

Perhaps we can at least make a dent and often more than we realize. Today we continue with our search into The Global Vision: A World That Works For Everyone. Our affirmation for this week is:

We see a world in which we are called to conscious action.

The action to which we are called by so many life-saving organizations is often “give us your money.” When we look at truly “conscious” action in writing a check or having funds transferred our involvement increases exponentially. That’s why our theme for the week is:

What Is Mine to Do?

The hard fact is that we cannot contribute all our money to all the causes everywhere in the world. So, I’m an advocate for starting where we are.

I rarely give money on the street. I’m just not comfortable with it. But that didn’t stop me from buying a lunch one day at the grocery store and giving it to the homeless man on the corner (who appreciated my efforts greatly and didn’t need money for drugs).

My conscious action could have gone a step further, however. I could have asked the guy’s name or told him mine. I could have inquired whether or not he had a warm place to stay that night, and if not told him where he might try.

We must add mindfulness to our efforts for our actions to be fully conscious ones. We can consciously make it a point to give money, donate clothes or help out at a shelter, but our attempts could still be lacking if we are not mindful of our circumstances and those involved while we are accomplishing our conscious action.

Our discussions this week over at the Facebook® page for Spirit, Mind and Body Foundation will look at:

How we define “conscious action”
How we can all make differences in the lives of others and our planet
Leading or following in social justice actions
Caring for our families
Acting on a global level
And more! (There are seven days in the week – I have to leave you some surprises!)

Sound like a lot? It’s great stuff and taking it in small increments one-day-at-a-time is why I blog daily on this great year-long adventure we’ve undertaken. I hope you’ll join me!

Till then, or next week, be well, live life to the fullest, and let us all see just how amazing you are!

In Spirit, Truth and Playfulness,
Terry

#DrTerryMakingSense
#TheGlobalVision
#AWorldThatWorksForEveryone

Uncategorized

#AWorldThatWorksForEveryone

Previous Post

May 18, 2016

You Talking to Me?

Next Post

June 1, 2016 We Are More Than We Know

Browse Our Archives

Select a Category Breath meditation Finding peace Spiritual Living Spirituality Uncategorized

Select a Month October 2016 September 2016 August 2016 July 2016 June 2016 May 2016 April 2016 March 2016 February 2016 January 2016 December 2015 November 2015 October 2015 September 2015 August 2015 July 2015 June 2015 May 2015 April 2015 March 2015 February 2015 January 2015 December 2014 November 2014 October 2014 September 2014 August 2014 July 2014 June 2014 May 2014 April 2014 March 2014 February 2014 January 2014 December 2013 November 2013 October 2013 September 2013 August 2013 July 2013 June 2013 May 2013 April 2013 March 2013 February 2013 January 2013 December 2012 November 2012 October 2012

TAKE THE

Religious Wisdom Quiz