What is Positive Activism?
building naturally is a way to implement positive activism
The power of yes!
What comes to mind when we hear the word “Activism”? Angry protesters in the streets tipping over police cars? Greenpeace blockading oil ships? Masses coming together to “end the war!” Occupy Wall Street… Stop bailing big banks! Stop fracking now!
Some of these ventures have been successful, but I’m here to tell you that there is an easier and more joyful way.
Positive Activism.
Rather than pointing out what we don’t like, we place our energy into cultivating the opposite. We build a world that we want to live in, rather than tearing down the one we don’t. If we place all of our energy simply fighting what we don’t like, we may be left with nothing. Rather than saying “we need to make a change”, we take the initiative to make these changes within our own lives, paving the way for others to follow in our footsteps.
So how do we create social change through Positive Activism? I have identified three ways.
Find Your Inner Peace
Start a daily practice of connecting to your inner wisdom. Taking a few moments each day to meditate can help guide you to your dharma, or higher purpose. Practice asana to focus the mind and nurture the body. Bring presence and intention into your daily life, making habit holy. Fill yourself up with what brings you joy. When we exude positive energy, others will be drawn to us, and therefore, more receptive to our message. One of the biggest barriers of social change, is fear. Fear is mitigated when we approach a situation with acceptance, patience, and peace. A message that comes from a place of love will be better received. Finding peace within yourself will inspire others to do the same.
Water Positive Seeds
Point out the good in others. Look for situations where people are positive taking steps, and let them know! Tell them how great they’re doing! In fact, tell all your friends! Share it on your Facebook news feed. Remember that social change, generally, moves very slowly. When we look at the overall picture, it can seem daunting and discouraging. But everybody loves a cheerleader. We need to celebrate the small victories and remind ourselves that YES, every bit makes a difference. And the amazing part is that the more you look for positive change, the more you will discover. The cycle continues to feed itself.
Share What You Know
Another huge barrier to social change is simply lack of education. Often, people go about their lives as usual simply because they don’t know any better. Don’t worry about what you don’t know. Teach what you do. Yoga, permaculture, natural building, sustainable living, musical instruments, singing, art, crafts, dance, sports, cooking, nutrition, health, herbal medicines… Let’s share the wealth! Share what we love. Get the knowledge out there and make it accessible. You can teach absolutely anything that you know and it can enrich the life of another.
Ultimately, you are a seed for social change, so be willing to pursue learning and expand your education. Be open to new concepts and ideas. Social change can feel overwhelming at times, but if you just take it one step at a time, you may look back and be amazed at how far you’ve come!
No step too small; all growth is significant when we walk the path of Positive Activism!
