THE WORLD AROUND US AND THE SOCIETY IN WHICH WE LIVE ARE CHANGING. UNFORTUNATELY, NOT ALWAYS FOR THE BETTER
Nature has a hard time coming to terms with our care of it; the climate is no longer respecting tradition; masses of people are about to change their address. Challenges are placed on us, and especially on our descendants, which we will have to face. It's up to us now how we deal with them. It would therefore not be out of the question to recall some of those values that distinguish the thinking person from the animal, and therefore from the fool:
#1. RESPECT
WE RESPECT NATURALNESS, HUMANITY AND MUTUAL COOPERATION.
Respect for the Earth and Nature: maybe there's still time to think about how our actions affect the environment – everything from pollution to personal consumption, which, according to perverted logic, should be ever higher. Topics offer themselves: water, food (especially meat), clothing (too much of it?), plastics, gasoline, electricity consumption, heating… Perhaps we would prefer some slight modesty compared to naked greed. Maybe it is the time to think about the protection of flora and fauna: from trees, through to whales and even to beetles. Think about what we can do ourselves to defend what project we will support. We have to inhabit the Earth - there is no other planet within reach, and maybe none where they’d want us!
Respect for other people: Maybe there's still time to think mainly about the elemental decency of each other. Empathy, helping the needy, humility. Respect for people means respect for other opinions or personal needs, as long as they are not in gross conflict with the tradition and moral values created over the centuries by our ancestors or our beliefs. Humility and decency still pay off - we can always kill each other, there will always be plenty of time for that.
#2. FREEDOM
WE ACKNOWLEDGE FREEDOM OF MOVEMENT AND OF THOUGHT.
Maybe there’s still time to think about whether we want to keep the choice, the opportunity, to decide freely for ourselves without glorifying our lords and masters. We don’t all live in the same conditions, so our degree of freedom may be different one to another. That is why we should respect it, protect it and, if possible, help give freedom to others who desire it. If we have freedom, we can also have independence. Personal freedom is always associated with personal responsibility. If it disappears, then anarchy ensues - and that would really be the end.
#3. TRUTH
WE HOLD FAST TO THE WORD AND DECLARE REAL PRODUCTION MATERIALS.
Perhaps there is still time to wonder if it is normal for crooked politicians, oligarchs, modern dictators, and representatives of would-be elites to often bend the truth in order to consolidate their own power and increase their profits. Because truth, honesty and decency cannot be bent or perverted in the long run. It’s up to us to use our own common sense and try to distinguish it and clearly name what is true and what is no longer so. Do we really want to give our children a looted planet and a society drowning in nonsense and lies? Not to lie is normal, not the other way around - truth and honour are still both sexy and worth it.
#4. INDEPENDENCE
WE ARE INDEPENDENT OF INSTITUTIONS, THE POLITICAL SITUATION AND SUCH PROBLEM AREAS.
Maybe it's time to think about whether we really believe in values such as Truth, Honour, Freedom or Respect for Nature. And if so, it may be time to start fighting for them a little more and not be afraid to say things directly and clearly. And not to dodge the issue. Through silence and inaction, we only make it easier for those who are clearly bothered by upholding these values. History and the present have already prepared countless warnings for us as to what will happen when we begin to give in to evil and begin to abandon these values - burning your fingers on the stove more than once is not really smart.
#5. OVERVIEW
WE DO NOT TAKE OURSELVES TOO SERIOUSLY AND WE ARE POSITIVE REBELS.
Maybe it's time to start thinking about whether, despite all the tasks, responsibilities and sacred struggles, we should not forget that life is damn short and we should be able to enjoy it, for example, by not taking ourselves seriously all the time - a little humour, some exaggeration or a bit of provocation, all in reasonable doses, cannot do a lot of harm.
Join us if these values chime with you. It will be quite a ride!
