The biggest obstacle facing humanity today? A low self-esteem and lack of faith.

A bold statement, I know. But listen to this…

In the past few weeks I’ve attended interesting events and had some inspiring conversations that all ended with me asking myself one question – what is stopping us from moving forward, i.e. evolving to a new, more prosperous existence for humanity?

Johan Rockström, director of the Stockholm Resilience Centre held a talk at the Folksam Swedish Pension Fund, presenting the most recent research findings and how they ought to be interpreted. He delivered a ‘B.S. free’, fact-based conclusion on the global warming / climate issue – can’t say it was all that bright.

What stuck with me were his thoughts on the global institutional response on this matter, i.e. how organizations like the UN and country’s governments aren’t responding to the problem in a coordinated manner. Apparently there are over 500 different environmental agreements (Kyoto being the most well-known one), which the global community is supposed to be adhering to. He urged that this type of institutional response, given the magnitude of the threat we are facing, should belong to the past. Instead he emphasized the need for new management systems that are flexible, both on local and national governance levels.

On another occasion I attended a mind-boggling presentation by Filipe Balestra and Martinho Meneses Pita, two architects who form part of the Urban Nouveau team which lies behind ‘Connecting-Stockholm’ – a great initiative to inspire us to lead more meaningful lives in urban centres by bridging the physical distances of scattered, detached communities (I dare say Open World Café tries to fulfil this function by serving as a space for people to meet and socialize in the outskirts of Stockholm).

A new form of living and interaction through architecture and urban planning was the point of appeal here. Filipe spoke of a “soul urbanism” – how the experience of creating a home would drastically change if we constructed sustainable living spaces where e.g. every brick had been laid consciously and with love. He painted a beautiful picture of a happier future as he spoke of the importance of community support, of the beauty and joy that arose when sitting around a table to exchange thoughts and ideas, just like we did during his presentation. “There is no competition here – that is for the weak. What we need to do is share.”

Literally, my hairs stood up during most of this talk…I was in an euphoric state over listening to someone who SPOT ON hit every chord with me (and judging by other participants’ faces, I wasn’t the only one feeling that way). I felt exhilarated and anxious to just get to work and make all of this happen to go and live the life that he was describing.

But then it was back to reality and the routines of the every day.

It’s taken me weeks to further dwell on my thoughts and the insights gained during these two occasions. More than anything I wondered “What the heck is keeping us from doing all of these amazing things, from creating that wonderful future?”

We know all the facts so our rationale shouldn’t have difficulties being convinced. And brilliant reports on appropriate communication strategies (to better deal with the real human, emotional response) such as Futerra’s ‘Sell the Sizzle’ have taught us how we need to engage the right brain (creative, emotional side) to compel the masses to action and ultimately change behaviours.

However and unfortunately enough, the biggest and most powerful player, the media has portrayed a very dim and grim picture of the whole environmental situation so I can understand that we, the people feel overwhelmed and don’t really know where to start or how to cope with the information/stimulus overload of this day and age (not only related to environmental issues).

Nevertheless, I couldn’t help but wonder (going SATC Carrie on you now)…could there be something else to all of this, something deeper – why aren’t we consciously changing?

It was during random talks with friends that it occurred to me that even the smallest changes in one’s life are usually halted by the notion of (personal) unworthiness and the perception that change potentially leading to something better is “just TOO good to be true”. Of course, fear of the unknown is an important factor which only reinforces the idea that low self-esteems and a lack of faith can pose as major obstacles in changing behaviours.

See if it applies to you – what has previously stopped you from changing something about yourself or the way you live your life?

From personal experience I can say that feelings of not deserving something better or not believing in it actually happening have prevented me from taking any further steps in the first place. Even though this process may not always have been conscious but was rather acted out as a backstage (i.e. subconscious) performance, I have now brought this issue up to the surface for further inspection…only to realize there’s more to it.

I’m still exploring but nevertheless, for starters, I think we need to make sure that we tell ourselves we deserve a better and happier future. We deserve to live lives that enrich us on a daily basis, be it through encounters or other experiences, we are entitled to all of the goodness life has to offer – what else would life be about than becoming the best we can be? The pre-requisite here is the personal responsibility factor – deserving something means being aware that you are capable of creating the conditions for that to happen.

To top it off? You gotta believe in it, otherwise there ain’t no way the postman will come and deliver.

~ by choicesoflife on October 18, 2010.