Is our world going “to hell in a hand-basket?”

We live in a complex and interconnected world. It is a world that has become much smaller in a sense with the 24 hour bombardment of news from every part of our planet. Do we live in a world that is “going to hell in a hand-basket?” Perhaps we are in a period of deterioration. Actually the phrase “going to hell in a hand-basket” probably comes from the practice of catching heads from the guillotine during an execution and taking it away in that fashion… and of course many criminals who were executed were assumed to be “going to hell.” Today’s world sees ideological extremists beheading their neighbors who are identified as the enemy or infidels whose only “crime” is believing something different than their executioner. We have seen this same ideological extremism throughout history not only in the Muslim world but also within Christianity and Catholicism.

If we realistically look at much of the world and its systems these days, there is much dysfunction and not much motivation by those in power to make constructive changes. We have subtly and perhaps not so subtly succumbed to the power, greed, and self-interest of corporate captains, financial directors, and the wealthiest in our world who use money and manipulation to control and enslave the population in confusion, poverty, debt, and corruption in political systems.

There are some of us who wish to do what is right and help make the world a better place. Whatever our background and beliefs may be, we share some basic values which I would suggest include: respect for the interconnected web of life; care and kindness to others, ourselves, and the planet; equal rights and responsibilities; a common sense and decency toward others; cooperation rather than coercion; reasonable and critical thinking to problem-solving rather than extreme ideology and beliefs that divide into categories of “us” and “them.”

Some would prefer to emphasize “individual” rights and freedom while others place the emphasis more on the “collective” and social responsibilities we have as a community. This does not need to be an “either-or” question. We can espouse the rights of all equally, the freedoms we cherish, and the common good.

Yet if we are attached to make the world in our image, we are the same as the 1% who will use whatever it takes to gain control over the planet and its citizens. We can live out our values without being attached to the outcome. We do what we do… we say what we say… not because we think it will “save” or change the world… but because we choose to live out our values and do and say what we think is best and right… no matter what other say or do…

There are many things in life over which we have no control… and yet we always have a choice in how we respond… from the depth of our inner values and human spirit… from our heart and from our intuition and from our mind… And of course, if we have some influence to make changes, then we can choose that course of action.

The world has its own set of values, no matter what the leaders may say. Leaders are also pawns at times of those who hold the purse-strings, the power, and the influence…

Working in organizations and businesses can be frustrating, depending on the culture and principles by which an organization operates. We are prone to avoid real problem-solving by really looking carefully at issues. When the Federal Reserve brought experts in to analyze their process and procedures that led to the “crash” in 2007-8, it wasn’t long before they wanted to ignore the findings and even fired some who dared to tell the truth. Cultures, whether in society or with a business or organization tend to resist change…and wish to keep things as they are… the known, even if dysfunctional, is preferred to the unknown which calls for open creativity, growing, and some chaos in the process…

Margaret Wheatley, in her recent book, “So Far From Home,” suggests we look at what is emerging and be open to it… explore the complexity… and while it may not be going the way we would choose, we can be a positive influence within the process by maintaining our own centeredness and operate out of our identified person values… in the present.

Wheatley is a realist who might say, “Yes, it does seem like the world is going to hell in a hand-basket and we are not going to save the world… yet we continue to act and respond from our own shared values because we can do none other.”

What is our response?

Fight....flight... scream.... hide... deny... protest...  point out everything that is wrong... encourage one another... keep on keepin' on...

I think it needs to begin with detaching enough to identify our own values rather than just reacting. Reflection and clarifying our own internal values helps to provide that centeredness on which to act.  If we identify our values, we can act from a clarity that is not dependent on others or not attached to outcomes. If we are waiting to see the results or the change, then we are still operating out of attachment and will most likely do a fast or slow burn...

I am going to take more time each day to focus on a value or quality that I wish to share in the world on that particular day. And taking time to meditate or whatever you call becoming quiet within continue to be a useful and necessary activity... the busier we are, the more we need a time alone to center our selves for the work we have to do in the world...  It helps bring more clarity and present alertness to the moments of our lives.

John Hutchinson - September 27, 2014