People on all places of the spectrum are distraught with politics right now. Progressives, especially, are grieving over the lack of ethics in politics and angry about the obvious theft of votes and opportunities, and many are feeling stuck and ineffective. Some are reaching out to revolutionary activities as a way to rescue themselves from drowning in a sea of stress. And yet, even in that, there often seems to be something missing.
What can we do to extricate ourselves from this depressing political quagmire?
OpEdNews visited with Pam Grout, the author of 18 books including the NY times bestsellers, "E-Squared: 9 Do-it-Yourself Energy Experiments that Prove Your Thoughts Create Your Reality" and "E-Cubed: Nine More Energy Experiments That Prove Manifesting Magic and Miracles Is Your Full-Time Gig." Her newest book, "Thank and Grow Rich : a 30-day Experiment in Shameless Gratitude and Unabashed Joy" was released Aug 30.
Meryl Ann Butler: Thanks so much for visiting with us, Pam! I've been enjoying reading several of your books, and have had some great fun - and success - with your experiments.
Many of our readers at OpEdNews, especially Bernie supporters, are feeling diepressed, distraught, angry and fearful about the way this political cycle has been going, and many feel stuck, like there is nothing they can do to really create change. What can you share with them that might bring some hope?
Pam Grout: As you know, I was a huge Bernie supporter myself. But I've learned from years of experience that becoming depressed, distraught, angry or fearful doesn't help anyone, least of all myself or the political climate.
Luckily, I'm very aware that there's something a whole lot bigger going on. And that there are lots of ways to change the world beyond politics. In many ways, politics may be one of the last to evolve in this new story that's wanting to be born. Politics get us all riled up, make us think we're doing something really important, but I find that when I come from a place of peace and positivity, I'm much better able to effect change.
And because we are all connected, I can change the world by being more peaceful, by helping my neighbor (even if she happens to be a Republican--that's a joke) or volunteering at the local soup kitchen. We animate into our lives whatever we place our attention upon, so to place our attention upon how horrible things are, doesn't help.
In the end, the best thing we can do is to create a world (and a reality) that is so far superior to the one we have now that everyone will want to get involved. That's the only thing that will ever create lasting change. The political changes are superficial, at best, and to get so worked up over them--or even to hate our opponents--only causes more of the division and separateness that we want to overcome.
I feel that change--in the end--comes from within. That's my greatest comfort.
MAB: Thanks, Pam, I agree, that placing our attention upon how horrible things are, doesn't help. That is calming advice - all we need to do sometimes is switch the channel - or turn off the TV! I like what you wrote about how we are more willing to protect ourselves from germs than from negativity:
"Before entering the hospital room of a tuberculosis patient, visitors are required to cover their entire bodies. They even don surgical gloves and face masks.
None of us balk at this seemingly overcautious behavior. We don't want to catch tuberculosis. It's contagious, for goodness sake. Of course, we'd go to great lengths to avoid being exposed.
(Note: You can view every article as one long page if you sign up as an Advocate Member, or higher).
3
2
2
