The Revolutionary Act of Optimism

Posted on 06 February 2012

I’m an optimist. I’ll claim that.  I look for what’s right first.  It’s something that I’ve learned to do – a choice – because I KNOW that what I’m putting my attention on is energized BY my attention.  If I look for what’s wrong, I’ll energize what’s wrong.  If I look for what’s right, I’ll energize THAT!

I also know that it’s important to see clearly and to have discernment.  I’m not interested in sticking my head in the sand and ignoring anything – especially because I know that being willing to see the truth of what is occurring guides me in knowing what to stand for.  It also helps me to see how to contribute in clearing the way for the highest good to reveal and express.

And, so I keep track of what is going on in the world – in politics, in right’s movements, in the food system, in education, and more.  I enjoyed visiting Occupy LA and hearing the call of the Occupy movement for the greater responsibility of corporations and government on behalf of the planet and its citizens.  I pay attention to what’s happening in regards to legislation that limits or expands the rights of all people to marry.  I am interested in the food industry, and I’m watching what’s happening with Monsanto, GMO’s and organic farming.  I watch, not to get angry… I watch to get inspired and to get behind the shifting paradigms that are occurring now within our big systems.

Positive, generous, expansive change is occurring right now as our individual awareness increases enough to make new choices for the highest good.  And, I’m happy to fuel that wave of change with my individual attention, because, overall, I am quite clear on what I stand for, and I’ll stand for it – love, equality, the care of Mother Earth, health care and access to healthy food… the list goes on.

I’m interested and willing to stand FOR something, not against anything.

Standing against something actually energizes it. The most amazing and impactful activists we have seen on the planet stood FOR a principle or a value, and these leaders maintained a high vision for it’s expression that was far beyond what seemed possible at the time.   Martin Luther King, Jr. didn’t stand against racism or racists.  He stood FOR love and equality.  And that’s no subtle distinction – it’s powerful!

Notice that.  Notice in your own life where that distinction in being FOR, not AGAINST, can cause powerful shifts in your relationship to what matters to you. Notice how standing for something energizes it.  Notice how your attention on what is already occurring, that is positive, healthy and generous, actually brings those quality-feelings into your body and spirit.

And then take action in the direction of what you are for.  What action to take will come intuitively from your optimism.  When you are BEING what you are for, your action is a natural extension of your true identity.

As simple as it is, this optimism is revolution. This is radical living.  This is being a powerful presence on the planet.

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On this note, I highly recommend the movie Thrive.  Foster Gamble and his wife, Kimberly Carter Gamble are for ALL people on the planet Thriving.  Gotta love that!  They’re idealists and optimists for sure, and their big vision led them to a big investigation.  Stream it for $5, browse their extensive website, and “play it forward” to friends.