I believe the time for a Renaissance is upon us.
You are invited to help launch a contemporary Renaissance, a Global Makeover that features everyone doing what they can now with the resources available to them. This approach stands in stark contrast to the political process that has tied itself in knots. There is much to be done, everyones assistance is needed, everyone works on what is important to them. Some will pull invasive weeds in the meadows and woods, others will paint the shelter, or install solar panels.
The zephyrs of new beginnings are here, you can feel them, hear them, if you pause and consider. A fresh start is on the way. You may have dreamed of it, the day when everyone puts their best foot forward. Will you be a member of the emerging ‘Renaissance Clan?’ I am looking for the first hundred individuals to review my manuscript Renaissance Arising. This essay is taken from it. The manuscript is available at XXXXX.
After review and revision it will be time for ‘Renaissance Ambassadors’ to arise, and represent the manifestation, the actions, the projects of the makeover that is desired. Many are actually at these makeover tasks now, they will welcome our support, joining them in whatever way we can.
At the moment I am most interested in spreading the potential of a Renaissance here in the Heartland of America. It feels right for the Renaissance to be from here, the financial hub of the bread basket to the world, as well as the home of Harry Truman and Jessie James, the swing and bebop of Kansas City Jazz, and that molassas flavored Kansas City-style barbecue! Heartlanders have a special spice to add to the mix that hope will spring from.
How does it feel when you say, “There is talk of a Renaissance, what do you think?” Let the buzz begin. Now is the time.
A Renaissance Will Do
By
Cllifford Clark Humphrey
Can you feel it? The birth of a new day. A realignment is occurring now, a shift to Earth stewardship and compassionate Citizenship. Earthlings are changing their focus. They are, ‘paying it forward,’ undertaking random acts of kindness, ‘going green,’ and so much more.
Have you considered, ‘To what end are people the world over sacrificing and suffering?’ They are illustrating the need for a global makeover. Think it through, and you may well arrive at a door to the Renaissance!
All the people of this Earth are on the same page now, waiting to see what comes next. In addition, the entire arc of how we live our lives and share this Planet is open for review. We are united in our desire to improve current conditions, and release new hopes and visions for a future that pulls our best from us, a future that offers our children fresh horizons, and lives without fear.
We have lived by the options available to us, by the processes and procedures administrated by our governments. It seems that our collective actions have painted us into such a corner that many are provoked into showing their worst behaviors.
How can that be? Each one of us knows that we are capable of so much more. What else might we do with all the resources and time now applied to complaining, plotting, rioting, and wars? How might we revive the spirits of those who have been struck down by circumstances beyond their control?
A Renaissance will do, the Grand Makeover of the twenty first century! The time has come. We will establish a long-term balance between ourselves and this planet’s life support systems.
In the past we have seemed unable to refrain from harmful and destructive practices. Now there is a shift, we have an opportunity for renewal. It can be argued the world has changed more in the last few years than in the previous fifty. Those past years offer a finishing school for Earthlings, if we will sit down and learn the lessons laid out there.
Going full speed straight ahead will assure more pain and tragedies of all kinds. On the other hand, it will some day be asked, “But would we have changed course without those lessons?” Soon we will see this dichotomy as the tipping point of all time, when the human race grew into maturity and grasped it’s responsibilities of stewardship and loving compassion, opening the door to a harmonious future upon this earth.
This Renaissance is beyond anyones control. It is a thing, a birth whose time has come. Everyone has a part in it. No one needs permission. Our native peoples respected the balance of things, let us see what a modern day balance looks like. Will you stand with the thousands upon thousands of people who have found new pathways into a fulfilling life? Come along and experience your heart filling with joy. Your soul is standing by to give you a smile. Can you take a breath and allow this shift to arise within you?
Some of us are, in essence, forming into two long lines standing shoulder to shoulder and facing each other, ignoring the commotion around us, ready to receive the new, and see that it glides gently and softly into place, into the future world of a loving and harmonious diversity of healthy humanity.
It could be put this way; this is a call from the top of the mountain, the one with a long distance view, calling for a major rethink, which will result in a Global makeover. The main thing is that we look forward with loving anticipation of sitting at the table of humanity, and eating together as the Family we are.
Our world is sprinkled with positive changes and good deeds. Many have said, “I will do just that!” Now we see a blooming of the new, from the ‘slow food’ campaign of French origin, through those now required larger dress sizes in Buenos Aires. Remember the amnesty and forgiveness in South Africa, new hybrid automobile choices, and don’t forget all those “random acts of kindness” as well as the paying it forward, again and again.
We possess everything we need to undertake such a Makeover. Academically we know, spiritually we know, and we have the time. Present difficulties are only restrictions we have placed upon ourselves. We are all in our places, all of equal importance, that is our bond, our humanity.
What is offered here is only one little part of the call to Peace that has and is being issued, by the thousands over decades. My objective now is the global recognition of this particular moment of common focus. We have a tremendous potential right now, even miraculous; this moment offers the chance to line up all the pieces, to assemble a world-wide response with a Global focus on mounting a Renaissance. We need a bit of this, and that, and some of those, all on a grand scale. The ingredients of our Renaissance Elixir are carried by everyone.
What do you have for us? Show your hearts desire by contributing to this manifestation. The following points of contemplation are offered as clues, for you to find and release your unique seeds of hope. We can manifest this future of our dreams. Many have been at it for years, they have known that others will join them. There is no telling who will rise next to speak or act.
Consider:
* Individual initiative are now leading the way with local projects and Internet link ups.
* Governments will observe at first, then follow along, and eventually step forward with diplomatic initiatives of all kinds.
* The total number of military aircraft in the sky, worldwide at any one moment will steadily decline.
* Troops will come home; some will be retrained for duty with the Global Makeover.
* Blueprints for the next generation of bombs and destroyers will be put away.
* Earth stewardship will take center stage. Biodiversity will be protected. Water supplies will be shared. Limits to urban expansion will be set.
*The gulf between Wall Street and Main Street will be reduced. Fair play will replace, “Whatever you can get away with.”
A sustainable, steady state economy will be implemented.
Let us stand together and look ahead, what will be playing on, “The Home World Show,” next year? What about in ten years? Let’s see what we can come up with. This show is starting to shape up, as many the world over have been writing, speaking, organizing, protesting, praying, meditating and visualizing for its manifestation.
This individualized display contains the expectation of increasing peacefulness and prosperity. Cynical attitudes will be replaced by cautious optimism. Talk of good news will join the casual conversations of weather, health and family. The buzz on your street is changing. It will become the stated basic desire to feed, house and heal all the people of this earth. Many are moving to this goal now, and more will join in. We will find ourselves doing what we can with our skills and the resources that are available to each one of us now. Businesses and corporations will do what they can, some have started already.
Each one of us is confronted with new choices, as well as taking responsibility for our actions. You are now, or will soon, find yourself wondering why we didn’t do this sooner.
Perhaps you could:
* Donate funds, or undertake a sponsorship?
* Check on your neighbors, how might you assist them?
* See to it that your community shelters are well provided for?
* Are you one of a team, who will establish a community garden or a neighborhood clinic?
* What about forming a cadre of retired staffers to bring reform to the forefront?
We shall simply side-step political gridlock, these makeover tasks can happen anywhere at any time. As an example, we need conservation programs, and thousands of solar collectors and wind turbines to replace the burning of so many gallons and tons of fossil fuels. Does it make any difference who pays for them? Or where they are installed? The P T A can afford two or three, the Teamsters could install a truckload of ‘em! It’s time for a breakout!
A Renaissance there will be, after all, what else could you call it? The putting of all this behind us? Everywhere there will be hammers and saws by day, and dancing in the streets by night.
This Essay is taken from a book manuscript, Renaissance Arising by Cliff Humphrey, one of the founders of Ecology Action in Berkeley, in the 1960s, also a recycling pioneer, author and long-time advocate of a cultural transformation that facilitates our living at peace with ourselves, each other and the earth. His manuscript brings forth the work of Pitrim Sorokin and Margaret Mead.
Cliff sees the current global ‘Stimulus Austerity Disorder’ as the major, ‘hold your breath’ moment, for everyone on board this magnificent garden floating in the sky. We can breakaway from the old constraints and expectations, together we can build a home for every family, and then someday read the stories to our grandchildren about how peace and harmony came to this Earth.
Mr. Humphrey can be reached at cliffbilliehumphrey.mac and on Facebook,
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