What is the difference between an old cow and say, Lara Croft? Why is it that some people succeed - their whole lives, and others don't? It boils down to standards, doesn't it. And standards reflect our attitudes. How much we value ourselves, and our jobs - the job of being who we are - while we're alive.
Make no mistake, it requires effort to be and remain successful. Effort in terms of one's appearance, effort in terms of one's performance. Pretty soon performance and appearance becoming mutually reinforcing. In the same way, a bad attitude and poor performance also become very compatible.
It is good see the world's attitudes shifting with regard to:
- climate change
- energy
Yes, it is true that it is hard now to ignore these realities, and both are now so severe it is, effectively 'too late' to ameliorate our circumstances. We still can though, and ought to to try. Change starts with an awakening, and we require rapid, fundamental changes. It is good to no longer have to evangelise a majority of infidel consumers. Now that the pain of recession has our attention, it is easier to accept that what we are doing is unsustainable and must change. Whether we exercise the choice or not, we face fundamental change to our circumstances.
We have entered a very difficult phase in our history, after almost half a century of prosperity and relative peace. I hope we can emerge from this phase better, and more balanced people. We certainly need to learn again what it is to leave a healthy, meaningful life. When we begin to notice the impact of our actions on others, and the environment, and the creatures in that environment, we have begun to walk on a path that is good for the soul. Have a look at the birds while you eat lunch on an outside table. Look at the trees. They are as much part of this world as we are, and no more or less important.