2002 - Did the World Really Change for the Better?
by
Gary M. Spolansky

Recently, several of my Reiki students have asked me " what's going on with the world"? We talk about love, peace and acceptance of ourselves and each other they say. We practice these concepts as best we can. We come together for healing, group meditations and to encourage world peace and yet sometimes, it looks as if the world around us is going to hell in a handbag! What are we doing wrong? Why isn't it working?

I had to stop and think for a moment. These people have something here, I thought to myself. Its easy to lose sight of a societies changing values when the sensationalistic headlines of TV, Newspapers and Radio obscure the changes that are just beginning to make their presence felt. The world is changing and sometimes its not very obvious as these changes are often drowned out by the louder voice of fear. In my opinion however, its only the tip of the iceberg, so to speak. In writing this article, I wanted to offer a reminder of how the world is changing particularly as I reflected over 2002. Some of the events listed below, were quite significant while others less pronounced. However, each one reflects the changing social values of a society that is growing in maturity and wisdom. Although I've listed only nine events I'm sure that there are many others. I encourage you to add to this list and share it with your friends.

1. Bush backs down from unilateral stance
Facing criticism over his stated intentions to unilaterally attack Iraq, President Bush was forced to bow to the pressure from both the International Community and people through out the US who felt that attacking Iraq without due process was unacceptable and posed a greater risk to national security than the potential terrorist activity Iraq represents.

2. Accounting scandals bring down major corporations such as Enron, WorldCom and Tyco.
With the bankruptcy of Enron triggering a scandal that rocked an already slowing economy, insight into corporate abuses of power and money became clear. Accounting practices that obscured or hid losses that were designed to look like profits collapsed upon closer inspection People who had their pensions and retirement funds invested in stock of the company saw their holdings dissipate to nothing. No longer protected by the closed doors of the Board Room or shield of corporate invincibility, those who abused their power were exposed for their greed and are facing criminal charges. The message was clear. Abuses of this magnitude that benefit a few over the many will no longer be tolerated. New laws are now in place to assure that this not be repeated.

3. The expanding public outcry against smoking.
Since litigation settled the liability of Tobacco companies in 1997, there has been a steadily growing movement to end smoking altogether. So much so that as of Jan. 1, 2003, smoking has been banned in most restaurants and bars in NYC with Nassau and Suffolk Counties to follow. Many are becoming more aware of the dangers of second hand smoke as those which smokers take on to themselves. The smokers argument that I'm only hurting myself is now quickly falling away to the recognition that others are also effected. In the changing world we are creating, it is no longer appropriate to live in the ignorance that our actions do not impact others

4. Abuse of Children by Catholic Priests
The mask of the church as a bastion of morality and decency is falling as those priests who have molested children are no longer being protected by the hierarchal aspects of the organization. Finally, those who have abused their power and influence have created the very means of their own downfall. Yet it is the willingness of those who had been abused to step forward and tell their story that has brought about a momentous revelation of thought and attitude that had stood virtually unchallenged for so long.

5. The Supreme Court's determination that capital punishment of the mentally retarded was unconstitutional.
Whether you agree or disagree with the concept of capital punishment, this event once again underscores the changing morality of this country. Justice Breyer writing for the majority underscored the idea that the execution of mentally retarded people was a barbaric practice and had no place in a enlightened society. Additionally, the Governor of Illinois granted clemency to 140 people on death row on Dec. 31, because many times in the past, people who have been executed were later found to have been innocent of the crime they were executed for.

6. Families of Murder Victims who have chosen not to seek the death penalty as an option for punishment.
Preferring to accept that it serves no one to take the life of a person for killing another, except to create more pain, these people are leading us by their example to move beyond the belief that an eye for an eye is the only way to avenge a murder.

7. The resignation of Senate Majority Leader Trent Lott
Lott relinquished his position in response to a hail of negative criticism regarding his comments on racial segregation at a birthday party for Senator Strom Thurmond who was an outspoken supporter of white supremacy 50 years ago. Lott has been replaced by Senator Bill First who is known by both Democrats and Republicans as a problem solver and a consensus builder.

8. Injunction vs. US Navy's Low Frequency Sonar Program
Supporting the concept that a government must answer to the concerns to its people, an injunction against the US Navy was issued this past fall to halt the use of their Low Frequency Sonar program. The intention of the program was to protect the country from attack by terrorists using nuclear subs. Although there are many who will dispute the claim, these species are beings who have thoughts, feelings and awareness as we do. This program has been shown to cause extreme pain, damage and even death to whales, dolphins and other marine life due to the sound it produces, often exceeding 200 decibels. In granting the injunction the Navy will now have to refocus this program so that it does not hurt to innocent sea dwellers.

9. Gathering of Whales and Dolphins in harbor of Australian City
Within a few days of the beaching of approximately 46 whales off the coastline of Massachusetts a group of Whales and Dolphins appeared in the Harbor of an Australian City and proceeded to entertain the crowd on shore for several hours. The uniqueness of these events is that no one had ever seen so many of these creatures this close to human populations. It was as if they were trying to give us a message. One that says, we stand now on the line between where we are and where we would like to go. Which will we choose?

The message in each of these events is clear. Don't give up.

Don't get discouraged just because the tangible effect of your thoughts, prayers and desires are not yet clearly seen. Change comes slowly but it is occurring. More and more people are joining together to embrace the ideal of a world where peace is the rule and not just a period of time between wars. A time is coming where each individual looks upon another as a glorius expression of divinity. Where balance, equality and respect are hallmarks of interaction and the fears of the past are released and forgotten.

Believe in yourself, believe in your truth. Believe in the creation of a world where light, love and peace rule and watch it come into being. Just as a seed germinates beneath the surface to one day become a beautiful flower, so too does change take time. The changes are coming and have indeed begun to manifest themselves. We see the evidence of this in the events listed above and many more to follow in 2003 and beyond. Trust my friends in the truth and clarity of your being and your vision. By each of us staying true to our vision of a world devoid of hate and fear, free of prejudice and judgement, we can create the Utopia we all desire.