Recently I have discovered

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   Rafiniposted 15 years ago

   I am much more selfish and self-centered that I have ever thought...not geared toward relationships but in terms of global issues.  It isn't that I don't care, because I do, but it's more like I take the backseat and let someone else drive the bus.  I will lend support when i can, but I don't have the courage to speak up. 
   
   What do you think?  Is this an OK way to go through life?  Or, should I work on being an activist even though it doesn't fit my personality?

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      tobey100posted 15 years agoin reply to this

      Activism is grossly overrated.  I do follow politics but only in the sense of looking for the absurd or humorous.  Unless it effects me or my family or what I consider to be the American way, they can propose and debate whatever they like.  As far as 'global' issues go, who gives a rats behind?  We have such egos thinking we can influence the globe on any issue.  They just want our money which, by the way, we seem to be out of.  Relax and enjoy your life.  To me the only 'life' activist have is tied up into whatever the cause of the day is.

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         Rafiniposted 15 years agoin reply to this

         i like your views - makes me feel better 
         maybe i've just been hit by too many activists to appreciate my own thoughts on whatever the issues were - sometimes i go away from an encounter feeling guilty cuz i'm not an activist!
         
         anyway, thanks for your views tobey

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            tobey100posted 15 years agoin reply to this

            Hey, life's too short to worry about the earth heating up one degree in the next 100 years or green energy or any of that crap.  The whole purpose of activism is to make you feel guilty.  Period.

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      prettydarkhorseposted 15 years agoin reply to this

      Just dont force yourself to do things which you dont feel like doing
      There are some little ways and things we do that it shows we really care about a cause
      
      Just do the right things and show good examples is all we can do
      You have a good day!

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      Cagsilposted 15 years agoin reply to this

      Hey Rafini, You say that you don't have the courage to speak up. But, why don't you?  What is it that is stopping you from speaking out? Is it that you rather not be in the public eye? Or don't feel like being a leader?
      
      It sounds like you don't have a problem with being a follower, per se, and that can lead you to disconnecting yourself from others. You become set in your ways and refuse outside help when available.
      I don't think that you have to be a full-fledged activist, but possibly find something you do like and apply yourself in that cause. If you don't like homelessness, like I don't, then start collecting funds and help provide for your local community.
      
      As you've already stated, you are selfish and self-centered. These two traits lead to a bunch of negativity in your life and can dramatically affect/effect your overall attitude about life. Thus, you will feel more miserable than good. Plus, any sort of relationship will be difficult, because everything must evolve around you....and life isn't just about YOU, as a person.
      
      It's about "Love" and "Mercy" for others. You need to be honest with yourself, love yourself, have mercy on those who don't and still love them anyways, but be willing to help them realize that they don't really want to live any other way, but honestly.
      
      Selfishness and Self-center feelings show that you don't care about others.....just the definitions of these words, say more than you saying that you do care? Contradiction.
      
      Could be a time for you to re-evaluate, who you really want to be and what you want to leave behind?
      
      Just a thought.

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         Rafiniposted 15 years agoin reply to this

         good thoughts, i appreciate it 
         i don't like being in the public eye - major anxiety there
         When I said I was selfish & self-centered, it was in terms of being an activist - cuz I just cant do it.  I do have relationship issues, but those are related to Trust issues not because i think everything has to revolve around me.  I wasn't contradicting myself really - I do care about some issues yet cannot imagine myself being an activist for those issues.
         
         Thanks for your thoughts 

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         tobey100posted 15 years agoin reply to this

         All this sounds very good and it may be good advice.  There are some of us though that already know what we want to be.  We also know what we want to leave behind.  My job is to be a good husband, good father and raise good, God, yes God fearing children.  My life is just that, my life.  My 'activism' is the way I live my life.  It may be old fashion but unless you step on my toes, what you do is none of my business.  I don't care how fat you are, what you smoke, what you drive or where you set your thermostat.

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            Cagsilposted 15 years agoin reply to this

            And, Rafini thought selfish and self-centered? Damn boy, you certainly are that's for sure. And, you know what? It's your faith in your sad "god" idea that has made you that way and you don't even see it.
            
            However, since you brought "it" up, "fear" GOD? What hell are you suppose to fear? By the time you reach your supposed "GOD", you'll be dead. Your individual consciousness will cease to exist and you'll have no freaking clue otherwise. Once you lose consciousness.....you cannot tell you're alive or dead? Therefore, even if you did have a soul or a spirit? You would know it in the first place.
            
            And, since this isn't a religious forum. I'm going to leave it at that. Enjoy!

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            Rafiniposted 15 years agoin reply to this

            Tobey - i like your views, they are similar to mine - I was just questioning the role activism should take in my life.

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               tobey100posted 15 years agoin reply to this

               My point (after Cagsil's rant against God) is simply where is it written we have to get 'involved' in one cause or another?
               
               And yes, I am that sure of myself.  I don't call it self centered.  It's self reliant.  Name we one cause, one activist crusade that isn't about money and isn't bogus in the end.  On second thought.  don't bother.
               
               Ignore everyone else Rafini.  You have the right to live the way you wish to live as long as its legal and you don't pee in your neighbors yard.

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      tantrumposted 15 years agoin reply to this

      You should be what you are.
      I'm a watcher. I sit and wait till the events pop up. Always talking about general world matters.
      Nothing much to do anyway !
      Everything is taken care of by the NWO
      

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   Justine76posted 15 years ago

   what exactly do you mean by "activist?" what is it you think you should be doing?

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      Rafiniposted 15 years agoin reply to this

      i dunno   lol
      whatever other activist do, i guess
      
      the reason I ask is cuz i have heard some employers ASK whether or not you have a cause, or are active in any causes.

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         Home Girlposted 15 years agoin reply to this

         Not everybody is going to run with a flag  under the bullets but as long as you are not stabbing the person who does it in his back - you'll be o'key!

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            Rafiniposted 15 years agoin reply to this

            

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         Justine76posted 15 years agoin reply to this

         Your active in the cause for your children. If its something that you really feel you should do, then fine. But do you mean stand around with signs, or actually physically doing something that makes a difference?
         It could be as simple as unplugging your computer when your not using it. Recycle....live your life the best you can. I prefer action to activist.

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            Rafiniposted 15 years agoin reply to this

            It could be as simple as unplugging your computer when your not using it. Recycle...
            
            this kind of activism I can handle!!  lol  cuz i already do - never thought of it as activism.  Thanks for helping me smile today. 

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   myownworldposted 15 years ago

   Some people believe in big dreams...others much simpler. It doesn't mean one is any less than the other. Just giving out positivity around you, whether it's smiling at a neighbor, or being kind to a friend...simple little gesture are sometimes more inspiring than a great cause you work for.
   
   Just do what is most true to you: to quote Milton: 'those also serve, who only stand and wait..."

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      Rafiniposted 15 years agoin reply to this

      I can do this too.  Thanks for helping me feel better about my non-active activism 

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   Shadesbreathposted 15 years ago

   You only need to be active if you require activity to be content with your contribution to your space of human history. 
   
   The truth is, it doesn't matter what you do because the ripple you make in the course of our species and this planet is ultimately nothing. All the generations before, dating back hundreds of thousands of years, have all come and gone and done no more or less than the generations before or after.  They all fancy themselves and their actions and impact as being significant, but no age has been any holier or any more noble than any other. 
   
   The only thing you have is your own happiness, which is contingent upon your contribution to the happiness of those you care about (which, ultimately, you only care about because they make you happy, so it's really right back to you again anyway).
   
   Do what satisfies you in the deep places that only you know, the places you feel yourself honestly when you are alone and nobody is watching you or judging you (unless you believe in God, then, obviously work that in too).  Your experience of this world, that collection of impressions and meaning made behind your two eyes and between your two ears... that's all you have for sure.  Work from there.

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      Rafiniposted 15 years agoin reply to this

      there are so many people who would argue their activism is not insignificant (their the ones who can make me feel guilty at times)  but I tend to agree with you.

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         Shadesbreathposted 15 years agoin reply to this

         It's significant to them, particularly if they can see some of their ripples moving stuff around a little.  But power and wealth have always been and always will be just snow that blows and shifts from one drift to another.
         
         Act if you must act.  Drink and watch from the sidelines if that suits you.  The trick is to make sure that what you do really suits you, down deep where it matters to the core of your happiness. 
         
         Examine your guilt and see if it comes from your soul or from others defining what is "good" or "important."

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            Rafiniposted 15 years agoin reply to this

            

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   timorousposted 15 years ago

   Perhaps 'activism' is a bit over-rated and doesn't accomplish very much in the long term.  I'm thinking here of 'publicity stunts' carried out by well-meaning groups such as PETA and Greenpeace.  After the soundbites are seen and digested, public awareness of the issues fades quickly.
   
   However, taking a small, everyday 'active' role in making things better for the greater good in all things, is something we should all strive to do whenever we can.  You know you should, and it has nothing to do with religious beliefs.
   
   Whether it's helping our children, loved ones, or neighbours, stopping inappropriate development and crime in our communities, minimizing our garbage output..whatever it is.
   
   Your very existance is no more important than anyone or anything else.  We need to consider what kind of environment (locally and globally) we're leaving to future generations.  Any other attitude is simply selfish and short-sighted. 
   
   We'd be a lot happier if we did at least one good deed every day.

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      Rafiniposted 15 years agoin reply to this

      yup. 

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   TheWriterIVYposted 15 years ago

   Rafini-
   
   I think that too many people are focused on what others want from them as opposed to what they want for and from themselves, It is not so much selfish to be unconcerned with "activism" in general but I do believe that we should hold our individual selves up to a higher standard; whatever that may be for you. Personally, I do not get into much of that. It is not that I am not concerned about it, I just do not put that kind of effort into thinking about it. I do like to discuss and debate politics, despite the fact that many are unable to have an adult conversation about that without dropping f-bombs and such. In my humble opinion, far too many are more interested in political correctness {not speaking directly to politics} rather than being who they are.
   Also, I believe that there is a higher power, far greater than ourselves and whomever that may be to you or anyone else, it should never be mocked. Bottom line my friend - Be you - Do you and fear not about what others say about it. At the end of the day, you are the one that looks back at your reflection - no one else.

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