Progress is a milestone in a process, not the beginning.
Only when measuring results is slow progress an acceptable outcome; and even then, not acceptable when swifter change is indicated and necessary.
"Action" is
required, if and when we want change that we can measure in progress. We measure whether progress slow or swift
only after acting.
And even before action
and measuring, “desire” and “belief” must be present.
Desire and Belief. What variable
variables.
Belief is a riddle so
simple, so personal, so complicated, and so empowering that it is both feared
and coveted. We all have belief systems;
yet many like to say they believe in nothing.
Belief is more valuable
than precious metals because without belief, or "faith" if you will,
change is impossible.
Belief is alive and changeable.
Powerful forces and those that aspire to power can do nothing without inspiring belief in others. Belief endures many ages,
many struggles, many things...to me, belief is the catalyst of change, good or
bad.
And Desire is the
sometimes guilty muse of belief. And the sometimes spark of imagination...
When our desires come
from a good place we are proud to discuss them.
When our desires come from a
place of fear manifest as selfishness, self centeredness, narcissism, superiority,
etc., we fiercely defend them I think,
having been persuaded by others or
having talked ourselves into “believing” we have the right to have all that we
desire despite what that desire does to others.
Desire from a dark place
resists scrutiny. Desire from the light is eternal imagination made real.
Desire, belief, action:
these are the predeterminants of progress. Human beings hold desires and beliefs
about themselves and others deep within their hearts. And what is in the heart is protected and
defended. Thus action to change and
progress is often slow and ineffective. Like
action on healthcare reform.
That's when we settle
for the "incremental".
But if we review what we
really want as people, we may be able to come from a better place of desire. Thus our beliefs about ourselves and others
could change for the positive, which would change our actions and outcomes, sometimes
quickly, sometimes slowly. Here even
incremental change is acceptable so long as we thoroughly understand what we
want and can proudly express it.
But progress and change
are not inevitable things that just happen because we’re so nice and good. These things require the work of self-reflection
and even national reflection if you are talking about national issues, to determine
where we’re coming from and where we want to get to.
