Having fun creating paradigm shifts in our lives
Shift in Action - Having fun creating paradigm shifts in our lives.
To many people, the election of president-elect Barach Obama indicated a major shift in consciousness by the American people and has inspired millions around the world to want to actively contribute to the long dreamt-for paradigm shift in understanding which could lead to peace and well-being in our societies. We propose having a series of discussions in our IONS Community Group about having fun creating paradigm shifts in our individual lives. We would appreciate receiving comments and suggestions about this proposal.
A paradigm shift is a fundamental change in approach or in the assumtions underlying something (Oxford Dictionary). Some of the proposed paradigm shifts in our own lives which we have identified are:
1. A shift from having a necessary job, to having an enjoyable vocation.
2. A shift from a money-based life, to a pleasure-based life.
3. A shift from a profit motive, to a fulfillment motive.
4. A shift from keeping up with the Joneses, to being different from the Joneses.
5. A shift from being subjected by laws, to being guided by lawa.
6. A shift from indoctrination, to education - from shoving in, to drawing out.
7. A shift from blaming others, to acknowledging ourselves.
8. A shift from being defensive, to being understanding.
9. A shift from engendering fear, to engendering trust.
10. A shift from challenging potential competitors, to nourishing potential customers.
11. A shift from fighting enemies, to creating allies.
12. A shift from criticizing differences, to creating alternatives.
13. A shift from being skeptical, to being curious.
14. A shift from punishing, to rehabilitating.
15. A shift from competing with price, to competing with quality.
16. A shift from apathy, to action.
17. A shift from denying the beliefs of others, to reinforcing the beliefs of ourselves.
We would like to approach these proposed paradigm shifts from the points of view of:
1. A child.
2. A student.
3. A friend.
4. A spouse.
5. A parent.
6. A sportsperson.
7. A leader.
8. An employee.
9. An employer.
10. A customer.
11. A teacher.
12. A professional practitioner.
13. A scientist.
14. A politician.
15. An elector.
Measurements of the success of our paradigm shifts would include:
1. Having fun.
2. Feeling good about ourselves.
3. Being happy.
4. Feeling fulfilled.
5. Having a sense of belonging.
We invite your comments and suggestions.
Ann and Robert Radford
IONS Community Group Leaders
Vancouver Island, British Columbia, Canada
annradford@shaw.ca
