The recent tragedy in Ukraine, as horrific as it is, may be providing us with yet another opportunity to see where we stand and what we still need to accomplish in order to improve the conditions of our world. If our goal is to avoid these tragedies in the future, we must of course correct what has created them in the first place. If we honestly view our history, we can see how each tragedy has in fact allowed us to move forward and create the conditions in which all humanity may benefit. The same is true today. Russia’s attempted takeover of Ukraine will end at some point, as all war inevitably does, so what might be the positive development for humanity at large in this regard? We must keep in mind that all great tragedies in the world do indeed have their “silver linings”.
In order to see the bigger picture and therefore be in a better position to participate in the presented opportunity, we must find a way to rise above the deep feelings of anguish that accompany such tragedies. If we remain in grief, we will ultimately only be supporting our feelings of victimization. This will not be helpful in creating the necessary changes. To “rise above” the emotional part of experience does not negate the need for compassion. We do need to provide everything we can in order to support, not only the people of Ukraine and Russia, but to any group of people in the world who are being oppressed through aggression. Opposing aggression is not enough, however. Supporting the people of Ukraine is not enough, either. We must get back to the bigger picture and remind ourselves of the substantial, more inclusive changes that need to happen across the world. Let’s consider a couple of these opportunities, then, that still remain a possibility for us.
The Power of the People
To see that the majority of the world is standing up in opposition to Russia’s abhorrent actions may indicate to other aggressors in the world to rethink their behavior as well. It can be said that as freedom takes a better hold within the majority of humanity, the oppressive and dominating tendencies of certain governments will eventually also comply if they wish to be involved in world affairs. We must accept the reality, however, that certain selfish actors will go ahead and attempt to increase their sphere of influence anyway, at least in the short term. It must also be understood that the people of every country must stand up for themselves and demand equality and freedom through consistent desire and action over time. This is the reality of the Ukrainian people as we see today. We hope for their success in every way as they move forward into true independence. This can be applied to Southeast Asia as well, as the Chinese government and Xi Jinping intend to dominate certain peoples such as Taiwan and Hong Kong in order to have their particular form of governance be the established norm. They do in fact intend it to be the case for the entire world. As far as their peculiar philosophy of how to rule, it is understandable the desire to have balance and stability in the world. This is what we all want. To achieve this through the suppression of personal will, ideas and individual contribution is not the way to go in the long term. How do they expect the overall consciousness and wisdom of their own race to evolve by removing the rights of their people? The creation of a higher quality of life will be seen as the way to establish peace, stability, and balance. Every human being must have a say in how this improvement will happen.
Moving Away from Fossil Fuels
If we see fossil fuels as the main source of income for the Russian government, our attention is once again drawn back to the need to develop other sources of energy. It should be very clear, much of the world is being held hostage by something that can easily be changed. The controlling influence of oil, and its associated products, has allowed certain countries to behave in a manner that is undesirable for the rest of humanity and the world. Western democracies are well aware of this, no matter what they say. I would include the instability and constant conflict in the Middle East in this unfortunate reality as well. Let’s take this opportunity to improve the condition of our world and bring in new, better and safer types of energy. This creates the need for Russia and other parts of the world to develop a better means of survival. The people of each nation must be involved in the process of developing better ways of living. This will allow for changes in governance and philosophy. All possibility is available, the door is open.
Creating and Building on the Home Front
Speaking of being held hostage, China’s ability to manufacture things at a low cost has created an unnecessary dependency in the West. We have the resources, technology, and people to develop all the products and services we use, right here at home. This is not only true of the United States, but Europe as well. The reason we allow much of the manufacturing to happen in other parts of the world, should be evident and simple. It’s about the insistence of multinational corporations to have huge profit margins. In order to make a t-shirt here in the U.S., for example, it would have to be sold for $50 as opposed to having it made in China and be sold for $10 – $15. If we did decide to do more manufacturing locally, it would change the entire dynamic of world exchange and, most certainly, our relationship with China and other parts of the world. When we need what other countries have to offer, we must allow them various latitudes, including things that are obviously wrong. If we in the West intend to establish democracy across the world, we have to be a lot clearer and more honest about how we behave and what creates those behaviors. If we want to fight and stand up against oppression, and the violation of human rights that comes along with it, we must face our own ways of oppression as well. China, Russia, and other similar countries oppress their people by suppressing freedom and ideas. The West oppresses its people with greed. Is there a difference? There is unfortunately no way to handle the world’s problems and create the changes necessary without addressing each and every aspect at all levels.
So, what does all this have to do with the war in Ukraine? Everything! It looks like the West is doing whatever is necessary to help out with this tragic situation, and this is a good sign. We, unfortunately, cannot get bogged down and lose sight of where the world is headed and what we can do to facilitate the process. I can say with some certainty, it will not be in the direction of Vladimir Putin or Xi Jinping. A new “World Order” is becoming more firmly established. A world based on freedom, equality, prosperity, and justice for all.
All my love and support, stay safe and be well