| Just the word "activist" can conjure up all kinds of | | | | angry about? What breaks your heart? Follow the |
| conflicting images in our minds from violent civil unrest | | | | answers that feel strongest for you. This is where |
| to peaceful, cooperative dialogue. When we consider | | | | your motivation and energy lie. These are your |
| our need to live more sustainable lives, we are being | | | | chosen areas of engagement, your "causes". |
| called to face some very tough challenges, personally, | | | | 2. When you think of each of your causes, what |
| in our local communities, nationally and globally. | | | | needs to change? What needs to happen for this |
| How can we follow our hearts and speak out for | | | | area to be heading in the right direction for a |
| what we believe in without causing further suffering | | | | sustainable future? |
| or hardship? How can we be effective and consistent | | | | 3. What kind of obstacles are standing in the way? |
| in how we decide to act? How do we engage in | | | | Legislation? Bureaucracy? Lack of education? |
| non-violent methods of transformation? | | | | 4. Who else thinks the way you do? Find others you |
| According to Joanna Macy, author of "Coming Back | | | | can join forces with. E.g. campaign groups, charities, |
| to Life: Practices to Reconnect Our Lives, Our World." | | | | online forums. |
| There are three dimensions to shifting towards a | | | | 5. Decide how much of your time, energy and skills |
| more sustainable way of living. They are 1) actions to | | | | you are willing to devote to your activist role. Be |
| slow the damage to the Earth and its beings; 2) | | | | clear on your boundaries (especially with respect to |
| analysis of structural causes and creation of structural | | | | time) and responsibilities (what actions you're happy |
| alternatives; and 3) a fundamental shift in worldview | | | | to do and what you're not prepared to do.) |
| and values. Whilst we can see that it is necessary for | | | | 6. Decide on what methods you will use to stay |
| all of these to happen, we might wonder why any of | | | | informed on events in your chosen areas of |
| us as individuals should take part in number (1), which | | | | engagement (your causes).e.g. newsletters, specialist |
| is basically about becoming activists. | | | | magazines, blogs, Google alerts. |
| Becoming an activist can mean putting ourselves in | | | | 7. Be mindful of the 5 tiers of service: Serve i) the |
| the spotlight, opening ourselves to criticism, | | | | divine by expressing your gratitude, ii) yourself by |
| aggression and stress. So why would we do it? The | | | | staying healthy and inspired, iii) others through |
| "holding actions" and campaigning that activists | | | | random acts of kindness, iv) your local community by |
| engage in as part of point (1) are necessary to buy | | | | getting involved, v) the world by taking responsibility |
| us more time to carry out parts (2) and (3). There | | | | as a global citizen. |
| will be government legislation needed as an inherent | | | | Anita Roddick is an example of an activist who |
| element of part (2) and some of this will require | | | | achieved much through her campaign work and her |
| campaigns by the public to bring necessary laws into | | | | business in her short life. Anita's website (set up by |
| existence or to ensure that they are drafted to allow | | | | her husband Gordon following her death) contains |
| for optimum resilience and sustainability. The cultural | | | | some useful ideas to inspire you and I will leave the |
| shift mentioned in part (3) can be achieved through a | | | | final words to her: |
| softer form of activism in terms of education, | | | | From: |
| mentoring, coaching and training, writing and | | | | "I am not an activist in pursuit of recognition or fame. |
| journalism and facilitating discussion. So there are | | | | I am not an activist so that strangers will think I am |
| many different ways in which we can choose to | | | | a good person. |
| become an activist. | | | | I am not an activist because it is good for business |
| On a personal level, being involved in activism and | | | | (although more often than not it is). |
| campaigning on sustainability issues can add meaning | | | | I am an activist because being an activist makes me |
| and purpose to our lives and a tremendous feeling of | | | | feel alive. |
| achievement that we know will serve not only | | | | Activism is being a voice for the voiceless, standing |
| ourselves and our contemporaries, but possibly many | | | | up for the weak and the frail, engaging the human |
| generations to come. | | | | spirit. It's putting your head above the parapet, being |
| The 7 "Hows" of becoming an activist. | | | | heard. being seen, being counted...Do something. Do |
| 1. What are you passionate about? What are you | | | | anything. Just do something. |