Who do we have responsibility for – an important message in a troubled time

by Sara Vogt 23 Dec, 2016

When we are in harmony with ourselves it is quite easy to accept that we are all One and interdependent. When we get into our fears with compensation ambitions and Ego traps it is more likely that we focus too much on ourselves. Life is a constant challenge between love and fear.

Hans Akerblom wrote this dialogue between Moderns* and Co-creatives** several years ago and we need to remind ourselves about the challenges, taking into account what is happening around the world right now:

Moderns: “Life is hard and there’s so much I want. I want to be successful and be recognized by the world around me.
Co-creatives: “But we all live on this Earth together. Don’t we need to give and take together so that we can all be in as good a situation as possible?”
M: “That sounds really beautiful and if it helps me to be recognized then I am intelligent enough to accept it.”
C: “So you would do anything to be recognized and to belong?”
M: “No, of course I want to contribute to a better world to live in.”
C: “For whom?”
M: “For all of us who share our democratic values and contribute to our own development.”
C: “So what happens to those who don’t have that ability or who haven’t had our opportunity and privilege of an education and a good job?”
M: “Well, we can give them some contributions so that they can do something about their situation.”
C: “How would you like to contribute?”
M: “By doing a good job and taking care of my family.”
C: “What is a good job?”
M: “It’s when we make our budget and meet the shareholders expectations on increased share value.”
C: “And how would you like to be rewarded?”
M: “I have a bonus program that allows me to make enough money to do what I want and have security for me and my family. I also have a retirement program that makes me feel secure about the future. I really feel good about that.”
C: “I understand how you feel and at the same time I’m wondering if we should care about the 30,000 children that die every day due to lack of food and clean water and those who are affected by storms which some people believe are direct results of how we treat the environment. Who should care about this?”
M: “There are so many organizations around the world spending loads of money on these issues and they can deal with these problems. I take care of my own responsibilities.”
C: “But what happens if those who have this global responsibility all think like you do?"
M: “You’re just confusing things. I do what I have to do and so should everyone else.”
C: “I’m just saying that what we think and what we do affects us all and shouldn’t we consider that when we are making decisions?”
M: “My customers are satisfied with what we do and my family likes our vacation house and skiing trips.”
C: “I sense that we are distancing ourselves from the issue of who we have a responsibility for.”
M: “I’m very busy with my own life and I don’t care about others, well except maybe my loved ones.”
C: “Our dialogue is going in circles. I hear you saying that you have a responsibility for your loved ones and that you take it. At the same time the world isn’t that big. Everything we do affects us all and the Earth. Shouldn’t we all think of the big picture and how we can leave the legacy of an equally good or better world for coming generations?”
M: “Well, sure but there’s not enough time for that kind of thinking.”
C: “You say that you think about yourself and the ones close to you. What will you and they think when people take whatever they want through crime or other kinds of aggression? What will you and they say when poorer people produce the same things you do, only cheaper? What will you and they think when natural disasters strike?”
M: “Now you’re really talking crazy.”
C: “Maybe, but I don’t think that we can build an enduring society without thinking bigger. We need to think about the fact that we are all dependent on a functioning world with its social network and that we humans need to live in harmony with the Earth, the people around us and other living things. We are all part of a bigger picture.”
M: “God, what a burden!”

*Moderns drive an SUV, live in the city, focus on career, making money etc.
**Co-creatives create solutions for challenges that humanity is facing. Energy and water supply, climate etc.