I have REAL HOPES for the World

I developed the model below as a integrated model that enables people to look at problems and derive solutions through values. The values I am speaking of below are universal. All people share these values. Enlightened self or collective interests require an ability to connect to values that serve all people. Essentially we are all connected as a species and when we start to see our own interests as intimately connected to all others, we will see the world differently.

For myself when I work for peace, I work on myself. I am continually looking at my values. REAL HOPE for myself is as follows:

Am I Responsible? am I able to respond? For me that is to answer the question, to speak up as a citizen, to own what is my responsibility etc. When I feel empathy, I step into anothers shoes and imagine their life. For example a person on welfare, how are they feeling? how would I feel? or someone who is selfish what are they feeling? What did I feel when I was selfish? a person who is starving, what do they feel? If I was starving how would I feel what would I want etc. Issues of awareness is to simply start looking around, notice the people in your community. Develop an ability to look at people without judgement and with a sense of peace. Notice how people are when working, when sitting together, where we live, what the world is like. My awareness is to notice my thoughts, to noitce the miracles in my day, the incredible people I meet, how my life is supported always. When I look at the world through love, I am in love (truly), I see the incredible nature and I feel love for this planet, I love the freedom to move around, I love to see people in the community, I see people just living their lives and I feel love for them. Honesty is another important value, it is to say it as it is, rather than colour it. I use a mirror ball, everyone has their own truth, their truth may not be mine. If I try to follow all the truths out there I get confused, but I can tune into myself and find what is true for me. How do I do that, it feels good when it is true, I feel joy. I discern truth from the newspaper by asking questions. Is it true, how do I know it is true, who wrote the article, are they taking sides, who is the source, what is my inner feeling etc. Oneness is a sense of interconnectedness with the planet, with people, with life. We all breath the same air, we all are configured the same, we need love, we feel fear, we are biological etc. I look for where we are one or the same. I see this in spirituality where an energy connects us all. Peace is the balance of yin and yang (opposites or contrasts), it is feeling a solid sense of being grounded. For me, I feel incredibly happy where I am and I look at people with peace in my heart. To be peace when there is conflict or life looks insecure is a sign you are finding it. There is no fear in peace. Enjoyment comes naturally when you are happy, it is not about buying things to bring pleasure, but it is an inner quality of doing or more accurately ‘being’ what you feel in life expresses happiness. It could be looking in the eyes of a child. As a clown it is seeing happiness in others, which unlocks mine. It is a simple joy of being alive and satisfied. Service is the natural outcome of integrating all values and then giving your life to the world in service. When I chose to travel the world I just wanted to share my joy as a clown for free. I often chat to people and find out who they are, I feel a sense of unity and indeed, community. I will work for peace to serve the greater good in society. That could be running a laughter workshop, clowning workshop or simply contributing my skills in a way that helps others or brings them joy. So that is an example out of my own life.

We can do this on a global level. Individuals can do it, organisations, businesses and governments can practice real hope and then watch the solutions emerge. We are indeed all one and as we start to bring the colours of this rainbow together, as a child told me, we see white light. This is the new enlightenment.

Here is an outline of my REAL HOPES values model.

The REAL HOPES is a values model is a prism through which to look at issues or problems. Rather than analytical logical thinking, children will be encouraged to feel and think of the problem or challenge through universal values we all share.

Responsibility – when we are respons-able we are able to respond, we can do something. It is in our hands.

Empathy – is the ability to step into another’s shoes, to feel their feelings.

Awareness – to be able to clearly and honestly see ourselves and others. To be aware of the consequences of our thoughts, words and actions.

Love – is the heart of non-violence. When we act in love we expands potential, reveal, share, care and heal ourselves and others.

Honesty – the truth will set you free. Jesters were able to tell the truth in a humorous way. Truth makes the real world visible.

Oneness – is a concept that we are one world, interconnected to each other and creating a sense of unity.

Peace – is balance and harmony. To be peaceful means you see all the people as different colours in the painting of life. Like white light you absorb all the colours as part of yourself.

Enjoyment – is true happiness in the knowledge that you are being yourself and open to the beauty of life.

Service – Is to pre-serve the world. That is to give or share yourself with the world. It is in giving that we become aware of our own richness. When we think there is not enough we become focused on getting more. The challenge is to turn selfishness in to self awareness.

I give you REAL HOPES.