Becoming an activist
'Activists are the movers and shakers in retirement, the trailblazers - the ones who start new charities and foundations. They are the ones who fight for their rights and the right of others. Activists have a determination to make life better for somebody, somewhere, and their cause can be the environment, health, education or community.'
If that sounds like you, here are some excellent questions/guidelines I stole from downshifting and sustainable living expert, Sally Lever:
1. What are you passionate about? What are you angry about? What breaks your heart? Follow the answers that feel strongest for you. This is where your motivation and energy lie. These are your chosen areas of engagement, your “causes”.
2. When you think of each of your causes, what needs to change? What needs to happen for this area to be heading in the right direction for a sustainable future?
3. What kind of obstacles are standing in the way? Legislation? Bureaucracy? Lack of education?
4. Who else thinks the way you do? Find others you can join forces with. E.g. campaign groups, charities, online forums.
5. Decide how much of your time, energy and skills you are willing to devote to your activist role. Be clear on your boundaries (especially with respect to time) and responsibilities (what actions you’re happy to do and what you’re not prepared to do.)
6. Decide on what methods you will use to stay informed on events in your chosen areas of engagement (your causes).e.g. newsletters, specialist magazines, blogs, google alerts.
7. Be mindful of the 5 tiers of service: Serve i) the divine by expressing your gratitude, ii) yourself by staying healthy and inspired, iii) others through random acts of kindness, iv) your local community by getting involved, v) the world by taking responsibility as a global citizen.
For more information on this subject, check out Sally's article on Activism here and, if you're interested in downshifting to a more sustainable way of life, visit her website at www.sallylever.co.uk.
