Cowichan Valley - In preparation for the emergence of our culture's muchneeded paradigm shift and our municipal elections in B.C., my partner and I had the distinct pleasure of being a part of Dr. David Suzuki's Blue Dot Tour (http://bluedot.ca/the-plan), Ian McAllister's book launch for Great Bear Wild, and Living in the New Economy (livingintheneweconomy. ca) event recently. At the Blue Dot Tour, we took in a diverse range of spoken word artists and musicians, all of whom celebrated in some way our environment, and reinforced the paramount importance of respecting and honouring it.
As all of you know, we are at a critical juncture in our country's development. At such times, I feel called to reach down deep to allow my most emblazoned and emboldened parts of myself emerge. We, as a culture, need to have the courage to forge new paths, discard old paradigms that are crumbling and be in a position to vision and re-invent better, more relevant ones that actually serve us. We are witnessing first-hand the destruction and dismantling of old systems that must die a hard and fast death. It is only in being willing to let the old systems die that we create space to usher in new, better, more sustainable options for a more sane, humane, peaceful and prosperous world, and social equity for all.We need to act - in spite of all of the uncertainty, rampant change and corruption we witness. Only then will we lay claim once again to our natural birthrights to joy, peace, empowerment, prosperity, sustainability, freedom and a more elevated state of being that is truly worthy of us as human beings, and to which we are all deserving!It was truly an honour to hear Dr. Suzuki's passionate daughter, the emcee of the event, speak about what she will tell her children about the kind of world we live in, and the legacy we are leaving behind. It was also inspiring for us, and the thousand others who stood in solidarity for the cause, hear Dr. Suzuki's eloquent grandson speak to us about his activism as a snowboarder in the sacred headwaters. Dr. Suzuki reminded us that human beings can only live three days without water. "If there is no air, we die. If the air is polluted, we get sick. If there is no water, we die. If the water is polluted, we get sick," he said.It truly doesn't get any more concrete or visceral than this! Dr. Suzuki reminded us that all of the money or investments in the world won't make one iotaof difference without the ability to breathe clean air, drink clean water and have access to good, healthy food.The Blue Dot Tour is a movement across Canada whose mission is to ensure that our rights to clean air, clean water and clean food are part of our Charter. It hardly seems necessary to have to build such self-evident essentials into our Canadian Charter. But it is, given the insanity of this federal government who is selling its citizens and our country short for its own private, self-interested gains. Check out http://bluedot. ca/the-plan.Take action now to join the rising tide of people across the country who want our right to breathe fresh air, drink clean water and eat healthy food legally recognized at all levels of government.As Alanis Obomasawin from Conversations with North American Indians said: "Canada, the most affluent of countries, operates on a depletion economy which leaves destruction in its wake. Your people are driven by a terrible sense of deficiency. When the last tree is cut, the last fish is caught, and the last river is polluted, when to breathe the air is sickening, you will realize, too late, that wealth is not in bank accounts, and that you can't eat money."Remember this when you take to the votes at Canada's federal election slated for October 2015. Remember this when you invest. Remember this the next time you shop. Know that each and every time you do any and all of these activities, you are participating in the biggest cultural experiment of our times. You have a conscious choice:Are you for or against democracy and freedom?Are you for or against a healthy environment which honours all sentient beings, and protects your health? Remember that health is wealth!Are you for or against a better, more humane, more socially equitable and conscious world?Are you for, or against ease, prosperity, improved living standards for all, or only a select few?Are you for, or against peace, empowerment, and true prosperity, or is war, disempowerment and scarcity more appealing to you?Don't let anyone manipulate, sway, or coerce you into confusing these very simple and basic choices. You have every right, and indeed, the responsibility, to co-create the kind of world you want to live in, the kind of world that you and all of your loved ones deserve to live in.Refuse to give your consent, or be party to any consciousness that is dark and oppressive, or one that will one day leave you wondering whatever happened to your freedoms and democracy in Canada - only a tad too late!So, how do we ensure that right, not might, prevails? How do we invite light, not darkness, to prevail? For one thing, we get informed. We adopt a critical eye. We challenge, question, scrutinize sources. We meditate. We pray.Secondly, we must challenge and entrain ourselves to see everything with clear and honest lenses, however uncomfortable this may be, however much this may challenge our own beliefs or core values. Do not allow yourselves to be fooled into complacency by auspicious claims that a would-be leader intends to "protect our sensitive environment". When would-be leaders speak about "progress", "development", "economic development", or "job creation", be aware of the red herring. Make no mistake. Though no sane person would argue that development is a bad thing, be careful that you understand the precise ways in which the candidate has defined their terms. Many political contenders know exactly which hot buttons to push to rope people in! Be sure they're not just talking a goodgame, but have the kind of specific, concrete action plan that is aligned with your core values and beliefs.More often than not these days, many are holding money and the economy as more sovereign than even you, and your right to breathe clean air, drink clean water and eat healthy food. Whenever "stimulate the economy" and "job creation" are listed as priorities, and "protecting our environment" is slated last - be on red alert! There's a French proverb that says the following far more eloquently than I can translate: "When someone shows you who they are, believe them." Or it will be to your peril. Refuse to be complicit to the crimes being committed against this planet, and our humanity. Ask yourself if the planet can truly sustain yet more development projects that exact far too much cost to the planet, and we, the humans, who inhabit it.Thirdly, we take conscious action! At all opportunities to vote, vote in favour of the planet. Because you know what? In the end, you and the planet are one. What you do to the environment, it does to you! If you love something that you hold dear, what do you do? You take care of it, right? Similarly, if you take care of Mother Earth, then Mother Earth will take care of you! Consider donating to Dr. Suzuki's Blue Dot Tour and/or getting involved in your local community. I've listed some organizations below to inspire some ideas. We all need to stand together for this cause. Commit to movements that leave the kind of legacy our children deserve for themselves and future generations.As Dr. Suzuki states: "Things are only impossible until we decide that they're not anymore. Today is the day we decide".Get involved with community groups and organizations like Lead Now, BC SustainableEnergy Association, Creatively United for the Planet, Sierra Club, Green Party, and/or any other caring groups who have your true good at heart! Oh, and remember to check out bestselling author, Michael Harris, in Party of One, in preparation for Canada's federal elections in October 2015! Thank you for your prompt attention, and honouring this plea. The light is prevailing!Annik Moyal-Waldman Cowichan Valley