You've heard of healing your "inner child"? Well why not heal yourself right now with help from your "Inner Elder"?

This is a concept that I don't claim to be the pioneer of - rather I make the claim that this is what people themselves are doing.

If you can doubt this just look around and see how people deal with tragedies and you'll see this Inner Elder at work in many places. Despite the devastation and in spite of ineptitudes; people rise above and once the initial shock has passed people pull together by pulling up their courage and their faith in themselves and their neighbors to work through a disaster and move beyond it - with the thought of coming back better and stronger.

Not really unique to America - this is a human trait we can all be proud of. We can harness that energy. Human beings can rebuild this world and by maintaining this understanding of how people's lives are so inextricably connected - to build that new world to support and protect and provide safety to all of earth's inhabitants.

It's become more and more obvious, disasters like the tsunami of 04 and Katrina's wrath on the Gulf Coast of America; other situations occurring around the world such as AIDS in Africa. To add insult to injury our "civilized institutions" are in serious trouble and apply outmoded, inhumane, worldwide practices of unrealistic financial management policies made very clear by practices such as the blatant acceptance of poverty of any kind any where in the world.

The disparity - and the polarity - shown in the clumsy way institutions and governments operate in times of utter turmoil in these modern days becomes obvious when compared to the way people themselves come forward to assist each other, sometimes against incredible odds. Why can a person, an individual, make such a difference when a government, a company, an institution cannot? The values of governments, companies and institutions do not consider the unfortunate, do not even take into account those who need a lending hand. And yet, a person, from an individual viewpoint can see the need to ensure no-one is left behind, ever. Individuals can see that all people and all life is precious and beautiful, to be protected and honoured.

With our Inner Elders by our sides, humans can rise above this decay en masse and take charge of our lives. We can make our concerns and thoughts heard - we can express our desire to build a better world. We can envision this better world... We can move beyond antiquated ideas and sluggish, outmoded methods of operating the business of "mankind", of "humankind". We can see there is an opportunity in these problems and fix them humanely.

Something, it seems, that governments, institutions and businesses have yet to learn. And we, as individuals, must accept; they may never learn.

What will all the insurance companies and their investors do when they realize people can' t afford to pay their unrealistic, unfair rates based on unevenly, unfairly distributed liabilities. Add to that transportation systems that are unkind to the human and animal body, both through polution and the fact that "accidents" causing physical harm are far too easy to occur. Again a short-sighted view that is designed around a self-serving industry, satisfied only with more sales, more profits and bigger market share - at the expense of the very populations they claim to be serving.

Average human beings know better than that! Those average people, though, have remained silent for far too long. It is time for people to rise up - not just to assist those around the world who are facing the disasters of weather and poverty and pandemic infections - but also to make their voice heard - that it is time for a change. 

Let's see the writing on the wall!

Let's wake up and make a difference every day - not just for Katrina victims - for everyone. For your neighbor, for your family, for your community. Our Inner Elder knows; together there is strength and safety, and making that connection within ourselves can give us the courage to step up and make our voice heard, and to make it clearly understood; we demand the same of our leaders, our institutions and our very social fabric!

When the call comes from the people of the earth, in unison and with the desire to improve this earth for all concerned; when it comes in chorus from all who have remained silent for so long, there will be change.

Change is impossible to avoid, it is the natural way of things in the natural world. Empowered humans who appreciate that their voice is important in the scheme of things will make the difference and drive that change in positive and humane directions that respect life and support it.

These are great things to aspire to and are not out of reach for any human. We are only begining a long road to recovery that will ultimately re-ingnite the spirit of the phoenix in the hearts of mankind. Are we mature enough now, as civilized beings, to honour our differences and nuture the world we live in and her inhabitants?