Personal, Local and Planetery efforts for 2012

It has been a long time since I've posted.  So I decided that before the first month of 2012 slips away, I would do just that.

We have all read, and heard predictions for this year.  We have all consciously or not chosen what to believe about these predictions.. However whatever hope and belief you hold for this year, it is time for that  hope and belief to be combined with action.  Many of us have been passively watching the world burn.

I appreciate that many have felt confused and overwhelmed not only when considering the world, but in their own lives. Inaction is often the result of an over abundance of conflicting information.  So we all need to focus and forgive ourselves as well as others for the situation we are facing.  Being compassionate with self is a fine place to start.  

Thanks to the Occupy movement and events we cannot ignore, many of us  have finally been compelled into action. This feels right, as the velocity of change will accelerate this year and impel all of us to act. No one will be untouched by this.  Anticipating and doing what is possible to plan for change will aid us.  So here is my list of action on personal, local and planetary levels that I hope you find helpful.

Personal:

1. Think and gather information before you make decisions.
2. Find a practice that is grounding, and actually puts your feet on the ground. (walking, yoga, tai chi, etc).
3. Learn to care for yourself.  Caring for self is essential before caring for others.
4. Tend to your psychological and spiritual self.
5. Plan for and expect change in your career or professional life.
6. Find time to be alone, especially in an outdoor setting.
7. Meditate regularly.
8. Consider your consumption patterns, and make corrections as necessary.
9. Become familiar with the food you eat.  If possible grow some of your food. Definitely know what you are eating, including where it comes from,  how it is grown, and what product are in it.
10. Cook your own food and eat simply.
11. Study the use of healing herbs.
12. Be a visionary.  Envision what you would like to see, and then take steps to make it happen.
13. Be practical. 
14. Strive for both immediate and long term effects.
15. Practice compassion and open heartedness.

 Local

1. Whenever possible support  locally owned businesses.
2. Change your bank accounts to local banks or credit unions.
3. Take the bus, or ride your bike whenever possible.
4. Grow a garden with plants suitable to your area's climate and topology. 
5. Buy locally grown food.
6. Get to know your neighbors, and what they think about local issues.
7. Pay attention to local government actions.
8. Vote in local elections.
9. Support and participate in local Occupy actions.
10. Make improvements in your own yard or environment..

Planetary:  As we all know as above so below.  In this case all the above also applies to planetary action.  Here are some others.

1. Be discriminating about your news sources. 
2. Consult more then one news source.
3. Consult primary sources for information (people or articles written by people, not reports of these).
4. Be skeptical about what your hear and see. 
5. Make efforts to communicate with people who are not from your own town or country.
6. Vote in all elections
7. Express your opinions to your elected officials
8. Know, as much as any one can, about what the World Bank, the IMF, and the UN are up to.
9. Support freedom and justice for the global population. 
10. Keep your eye on what is happening in China, India, and Africa.
11. Find out which Nations have rich deposits of natural resources, and note the political and social events in these countries.
12. Hold compassion for all beings. We are all in this together.
13. Always have hope.

Have a healthy and blessed 2012.