The Transition: Utopia vs. Dystopia wecan Decidewhich Kind ofworldwill Persist By MontgoMery norton Wto create the life we want, enough, well-informed, connecting thearound us, breaking news. If you don’trealize this, then you are not curiouse have talked about ourfreedom of will: our choice or remain apathetic victims of our own dots, or paying attention. I don’t mean unmaking. This moment in time is a this to be a condemning statement or period of crisis (challenge and opportunity) an insult, simply a fact. We all just have and a transition (collapse and awakening) way too much going on in our personal for humanity to realize our evolutionary lives to look deeper into the system that destiny. Humanity stands at a precipice operates of, by, and for the 1%. This is of discovering the true power of our own the way our society has been designed. consciousness, but we must also contend We are supposed to be so busy, stressed with the darkness that has kept so many out, challenged, and struggling that we of us asleep. The conspiracy theories and don’t have the time, energy, or will to fringe beliefs about what may or may not question the system that is running our be happening are irrelevant at this point. lives. There’s nothing mysterious about 2012 is here and the path is clear. The this; it’s simply infrastructure, which is forces that we must contend with have been based on fundamental relationships of present and actively manipulating human power. Our modern infrastructure, like society—“civilization”—for centuries. the political systems of the world, is based What is different and what has been changing is that people are waking up in hierarchies of control and power (the Machiavellian nation state system, to the system of lies and propaganda that have become our way of life. We are et al). realizing the truth about our modern systems of global hierarchy, whereby We are constantly being manipulated by advertising and entertainment, this country in particular functions more like an oligarchy and plutocracy so that we, again, don’t question our meager existence or realize our true than a democracy. As we awaken to our true individual potential, we come potential. Yes, many scholars, philosophers, and thinkers have told us this to recognize our responsibility and complicity with this system. We also (i.e., Manufacturing Consent), but it’s true. How can this be true even though discover our collective power as the people, most poignantly demonstrated it isn’t talked about on mainstream media? News flash: the mainstream media by the Occupy and 99% movement (http://www.the99declaration.org). is actually talking about most of the events occurring; you just have to listen As the people, we have both the challenge and opportunity to declare our intently, think critically, and connect the dots that may not be apparent or common purpose for the good of all through reawakening our power and obvious. We also have to do our own research. That’s what the Internet is for: embodying our evolution for a healthy, balanced future. We either choose It’s a tool for empowering us to be responsible, self-reliant, and educated. to evolve into a state of emotional intelligence and act through the wisdom This is about waking up to the truth and setting us free, and for this purpose, of the ages on this planet, or we remain the pawns of a pyramidal power I am trying to catalyze a response. We all know the truth at the depth of our structure that risks everything to remain in control through fear, dominance, being that much is afoul in our world. We just need to be motivated enough destruction, and violence. In its most basic form, we have the choice to to turn and face it. manifest utopia or dystopia on our home planet—Earth. The point of these ongoing discussions is to realize that everything is Fundamental to this choice is simply realizing what we have here. I am connected. We cannot talk about sustainability without understanding our speaking of the infinite abundance of beauty and love that is presented by basic human needs. We cannot talk about energy unless we are willing to Gaia each and every day. If we are to experience growth in any way, we must accept its impacts on the environment, and thus food, water, and the climate first recognize the gift of life. The core of the new value system begins with system; or the infrastructure that it has created. Lastly, the most fundamental an awareness and appreciation for this opportunity to be born of flesh on this aspect of the shift is the relationships that we humans continue to create planet, rather than succumbing to the perverted belief espoused by religious with ourselves, each other, and every other entity on this planet and beyond. corruption. We must celebrate with tremendous gratitude this “parenthesis It’s time for us to cultivate emotionally intelligent and evolved relationships in eternity” (life). The question then becomes, “Who do we want to be that focus more on atonement, compassion, cooperation, empathy, healing, within the community of life here on Earth?” peace, reconciliation, and yes, love. So it is pertinent to understand the critical nature of the times that we are living. Regardless of all the prophecies and speculation about what Montgomery Norton has a MA in Urban & Regional Planning with a specialization in Sustainability. He is the founder of Paradigm Solutions Development, a Sustainability might happen or how the “end of times” might play out, life is happening. Incubation and Orchestration services firm. He is also a founding board member of the This means that much of what has been predicted is already in play. Nearly Orange County Sustainability Collaborative, as well as serving as an advisor to many every prediction about this era in global human civilization is occurring all other organizations. J U LY / A U G U S T 2 0 1 2 49
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