Beth Camp Historical Fiction

Sunday, December 26, 2010

#257 Manifesto

My manifesto is
just large enough
to scrawl
on the back of a leaf:

Balance in all things.


Sunday Scribblings this week asks us to write a manifesto.

When I think of a manifesto, I’m remembering demagogues through history who screamed at their followers; economies out of control, privation, suffering, and war became real demons to fear.

Our greatest religious teachers have distilled their insights to simple truths. Do not do to others what you would not want done to yourself. In the west, Ten Commandments, sacrifice and denial become a way of life. In the east, a search for nirvana based on meditation led people to act intentionally and to try to do no harm.

The tension between a dream and reality remains. I wish that all people lived in peace and harmony, safe from harm. But this speaks to a survival level. A larger dream would be for each soul to achieve its highest vision, whether that is to be a parent, an artist, a musician, a writer, even a politician. And, yes, I do believe that all actions are expressions of human creativity, even to making a simple meal, and that the best creative works have something uplifting, something good in them. So I would add: As your hand turns, work for the public good.

6 comments:

  1. noble sentiments...my goal this year..just to make one other persons life a little better

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  2. Very true.I liked what you said about the do unto others , and creativity being ibn all things we do.First sentence last paragraph especially good.
    This kind of works in with my post.

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  3. I really love the idea of each soul achieving its highest vision. I think there are so many people out there sort of feeling bad that they aren't in a higher station in life, but it seems like a much better idea to consider parenting or waitressing or cleaning toilets as good and necessary, if you do you best at it. People don't stop to consider how much of a contribution they make if they do something and do it well.

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  4. I totally agree. making a difference for someone or somthing else, is the greatest gift.

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  5. love it,
    powerful imagery.

    crawl on back of the leaf, wow, cute and daring...

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  6. Many of us share your dream. All the best for 2011

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