Four Steps for Turning Attention into Action from Joanna Macy

Suggestions from the teachings of Joanna Macy as we move beyond attention to action:

#1:  Cultivate gratitude.  Notice, and name the blessings in your life.  Turn towards what gives you joy.

#2  Don’t be afraid of the dark: Don’t be afraid of your own pain.  Don’t be afraid of the anguish you feel at the tragedies and devastation that fills our world.  It makes sense we would feel pain when we allow ourselves to be aware of the suffering in our world.  Acknowledging these feelings connects us with each other and releases us from its grip, giving us energy to act from our core beliefs and values.

#3: Dare to vision.   We will never be able to build what we have not first conceived. Turn toward your imagination, stretch beyond anything you have ever seen and dream up the most vivid, detailed, spectacular image of what could be.  Speak these visions.  Share these dreams with others.

#4: Roll up your sleeves. Do something.  Do anything. There are so many different issues there are so many causes to work for.  What is your passion, what do you love? When seeking where to direct our energy, it helps to remember that everything is interconnected.  Whatever we do we are adding to the healing of the entire all world. 

As Macy teaches, "the Great Turning" comes with no guarantees.  The risk of failure is also a reality.  We may not have enough time or strength to achieve the tremendous transformation that must occur.   Live with this radical uncertainty, Macy urges, let it feed your courage and creativity.  And know that no matter what happens, the actions and the risks we take on behalf of all life will bring forth dimensions of tikkun, of world repair and transformation, that are beyond anything that we have ever seen.

Go forward in the face of uncertainty, go forward despite doubt and fear so future generations will be able to look back on this time and say about us, "Bless our ancestors , they were involved in the great turning. They didn’t know whether they would make it or not.  At times it looked so hopeless.  At times all their efforts were so darkened  by turmoil and despair.  But in spite of all the pain, in spite of all the uncertainty, they went forward anyway. They found the courage, they found the faith, they forged the alliances that enabled them to persevere."

May we go forward with strength faith and spirit so our children’s, children’s, children’s children will be about to say about us, “Thank God for our ancestors, for they were involved in The Great Turning.”