I just finished reading a book called Seven Words that can Change the World by Joseph R. Simonetta. It’s a short book, less that a hundred pages. One can read it in couple of hours, and it so simply points out what we as individuals can do to create the community that we want to create, the economy that we know is possible, and the technology they can help us realize the abundance that is within our grasp.
After the forward by Neale Donald Walsh, author of Conversations with God, the author describes how he came to have a vision for and write the book. “The odyssey of my life that propelled me through a labyrinth of rich educational experiences convinces me that we humans must find a new track on which to travel. It is evident that there is a need for a belief system more relevant to the complex and increasingly sophisticated age in which we live, a belief system with the potential to achieve universal acceptance. A belief system responsive to the problems of our time and capable of drawing people everywhere together. Of most importance, a belief system that can reduce ignorance and suffering and expand knowledge and justice. I concluded, after I spoke with many others, but there are countless people, and ever-growing number, seek such a belief system.”
Mr. Simonetta breaks down the seven words into three basic principles that deal with how we treat ourselves, how we treat others, and how we treat our environment. The seven words are be healthy, be kind, and respect the environment. Three rules. Seven words. Be healthy. Be kind. Respect the environment.
By simply loving ourselves enough to be healthy in mind, spirit, emotions, and body we change the world. Because we care for ourselves first, we make sure that we are giving all that we can to the world the best way we can without pressuring ourselves to a point of pain, discomfort, or disease. When we are kind, we extend that health to other people, realizing that each of us is on our own journey and are facing our own challenges, problems, and hardships. When we can understand this and treat one another with kindness, regardless of whether or not the kindness is returned, we can stop reacting to the things that are beyond our control, we can change the world. To respect the environment and realize that it is as wonderful provider, even more efficient than all the technologies we created. Our water, our air, our food, and our power all come from the environment. The environment needs to be respected fully, forthrightly, and wonderfully if it is to continue providing what we need to sustain the lives who want for ourselves a children, our grandchildren, and for the generations to come.
A quick read filled with insight and some truly startling figures, these are seven very important words to start with.
Steve
Steve McAllister describes himself as a Renaissance Man. An author, filmmaker, songwriter, and perpetual artistic experimenter, he has recently re-released his second book The Rucksack Letters into paperback to celebrate the 10th anniversary of the journey. A journey of ink and soul, the book recounts his year and a half trek through 26 states, exploring the underbelly of America in order to better know himself. A pivotal first step for a generation in search of a new direction, The Rucksack Letters is available now.
