Monday, May 24, 2010

Ashes and airports

On my way to Oxford, to participate of a very importante event for leaders, The Call of the Time, I am thinking a lot about the effect small ashes have in our lives.

Yes, I can only think it is possible the airport is closed!

But, apart from that, how many times in our lives, small ashes - things which we don't give much value, very small in size and with no value - can create chaos in our lives. We all have airports - we all have ways to let other people to come into ou lives and see what we are doing. Some people come into our lives as tourists, just wanting to take and having no interest in helping much. Others come as businesspeople (well, sometimes they also only want to take and have no interest in helping...), who look nice and interesting. And there are others who come as volunteers, trying to give their best with nothing in exchange.

It was just a thought: clean your ashes (negative thoughts, prejudice, expectations, etc.).


Take care!

Friday, May 7, 2010

The end of civilisation

Since I was a child, as far as I remember, I do believe in the end of civilisation.

First of all there is the natural sense of life: everything is in a cycle, all that is born one day will die. Second, I was in love with History, and that is one of the things one learns in History: all civilisations one day "die". Some would die completely, whilst others will just pass to a second place, losing its shine and brightness (economical power, war power, cultural influence, etc.).

Let's see some examples:
  • Sumerian civilisation is considered to have disappeared completely, although its importance still exists with its high influence on Babylonians (and us, of course).
  • The Mayans have disappeared, but people are still there. Only they don't have the same importance as before.
I would suggest you to read an article on that.

Then, a natural question: what about our civilisation? We are one now, a huge global village. This blog, for instance, will reach Chinese and Kenyans, Brazilians and British, rich and poor, men and women, blacks and whites, Catholics and Atheists.

So, should we think about our end as well?

Some organisations are thinking of that. Apart from religions, cults and spiritual groups, even some scientific organisations are working on the topic (check this video on "Horizon Project").

But, what about "we", the simple guys, people from all backgrounds and paths. Should we be concerned about that?

I think so. When I see the economic chaos we are (at present the fall of Greece, taking with it Spain and WONDERFUL Portugal), or the lack of spirituality, I see the end of that civilisation.

Do you? I would like to know what you see, what you watch.

Take care! Marcelo