Where do we want to go?
For many of us, it is pretty easy to understand what we don't like about the world as it is. However, it can be a lot harder to build a vision for what we want the world to be. Additionally, the colonial and capitalist structures in which we exist spend a lot of energy promoting the idea that the world cannot change, that the way it is is the way it always has been ( a lie) and that hoping to create something better is woefully naive, or pointless and riduclous. Additionally, if we can't figure out what our specific vision of a better world is and how we want to get there, it is really hard to bring other people into our idea of a better world. So, I thought it might be useful to share my vision for the kind of world I want to live in as a little catlyst for you to begin elaborating to yourself the kind of world you want to live in.
I want to live in a world that priorotises care for the disabled, the elderly, the sick, etc… over the ability of corporations and individuals to accumulate as much wealth as possible. In practice, this would look a world where it is no longer possible to become a billionaire, because the exploitaition required for billionaires to exist would no longer be possible.
I want to live in a world where everyone has access to adequate housing regardless of their material circumstances. This means we would have to change how we think about housing as a society, and start treating it as a social good rather than a business
I want to live in world where everyone has access to adequate medical care regardless of their material circumstances.
I want to live in a world where poverty does not exist.
I want to live in a world where the economic system does not depend on some people being exploited, on a certain level of unemployment, and mindless consumption in order to drive never-ending expansion.
I want to live in a world where the health of our natural environment is recognised as a determinant of our ability to thrive and treated as such.
I want to live in a world where policy is based on evidence rather than opinion.
While I could probably expound forever on the world I want to live in, I think these points summarise some of the main pillars. In order for my world to be possible it requires the people who live in the world to change a lot. It requires people to not dehumanise people who are different from them - for example the way the current government in Aotearoa, New Zealand is dehumanising many groups of people but in particular, disabled people and Māori people. It requires people to be able to hold empathy even for people we might despise. It requires us to be able to and willing to build relationships with people who are not like us. It requires us to be able to regulate our own emotions. It requires us to be willing to place limitations on what we are able to consume. It requires us to be able to adequately self reflect and challenge our own self-delusions and much much more. These are social and emotional skills that we as a society lack right now.
It is often easy to throw our hands up in the air and say, the task of creating this world is too big and too complicated, but it is important to remember that the world that we live in is a product of the choices that we as a society have made, and if we can begin to shift what we as a society value, in whatever small ways we can, we make the task a little bit easier. The world has changed in many ways for the better since I was a child, it can be easy to forget that. It has also changed in many ways for the worse, but we all get a say in what happens next.
If you live in Lower Hutt I am running a group at Te Whare Kahukura focusing on social and emotional skills, there is a little blurb below. It is a facilitated group not group therapy so you are able to attend even if we know each other.
Are you interested in spending some time reflecting on where you are at in your life? Perhaps you want to improve your mental-health and wellbeing, or maybe tend to your relationship with yourself and figure out what it is you want from your life. Join the six week well-being group being facilitated by Gaayathri Nair at Te Whare Kahukura!
What is it?
A facilitated group where you will have the time and space to reflect on your life, relationships, behaviours and much much more.
An opportunity to develop skills around bettering your mental health and wellbeing
A space where we can all learn from each other and focus on figuring out how to thrive in a difficult world.
What is it not?
Group therapy - we will not be spending heaps of time talking to each other about our problems
Who is it for?
Anyone who is interested that identifies as being part of the rainbow community or is whānau to someone in the rainbow community
Who is it being run by?
Gaayathri Nair is a registered counsellor with NZAC and has worked extensively in the field of trauma therapy. She also co-designed and frequently facilitates the workshop ‘How to Talk to Your Racist Uncle.’
When will it run?
6pm Wednesday nights from the 2nd of October for 6 Weeks.
What does it cost?
Its free!
If you are interested spaces are limited so you must register here: https://forms.gle/k5yTLM7mqTu3EbtQA
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