My good and our good

1294: 

How is Animal Rights generally perceived?  It probably isn’t perceived at all, since ordinary persons have other things to think about, things they can’t afford to neglect.  There are severe consequences when certain issues are neglected.  Woe betide any one who fails to keep on earning enough money to pay their rent or mortgage.  If you’ve got kids, then it’s essential to give them what they need, to secure their future, to prevent them being trampled by others, who are also reaching out, on their own kids’ behalves, for the 'free air above'.  Let others deal with the difficult issues.

There is some vague hope that responsibility for tackling difficult problems will be taken over by Government. Ha, ha!!  We all know our political leaders can’t be relied upon to show moral leadership.  They’re probably as nonplussed as all of us are.

So, problem issues remain on the everlasting ‘to do’ list.  While there is obvious need for change/reform/improvement, there is also a great reluctance to take the first steps, and to step out in front.  Most of us are yet to be convinced that our own principled actions, contrary to common practice, will set off a chain reaction of change in the wider community.

We all want change for our own good.  And some of us want change for the sake of the greater good. It’s a mix of noble and selfish needs.  But in the end it comes down to ourselves and to what is most urgent - this being, to repair what I see is most needful of repair.  And then it’s up to ourselves to not doubt our own power to make a difference, along the lines of “It's my ‘good example’ which will encourage others to follow, sowing seeds and encouraging growth”.  But while that lays a lot of emphasis on having the courage of our own convictions, it also must include our having faith in others’ ability to be inspired to do the right thing for the greater good.

Closer to ‘home’, amongst ourselves and our networks, we have to come to rely on each other, who already feel the same way as we do, and who are activists and advocates; faith in them is to do with knowing they are determined not to give up on the job.  With Animal Rights, it’s a long haul we have to be prepared for, and the success of that will depend on having belief in each other.

The whole process of repair is never going to be easy.  On the one hand our destructive habits and violent attitudes are deeply entrenched, but on the other hand people do have the potential to make major changes when they're sufficiently inspired.

First up, personal change needs good motivation.  We have to create an alternative non-damaging lifestyle for ourselves.  Then we can defend it.  Then we can promote it.  Then we can be effective.  And that's just about as much motivation as any one of us would need, to see our inspirations through.