Challenge for Our Times: Do We Have the Courage to Live Together?

International futurist John Renesch challenges people everywhere to summon up a new kind of bravery, what he calls "spiritual courage," to end the "fatalism" that is so prevalent in society and kick the many addictions we use to avoid shaping a desired future.

February 2 2004--Living in a terror economy isn't new for most people, claims John Renesch, an international futurist based in San Francisco. People have been living in fear long before September 11, 2001 and will continue to do so as long as we continue living as if we are all separate from one another. But it doesn't need to continue if people summon a new kind of bravery, claims the author of Getting to the Better Future: A Matter of Conscious Choosing. Renesch champions the idea that humans can create a more desirable future rather than settling for "whatever happens."

"Every choice we make contributes to the future our children will inherit," states the renowned visionary. "There's a huge epidemic of denial, cynicism and an array of addictions - like workaholism, indulgences in the media, consumption and general busy-ness. Addictions aren't restricted to substance abuse," Renesch says, "but they are all ways of avoidance, just like drugs or alcohol."

What's possible if we give up our addictions? How does kicking these habits lead to ridding ourselves of the terror economy we are perpetuating? According to Renesch, these addictions are serving as anesthetics, numbing us from the realization that we are part of unsustainable lifestyles - the result of a Western worldview that focuses on short-term gratification and is based upon a "we versus them" scarcity mindset. "Once people take the plunge and allow themselves to feel their numbed-out emotions, feelings they've been avoiding, they can begin to make more conscious choices that will begin shaping a more desirable future," says the 66 year old businessman-turned futurist. He claims we presently have a major epidemic of "fatalism" - the doctrine of mass resignation to happenchance. "Fatalism is disempowering," he says firmly, "which disallows hope, idealism, and optimism for our collective future."

A new kind of bravery is needed to create a future we can be proud to leave our descendents, claims the social commentator and prolific author. "Turning this terror-based culture into a society based on trust and optimism requires a new kind of 'spiritual courage' previously unneeded in our evolution. This isn't physical bravado," he says. "It calls for truth-telling about the way things really are and the stand-taking to call forth a change of mindset - a transformation of a profound nature - that will openly recognize the interconnection of all living human beings, respect for life and Nature, and a real commitment to living in harmony with each other rather than separately, divided and opposed."

He points out that the new kind of hero who will populate the world in this "better future" will not resemble the small number we usually label as such, like classic war heroes, firemen or police officers. The heroics being called for will come from ordinary people standing tall for their values, knowing they are responsible for future generations.

"Behind it all is a major question for us all," Renesch points out, "Do we have the courage to live together?"

Renesch inspires audiences around the world about the potential for this worldwide transformation. He has addressed conferences from Korea and Japan to Hungary and Switzerland, Venezuela to Australia, as well as throughout the United States. His website is www.Renesch.com and he can be reached at e-mail protected from spam bots.

###