This entry to creating new visions for our world is generously provided by David Pitonyak.
A vision for our future:
Neuroscience is confirming what many have suspected for a very long time. Ours is a social brain. When we are not focused on a specific task, 80% of what our brain is up to is figuring out relationships — who we are relative to our community. We are pack animals. And “belonging” is critical to our well-being. The absence of social connections is now understood to be on a par with cigarette smoking and bad genes when it comes to dying early.
Neuroscience has also confirmed that being needed by others produces powerful chemicals in our bodies that lead to a sense of well-being. It extends our lives by years. In my vision for our future, we will understand that giving back to the community is not only good for us in a moral sense, but good for us in a physiological sense. Our brains will evolve at an accelerated pace towards cooperative and generous living. We will give back to stay well. The myth that humans are, by their nature, selfish, will be replaced by the facts in the same way that the myth that cigarette smoking was harmless was replaced by the facts. Long over-due, our “thinking” brains pull off another unexpected surprise — if we want to stay healthy, we need to be needed.
From this vantage point, it is easier for me to believe that one day most corporations will have a sense of responsibility to the larger community and, in turn, pollute less. They will increasingly develop compensation practices that are fair and balanced. Politicians will, for the most part, serve with honor and integrity. The voters will insist upon it regardless of party affiliation. And citizens will practice citizenship with a sense of civility and pride. All of this because it is good for the body. The closest thing to a miracle drug yet.
David Pitonyak has a consulting practice which is dedicated to supporting people who experience disabilities. For more information check out his website at http://www.dimagine.com/index.html
For anyone who would like to join us in imagining our thriving healthy planet and future, please send your vision to newvisionsforourworld@gmail.com and I will repost it here in the blog.
