Find Your Way, Part 19… Care for SOE (self, others, environment

What is care for SOE?

Care for SOE, (Self Others and the Environment) is a conscious intention to do no or least harm to achieve a better balance for the whole ecology. Care for SOE is an approach that prioritises people and the planet in the first instance. 
  
This care however is not self sacrificing or martyring. 

Nor is it ‘selfish’ or acts that are self indulgent. It is not care from a position of superiority, deserving or needing to be rewarded. 

It is care that brings actions to meet the needs of your HMBS first, so that you are in a better position to make choices and actions that also benefit others and whole environment. 

It is the reason that airlines tell you during safety instructions, to fit your own mask before helping others.  

Care for SOE provides a simple framework, that brings the openness needed to improve your relationships with yourself, others and the environment. 

Why care for Others 

Whether you are aware or not, everyone around you plays an important role in the whole ecology. Others either directly or indirectly affect you in some way, even when you don’t ‘see’ it or are not conscious of it. 
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During the COVID pandemic, we glimpsed this to some degree. For example when others were infected with the virus, it affected many people who were responsible for our everyday livelihood. We felt the pain when every day necessity items and products were not available due to the limited transportation. and services due to changes to physical contact.  

We missed out on social interactions (that humans rely on) and physical contact (such as hugging loved ones that humans need) and in some instances, people missed important events such as  births and funerals. 

Indirectly we felt the pain when people from other parts of the world were affected. For many years people did not feel safe and that affected the travel industry (it’s no wonder after COVID, that travel became an escape for many people).  

We are now also watching in real time (through the internet and social media platforms), the pain being experienced by others around the world such as those living as victims of crimes, with injustice, famine, war or conflict. 

We are yet to know impact of watching these atrocities in real time, on our mental and physical health and wellbeing.  

As we are sharing our global world with each other, when the majority of people are living in fear, or feeling emotionally, financially or mentally unsafe or troubled, it can affect their clarity with decisions and choices. As global travellers, when people are suffering, it can affect our own sense of safety.  

Just recently we heard about the train crash in central Spain, where at least 68 people were killed. Early findings from investigators suggest that after a security system failure, an ‘inexplicable’ order from the central command centre was given. How is it possible that such orders were given? What aren’t we noticing about the state of humans at this time in our history?

So how can we care more others, to create a safer community for everyone? 

In the past, caring for each other, was shared by the whole community. People lived in small groups or villages, with extended families and many adults, many hands and many eyes and ears, took on roles which shared the load. 

No-one took on the full brunt of the caring themselves, which meant their nervous system, their psychology and their physical bodies, faced less stress and pressure. In some countries, this way of caring is still valued and upheld. 

In many westernised countries however, we have become more entwined in bureaucratic systems, policies and rules, that have made it difficult to care in this way. When time and energy is limited, personal connections lessen, which leads people to take on more of the responsibilities themselves. Feelings of isolation, stress, anxiety affect the health and wellbeing of the HMBS. And when people are not happy or don’t have their needs met, it opens the door for ‘red’ ways of looking at things, that may lead to crime, carelessness, inattention, greed. 

On so many levels there is economic cost and damage when people are in this position. 

When care however, is considered for everyone, decisions and choices look different. This has been shown in countries such as Finland who have created a fund from the taxes on gas being produced, and the proceeds are there to support their community with health, education, and other needs. 

Not surprising that their country is top of the list for happiest and wellbeing. A Yale study has shown the benefits that prevention offers to health care includes lower medication prices, lower administration costs, reduced fraud and billing complexity, fewer emergency visits and hospitalisations. 

The difference with care from the heart is that you actually want to care. You ‘see’ the benefits. It is not ‘trying’ to show you care (hidden amongst an underlying intention for personal gain, status and excessive). 

You do it because you want to. And when you can, you do. In this way, it is not a cost to you, rather a natural desire to benefit you and others, personally and economically. 

When we reflect on tipping points, even the smallest of amount of care, may come at a time that brings just enough light to save someone’s life. We can never know the impact of these moments.

We are all in times where we are facing a multitude of complexities, hence moments of heart from others, may just provide you with what you need to survive.

Each situation or moment that arises is unique, so there are no rules, other than guidance from your heart in situations where possible. 

The heart, does not hold tabs, it simply cares. It doesn’t have intention to harm you or others or other things.

How do you feel about this? Where do you sit with this currently? 

Can you imagine a world where people feel safe to live their life? What do you feel would change? 

Importantly, when you are not able to bring care that is needed for others (because of your own needs), there are other within their community, who may be in a better position to provide it. 

Do you notice that when a tragedy occurs (which we are seeing more regularly), everyday people come to help in whatever way they can. 

When you can, you will, if it is your time to do so. 

Think about a time when someone brought care, when you needed it. How did you feel? 

Think about a time when you gave care to someone, when it was needed. How did you feel?

Why care for the environment

Our natural environment supplies us with the air, food, and the ecological systems we require to survive. 

The heart knows the reason why our natural environment is to be cared for.  It has a sense that feels and is uplifted when nature is cared for.

It recognises that nature’s resources are limited and when any aspect of the air, sea, land is harmed, demolished or treated unwell, that there is a ripple effect which then affects another part and the balance of the whole ecology. 

When cared for, the environment provides for all creatures, and in return enables all creatures to contribute and provide for the whole ecology. 

However is this a priority for our leaders? 

Just recently in our state, our Premier has agreed to the chopping down many ancient trees in the Parklands (which was a significant fixture in our city) to make way for a race track. While he intends to replant trees, the damage to the ecology has already happened. New language such as ‘Nature Positive Package’ is being used, where governments cover up political convenience as ecological integrity. We are seeing and hearing so many more new ways of being fooled and fooling ourselves and others. 

And that is what we are now witnessing in the world today. So many examples that are indicating we have pushed things too far. Global warming is having an impact on the temperature of the oceans, that is affecting the weather patterns, which are becoming more extreme in their nature. 

Watching the David Attenborough documentaries, he highlighted many examples of the practices and systems that show little care for the planet. Not only are many breeds at risk, it is now affecting marine life and food sources, for example the salmon industry in Tasmania and the oyster farms in South Australia due to the toxic algae. 

Astronauts looking at earth from space, talk about ‘the overview effect’. After spending 178 days aboard the International Space Station, astronaut Ron Garan returned to earth carrying a transformed understanding with the realisation that the planet must be the first priority.He saw there is no us versus them, no borders or separate countries. The planet is a shared system and any environmental damage in one region, ripples across the entire globe. 

This point was highlighted during during the recent glacial avalanche causing massive floods, affecting cities in Nepal, Tibet and China.  Despite the lines drawn on maps around who owns what, it was clear that water flow has its own path and does not abide by man made rules. 

Sadly, while Nepal produces less than 0.1% of the world’s total carbon emissions, it suffers the severe impacts from global warming, with rapid glacier melting and flash floods. 

Despite many scientists and environmentalist suggesting it is necessary to give priority to saving the planet, so many others are not looking at the facts.  

There are other topics that also needed resolving. 

For example we are struggling to manage many areas of waste. It seems we don’t have the outlets, guidance or coordination from governments. We are not seeing governments setting up standards for organisations, so that only materials that don’t harm, can be used. Unless intervention is at policy level, it is difficult for consumers.  

Consumers are often caught in a trap that limits their opportunity to do anything other. Some consumers will do what they can to do things differently. They may attempt to not buy plastic or harmful materials, however this is not alway possible, for financial or time reasons, or availability.   

So where is our waste going? We are seeing many environmental hazards in some countries where waste is being dumped into waterways affecting hygiene and safety. The ripple effect also affecting the whole chain of our food source.

The irony is that we need food to survive! So why isn’t it being addressed? Why do our systems put profit and greed before doing what is important for our environment and lives?
 
So while no one person is responsible for the whole, one person can where possible, choose a different action, that acknowledges, considers and influences the nature of the care; perhaps with how you recycle, what you purchase, the resources you consume, who you support, what you stand up with your voice to. 

Just recently we have heard how the Prime Minister of France has set a law that manufacturers must ensure their products are recyclable and reusable.

Until governments, organisations and consumers are prepared to embrace alternative choices, for the good of people and the planet, the same issues are likely to continue. 

The way we have been operating from in the past, no longer suits where we currently sit. 

We now all rely on each other in some way or other. So how can we ensure our basic needs are not jeopardised in the design?

We have all felt the consequences of reliance on only a few who supply goods and services, when our farmers were not able to plant crops needed for food, because of fertilisers no longer being exported out of Iran. 
Oil too, is affecting the lives of many families, who are unable to afford the basics. The longer there is no resolution of the war between the USA and Iran, the longer people will continue to suffer.  

Just recently the cruise ship, Villa Vie left hundreds of Residents for Life (some who had sold everything to live this alternative option in retirement) and other passengers from all over the world, stranded in Cambodia. They stated that fuel in some parts of Asia had raised the cost from $1800 per cabin, to $8000 per cabin, leading to unsustainable financial pressure. When some countries are disadvantaged by fuel costs, it inadvertently affects people from all parts of the world. 

In what way do you rely on others from far and wide? 

What environmental challenges do you see ahead of us? 

How to bring care for SOE 

There are no rules or scripts with how this goes, as each moment is different. You cannot plan for it, or predetermine your actions. It is the outcome when you live by the values and action from the heart, in your moments in real time. It can relate to any moment. 

The more you learn and notice about yourself, others and things in the environment, the more you expand your view, bringing more options to your awareness.This is the practice. 

Here is a work related example of how to bring care to SOE.  Your work wants you to take on extra shifts for a period of time as they are short staffed. You may know that inside you value things such as security, compassion, helpfulness and caring, so you may find it difficult to arrive at a response, because you are already suffering with mental and physical fatigue. You may have conflicting wants and thoughts, which may lead you to keep your feelings and worries to yourself. 

Care for SOE, will guide things differently. 

Rather than worry and stress or put others or the work environment before yourself, an alternative counterintuitive approach to these other options, may be to tell the truth about how you are feeling ‘I would love to do more shifts, however at the moment I am struggling to keep up’. You might arrive at and offer what you are able to do instead, ‘I can’t do extra shifts, but I could do a few hours here and there’.    

Heres’s another example of where your heart and care for SOE comes into play. You want to have a chat with someone sleeping rough. The heart considers your safety first. It won’t put you at risk, rather it will sense the whole situation. It may notice that alcohol and erratic behaviour is present, and will arrive at feeling it is not the time to chat. 

Or in a relationship that you are trying to hold on to, care for SOE considers your emotional safety, happiness and wellness first. It may sense you are slowly losing yourself and recognises it is best to express your feelings to that person and make changes that are necessary to improve things.  

Or in a storm while you are wanting to protect your vegetable garden, care for SOE considers your safety first. It may sense (after new learning about) the dangers that come with the wind and its potential to fell your large trees, and recognises it is best to stay indoors for the moment. 

Or with caring for a relative, care for SOE considers your care first. It may sense that if you take on the primary care role, it will bring danger to you physically, due to the physical demands of their needs, together with your families needs. It recognises it is not for you (noticing your state of health) at this time to take on the demands. It may arrive at another way of offering care. 

Or with voting on an issue at work, that you feel strongly against; care for SOE may sense you feel deeply troubled by it. It may recognise the emotional and spiritual harm it will bring to you (noticing your deep anxiety) and tells you to speak up about how you feel and what you see. (As we have just seen from Anthropic co-founder Jack Clark, who called out the need to slow down the progression of AI, stating AI could soon develop without humans)

Or when purchasing goods, care for SOE may sense that the special deal from a particular supermarket is worth purchasing because despite not liking the tactics the supermarket uses, because you recognise that some food is better than none. 
How able are you to bring care to SOE in this way? What could you practice to improve this approach? 

There are no certainties, on how things will be received or the consequences of your choices. The only certainty is that when your intention is to care for SOE, overall it is likely to result in less harm and most benefit to the whole ecology. 

In some instances, the choices (such as putting your care first) may not look or feel like caring to others. Some may even suggest or judge them as harming (because it may not be they want). The important thing for you, is that your intention is not to harm. 

You can never know how others will respond or feel about you no longer seeing, feeling or doing things in the same way. 

The path to everyone’s unique discovery, comes in their own time and way.