Even New Radicals Get The Blues

Last night, I sat at the top of my steps and wept. I cried over all the problems in the world. And for how tired I am. That's not something that's easy to admit, but I think it warrants saying.

What brought it on? That afternoon, I had coffee with someone whose opinion I respect. Out of the blue, he offered up this insight: he believes that the social entrepreneurship movement will fail. Not for lack of brilliance or effort. But from exhaustion.

When he said it, I recoiled. But I think he's onto something. Not that I agree with his ultimate scenario - failure. But that nobody seems to be talking about how hard it is to save the world.

The thinking we're all operating under - by we, I mean social entrepreneurs, activists, innovators, and storytellers, the whole, great, extended New Radical community- is that since we're doing good works we should be happy. Am I right? And there's a second notion that's just under the surface - how can we complain about our troubles when we have these incredibly privileged lives, when we're not living under a tarp in some favela outside Rio?

When I interviewed Stephen Lewis, then the UN Special Envoy on HIV/AIDS in Africa, for my book on the New Radicals, it was well known that he had been driving himself so hard in the five years he'd held the portfolio that he was unwell. Completely burned out. Yet when I asked him about it, he pushed my question aside.

Maybe it's time we brought these crippling assumptions into the light. Maybe we need to acknowledge to ourselves - and say aloud to one another - that it's hard to be out on the edge all the time. That exhaustion comes hand-in-hand with exhilaration.

I'm not saying that we shouldn't do this work - in my view, taking care of one another and our ailing planet is the only work worth doing. (For ample evidence of this, check out the new-and-improved Utne Reader this month. Their list of "50 Visionaries Who Are Changing The World" will make you stand up and cheer!) Just that maybe it's OK to put on our oxygen masks from time to time and take care of ourselves first.

As I wiped away my tears, a beautiful passage from Piero Ferrucci's book, "The Power of Kindness" came to me. In the chapter on service, Ferrucci encourages us to shift our thinking when the blues come calling.

"Maybe we ought to think in another, deeper way, and realize that we live in a world of subtle interactions and unpredictable turns of events. In a story the Buddha told, a parrot wants to save the animals of a forest trapped by a terrible fire. The parrot dives into the river, then flies over the fire beating its wings, hoping the few drops that fall on the fire might put it out. Just so, we are aware that our few drops cannot save the world. The fire grows bigger and bigger. It is a merciless threat. The animals scream in fright. The parrot, covered in soot, is exhausted from continuous efforts. We too sometimes find ourselves in awful and insoluble situations, problems bigger than we are. The parrot continues, and after some time the gods, so often distracted and indifferent to earthly suffering, are moved by the goodwill and heroism of the parrot. Their tears, falling on the earth, become rain - a benevolent rain that puts out the fire, a miraculous balm that saves the terrified animals. Over the devastating fury of the fire, the dedication of a tiny parrot emerged as winner. It was a triumph of the heart."

So, dear readers, what are the unexpected benefits of leading a compassionate life? What have you discovered? When have you wept? And how have you found the courage to carry on? Please comment below for all to share. As always, I invite you to email me directly at JULIA (AT) wearethenewradicals (dot) (COM).

Julia Moulden is on tour, talking about the New Radicals.

 

Comments

[insideoutgraphics]

Perhaps it's not radicalism in the true sense of the word as much as it's simply an evolved business model. A shift forward from an outdated business paradigm.It's a responsible re branding of oneself.Radicalism usually is attributed to a set of socio-political beliefs amongst a smaller group that challenges an otherwise accepted model within the majority.In time, more people accept a new model which ultimately brings on increased social awareness , acceptance, then finally change.It becomes the new norm.It only remains "radical" in the earlier stages.The current bus.mod. has caught up w/ us. If one fails to see the connection between the usual bus. mod and how it effects us socially/g­lobally,(c­limate change, humanitarian effects,etc.), I call that being not too bright. I agree w/ entrepreneur's becoming more responsible, but radical, hardly. It's just being more conscientious and responsible regarding issues that face us.But it's not a Saul Alinsky moment.Finding solutions as a response to problems is not radicalism. It's "Adaptation".I think it's wonderful that there are those willing to change their bus.mod. to include soc responsibi­lity.We're being forced to face the realities of consequences after years of raping Mother earth, at the expense of others.And that has all to to with finally being forced into a new business model . Because if we continued with the past model, we'll eventually have nothing and business as usual could not survive for many reasons,nor could the planet.

[seawolf77]

Your friend is on to something here. You see it stems from the other sides notion of leadership. They see leadership as getting in the way, obstructionist, that way if you make it thru to your goal you will be that much better and stronger for the next fight. That's what a leader does. He takes that cocky kid and tells him you ain't caca and then proceeds to lift him with austerity and discipline to heights he could not even imagine. And in the end he will thank him vociferously like Danielson does to Mr Miyagi. This is what they believe in their heart of hearts. Even the simplest most obvious thing will be questioned, leading to impossible questioning on complex issues. This is how they think. You can throw sense and your manhood out the window.

[Gnrshrtd]

Thank you for a "Facing Facts" blog. Too often I see stories that imply that just being involved in social change causes makes everything better - I like your dose of reality.

I guess I'm an "old radical". Well, old anyway. I think your point about taking time to care for yourself is well taken. Over the years, I've seen many activists burn out - emotionally and financially. It is avoidable, partly by taking breathers (use that air mask!) and setting boundaries.

Thinking about your blog, I asked myself why I am still volunteering after almost 20 years. I can remember the burn-out stalking me, and seeing others slowly disappear. I think somewhere along the way I stepped back and just stopped setting the agenda - I had unintentionally taken myself out the center of my picture.

Now when I arrive at a project, I see myself as the member of a TEAM, and the team celebrates its successes and absorbs the shock of the occasional failures - as a team. No one individual is responsible for the success of the work - or failure. This approach may not be attractive to those who require individual recognition. But this approach has worked for me.

[I started a comment earlier that 'disappeared' while I was writing - computers are not my strength - I hope this does not show as a re-post.]

[akouvi]

thanks for this, julia--you verbalized something that i was trying to express the other day and couldn't quite put my finger on. new or old, radical or not, the parrot story offers each of us an uplifting opportunity to change our perception even if we can't change the whole world all at once.

[John Manoochehri]

Julia, I like that you are branding yourself and your movement as the New Radicals. Nice. I hope you make money and are happy. But consider:

1 - there are scads of people out getting on with it. They don't want or need you or anyone telling them to feel better. They just want a break. Your work isn't it. Old Radicals aren't going away just yet.

2 - one reason for Old Radicals persisting is that they think 'New Radicals' want the aegis of compassionate action at the same time as, well, any other desire. So if they want to save 'Africa' or make a bunch of money, well sure, that's doable. Just think positive, mix it up a bit. Um, well, you know: no. I think your sort of 'radicalism' is one that doesn't really understand sacrifice. For that reason alone I don't think it will work: people need to commit beyond anything they ever imagined to make the slightest difference.

3 - beyond this trade-off between 'getting what I want' and making enough of a difference to make a difference, which you don't seem to get, there is the fact of the 'system': the factual capacity of a growth-oriented, consumptio­n-oriented economy to deliver sustainable increase in actual happiness for 6, 7, 8, 9, billion people. Social enterprise is pathetically and culpably compliant with conventional business dynamics.

The thing that makes me sit down and cry is being lectured by 'New Radicals' on anything.

[brooklyncitizen]

fanned and faved.

Thanks for articulating what made me a bit uneasy in reading Ms. Moulden's post. I'm neither a new or old radical yet I was struck by the questions asked in the post especially "what are the unexpected benefiits of compassionate life"? it seems wrong to even frame compassion as something that has a "return".

More than likely it isn't meant in this way but it underscores the overall expectation with New Radicals- that all is neatly fixable.

As a society we seem to forget to do what is right simply because it is right rahter than as part of a great cause and we also forget to live up to our individual nature. Only in doing this last do we find the work that is only ours to do and are then able to meet the demands of our calling.

[LHB58]

If you spend all your time thinking about saving some abstraction called "the world" you're always going to feel frustrated. People experience suffering and pain one person, and one life, at a time. Authentic change involves helping people to overcome their suffering and pain, one person, and one life, at a time. Whenever I feel that I haven't done enough, I remember the old saying "He who saves one life, saves the world entire."

I intend no offense, but the concept of "social entrepreneurship" sounds like something I'd prefer to leave alone. In my world, reaching out to others in charity and compassion is something that must be undertaken on a concrete, personal level. If I found myself viewing it in terms of just another abstract, functional part of the social division of labor I'm afraid I would want to sit down and cry also.

[RoseMerry]

Radicals been signing the blues since the WORLD begin. It is our nature states. If you ain't disgusted, you ain't paying attention. If you ain't blue, you don't care and have no heart.

[UltimateLifestyle]

Perhaps the underlining issue that really needs to be addressed here is "what is driving our social entrepreneurs, activists, innovators, and storytellers"?...

Are we harboring grandiose dreams of being ultimately credited with saving our planet? Is this the cause of our "exhilaration" that you write about? If so, then it is inevitable that we will ultimately succumb to exhaustion because every accomplishment seems absolutely insignificant in comparison to our secret fantasies that motivate us.

Our world has almost been destroyed by people with big egos and uncontrolled, unhealthy minds. It is time that we, as this generations social entrepreneurs, humble ourselves to the point where we are simply doing what we are doing because it FEELS like it is the right thing for us to do, without any expectation for any results. Simply following our hearts and making the world a safer, happier place, one person at a time.

Let us question and investigate our true motivation in an effort to keep our intentions pure.

Noble intentions coupled with a big ego will only lead to hardship and suffering. Only when we are truly following our heart and have learned to control our ego and tame our minds, are we capable of great accomplishments.

Thanks for a great article
Peace and much love
Lara
http://ultimatelifestyleproject.com

[Luisa Klose]

It must be a beautiful and interesting place where gods can be moved by people. Perhaps beautiful and interesting enough to occasionally make one weep with joy and gratitude.

[Caollaidhe]

Well, I appreciate that you addressed this. Because it is exhausting; not only do we have to be edgy & visionary & positive, we’re supposed to have endless energy & limitless joy. Your friend may well be right b/c despite articles like the Utne Reader (how many of those ppl are struggling to pay their rent?) & a LOT of lip service, we smaller “visionaries” are out here all alone. For myself, I’m trying to get a food product on the market that will address everything from Celiac to the obesity epidemic, plus utilize local farmers and employ a small cadre of people in the area who very much need jobs—but I’m exhausted.
I’m trying to get a TV project off the ground that will serve to educate & enlighten while it entertains a severely unengaged & eager segment of the audience—but I’m exhausted.
Meanwhile the fat cats who plunged us into this mess are just getting fatter & the administration continues to do nothing about it. While parrot stories are heartening—the parrot’s probably exhausted too.

[Julia Moulden - Huffpost Blogger]

I hear you. Not sure what the answer is. We're in the midst of this incredible revolution. I just want us to lift our heads once in a while and ask -- am I being strategic or just running off in all directions? (Of course, we never know which one is going to take...) And am I taking care of myself, too?