The Laughing Wolf

Way Of The Wolf: Encouraging Positive Change

In almost every discussion of the need for change, the thing that is most often brought up is a negative: a behavior or belief that is deemed inappropriate. The problem for most attempts at remediation is that everything remains focused on the negative, and seldom on the positive.

Almost every major religion fixates on the negative: sin, blasphemy, and disbelief in some form or another, and almost every one has strong measures to be taken against such, both in this world and the next. Many major philosophies follow this same model, identifying poor behavior and calling for it to be eliminated. Every major political party in the world does the same, demonizing the opposition and positioning things as an either/or proposition. Many so-called “action” groups do the same, and boycotts – or stronger – are often called for as the remedy.

Think about this for a moment. What everyone concentrates upon is the negative, and most often calling for a negative response to this negative. Engineers understand feedback loops, and to make an engineer cringe, start a discussion on the virtues of negative feedback loops. Yet, in our philosophical and spiritual lives, we have a strong tendency to fall into a pattern that is exactly that, and often has the same catastrophic consequences.

What is needed is not more negative, but a moderating force of positive. Evil must be identified and destroyed, but if that is the only focus of our efforts, what will we achieve? In truth, we will not achieve much. In our fixation on what we regard as bad, wrong, or evil, we loose focus and can become that which we fight. Instead, what we need to do is to put equal focus on the good.

Good must be encouraged, highlighted, and held up as a beacon for the world. Not as a thing to be worshipped or deified, but as an example to strive for and a thing to be rewarded and emulated.

One way to do this is through a reverse boycott. As we list companies, countries, and other things to avoid as a means of economic protest, take the time to list those companies, countries, and things to encourage. For example, I encourage people to boycott French products and companies because of the actions of the French government. Yet, I fail to list alternatives to support, which should include Spanish wines and cheeses to replace French. Spain has been a steadfast ally and key player in the War on Terror and in the current front in Iraq. Their wines are superb and I can highly recommend many of their cheeses as well.

Look at the things that matter to you in your life. Are you fixating only on the negative, and failing to reward the good? If so, start looking at ways to reward the good that is around you, or that you identify in the world. Support those who agree with you or uphold the best of what you think is good. Push the positive twice as hard as the bad, and you not only support that which you think is good, you also remove publicity and support for what is bad. You may well be surprised at the difference this can make.

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