The Charter of Responsibilities

by Kaleb Montgomery, Doctor of Traditional Chinese Medicine

I spend a lot of time in these newsletters and with my patients emphasizing the important of not wasting their time and energy in stress and to start putting that effort towards their own healing. Inspired by a comment from a reader, I will focus this newsletter on how we can change the emphasis of our energy from healing ourselves to healing the world around us.
In today’s society we focus much attention on our individual rights. Our Charter of Rights guarantees basic human rights to all people in Canada. Our media and courts are full of examples of people or groups fighting for these important rights. We do not devote much time to the responsibilities that go along with these rights.

What are our responsibilities and to whom are we responsible? Firstly, each time we exercise power we are responsible not to abuse that power. The media is full of examples of governments, corporations, parents and individuals that have abused their power. I am sure that each of us could think of an instance when we did not exercise our power with due care.

The First Nations believe that we are responsible for everything on this earth. A common First Nation proverb tells us that we do not own this earth; we are just looking after it for the next seven generations. Imagine how our decisions might be different if we took into account how our actions will impact the next seven generations!

This whole subject touches on the question of why we are here, which could result in a lengthy discussion indeed. The Dalai Llama sums up my philosophy well by emphasizing compassion. According to the Dalai Llama compassion is love that does not depend upon what the other person or thing feels for you. Unlike romantic love, compassion does not have to be reciprocated to be given. Compassion also extends to everything, from the rocks and the trees to the birds and the bees.

Of course compassion starts at home with ourselves. Having compassion for ourselves is what I usually try to impart to my patients and readers. The radiation of that love out into the world beyond ourselves is what I am concentrating on today. Go out and perform a random act of kindness. Offer someone help before they ask for it. Make a decision based upon what impact your action will have upon the planet as a whole. Act compassionately and selflessly. Enjoy the feeling of connecting and belonging to something greater than yourself. This sense of connection to all of life is the only hope we have of saving our place on this beautiful planet we call home.