“We’re all in this boat together” is a common cliche. If the “we” referred to is people in general and the boat, this planet we’re all revolving upon, then I think it is also an accurate situational metaphor. One that aptly describes the pickle we’re in. But why is it that we ignore it? Instead we go about our lives as if we were occupying diverse dinghys sailing upon universes of our individual makings.
I have been talking a lot lately about the concept of a revolutionary misfit. Someone whose thinking goes against that all too common grain. Someone who is simply not content with a world where competition and division rule, rather than cooperation and a determination to fix the leaks that threaten to sink “our” ship.
This morning I thought I would take a moment to identify what it is that I believe to be the mindset of a revolutionary misfit.
Continuing with the sailing metaphor, I identify three components contained in it that are relevant to the mindset: People (those in the boat)…Planet (the boat itself)…and Universe (the primordial substance on which the boat is traversing to some unknown destination)…the mindset must then encompass each of these components…
People
The revolutionary misfit believes that his or her fellow sailors are to be equally (and highly) valued and respected regardless of religious belief, political affiliation or socio-economic status. Immutable traits such as the color of skin, physical handicaps, places (of birth) or persuasions (sexual, ethnic, or otherwise) are totally irrelevant since people are simply people and become such as the result of conception and birth, not selection, nor success.
Planet
Our relationship to the ship-builder (and rightful owner) is like that of lessee/lessor, where we are the lessee and the creator of it all is the lessor (here is where some concept of spiritual faith and belief does indeed enter the mindset). The lessor expects us to deliver the boat back one day in the same condition as delivered to us, normal wear and tear accepted. In that light, there are definitely some repairs we all have a “legal” duty to make.
Universe
The universe is indeed the creative canvass upon which the entire thalassic theme plays out. It is not just something we stare up to across our starry nights at sea. It is the glue that holds us and the boat together. And it is listening, watching and waiting for revolutionary misfits to emerge, like those of old…the woefully misfitted ones who were willing to risk life and limb to fix the leaks and save the crew.
The universe is listening, watching and waiting for revolutionary misfits to emerge, like those of old…the woefully misfitted ones who were willing to risk life and limb to fix the leaks and save the crew.
The universe is seeking revolutionary misfits who dare to be inspirational seafarers.