The Problem Addressed
For many reasons, we are taught to think in terms of a very tight radius when it comes to our potential realms of impact. Maybe it is because we are led to believe we are just too small in the scheme of things to have one at all. Or, if we are going to have one, it should be largely locally confined…to our immediate sphere of influence. However, whether we like it or not, our impacts, especially when you consider that they act in conjunction with millions of others thinking and doing similarly, have far greater influence than we give them credit for. In short, what we do (or don’t do) does have an impact…it matters.
But rather than acknowledge that fact, we simply go about our earthly existence as if it doesn’t…matter. I believe that in large part defines or encompasses many of the problems we face today. Too many people, just don’t give a damn. And rather than manage those impacts to produce more positive results, we just keep on doing the same destructive stuff…destructive to people and to the planet and indifferent to the larger universal difference that we actually make. It is sort of like the carbon footprint thing you hear about a lot these days. We all have one…and those who do the lousiest jobs managing theirs tend to have the largest and most negative impacts of all.
The Solution Proposed
In a word (well actually three), the solution proposed is one of inspirational impact mindfulness. Let’s call it IIM. What is IIM? It is new way of describing a concept that has been around a long time. And that is being mindful (or cognizant, or thoughtful) of the impacts that we are having and trying to manage our actions in order to produce positive ones. In that light, the site certainly is not breaking any new ground.
But there are aspects to this idea that I don’t believe get addressed very well in the current conversation. Yea I know everyone is talking about green living, living with less, organic lifestyle, lifestyle design and this, that or the other. That is all good and great, but it is not what this site will be about. This site will be about changing the way we think about our world.
You see, I believe IIM requires a whole new mindset. One that is radically, no revolutionarily, different from the predominant way of thinking. It requires a mindset that seeks not the “American Dream” which is largely centered around maximizing my own consumptive capacity, but a “Universal Dream” for all humanity to live better, with more dignity and on a planet we can all be proud of and enjoy. IIM recognizes the reality that we are all in this boat together and therefore we all need to chip in to maintain a tidier ship and respect the rights and responsibilities of all crew members.
So why don’t we do that now? I believe it is because we tend to think in terms of ideologies and dogmas, rather than IIM. We tend to think about what’s best for the small “us” rather than the big “US.” The bigger one encompasses everyone, not just those who live, look, think, worship, vote, or consume the way we do.
Therefore, the site will have as its aim to help folks help each other to discover what it means to be a revolutionary misfit. A revolutionary misfit is a person who seeks to adopt the mindset of IIM and then put it into practice across the realms of people, planet and the universe.
What the Site will Offer
The site will achieve its aim by offering…
Resources
This is a blog primarily authored by me (Costa Rica Guy), but will also encourage and be an open forum for other authors to express their thoughts on the matter. It will also offer eBooks on the topic, as well as courses and links to outside resources that can help, of which there are many.
The Revolutionary Misfit Manifesto – Get it Here!
The Revolutionary Misfit SoundCloud Stream (click icon)
Events
Subscribers will be invited, periodically, to attend periodic events, many that will take place here in my home of Costa Rica. They will involve learning and discussion around the topic of IIM while participating in adventures that will bring us experientially closer to its reality.
Actions
The site will initiate or participate in IIM projects of a humanitarian nature and enlist the support of subscribers and others in bringing those projects to successful, impactful and inspirational completions.
Current Actions:
charity:water fundraising campaign
goal: $1000
We take clean water for granted. Many in this world have no access to it. Let’s stop and help. Here’s how.
Revolutionary Misfits Kiva Lending Team
Join the Revolutionary Misfits lending team to make micro-loans and help alleviate planetary poverty…together we can make an impact!
Join our team and start making loans for as little as $25 and help change the world!
Products
These will be offered for sale that will allow Revolutionary Misfits to broadcast their identity to the wider world.
The site will have as its overriding goal to REAP world changing results by sowing the seeds of IIM.