It’s so tempting these days to want to join a mass mentality. Adding our voice and energy to a cause or belief seems, on the surface, to be a fulfilling and worthwhile undertaking. We enthusiastically blend ourselves into the mix, finding comfort and reassurance in the people who echo our sentiments. There’s no doubt such worthy and necessary movements currently exist. The social tides that are designed to help mankind and expand our sense of brotherhood and harmony are healthy and, in the end, necessary. History has proven this pattern functions when the visions of peace and solidarity eventually replace the forces of chaos and disorder. The axiom of “together we stand, divided we fall” has a proven history. Unfortunately, and all too often, we are drawn down the reverse path convinced we are uniting mankind when in fact we are separating ourselves from those we feel we are superior to. This is nothing more than an attempt to justify inappropriate behavior, feed our egos and raise a sense of self-importance. It is a corrupt, corrosive, and narrow-minded pursuit.

Mass mentality has its place, but true change always begins with individuals. It’s been said all visionaries were once judged by their peers as idealists. This obviously goes against the concept of established conformity. It also embraces the position of being ridiculed and often threatened. That’s why those who have walked the path of high ethical character and utopian foresight are so rare. Few are willing to risk both themselves and the lives of those they are close to. The ones who have demonstrated the courage to do so deserve the highest respect and admiration. This is not to say we should avoid picking sides to avoid ridicule and punishment, far from it, but there is a course that will steer us towards our principles and hopes without almost certain self-destruction in the process. That mindset?

Stay on point and take action whenever you can.

It’s dangerous to be lulled into a lifestyle of reaction rather than action. Why? Because reaction (the proven easy option) embraces blame while action is fueled by responsibility (the expectedly difficult option). Blame generates a problem focused mentality and responsibility produces a solution oriented mindset. Obviously being accountable is a much more rewarding and productive choice, certainly better than embracing a lifestyle of constant disappointment and futility. It’s important to point out that being responsible does not endorse the philosophy “the end justifies the means”, which all too often ignores and even rationalizes collateral damage. Instead it looks for the best path to the most results while avoiding hurting or harming others. Navigating this course takes tactful persistence, patience, and focus. This means a plan is needed.

Starting or joining in arguments with people who are already waving flags, entrenched, and pointing fingers does nothing to magnify what we believe in, and in fact it helps to resolidify the position of our rivals while raising tempers and loathing on both sides of the issue. This is NOT a good plan, and it can lead to triggering situations which can be dangerous not only for ourselves, but those we care about. Instead of looking for enemies to vanquish we should be seeking to persuade and welcome like-minded individuals, or at the very least, those who are riding the fence. The proven method of widespread beneficial change is strength in connection AND an obvious expansion of unity in the name of peace and cooperation. Trying to flip the mindset of someone who is opposed to our values is a waste of time and energy. People love groups and the more popular (or perhaps charismatic) and powerful the crowd, the more they don’t want to be left behind. This is the method we should be focused on. We have to be and project what others want for themselves.

Exercising the idea of critical mass is all that’s needed to begin real and permanent change. Victor Hugo is quoted (through various interpretations) to have said, “All the forces in the world are not so powerful as an idea whose time has come.” Think of this philosophy (this plan of persuasion) as creating a crack in the dam. Water will trickle, and as water does, it will seek the path of least resistance. Eventually and inevitably the crack grows wider and more pronounced to a point of sudden collapse. In this case a majority has not been required for change and most certainly we have not sought to recruit individuals to follow our path from somewhere in the middle of the ‘mass’. The lesson here? Create a crack in the ‘dam’ and demonstrate freedom of constraint by escaping the throng. This is the very definition of staying on point. Those closest to you will have no choice but to follow, and by an exponential increase one will inspire two, two will inspire four, four will inspire eight, and so on. While such a strategy seems slow to start, it always finishes incredibly fast.

Focus on the crack of freedom and move toward it with precision and discipline. Don’t allow distractions from people at the back of the line and don’t listen to the droning of the tribe. Besides, if you accomplish your goals, they won’t have a choice but to eventually follow you anyway.

 

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With Love and compassion,

Daniel Andrew Lockwood