Chicago urban landscape
Change – a popular topic; an unpopular behaviour.
In 1964 Bob Dylan recorded a hit song that described the era that we often now refer to as, “the sixties”. His song was titled, “The Times They Are A Changin’.”
In this second decade of the 21st century, surrounded by changes on a daily basis, we have yet to encounter a similar song that embodies the spirit of the times. Some have said to me that what the “Occupy” movement needs is a song. What would the Civil Rights movement would have been without its music? Going back in time to “the sixties”, I am reminded of the song by Buffalo Springfield that said:
“There’s something happening here
What it is ain’t exactly clear”
The “Occupy” movement is changing our society here in North America, but what these changes might mean to us is not yet clear.
Change – on Sunday Ian Miller told our Newtonbrook United Church congregation that;
“People don’t object to change;
people object to being changed.”
David Korten writes that:
“One of the advantages of reaching one’s elder years is having lived through enough history to experience how rapidly deep change can happen – and how committed groups can shape and accelerate it.”[1]
In a world of ultra-brief “tweets” and 30 second sound bites, Ronald Wright provides us with an additional reflection on change;
“ It is precisely because change is so swift that we need history.”[2]
How can we live in this world and not change it through our actions; our conversations, our thinking? I think that the question really is what kind of change are we making; consciously and unconsciously?
Could it be that change is a popular topic of discussion, but an unpopular behaviour – even when it comes to our personal lives?
allanbaker 