With The World Teetering

I know, the world feels precarious to many these days.

That precariousness is heightened by those who would seek to deny science, instead relying on leaders who spew their own brand of information.

They appeal to those financially disenfranchised, those whose anger is ready to be fueled. It works. Sadly.

There is no arguing with many of these folks. They are locked into nonsensical perspectives unable to see the fallacies of their logic.

I remember a logical fallacy I held deeply as a young person.

I thought the whole world was Jewish.

Considering I grew up the first 11 years of my in the Jewish part of Toronto, it kind of makes sense.

In my elementary school there was only one non-Jewish student in all my classes from Kindergarten to sixth grade.

It seemed that where ever we shopped, everyone looked and sounded like our family.

It really wasn’t until my young twenties did I really understand the whole world wasn’t Jewish and that indeed, we were a tiny minority that a good portion of the world doesn’t like.

So it is, those seeking to prey on and control others for their own gain rely on the logical fallacies they can exploit.

They include:

Fear of being replaced;

Fear of having their faith marginalized;

Fear that their chance for advancement will go to immigrants taking their opportunities;

Fear that their freedoms will be curtailed;

Fear that they will suffer financially if taxed, without understanding the progress nature of taxation and that wealthy thus far are not contributing proportionately.

All of this, all to actually construct a world where the haves can exploit the have nots. All of this so that power and wealth can be concentrated at the top of the food chain.

It is such a paradox that the very things feared will be perpetrated against them by those promising otherwise.

I do believe the world is in a precarious place. Teetering.

I also believe that we need to marshal our strengths. Not act mean-spiritedly in kind. Continue to support those who need support.

I think we need to lead by example. Be kind. Be helpful. Look past the vitriol and lead a life of example.

We certainly don’t have to be perfect, just reasonable. We manage the barrage and remain standing, neither arguing nor defending.

We continue to live reasonable caring lives.

And very importantly, we vote and support policies that are aligned with the values of compassion, equity, inclusion and concern for the environment.

Some might call it love.

I like to think of it more as love in action.

Positive action. Therein we make a difference.

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I am Gary Direnfeld and I am a social worker. Check out all my services and then call me if you need help with a personal issue, mental health concern, child behavior or relationship, divorce or separation issue or even help growing your practice. I am available in person and by video conferencing.

Gary Direnfeld, MSW, RSW

gary@yoursocialworker.com
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Gary Direnfeld is a social worker. Courts in Ontario, Canada, consider him an expert in social work, marital and family therapy, child development, parent-child relations and custody and access matters. Gary is the host of the TV reality show, Newlywed, Nearly Dead, former parenting columnist for the Hamilton Spectator and author of Marriage Rescue: Overcoming the ten deadly sins in failing relationships. Gary maintains a private practice in Georgina Ontario, providing a range of services for people in distress. He speaks at conferences and workshops throughout North America. He consults to mental health professionals as well as to mediators and collaborative law professionals about good practice as well as building their practice.