Pragmatism
To be pragmatic is to be concerned with the practical consequences of our beliefs and our actions.
Pragmatism means looking at ourselves, our behaviors and our ideas to see if they are working in constructive rather than destructive ways.
The only constant is change, and as the world around us keeps changing, it is incumbent upon us to employ flexibility, reason and spiritual integrity to effect positive change.
“What you pay attention to grows. If your attention is attracted to negative situations and emotions, then they will grow in you.” ~Deepak Chopra
Pragmatism is accepting reality and making the best of it. It is figuring how to employ our integrity; our power in the world. It’s spending our energy for positive change, effecting relationships and using our power to create a better world.
“Greatness is not manifested by unlimited pragmatism, which places such high premium on the end justifying the means and any methods.” ~Margaret Chase Smith
“For all of its well-deserved reputation for pragmatism, American popular culture frequently nurtures or at least tolerates preposterous views and theories. Witness the 9/11 ‘truthers’, who lacking any evidence, claim that 9/11 was a Bush administration plot.” ~Michael Hayden
Tolerance for ambiguity is essential to human survival, tolerance for totalitarian propaganda is a death sentence for the common man and a flourishing democracy.
“Idealism detached from action is just a dream. But idealism allied with pragmatism, with rolling up your sleeves and making the world bend a bit is very exciting. It’s very real. It’s very strong.” ~Bono
Wishing you all a wonderful summer!
