Opportunity, Not Opposition

Once we've begun to define and revise our relationship with ourselves, we can also start to examine our interactions with others. How do I treat them? How do I act and react? What are my expectations? What can I learn or gain to help myself grow? How can I make a connection? There is always something to be learned or taught, but we must be aware and conscientious of it. It's time we start to give ourselves and everyone else the benefit of the doubt...some credit...a chance...to improve ourselves, our relationships, and the planet. We are capable. We are varied. Our idiosyncrasies are unique and extraordinary, they define us, but they should not divide us.

http://www.helpguide.org/articles/relationships/effective-communication.htm
(Helpful, basic communication information)

Who says differences separate? Must disagreement lead to argument? Or can we make diversity our strength by choice? Human interaction, communication, judgement, love, hatred; these are simply ideas, not bound by laws or limits except those our minds create. We can move past these notions of separation and division to focus our lives around a common goal, like that of preservation and sustainability. To strive for, as a race, lessening our impact on our environment and prolonging our time here. Working together, despite any difference, and in cooperation with nature's rhythm of evolution, in order to understand how to proceed living without wreaking havoc on our ultimate home.

It begins with individuals; we create our own reality. We must be authentic and not let society's 'norms', nor the things we know, limit or dictate our thoughts and actions. With this freedom our possibilities are infinite and varied, and the power of choice is easily utilized. We can lead by example, allowing even the most stubborn minds to know that it's possible to break through blockades like fear, expectations, and insecurities. We can each start an individual movement, that grows exponentially, by exercising our right to EXERT CONSCIENTIOUS OPTIONS, MAKING A DIFFERENCE!

**Put It into Practice**

The goal is to work on ourselves as individuals, to truly know and love who we are so we can connect with others who are similar, and learn from those who are different. These relationships between us, both exploring similarities and attempting to understand differences, they are essential to creating a positive dialog and things like empathy or support. Clear up misunderstandings, ask questions, be an active listener and a conscious communicator because we are all capable - we may just need to work on it. It's about doing. Practice makes perfect so use every interaction as a chance to open a new realm of possibilities.
http://www.austincc.edu/colangelo/1318/interpersonalcommunicationcompetence.htm
(Basic communication information for interpersonal relationships)

Cultivating Conscientious Choices

One of the most basic ways to begin thinking more conscientiously toward others and the environment, is to first figure out who you are. To understand and love yourself is fundamental for understanding and loving anything other than yourself. The Dalai Lama said, "Our life depends on others so much that at the root of our existence there is a fundamental need for love. That is why it is good to cultivate an authentic sense of our responsibility and a sincere concern for the welfare of others."

As humans we are set apart from other species with the advanced evolutionary gift of cognitive thought. What we do is ruled more by our conscience than by the savage sentiment of survival which our ancestors bore. We are intelligent, we're capable of comprehending our place in this world, of reflecting on our own thoughts, of communicating with each other in exceptional ways, and with this capability we inherit a responsibility to utilize what we've been given,  to inspire to our full potential as a species, and to help the earth thrive.

Within our thoughts, choices and actions - we have power. Every individual has what it takes. In vast numbers we have strength to influence. Together, humans possesses the capacity to create necessary change. For this planet, for the other lives on it, and for ourselves - it is absolutely essential that we change our ways.

The point is; this vital shift humanity requires can be achieved, in part, by a movement of people who EXERT CONSCIENTIOUS OPTIONS, MAKING A DIFFERENCE each in their own way. Every choice we constantly make, be it a decision about ourselves, the way we treat others, the resources we use, or anything in between, they all add up. We live in a world of 7 billion humans (and multiplying more rapidly the higher that number gets:
 http://www.worldpopulationbalance.org/exponential-growth-tutorial/bacteria-exponential-growth.html)

It's long overdue that we all understand every action we take is either part of a sustainable solution, or part of a pragmatic problem.

**Put It Into Practice**

Connecting with who we truly are and who we want to be in order to discover what really makes us happy, allows us to base our decisions on what we feel is conducive to our personal fulfillment. If we can practice into habit the act of consciously considering what we feel and make decisions from that awareness, it will become routine. Eventually, we can become conscientiously content in all areas of our lives; with ourselves, our relationships, our environments, etc., basing decisions on the consideration and welfare of all life.