A message to all governments from a citizen of the world

Given the normal scope of my blogs, this is perhaps a somewhat unusual post that I feel the need to write today. Having said that, I hope you will identify with much of what is expressed within it. As a clinical psychologist working in my chosen field, I support those who are experiencing personal pain, loss, grief, bewilderment, fear and trauma. My profession, as a whole, focuses on the welfare of others and it is because of this that I feel the need to commit my thoughts to writing. Today’s blog is a written expression of some of these thoughts, framed in the form of a message.

This is my message to governments across the globe. It is a message from a global citizen; one of many global citizens who play a part in electing a government. I may only play a miniscule role in the election of my own government, but it is a role that I take full responsibility for. This message reflects some of my thoughts and expectations of my own, and any, government brought into power through the will of the people. It is also a message of expectation to all governments, even those who have not relied on their people to play a role in bringing them into power. I know that people across the world will resonate with my words, and for those who do, please know that the ‘I’ that is used in this message is the ‘we,’ the collective global citizen, not simply ‘me’ the singularity.

A Message to All Governments from a Citizen of the World:

• I did not give you the right to walk away from the electoral pledges and promises that you made
• I did not give you the right to lead through creating fear and suspicion
• I did not give you the right to tell half-truths and hide behind manufactured sentences, ambiguous statements and misinformation
• I did not give you the right to treat people as if we are incapable of understanding, or discerning fact from fiction, or recognising truthful information, and that only you are
• I did not give you permission to create hatred and hostility between citizens of the planet
• I did not give you the right to declare war on others on my behalf
• I did not give you the right to create circumstances that lead to citizens feeling unsafe and insecure
• I did not give you the right to impoverish one single citizen in any way
• I did not give you the right to live an extravagant life while others starve
• I did not give you the right to plunder and loot the country’s coffers in order to satisfy your personal greed and vanity
• I did not give you the right to ignore or dismiss the needs of the people
• I did not give you the right to allow the basic cost of living to escalate to a point where a simple life is difficult to afford
• I did not give you the right to abandon those who are elderly, dying, infirm, challenged or ill
• I did not give you the right to make acceptable health care, both physical and psychological, impossible for many
• I did not give you the right to abandon traumatised people, ever
• I did not give you the right to make victims feel guilty, ‘punished’ or without hope
• I did not give you the right to destroy our planet, our only home
• I did not give you the right to put destructive commercial interest above the well-being of Mother Nature and all of us on planet Earth
• I did not give you the right to jeopardise anyone’s access to clean water, food and shelter, and to warmth when it is cold
• I did not give you the right to alter or destroy our food chains
• I did not give you the right to drive millions of species to extinction and create suffering for those that remain

What ‘I’ did do:

• I gave you the right to serve and honour your people
• I gave you the right to lead by example, an example that all would be proud of
• I gave you the right to bring peace, safety and stability to our country and our world
• I gave you the right to make the countries on this planet both safer and better for all her citizens
• I gave you the right to ensure that we, the people, live enriched and more meaningful lives
• I gave you the right to work towards giving everyone the opportunity to live a full and dignified life
• I gave you the right to work hard for the betterment of every single citizen you serve
• I gave you the right to work, always, in the best interest of your citizens; every child, woman and man
• I gave you the right to create circumstances in which every person can reach their maximum potential and flourish, for the good of all
• I gave you the right to create opportunities so that parents can raise their children well
• I gave you the right to help those in need and to uplift those with nothing
• I gave you the right to educate your citizens well
• I gave you the right to do all within your power for the health and welfare of your people
• I gave you the right to provide what is needed for your citizens to die with dignity
• I gave you the right to ensure fairness and justice for all
• I gave you the right to acknowledge, protect and support victims in every way necessary and to rehabilitate offenders held fully accountable for their actions
• I gave you the right to promote harmony and understanding between people
• I gave you the right to protect all life on this planet
• I gave you the right to protect pristine land
• I gave you the right to protect our oceans
• I gave you the right to serve the planet well and make the world a better place
• I gave you the right to be the best you can possibly be for every child, woman, man and living thing

Now get on and do it.

• Dr Elaine L Finkelstein is a registered clinical psychologist and a registered occupational psychologist. She is a chartered psychologist (UK) and an associate fellow of the British Psychological Society. Elaine is also the founder of the Transformative End-of-Life Experiences Research Foundation. The author of this blog is not dispensing medical or psychological advice, or prescribing the use of any technique as a form of treatment for physical, medical or psychological problems. The advice of an independent physician or mental health professional, either directly or indirectly is required for this. The intent of the author is only to offer information of a general nature to help you in your quest for emotional and spiritual well-being. In the event that you use any of the information in this blog for yourself, which is your right, the author assumes no responsibility for your actions.

COPYRIGHT NOTE: The author of this article, Elaine L Finkelstein owns the copyright over this blog and the Trade Marks: Transient-Death Experience, Shared Transition Experience and Nothing to Fear. Dying, Death and Beyond. You may contact her at web@elainefinkelstein.com. Elaine L Finkelstein grants readers permission to copy and distribute this column and distribute it free of charge, provided that copies are distributed for educational and non-profit use, no changes or revisions are made, all copies clearly attribute the article to its author and include its copyright notice and the author’s email address web@elainefinkelstein.com.