Baby Boomers became engrossed in Star Trek because Gene Rodenberry brought a mix of utopian and dystopian visions together that asked us to speculate about the future and fed into our strong desire for creating a shiny new world.
Over the years, many of the inventions and ideas seen in the series have come to life, but most disturbing has been the coming to reality of our worst nightmare - the most powerful enemy of the universe - The Borg.
We learned that the Borg only wanted to "raise the quality of life" of the species they "assimilate.
" They implanted humans and other sentient beings with bio-chips that linked their brains to a collective consciousness which effectively reduced each individual into a drone.
Their collective consciousness or hive-mind made them work in unison and supremely efficient.
But we all instinctively knew that these creatures were the antithesis of being human - the bogey men of our future! So what happened? Why now in the 21st century when people are warning us about the Singularity possibly occurring in our life time and our young people embracing technology to such a degree that they are afraid to detach themselves from it long enough to even reflect on the impact it is actually having on them, have we forgotten to defend ourselves from this insidious invasion that is defining our human-ness as inefficient, inadequate and irrelevant.
And how can we hope to inspire our children to have high self-esteem and faith in the future in such an environment.
It is time for us to pull out our bell bottoms and reconnect with the spirit that empowered us all those years ago.
It is time to teach our children that resistance is not futile and the very things that define us as human and part of the natural world are our strengths and should be defended proactively.
As a parent, educator and writer, I became fascinated with the issue of resiliency and whether it could be actively taught to children.
I wanted to know how to speak to young people about the power of choice and belief, as well as the vital connection we have with nature.
I realized that reconnecting with our natural world, including our own instincts (a natural form of taking in knowledge and learning) and spirit were powerful tools that could be nurtured and used to create a reality that celebrated our humanity and place in the universe.
Our ability to survive and thrive would depend upon our ability to teach our children to be resilient - being able to weather the ups and downs of life while remaining optimistic and confident about a future that could bring them meaning and happiness.
But this is not possible without self-esteem.
In a culture that does not value our human and humane qualities, not only is resistance required but, at times, open rebellion is needed.
Rejection of the mainstream media that promotes self-loathing and insecurity in order to sell products and services that are fundamentally unnecessary and even harmful to our environment, to our social fabric, and to our spirit should be strongly encouraged.
As we know (and advertisers, public relations experts, and propagandists have used myth creation very effectively), storytelling is a wonderful way to communicate ideas and create new realities or perceptions.
I hope to contribute to the creation of a philosophy that energizes a new resistance movement of the 21st century - one that reclaims the importance of humanity.
So here goes the story I would like to tell them.
There are those among us - you've probably met a few of them - who can walk between the material and spiritual worlds - who shine wherever they are because they are grounded in the knowledge of who they are.
They are Humans.
The universe needs them.
They were created (all living things are created) because they play a vital role in this interconnected web of life.
That is the Big Truth.
It's no secret.
Every philosophy, religion, belief system has basically said the same thing in various ways.
Some people say the world is a mess.
They blame God, evil, big corporations, corrupt leaders, aliens, and a long list of "others".
By doing this, they embrace the idea that they have no power and are inadequate by nature.
But if the Big Truth is that the universe has created us and needs us, then the other truth we need to understand is that the world is a mess because we have abandoned her.
Most people are apathetic.
We don't live a life that supports the kind of world we would like to create.
We've given up because we have bought into the true evil of our time - the belief that individuals don't matter, that we can't do anything of importance without technology or some artificial enhancement, and the only joy we can really experience is from the things we buy.
But the happiness from things is fleeting and we never do experience that joy of existence we are searching for because we are looking in all the wrong places.
And we keep searching for the meaning of life or larger purpose/passion that will energize our actions and create greater meaning in our lives.
But here it is, right in front of us; get your pens out and post it on your fridge.
We have to become the heroes we have been waiting for.
We have all heard this many times before but most of us cannot and do not believe it.
We dream of becoming superheroes with unnatural gifts that will help us battle our enemies.
But we have all been born with a greater purpose and powerful natural gifts! Whatever path you choose, if you live it with the integrity, purpose and commitment to contributing your gifts to creating harmony, compassion, and enlightenment, you are living the truth of your existence.
The Universe does need you...
yes you and every one of us to get back in the game, to give a damn, to play our part in the web of life that we have been created to fill.
Each and every one of us is therefore precious and irreplaceable and when we recognize that in ourselves and in others, and act accordingly, our world will become a lot less messy, chaotic, and divided.
We will start creating solutions and technology that respects who we are and creating a more humane existence.
We will not dream of becoming more machine- like but creating machines that ensure we preserve our natural environment and allow us to nurture our innate gifts.
There is a lot of self-loathing, hating, depression, anger and violence which actually is typical and should be expected in a world that most people see as unforgiving, meaningless, totally materialistic, and chaotic.
But that can change.
We can change.
Each one of us needs to change.
The transformation, the magic, the power is so simple and yet so difficult because it requires a leap of faith, an embracing of the truth that we cannot be on the sidelines any more because we matter.
Our little and big lies, our insensitivity, our need for drama, our mistrust, our fear of failure and success, our anxiety about the future all are founded in our fundamental lack of belief in ourselves to live a life of integrity - a life that celebrates and takes pride in our humanity.
We need to stand up and be proud idealists, have the courage to be rejected, criticized, and laughed at because we haven't given up, because we know we are important, because we care, because we get it! Deep down each one of us knows the truth! It speaks to us in our dreams, in our creative expression, and in our yearning that is transformed into depression, anger, escapism, and violence when it is unfulfilled.
But when we discover a way to live in this world and in our truth, we will transform ourselves and our strength will ultimately transform the world around us.
We will become beacons in the night and our inner light will shine proudly.
Throughout history we have been searching for this light and when we realize it is within us to nurture, the transformation will begin.
So let the magic begin, let your journey inspire you and those around you, and never forget who you are - you are part of the fabric of life that connects and effects us all.
You cannot exclude yourself without harming us all and you have the power to make the world a better place for us all.
I know when I share my new myth or story, many will roll their eyes, stop listening because they think they have heard it all before, or are busy texting, or simply don't believe what I'm saying.
They can't imagine putting down their cell phone or disconnecting from the computer for any length of time.
Sadly that means those people will continue living their lives exactly as they have, believing and living a life where everyone else is important and has power and wondering why the world is so screwed up.
But there will be a very few, special people who finally get it.
They will gather their courage and ignore the critics and place their foot on a new path that will lead them to a world they never imagined.
One of possibilities, of meaning, of magic and transformation.
They will become the warriors, the heroes of the 21st century.
They will believe that resistance is not futile and stave off the Borg invasion before it is too late.
At least that is my story and I am sticking to it.
And I will continue telling it to anyone who will listen.
So now it's your turn.
What story will you tell your children that will make them feel proud to be Human, to boldly go where none of their peers have ever gone before? Will they be assimilated into the Borg nation or embrace self-determination, inner strength, and celebrate their natural connection to the universe that has created them.
Just please don't wait too long so that some parent in the future will have to begin their story about humanity with - "Once upon a time...
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