Peace for the Insecure

 

by Richard C. Raynard, Ph.D.

Licensed Clinical Psychologist

The emotion is insecurity, the feeling you can't take care of your basic needs. It teams up with the emotion of disgust, leading to the crushing of hope and self-esteem. Insecurity fuels the emotion of envy, firing the greed of the wealthy.

Basic needs

Can you see the effects of insecurity all over the world? We live in an explosive, disruptive time when, in almost any country you can name, there are demonstrations, protests and riots by the impoverished in the streets and offices of the wealthy. This protest is not just "the 1% and rest of us". Depending on the country, it can be the political elite and the disenfranchised, the bankers and the manipulated, the African despot and the ignored, the government insiders and the unheard, the ruling religion and the unworthy, the corporation and the outsourced workers. In other words, the moneyed and the poorest.

All have essentially the same protest: their work is not honored or rewarded by a fair, living wage.

Imagine the peaceful prospects if America were to lead the rest of the world by decreeing a minimum, livable wage for all of its citizens. This would increase health, educate and train more, reduce labor abuse, reduce excessive executive payroll, reduce welfare roles, and increase demand in the economy.  This example, and its benefits would be witnessed, sooner or later, by the whole world. This initiative and example by a world leader would invigorate equalitarian movements the world over.

Peace is not a passive state of detachment. It is a dynamic state when all our basic needs are met: for safety, food, shelter, and education, so that we are able to pursue what we love most. The emotion of insecurity is most stressful and demoralizing until it is satisfied with basic self-care.

Pie in the sky? Wherever there is the livable or highest minimum wage, that country is measurably more peaceful and happy (Wikipedia). Think Norway, Denmark, Australia, New Zealand, Sweden or Canada.

Better than drones in the sky! What do you think?

About Dr. Raynard

Dr. Richard Raynard is a licensed clinical psychologist with 35 years experience resolving a broad range of emotional problems. As a cognitive-behavioral therapist who has specialized in anxiety and phobic disorders since 1980, he has spent the last 35 years fulfilling his life-long desire to explore and define the true purpose of emotions and how people can easily use emotions to create meaning and satisfaction in their lives. Dr. Raynard's series of books on emotions can be found on Amazon.com. His other books include Don't Panic, and Anxiety & Panic Medications.