Paradigm Shift Needed

It appears our world and most countries on it are ready for a massive shift in the way things are done. We have moved from simply desiring to desperately needing changes in energy sources, conflict resolutions,and communication. The majority of newspapers all across the world are currently publishing pieces focusing on the wonderful hope that the grave economic, social, and political problems might be solved soon. Hope. Could hope be the word the world has been needing in order to adequately transition from the war trodden 20th century to the unknowns that will manifest themselves in the 21st century?
I would agree with the new President-elect, Barack Obama, as he spent over 20 months on the campaign trail passionately professing that hope was and is what the United States of America as well as the world needs and needs now.
Our world is in need of a massive change. Whether in the macro or micro areas of our world, a shift in the way things are done appears necessary. If you run into a wall once, why would you ever continue to repeat your mistake? Obama strongly agrees with this idea that we must be able and willing to admit our mistakes and be able and willing to listen to those around us for a possible solution to the problem.
Underneath the surface of every major historical and contemporary problem there lies a more fundamental problem. Fear, hate, and lack of communication are three that come to mind initially. I would like to add a fourth one that is especially existent in the US: irresponsibility.
This notion that everything is always someone else's fault and never our own is simply ridiculous. I can count on one hand the amount of people that I know that consistently take ownership and responsibility for their actions. One example of the way our American society lacks responsibility is seen in the huge number of lawsuits against anyone for any thinkable reason. After all, blaming another person or group is so much easier than blaming ourselves. Another example is seen in education when students are tending to blame anything other than themselves for late or inadequate work. When are we going to start teaching students and world citizens that this world best functions when people take responsibility for their actions and thoughts.
My favorite example of taking more responsibility exists in the current "Green Craze" spreading like wildfire across most developed and some developing countries. Exponential increases in alternative energies, recycling, conscious eating, and organic farming are all positive proofs that we are making progress in being more environmentally aware. If we just mix in the recent cry for hope with a stronger and more consistent responsibility for our thoughts and actions, this massive paradigm shift will be easier.
I do not want this blog to be my personal rant, but rather ideas that plant seeds to later grow when appropriate for each individual reading this.
We find ourselves on the brink of a massive paradigm shift, a change we have desperately been needing after the bloodiest century in our nation as well as world's history. The hope and unity that is currently of paramount interest in the world are the catalysts we have been needing for becoming a world filled with responsibility, compassion, peace, and grace rather than fear, war, hate, and inadequate communication.