We all have our own talents and strategies, so each of us should create our own stories to share. And from this abundance of new stories new paradigms of being and the myths that define them will arise.
This should be a time of great creativity and innovation. We must remain open, flexible and inclusive in our thoughts and actions. I share my own story not because it is the right one, but because I hope to inspire other stories. We need millions of them to carry us forward.
We are all interconnected...
Please Stay, You Are Not Alone, 2009.
Please Stay You Are Not Alone is a call to the world to wake up and realize that we are not alone. Isolation and individualism are damaging but temporary illusions created by our current economic paradigm. Competition overshadows cooperation. Pursuit of control short circuits collaboration. But in fact cooperation and collaboration are the cornerstones to not just survival, but also the ability to thrive and become resilient.
In truth, our social collectives are organisms unto themselves. There is great power and comfort in remembering and healing our lost connections and interdependence. Great innovations never come from just one source but instead arise simultaneously all over the world. One person is usually credited and made famous but in fact innovation in thought and technology arise independently in many different brains at once. I attribute this to the idea of universal mind. On a certain level we share a common brain space. I find great comfort in knowing I am not the only one thinking and dreaming of a better future for my children, and that I am not the only one coming to the conclusion that great change must come from the grassroots, community level, or that we must begin now designing our systems for resiliency. Over the past three years of working towards recreating community I have witnessed the word community go viral and gain greater significance. Every forward thinking organization or business has tagged the word community onto their mission statement to prove that they are a part of a greater solution. Now I would like to witness the word "resilience" to gain similar significance and traction. I assume it will since I am not alone.
In truth, our social collectives are organisms unto themselves. There is great power and comfort in remembering and healing our lost connections and interdependence. Great innovations never come from just one source but instead arise simultaneously all over the world. One person is usually credited and made famous but in fact innovation in thought and technology arise independently in many different brains at once. I attribute this to the idea of universal mind. On a certain level we share a common brain space. I find great comfort in knowing I am not the only one thinking and dreaming of a better future for my children, and that I am not the only one coming to the conclusion that great change must come from the grassroots, community level, or that we must begin now designing our systems for resiliency. Over the past three years of working towards recreating community I have witnessed the word community go viral and gain greater significance. Every forward thinking organization or business has tagged the word community onto their mission statement to prove that they are a part of a greater solution. Now I would like to witness the word "resilience" to gain similar significance and traction. I assume it will since I am not alone.
While defining what we are not, we must simultaneously define what we are a part of...
Detail of Please Stay, You Are Not Alone, 2009.
In raising our children it is essential that we emphasize that they are part of a greater whole. Typically, the only form of cooperation that is commonly pushed in childhood is through sports, which ironically is ultimately about competition. Model cooperation in your life. Work on projects with your neighbors, share garden produce and seed, carpool and form buying groups.
As we teach our children to be critical of our current paradigm and value system, it is important to not just stop at defining what they are NOT, but remind them to define what they ARE. Create healthy groups and identities that your children can subscribe and belong to.
As we teach our children to be critical of our current paradigm and value system, it is important to not just stop at defining what they are NOT, but remind them to define what they ARE. Create healthy groups and identities that your children can subscribe and belong to.