Category: General Learning

My friend and colleague Steve Byers recently shared this post on his site. He shares a bit of story about where this came from and who contributed. Some of it is below. It’s worth reading the full post on Steve’s site. I also love the invocation to do “one scary thing every day.”
.

A Declaration of Interdependence

 “The wise see knowledge and action as one” – Bhagvad-Vita

“Humans can handle anything, as long as we’re together” – Margaret Wheatley

“Working together is a necessity, not a luxury” – Suzanne Morse

“There is in all things…a hidden wholeness…an inexhaustible sweetness and purity, a silence that is a fount of action and joy” ­- Thomas Merton

“Citizenship is a way of being in the world rooted in the knowledge that I am a member of a vast community of human and nonhuman beings that I depend on for essentials I could never provide for myself.” – Parker Palmer

“Citizenship is the capacity to create for ourselves what we had sought from our leaders.” Unfortunately, “we have lost faith in people’s capacity to come together on their own and be productive.” – Peter Block   

 

I relate to being an artist. I don’t paint, though I loved the kittens I painted through a paint-by-numbers kit when I was 8. I don’t draw, though I love to use a few simple icons to create graphic recordings. I don’t play music, though I love to make sounds with a guitar.

Of course there are many people that would argue feverishly that all people are artists. I’m one of them, but without the feverish part. I don’t need reassurance of what I might become. No placating needed. I still like the idea that art is a part of all of it.

There are times when I reference myself as “group process artist.” Yup, I like that. It points away from an exactness, an over simplified court room testimony. It points away from all knowing science. It points to a need to work with the subjective, the unknowns, uncertainties, the relationships among people and things. It matters in working with groups.

Seth Godin is a popular American author, writing often about the post industrial revolution. A friend, Bill Muhr, with whom I’m really enjoying some great conversations, recently shared this quote from Seth Godin, on art. Good stuff.
.

From Emmanuel Levinas, a 20th century French Hassidic philosopher. Good, no?

 

My son Isaac is being raised in the LDS tradition. The Mormons. It is a tradition that I practiced for 25 years. I carry with me much good from those many years.

Part of that tradition for young people his age, now 18, is serving a two year mission. Those two years do not include trips home. No Christmas returns. No summer breaks. They include proselyting, teaching, building relationships, community service, and a lot of learning.

Missions are treated as callings. Isaac, like others his age submit papers to go. It involves several interviews with ecclesiastical leaders. You don’t chose where you go. You are assigned, which is both exciting and a bit nerve-wracking. It could be almost anywhere in the world and often involves learning a language.

Opening the mission call is a significant moment. It is a letter and informational packet that includes most importantly, the naming of the geographic area in which you serve, the language you will speak, and the date when you will start. Among many friends cheering him on, last night Isaac opened his packet. He will serve in the Seattle Washington mission.

You can imagine that there is much speculation about where one goes prior to opening the call. This was true for Isaac. I was impressed by the way he let others do this, but for himself, just held back.

There is an important principle in this location assignment that I felt reiterated last night in my own thinking. Of course it is interesting and important where you go. Seattle is a great place, and a city that I spend a fair amount of time in (yes, there is irony in that). But more importantly, is what you do with where you go. There will be much good to find, everywhere.

This journey into Mormon culture, and in particular the invocation to make something of wherever you go, connects with another principle that guides me in organizational work. Start anywhere. Follow it everywhere. It was my friend and colleague Myron Rogers that I first remember saying that. It means there are many good places to start. You do well to pay attention to what arises after starting. The steps that become clear by walking.

I’m proud of my son. It takes significant effort and commitment to begin such an adventure. I hope he too gets the spirit, the abundance, and the naturalness, of what you do with where you go.