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It’s Bigger than You
by Dani Trudeau
Perspective taking and the unfolding of inner life; what does that mean and why bother? Ultimately we all part of the same systems; we interact, conform, resist, seek out connection and have a desire to find our place of belonging. Unfortunately, we are living in a time of many broken and out-dated systems. We have a dated educational system, a broken food chain and career pathways which no longer serve us well. So why is it so hard to change systems to better suit us?
Systems change is about addressing the root causes of social problems, which are often intractable and embedded in networks of cause and effect. It is an intentional process designed to fundamentally alter the components and structures that cause the system to behave in a certain way. Systems thinking also requires an acceptance of unpredictability and loss of control that runs counter to most models of leadership and accountability.
I think we can make these big system changes best by starting with ourselves. When setting up or running your enterprise, ask yourself these questions;
Are we as open as we claim to be?
Are we as courageous as we ask others to be?
Do we bear as much risk as we ask grantees to hold?
Are we as humble as we should be?
Are we sharing power?
Are we sharing learning as much we should?
For an individual to become ‘more conscious’ is a story of personal growth, not ever easy but always worth it.
Best said by the folks at Perspectiva, “When we develop a deeper reflexive awareness of the ways in which we are shaped, when we start to commit to such processes together, we can speak of a more conscious society – a collective effort to see our challenges in their fullness, and thereby live larger and less deluded lives. When a critical mass of people ‘grow’ in consciousness in this way we can speak of a collective awakening.”
This collective responsibility coupled with personal attention to individual growth is powerful. It no longer gives any airtime to the ridiculous notion that working on yourself is somehow selfish. It is your duty to tend to your soul and your soul contributes to the whole.
Free Hugs
by Dani Trudeau
Connection is the experience of oneness. It’s having shared experiences, relatable feelings, or similar ideas.
In the past couple of months, a healthy amount of tears have been shed at Tribe. This is not a sad story though, this is life and when you bring a group of people together, in a supportive and nurturing space, people can be their best and most vulnerable selves. This is the light and the darkness and what makes it all so beautiful.
Brianna Wiest wrote an excellent article in Medium and explains real connection vs false, “Authenticity is required for connection. The internet and social media do not disconnect us because we are glued to our phones at the dinner table but because they increase our ability to be inauthentic. They allow us to gloat, edit, filter, and post a highlight reel. We can construct a façade of our lives that may or may not be an honest reflection of reality. In this, we breech connection.”
She goes on to say something I feel is at the heart of what makes a real community work, “In order to connect with others, we have to give them our time and honest feelings and ideas and have shared experiences and openness. We do not connect with others by trying to earn approval, awe, compliments, appreciation, envy, or superiority.” Creating a community coworking space goes way beyond good coffee and ping pong tables, it requires genuine care from a place of love.
Most people believe a connection is something they earn by being “good enough” when it is really something they develop by being willing enough. So when you need to talk or just in need of a hug, my door is always open- you just have to be willing enough to knock. But also remember that by connecting with someone, by trusting in others enough to confide in, it strengthens their connections too. And for me and Tribe, that is everything.
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