Finding a support group that meets regularly or can be activated when you need it, can make all the difference. Women’s circles Women generally meet to share about their lives, support one another, perform rituals and celebrate. Men’s circles According to the Mankind Project, this is a place to learn and practice conflict resolution, communication skills, relationship development skills, how to make and meet big goals. Other examples of support groups or networks: Gay, Lesbian, … Read more
Empathy The ability to really understand others
To step out of the assumption that mankind is “evil” and that people have bad intentions helps to really understand people’s motivation and intention. This means understanding on a rational but also on a heart level. If you reach a level of connection where your heart begins to warm to them that’s what it is. It is like putting yourself into the shoes of another person, role or societal group and not only knowingthis role or acting like this role but really to feelit. Understanding … Read more
Community Building A process to develop authentic communication in community
Scott Peck has identified 4 phases of group development and created guidelines for skillfully navigating these that culminate in an experience of a mature, authentic community. Once we know that going through, for example, phases of pseudocommunity, chaos and conflict, vulnerability and letting go of expectations, are necessary steps in the evolution of a group, we will be more willing to embrace them. The conscious practice of authenticity counters any tendency we might have to hide … Read more
Personal Resilience Maintaining and Developing Personal Vitality and Wellbeing
It can help to see ourselves as composed of four different elements: earth, air, fire, water. These can be taken to correspond to different aspects of ourselves: Earth: The Physical Self – voice, position, tone, fitness Air: The Mental Self – mind, thinking, logic, strategy Water: The Emotional Self – feelings, rapport, empathy Fire: The Spiritual Self – vision, purpose, inspiration Building a daily or weekly practice that activates and exercises each of these four elements will go a … Read more
Framework for Strategic Sustainable Development A 5 Level Model for Planning in Complex Systems.
This five level model helps us to plan for success. By understanding the system within which we are working we can more clearly define what success looks like within that system. This allows us to be strategic, to develop tactics, tools and metrics. To rephrase: it allows us to understand the tools and metrics we need to carry out the actions required to be strategic, to achieve success within the system. References: The Natural Step, Framework for Strategic Sustainable Development, … Read more
Feminist Economics & Economy of Care Putting care in the center of economy
A different way to look at the economy, in which the sustainability of life is at the center, and we think what jobs are necessary for lives of both people and other living things. An economy in which other welfare indicators exists that allows to decouple these from economic growth, and considers necessary a social transformation in which there is a redistribution of care tasks among all people and a consideration of the biophysical limits of the … Read more
Dragon Dreaming A living systems approach to building successful organisations and projects based upon three principles of personal growth, community building and service to the Earth
Dragon Dreaming is an inspiring, encouraging and meaningful opensource method for assisting individuals and groups who seek to make their dreams come true. It offers simple and playful holistic tools for visionary initiation processes, planning, implementation, evaluation and celebration. Through different theories, tools, tips and techniques it supports the improvement of the effectiveness in the everyday work and life. Dragon Dreaming, first developed by John Croft and Vivienne … Read more
The Work that Reconnects A map for personal empowerment and transformation
Drawing from deep ecology, systems theory and spiritual traditions, the Work That Reconnects (WTR) builds motivation, creativity, courage and solidarity for the transition to a sustainable human culture. First emerging in 1978, this pioneering, opensource body of work has its roots in the teachings and experiential methods of Joanna Macy. The methods are widely used in environmental and civil rights campaigns, classrooms, faith communities and grassroots organisations. The activist’s … Read more
The Ethics of Sustainable Thinking A framework for making moral and ethical choices
Some choices are “right versus wrong” and most people only take a moment of reflection to come to the proper decision. Some choices are more complex and might be viewed as “right versus right”. From a sustainability perspective, there are six suggested categories, that can help guide our decision making 1. Individual versus community. 2. Global versus local. 3. Law versus truth. 4. Short term versus long term. 5. Toxic versus non toxic. 6. Justice versus mercy . We can also … Read more
Backcasting From Sustainability Principles Starting out with the end in mind
To plan for success within the boundaries of social, ecological and financial sustainability; to create a future that can actually exist using the 4 principles laid out in The Natural Step Framework.The framework originates from a scientific, peer reviewed approach to achieving consensus on what sustainability actually means in practical terms that allow for planning and measurement of progress. Like a chess player or a chef, we start off with the desired goal in mind and use strategy, … Read more
