Movement of Movements

How many organizations can you name that are dedicated to making the world better? Twenty, 100, 150? Did you know there are over 10 million worldwide? That's 10,000,000 organzations whose mission is to address the pressing needs of the day!

Never in the history or the planet have ordinary people organized themselves in such numbers. Paul Hawken, in his book Blessed Unrest, describes the phenomenon as humanity's immune response to the dire threats facing the human race.

Hundreds of millions of people, perhaps billions are dedicating their time, their money and their talent to address the issues of the day: poverty, social justice, environmental degradation, children's rights, racial equality, and much more.

When asked if he is pessimistic or optimistic about the future, Hawken replies: "If you look at the science that describes what is happening on earth today and aren't pessimistic, you don't have the correct data. If you meet the people in this unnamed movement and aren't optimistic, you haven't got a heart."

Not only can we do something about the world condition, there are millions, perhaps billions of people who already are doing something.

Can you imagine what we can accomplish?

Check out WiserEarth for a glimpse of what is happening.

Bilal Mosque

I went to the mosque today. Such wonderful people!

After 9/11, the community of the Bilal Mosque in Beaverton, OR realized they needed to reach out to the larger community and let people know that not all Muslims are bent on violence. So every year on September 11, they hold an open house where people can come and meet Muslims, ask questions, enjoy delicious food, and make friends.

The graciousness of these people, their tolerance and acceptance of all who step through their doors, and the curiosity and gratitude of the guests were such a powerful demonstration of the human spirit. Again and again the hosts were thanked for their courage and initiative in holding the event.

Channel 8 showed up. There were newspaper articles on the display table about Jewish-Muslim collaboration efforts.

While the nightly news may focus on the violence and tension in the world, there are people everywhere who are quietly working toward peace and understanding.

Thank you Bilal Mosque. You are indeed a ray of hope.

The Power of Joy

When I am joyful, I listen better. I can slow down and enjoy things more. And I discover that what needs to get done does get done. And it gets done at a deeper level.

I look my child in the eyes and I really see her. I hear what she's working on and processing. I see how she's becoming and what and who she's becoming.

I slow down and my work flows, rather than having to force it. When my heart is joyful, I sleep better. When I'm more rested, it's easier to be joyful.

Joy is not a feeling, although I do feel happy. It's more like a state of being—like moving from solid to liquid to air. How do I get there? I don't quite know. I'll need to be more observant.

The Power of Trees

How do you feel when you walk into the building where you work? Are you welcomed with daylight and a pleasant view? We all know that would make us feel better about coming to work. Now there is movement in the architecture and design industry to bring these elements into buildings more, to design buildings for the people who inhabit them. I went to hear Judith Heerwagen, Ph.D. talk at the Cascadia Region Green Building Council last week about the progress that's being made in this direction. The thing that fascinated me the most, though, were the studies on how connection to nature affects people.

In Europe, there are hospitals with working gardens where convalescing or long-term patients can get out and dig in the dirt and help tend the plants. They are discovering a notable improvement among Alzheimer's patients - more interaction and improved memory. Those who knew how to garden before they had Alzheimer's retain that knowledge - they know exactly what to do and how to do it. What a boost to the self-esteem! Even among those that weren't gardeners, getting out and digging in the dirt is helping them talk more and interact with the people around them.

The effect of nature on children is quite dramatic. In Chicago, they discovered that in high rise apartment complexes where there were large trees with benches underneath, the crime rate was reduced, aggression was reduced and there was an improvement in community bonds. Among the children, there was a reduction in symptoms of hyperactivity and ADD. With a pleasant place to sit outside, people came out, let their children play, got to know their neighbors and started looking out for each other. Chicago is now engaging in the biggest tree planting effort ever.

One playground in Seattle had the typical big play structure, but it also had a bunch of bushes where the kids could crawl in and look out without being seen. The bushes were by far the most popular - those that didn't get there first were relegated to the play structure. And the behavior was decidedly different. The kids in the bushes engaged in less aggressive play, more imaginative play. To the boys, the bushes were a spaceship, to the girls, a castle. A stick became a wand, a sword, a stirring spoon, a scepter. Imaginative play is the most important play for cognitive development. Pretending is vital for kids - it's how they process what they are learning.

When I left the lecture and went outside, I discovered across the street was a park-like passageway between apartment buildings to the next street. I didn't necessarily need to go to the next street, but I was drawn to that space and just had to walk through it. It was full of trees, bushes, and flowers. There was a winding path with benches along it. I felt rejuvenated just passing through and suddenly realized I was smiling. What would our cities be like if every neighborhood had such a place? If every office, every apartment had a view of a tree?

Where are the Youth?

Tears came to my eyes as I watched them—youth and adults, standing shoulder to shoulder, singing about 'everyday heroes.' I suddenly realized how rare this was. When was the last time you saw kids involved in a 'serious' event? Yet, here at the Martin Luther King, Jr. celebration, the young people were integrated into the entire program: the youth choir, the 9th grader who won the essay contest, the college students who created a video presentation on Dr. King and his life.

Not only the kids, but their families were involved too, younger siblings watching from the audience. The pastor, welcoming everyone to her church, particularly welcomed the children: "If you feel the need to squirm, we understand. We are glad you are here."

What a difference it made! We saw in these kids' commitment and creativity the hope that is keeping Dr. King's dream alive. When our children are involved, our own salvation seems possible.

So why do we keep the children separate? The business conference I went to last week, almost by accident, learned the value of including the arts. What would happen if they involved students?

Think of all the meetings and events you've been to - how would they be different if children were involved? What would happen if a 10-year-old attended the board meeting?

How would our decisions be different if we had to explain them to a kid?

New Conversations in Business

I saw some amazing things yesterday at a business conference:

• A respected business leader stood up and stated that stewardship of the planet is not just the right thing to do, it is a sound business strategy. He was met with resounding applause from 1000 mainstream business, government and academic leaders.
  
  
• This business community reluctantly included a performance of the arts in its day-long conference because one of their own, who had recently passed away, thought it was important. One thousand people suddenly realized he was right. It's not just about pretty performances, it's about integrating creativity into the very fabric of society.
  
  
• The Speaker-elect of the Oregon House of Representatives stated that his vision is to create the best bi-partisan, problem-solving legislature in America. One thousand people heartily agreed it was about time.
  
  
• One speaker described the discussion about "quality" at Ford Motor Company 30 years ago: "It costs too much. People won't pay for it. People want the lowest price. We need to lower our costs to be successful."Toyota, on the other hand, did exactly the opposite. Who was right? Today the same discussion is taking place around sustainability. What decision will we make this time?
  
  
• A panel on woody biomass included a lumber company, a conservationist group and a utility. It suddenly became clear—they are all working together! Twenty years ago, the forestry industry was a hotbed of contention. Now all the various groups are coming together and building consensus about how to steward the forest. If a contentious industry like this can accomplish such a radical turnaround, just think what else we can do!
  
  
• In sustainability, everyone is grappling with a learning curve. Here were companies helping each other learn to do things better. What would happen if this cross-fertilization of ideas took place across industries and across borders? How quickly could we move toward real sustainability if we were all sharing our best ideas?

This was a conference on business, on the Oregon Business Plan, on making Oregon economically successful. Yet the conversations were about sustainability, about community, about working together.

The conversation in mainstream business is changing. It's not just "business as usual" anymore. We know we have to clean up our environment if we are to survive. In the process, we are starting to look around and see all the other things we've neglected in our drive for economic success (or survival!) - the people, the arts, our own communities.

This is Oregon. This is one small state starting to take charge of its destiny. We are beginning to wake up and realize we need to work together, take care of each other and the land. We know that competition is good and has its place, but we are beginning to realize there is tremendous potential in collaboration. We are starting to see ourselves as one state, working together for a common future.

This is Oregon. What would happen if we, as a planet, did the same?

World Congress

The huge auditorium is full, buzzing. As the lights dim, the chatter fades. Flowers of every color decorate the stage. A clear voice fills the hall:

“We are the Australians, the Angolans, the Antiguans. We come from Bolivia, Belgium, Bengal.”

Down every aisle they come. Faces shining with joy. One by one they come. Each in his native costume. Each with her head high, walking tall.

“We are the Guaymi, the Guatemalans, the Greeks. We come from Haiti, Hawaii, Honduras.”

From Papua New Guinea comes a man in his skins. From Korea, a woman in her flowing gown. There’s a kimono, a Bolivian hat. Here’s a Tlingit woman in her red and black cape. A Nigerian in his loose cotton tunic.

“We are the Maori, the Navajo, the Nepalese. We come from Moravia, Macedonia, Niger.”

A tailor, a lawyer, a mother, a farmer.
An Israeli, an Egyptian.
A Bosnian, a Serb.
A Rwandan.
An Austrian.
An Ethiopian.
A Russian.
A Texan.

“We are the Somalians, the Swiss, the Sioux. We come from Trinidad, Togo, Turkey.”

Each takes his place on the stage—the place reserved for him—a place of dignity and honor. No one is left out.

Suddenly the great hall falls silent. The audience is stunned. Before them stands the entire human race—every nation, every creed, every people, every tribe. Standing in peace. Standing tall. Standing as one—the full splendor and glory of the human family.

Instinctively someone onstage grasps the hand of his neighbor and lifts it high. The entire assembled company clasp hands and raise them in triumph. A cheer erupts from the audience as they thunder to their feet in applause, weeping, cheering, moved beyond words.

The dream is within our grasp.