How to cultivate a better culture?
Jeff Krasno from One Commune asks: “What type of oak will grow from an acorn planted in polluted soil?”
I believe (like most Americans) that so much needs to be done in our country to solve the problem of senseless violence and senseless deaths.
I believe that it must begin with nurturing emotional intelligence – and not shoving emotions to the side.
It begins with listening – really listening – to others.
We need to learn how to cultivate compassion for ourselves (and all beings).
It begins with learning to “glamorize” the soul, not the screen.
We should be rewarding introspection and curiosity, not narcissism and wealth.
It begins with honoring the being, not the doing. The quiet, not the action.
What does it look like for our culture to take its depleted soil and add nutrients, fertilizer, and compost?
When you look across the horizon and see that the acreage is in the billions, this seems like an impossible task.
But then you look closer and see tiny pockets of green. Spaces where people are cultivating beautiful gardens. Their neighbors see this and are inspired. And then those neighbor’s neighbors are inspired.
And so it goes.
One person, one garden, one seedling, can make a huge difference in this country. In this world.
How amazing would it be to have a pandemic of compassion and curiosity spread across this planet!
How to cultivate a better culture?
In what ways, if any, are you contributing to the cultivation of “healthier soil”?
In what ways, if any, are you blind to where you are stepping? Did you notice that caterpillar on that weed and step anyways? What if that caterpillar turns into the most beautiful butterfly? And if it turns into a tiny ugly moth – does it make a difference?
What are you doing to contribute to change?
Or do you even want things to change?
As always, I would love to hear your thoughts.
Until next time, be well, be in compassion for yourself and others… and just be.
Sandy
Sandy Swanson is an ICF Associate Certified Coach (ACC), a Certified Functional Health Coach (A-CFHC), and a National Board Certified Health and Wellness Coach (NBC-HWC). You can learn more about her here and more about what coaching is here.
