by Therese Brummell
It’s a huge existential question, but it was posed in our recent Transition steering meeting by Sylvia who was inspired to ask it in the context of our work.
Four responses were elicited from each participant. Here’s how the responses grouped, according to my unscientific method:
7 were present for ACTION.
5 cited PROBLEM SOLVING.
4 responded for FUN.
3 came for COMMUNITY.
2 responses were for the NEXT GENERATION.
Here are the 7 ACTION-related reasons people showed up to the steering meeting that night:
The 5 people here for PROBLEM-SOLVING wanted to work on:
FUN-related comments reflected an attitude that spending life’s energy should be FUN. Fun propagates energy and draws people in. Creating Fun with like-minded folks gives a sense of hope.
COMMUNITY-building is the basis of the Transition Network. It is Transition’s stated antidote to climate change and in anticipation of tougher times ahead when we will, of necessity, live more locally and be more dependent on our local networks for many things.
NEXT GENERATION
Showing up because of the need to do something to leave the world a better place for the NEXT GENERATION is a mission known to our Native American predecessors who think about the Seventh Generation ahead. Indigenous peoples promote mindfulness in every action we take, framed by its outcome for future citizens of Planet Earth. What will our world look like 150 years from now, and how can I contribute today, to make this a more beautiful world? Moment by moment, choice by choice, action by action perhaps we can do this for future generations.
Thich Nhat Hahn says Peace is Every Step; Peace in Every Breath. Ensuring Peace and the resilient vitality of this beautiful home we call Earth is in every choice we make.
Getting to read what each steering member shared was an inspiring experience. It’s great to know we each come for reasons that are at the same time unique and aligned.
Why are YOU here?
It’s a huge existential question, but it was posed in our recent Transition steering meeting by Sylvia who was inspired to ask it in the context of our work.
Four responses were elicited from each participant. Here’s how the responses grouped, according to my unscientific method:
7 were present for ACTION.
5 cited PROBLEM SOLVING.
4 responded for FUN.
3 came for COMMUNITY.
2 responses were for the NEXT GENERATION.
Here are the 7 ACTION-related reasons people showed up to the steering meeting that night:
- Activism is the core of who I am
- Lobbying and strategizing
- Do something about the situation
- Discuss actions we can take
- Action especially in groups brings results
- It’s sad to do nothing
- Baby-steps projects: plant things; repair things; share things
The 5 people here for PROBLEM-SOLVING wanted to work on:
- Social issues
- Environmental issues
- The complexity and interconnectedness of issues
- Solving climate crisis
- Mitigate problems.
FUN-related comments reflected an attitude that spending life’s energy should be FUN. Fun propagates energy and draws people in. Creating Fun with like-minded folks gives a sense of hope.
COMMUNITY-building is the basis of the Transition Network. It is Transition’s stated antidote to climate change and in anticipation of tougher times ahead when we will, of necessity, live more locally and be more dependent on our local networks for many things.
NEXT GENERATION
Showing up because of the need to do something to leave the world a better place for the NEXT GENERATION is a mission known to our Native American predecessors who think about the Seventh Generation ahead. Indigenous peoples promote mindfulness in every action we take, framed by its outcome for future citizens of Planet Earth. What will our world look like 150 years from now, and how can I contribute today, to make this a more beautiful world? Moment by moment, choice by choice, action by action perhaps we can do this for future generations.
Thich Nhat Hahn says Peace is Every Step; Peace in Every Breath. Ensuring Peace and the resilient vitality of this beautiful home we call Earth is in every choice we make.
Getting to read what each steering member shared was an inspiring experience. It’s great to know we each come for reasons that are at the same time unique and aligned.
Why are YOU here?
