Service and Activism

Service and activism is how I use my talents to support people and the Earth. Today I will brainstorm some ideas for how to manifest this in the next weeks.

 

Agenda

1. Read "The Earth Keeper's Handbook"

2. Brainstorm service and activism

3. Proaction and reciprocity plans

1. Read "The Earth Keeper's Handbook":

I'm reading this book by Loren Swift (2019), subtitled "Assuming Leadership in a New World." The premise is that lack of care for each other (people) results in lack of care for the earth. "This book details the practical steps to shift the paradigm internally from conflict to cooperation and to make the same shift in relationships and in group endeavors." Well, that is the work I need to do this winter.

I'm into Chapter 4 -  Coherence and the Coordinates of Presence. Coherence is the ability to focus my energy and streamline my efforts - all the forces at play are lined up, in the same way that photons of light are lined up to make a laser. And I can design my approach to life to intentionally create these coherent states of being, specific to the outcomes I seek. It is my consciousness - my attitude - that determines my state of being.

The practice in this chapter is to learn how to embody the quality of life (Universal Need) I want to experience. "The next step ... is to learn ... the coordinates of presence. It includes knowing your feelings ... and naming qualities from the spectrum of love. This level of self-connection gives us the flexibility we need to meet daily challenges with equanimity." She calls it deep intuition - I will know what is happening with others and what could happen. I really think she is talking about unity as Quakers practice it!

2. Brainstorm for service and activism:

Today I am brainstorming some goals for how I how I use my talents to support people and the Earth, for February and March. My ideas so far:

• Continue to grow as a leader, learning how to communicate and listen, share my passion, organize for action, engage and lead.
• Advocate for the Make Polluters Pay bill. Support letter writing and decide to go to Lobby Day or not...
• Help to discern way forward for the Clean Water bill. Become more well-versed and educated in the facts.
• Top action of the month: Get the Little Plant Library up and running. Report on this at Business Meeting. Make signage and web info.
• Offer more opportunities for creative engagement in the work we are doing. Witness with Superfund and watershed art?

3. Proaction and reciprocity plans:

On Wednesdays I often journal a bit about the future, and my dreams and goals: What GREAT things do I want to accomplish? How will I serve people? How will I use my talents? How will I stretch myself? How can I become an “island of excellence”? What is essential?

Then I try to define achievable, meaningful goals and prioritize the goals and tasks with the greatest long-term impact.

This next week I hope to:

• Advocate for the Make Polluters Pay bill. Send information out about the Super-fund bill and decide to go to Lobby Day or not...
• Set intentions for teaching and craftivism, and a possible E-Book blog for sale.
• Write about Sanctuary: Prepare for late winter seed starting.
• Make a squirrel baffle and clean bird and squirrel feeders.
• Make potting soil.
• Work on an Interfaith Earthkeeper calendar, and communicate with faith groups to advertise it.
• Help to discern way forward for the Clean Water bill. Become more well-versed and educated in the facts. Work on a blurb and queries for clean water bill discussion.
• Write about Awareness: Winter rain.
• Begin Lent theme of Being One with the Earth: Daily devotions, and actions.