Creative changemakers like adrienne maree brown observe that when we focus on the problems, we become lost in them. All we can see is legacies of sorrow, hate, suffering, and the like. What if instead we gifted our attention to the things we want to see grow in the world? Imagine what it could be like for us to lean into resilience, brilliance, and community!
Shawn Ginwright, another thought leader, invites us to pivot from problems to possibilities. If we focus on what is possible between us - moments of joy, moments of connection, moments of true freedom - our imagination can start firing and we can begin to see the path to get there.
In one example, Ginwright worked with organizations in a city that had experienced years of mistrust, scarcity, and challenge. Noticing their language, he invited them to shift to use only generative words (see the image below for examples). They were able to see more possibilities, coming together to reclaim what had been lost in their communities.
We take a page from these leaders - let’s build together, let’s imagine a future that we find irresistible. At Room One, we remain committed to a rural valley without violence and poverty. And let’s also remember what it feels like to flourish, to connect, to laugh, to belong, and to live without constraints. “We need to build new bright and brilliant bridges of mattering and belonging where finally we can enjoy the profound and wonderful space of beloved community (Ginwright, Four Pivots).” This is our work, our privilege and our joy. |
