Social change and personal transformation go hand in hand

When we step into “different”, more emergent ways of working and being, there is a process we are stepping into ourselves as individuals as well. This process is an ongoing practice that inevitably will challenge us at times. It can also be incredibly rewarding and beautiful. The kind of societal change I want to see requires a commitment to growth, deepening self-awareness as well as collective awareness.

If we dare to get entangled, to root ourselves in each other; unfolding, growing, and supporting each other to stretch, challenge, let go of, unlearn and relearn healthier ways of being together as an organism, we can thrive. All while learning to live with and embrace uncertainty and emergence as a part of life and nature.

When practising different/better ways of working together, questions have been asked of us all such as: Are you willing to: Listen? Trust, and/or build trust together with others? Believe in collaboration? Be vulnerable? Show up authentically? Be challenged? Change? And allow yourself to be changed? Step up? Step into uncertainty? Accept that you won’t always be comfortable? And to recognise this is not the same as feeling safe?

Change, partnership and alliances require some level of uncomfortability, if not that means our alliances aren’t broad enough. (For more on this I highly recommend Kelly Hayes & Mariame Kaba’s article: How Much Discomfort Is the Whole World Worth?).

Stand in your power and creativity? Bring your gifts, experiences and perspectives? Recognise and acknowledge your privilege and rank? Do the work needed to learn about impact and harm (white supremacy, racism, classism, patriarchy, ableism, transphobia etc.)? To unlearn harmful patterns and behaviour and make repair/justice? To actively become an ally and engage in anti-oppression? Root in collective power? Share power? Give and receive feedback? Support and ask for support? Act as a Steward, holding the larger purpose with care, not control? Let go of that which needs letting go of? Celebrate yourself and others?

And do you believe: That these times ask of us to change (and sooner or later will likely force us)? That the ways decisions are made so far aren't working or getting people’s needs met (within our planetary boundaries), while also holding people accountable/responsible? That working and being could become more enjoyable and pleasurable if we dared to dream it into reality?