#61 - Tighten Our Belts

I was the columnist in The London Paper last week, suggesting that the recession is a good thing. Readers vote on whether they want more of you... and 96% did. I also had many comments calling this point of view "refreshing" and "inspiring". In this, I hear a whispered hope for a move away from 'business as usual' to a more enjoyable and equitable way of running our economy.

At its best, this shake-up wake-up call will prompt us to re-prioritise and re-allocate resources. It will make us more aware of where we use money as an excuse to see ourselves as separate from others. Instead of this isolation, we will find ways of leaning in to human energy as our most precious resource and recognise our interdependence.

A great example of this is Liftshare - an organisation that works to bring about sustainable change by encouraging individuals to do things together. There are now 290,000+ people registered and several inspirational stories have emerged.

Sandra from Clacton-on-Sea started car-sharing as a way of saving petrol and impact on the environment and found that "two people who led separate lives have now become great friends, with all the benefits and opportunities that new friendships offer". They socialise regularly, found they had tons in common, and get to chat, laugh and sing along to 60s and 70s music on the way to and from work.

Similarly with Emma from Swindon, her initial motivations were financial and environmental and says "I have benefited in ways I never imagined, including socially. The company is great, we share ideas, and we exchange knowledge about the local area - where the best markets are, what's on at the theatre. As I know we have to rely on each other at a particular time of day, I'm much more efficient at work. I can no longer stay late to get things finished so I don't faff about any more, I just get it done.

And there are wider community benefits, as Clare from Herefordshire describes: "We also pick up and drop off a regular prescription for a friend who has retired and finds it difficult to get to the doctors".

With lifshare, we see the Triple Bottom Line of a solid, sustainable venture - intending to bring about economic, environmental and societal/inter-personal benefits through its activities. As we tighten our belts and make changes economically, perhaps we'll also tighten our belts as a community, finding afresh how fulfilling it is to need each other.

Do Things Differently
1) If you had one tenth of your current income, what would you do differently? Make a list. Then assess: in what ways would any of this be preferable? What could you gain as side-effects of these changes? Plato said "Necessity is the mother of invention". In which ways would your decreased income increase your creativity and innovation?
2) Now return to your current level of income - but keep those new ways in place. What would you do with all that extra money?? Which deeply fulfilling lifestyle benefits would all that abundance bring you?

(c) Corrina Gordon-Barnes, 2008

NB The London Paper asked: "Can we build a fairer economy?" If you have something to say on the matter, email your thoughts to: talk@thelondonpaper.com And as always, I love to read your comments on this blog so do leave them here!

#54 - Space To Connect

Last weekend, I assisted with the first module of the Coach Training Institute programme. I've assisted a dozen times, in addition to participating in these modules myself, and was as ever inspired to witness a group of complete strangers connect within the first twenty minutes of knowing each other. There's something about the masterful design of this course which cuts straight to the heart of who we are and forms that deep bond.

Similarly, this weekend I ran my Fail Is Not A Four Letter Word workshop with a small group of gorgeous people. Again, I saw that same connection formed. The diversity is huge - some are parents, some are teenagers; some are in relationships, some are not; some run their own businesses, some are employed, some are students, some are retired. The range of age, gender, sexuality, family situation, career choice, wealth and geographical location is wide. And yet as soon as you start asking questions such as: What are you scared of? What are your dreams? we find ourselves on common ground. Yes, the differences are still there - we fear different things, we yearn for different things. Yet we all dream and we are all blocked by something.

The more I run workshops, the more I know that it's not the specific exercises or me as a facilitator that the participants are learning from. It's the SPACE which these 'particles' make possible which allows the meaningful conversations and insights. The magic is happening where human beings hear each other, see each other, and feel seen and heard and understood in return.

I've always sought out these spaces, where people can connect at a level where things matter most. When I lived in London, I went regularly to Alternatives and loved the opening exercise where we were invited to talk to the person either side of us, finding out who they were and why they were there. I've been dancing the Five Rhythms for several years, feeling so at home in that space where words are not needed and we can connect through our energy and communicate through our bodies. I love spaces which are created to connect with the seasons and the moon's cycles, like Katie Rose's Full Moon chanting groups.

These meetings and connections are so precious and so needed. Let's support, welcome, and create more of these spaces.

Do Things Differently
This week, seek out spaces where you can connect. What qualities make these spaces possible? What are your favourites - do they involve words, sound, movement? Are they in-person or virtual? Notice where you feel most at home, most seen, most alive. Comment here to share them with us. AND... create your own! How do YOU create a space which allows people to connect? You might throw a pot-luck dinner to celebrate the harvest - have people connect from their hunger and their satisfaction. You might invite a few people to form an intimate discussion group where 'dark and scary' topics can be spoken about (link in to Hallowe'en?) What do people need and want to connect about? How can you help them? Notice where your abilities meet others' needs.

(c) Corrina Gordon-Barnes

** Next date for my Fail Is Not A Four Letter Word workshop: Sat 7th February 2009. Booking now open If you're interested in being part of this and can't make 7th Feb, just drop me a line and I'll let you know when the next date is released. **