CURIOUS & CREATIVE
CONCEPTS FOR CHANGE
An “Interest Group” for Transformative Seekers &
Thinkers led by Liberty Goodwin.
(A Quaker & Political Independent) If interested in learning more and/or participating in efforts to
overcome the “Us vs. Them” mentality that is causing conflict and stalemate in
our world, Contact: 401-351-9193,or
E-Mail: friendliberty@quakerworks.net
We usually deal with problems of people & planet by negative “anti” or “protest” actions. Wouldn’t it be fun to imagine ways to create change by “accentuating the positive”? We’ll share “out-of-the-box” ideas & examples of success overcoming “Us vs. Them” thinking - seeking connection & common ground vs. categorization & conflict. Come join this brief trip into transformative thinking.. I believe that this proposal reflects our Quaker understanding of people as all having “that of God” within and our long tradition of trying to connect with that while replacing war and violence with love and understanding. We need to find better ways to further these fundamental goals.
I.
An explanation of the
concepts proposed and some examples of how they’ve worked in a variety of
real-life situations (including handouts).
II.
Brainstorming some of
the problems we’d like to address – and then imagining possible positive
approaches to solving them.
III.
Sharing thoughts about the
workshop and considering possible follow up activities and actions.
1. Competition as a way of self-affirmation – I’m good because I’m better than someone else.
2.
Categorization – Same
thinking re: Race, Nationality, Politics, Religion. Identify with a group & think it is the “best”. Perceive others as “the enemy”.
3.
Us vs. Them – Results
in contempt, put-downs, division, conflict, even hatred.
4.
Desire to Conquer/”Win”
– have power, importance. Goals to kill
or overpower the “enemy”, to rule, tell others what to do. Be feared, “respected”.
5.
Worship of money,
things, as the way to make one both important and “happy”.
1.
Competition &
violent conflict always create more losers than winners. And while some admire, others envy, resent.
2.
People of whatever
“group” are individuals, with good, bad or middling characteristics. No category of humans is “evil” or
“superior”. Nobody has all the answers.
Nobody (and no group) is perfect.
3.
We don’t need to be
“better” than someone else to be good & happy with self.
We can love and appreciate ourselves for our good
qualities, regret & work on our flaws.
4.
Whatever our
differences, there are always commonalities as well. We can seek “common ground” and work together with “them” for
some purposes.
5.
True joy can come from
actions we do to help others, from the love we give & receive, from humor
& hugs.
We can shift our values & understanding to become
more comfortable with ourselves nd others, to avoid pain & suffering &
to create more happiness, health & peace on our planet. “What goes around comes around”
********************************************************************************************
TRANSFORMATIVE TALES – RESOURCES
FOR
CURIOUS & CREATIVE CHANGE
**AMERICA WITHOUT VIOLENCE”,
The Lie Of Otherness, Not Me Against You, But Me And
You Against The Problem
“**BLOOD
BROTHERS, By Elias Chacour”, “Grafted In”
“VICTORIES WITHOUT VIOLENCE”
**Rotarians In Pairs, **The Pacification Of Liberia, **The
Invasion Of California
“**THE DREAM OF DIXIE’S DINER (Celebrating Diversity)
**SAFE PASSAGE ON CITY STREETS By Dorothy T. Samuel -
**Stolen Harmonies
www.reuters.com/article/2015/02/21/us-norway-muslims-jews-idUSKBN0LP0AG20150221
THE LEMON TREE. by Sandy Tobin. http://sandytolan.com/the-lemon-tree/brief-synopsis
**A DEADLY MISUNDERSTANDING”, A Congressman’s Quest to
Bridge the Muslim-Christian Divide. By
Mark D. Siljander . “My Apology”,
**NOT BY THE SWORD:
By Kathryn Watterson
How the Love of a Cantor & His Family Transformed
a Klansman
**********************************************************************************************************************
STRANGE POLITICAL PARTNERSHIPS WORKING TOGETHER FOR
CHANGE
The
Huffington Post |
By Alena Hall Posted: 04/01/2015
www.huffingtonpost.com/2015/04/01/political-common-ground-prison-reform_n_6987928.html
GREEN TEA BRIDGES U.S.
POLITICAL DIVIDE WITH RENEWABLES, By Emily Saari, 11-4-13
http://ecowatch.com/2013/08/14/green-tea-coalition-us-renewables
SOUL OF A CITIZEN’ EXCERPT: HOW THE CHRISTIAN COALITION &MOVE ON HELPED SAVE THE INTERNET TOGETHER www.dailykos.com/story/2010/04/02/853506/--Soul-Of-A-Citizen-Excerpt-How-The-Christian-Coalition-And-MoveOn-Helped-Save-The-Internet-Together
WORKING WITH THE “EVIL” KOCH
BROTHERS? www.kochfacts.com/kf/category/economicfreedom/, http://realkochfacts.com/,