Since calling for nominations for stories for Community Rising, I’ve had many conversations with people about what makes their community tick and stick together. Thank you if you’re one of those people I’ve connected with. (Nominations are still open.) It’s been fascinating to see the list of secret ingredients already emerging from my research. It’s clear there’s a certain alchemy to community … [Read more...]
We. The. People.
At the end of my street behind our local Milk Bar at the intersection of two cobbled laneways, there was once an abandoned and dilapidated community garden. Amongst the long unruly grass were two raised vegetable beds overflowing with noxious weeds and about ten fruit trees crying out for love and attention. Presiding over this sad forlorn garden, was an enormous and magnificent fig tree showing … [Read more...]
Blown Away. Thank you.
Last week I shared that I’m currently writing Community Rising: On love, belonging and togetherness. I asked you to Nominate Your Community for research and potential stories. (Nominations are still open.) I was blown away by the response and I’m still wading through all the emails. Thank you if you were one of the warm-hearted communitarians who responded. If I haven’t replied to you yet, I … [Read more...]
Nominate Your Community.
I’m currently writing Community Rising: On love, belonging and togetherness. It’s consuming most of my waking hours and really starting to take shape – at last! The book is a practical guide covering; why community is essential to the rebuilding of our society (now and post-pandemic); how we can each cultivate our own communitarian spirit and become a valued member of community; and … [Read more...]
The Four Harmonious Friends
Tucked away in the Himalayas, is the marvellous kingdom of Bhutan. There’s a well-known story and painting which features prominently in many homes and monasteries around the country. The painting is of four friends; an elephant, a monkey, a rabbit and a bird, who in the beginning were not friends. They argued about who had the right to a tree bearing delicious fruit. One day a man came by and … [Read more...]