Deep, Holistic Community (1)
|
|
| Also listed in: "Build the Party" | Barack Obama | Barack Obama 2008: An Honest Government, A Hopeful Future |
A conscious effort to grow deep, holistic community among Democratic Party activists could help win elections as well as strengthen post-election activism.
The modern world, with its secular, materialistic, left-brain worldview, increasingly reduces individuals to hyper-specialized instruments obsessed with the external world. Consequently, as reported by the Washington Post, "A quarter of Americans say they have no one with whom they can discuss personal troubles, more than double the number who were similarly isolated in 1985. Overall, the number of people Americans have in their closest circle of confidants has dropped from around three to about two." This isolation is but one symptom of contemporary dehumanization.
Christian mega-churches have responded to this dilemma with a comprehensive response to basic human needs. Time pressures are real, but when an experience is rewarding, people find time. If the Democratic Party developed ways to enrich the internal lives of its members, it could attract new members, help prevent burn-out, and increase its effectiveness.
In addition to working together politically, Party activists could play together, have fun, become good friends, talk from the heart, really listen, share meals, dance, go hiking, help each other become better persons, offer feedback and advice when requested, provide support and encouragement, listen to music, watch movies, commune with Mother Nature, explore new ideas, sharpen their understanding of the world, engage in community service, and generally collaborate in the wonderful process of enjoying life and becoming whole, well-rounded individuals.
If Party activists were to set aside time to relish life with one another, they could slowly expand their circle of close friends and develop a more rewarding sense of community. By sharing more experiences with others who share similar values, we could become more present, responsive, and compassionate.
In his writing and his speeches, Barack Obama has touched on these ideas. By fleshing them out and implementing them, we could advance our efforts.
NOTE: In future posts, I'll elaborate on this theme. I appreciate feedback, whether by message or a comment on this blog.
The modern world, with its secular, materialistic, left-brain worldview, increasingly reduces individuals to hyper-specialized instruments obsessed with the external world. Consequently, as reported by the Washington Post, "A quarter of Americans say they have no one with whom they can discuss personal troubles, more than double the number who were similarly isolated in 1985. Overall, the number of people Americans have in their closest circle of confidants has dropped from around three to about two." This isolation is but one symptom of contemporary dehumanization.
Christian mega-churches have responded to this dilemma with a comprehensive response to basic human needs. Time pressures are real, but when an experience is rewarding, people find time. If the Democratic Party developed ways to enrich the internal lives of its members, it could attract new members, help prevent burn-out, and increase its effectiveness.
In addition to working together politically, Party activists could play together, have fun, become good friends, talk from the heart, really listen, share meals, dance, go hiking, help each other become better persons, offer feedback and advice when requested, provide support and encouragement, listen to music, watch movies, commune with Mother Nature, explore new ideas, sharpen their understanding of the world, engage in community service, and generally collaborate in the wonderful process of enjoying life and becoming whole, well-rounded individuals.
If Party activists were to set aside time to relish life with one another, they could slowly expand their circle of close friends and develop a more rewarding sense of community. By sharing more experiences with others who share similar values, we could become more present, responsive, and compassionate.
In his writing and his speeches, Barack Obama has touched on these ideas. By fleshing them out and implementing them, we could advance our efforts.
NOTE: In future posts, I'll elaborate on this theme. I appreciate feedback, whether by message or a comment on this blog.
This is an issue with all Americans of not taking time to "smell the roses". Those of us who have lived in Europe know this difference between Europeans and Americans.
Even our architecture is designed to alienate and separate us. We have to have some reason or purpose to everything and above all else it must be "efficient".
European cities are more friendly to people.
There is a relationship of their buildings to the sidewalks that we often don't have in our cities here.
Small town America in the days before the super highways is more reflective of architecture that encourages socialization. They were often modeled after the piazza built in a square with a park or some "Important" government building in the center--a county seat or city hall. There was often a lawn around this building with trees and benches.
here is a great video for you.
It is titled: The tragedy of surburbia
Link