In my meager beginnings with parish work in the United Methodist Missouri East Conference, I recall my then, District Supervisor, Dr. John Doggett pulling me aside and saying, “I want you to understand the value of community. It is not so important where you connect, sign up and commit, as long as it is a serious spiritual path with a sense of community (belonging and giving back) .” Then, this year another person, whose teaching I have followed for years, Meg Wheatley, stated boldly in her writing. “No matter what the problem, community is the solution.”
People who know me are clear I watch for signs, patterns in decision making. My choices to follow my calling of co-creating healthy communities has been my focus from my days in ministry, mental health and now medicine. However, today, I’m taking a bit different slant starting with LifeLong Learning as the first step in making a difference globally, by working locally. Why? Because in the last two years, I see the potential for it to dramatically recover if not offer permanently resolve our Economic state (to include keeping and increasing jobs), Healthcare dilemma, Education concerns, Social ills reducing (family fragmentation, political greed, corruption, adolescent and addictive acting out of adults, in general), Ecological plight, etc. How? By putting the people first! Now tell me, what else do you know that could possibly do this more effectively, efficiently, economically than to help with the transformation of the information age to a more mature wisdom society where people learn more effectively, and do what they know from both their person/professional education, experience, and current calling to life through community?
I draw from my life experiences on this from my ‘precious childhood nature village’ of Ole Alexandria, priceless adult community experience at St. Paul School of Theology in the 70's & 80's, my professional administrative path in parish ministry, executive public health directing & building days, corporate healthcare roles in the 90's. to 21st century ‘hosting’ healthy community organizing and restructuring for greater well being in the world. This blog's soul purpose is to share the stories, studies in evidence based research, programs and events, tracking much of this contemplation through action.
In a recent spiritual retreat I was asked how I saw myself today. My response surprised the group, and me quite honestly. What came out of my mouth feeling more 'spiritually' grounded than usual was "I'm a Master Builder"! Then what I offered in further explanation sounded something like this, “I've been fortunate to hang out with The Masters (many of them Masons) in my life, and they are builders.” From my Mother, to my Father, to my Step-Father, their friends & families, integrating much of the Masonic work in our family business, and community organizing of my younger days to the spiritual community experiences I’ve cherished as an adult and now elder in community myself. All powerful lessons. Then,, just this week, I see Oprah’s Master Classes to launch her new venture OWN, and I simply recognize yet, another ‘sign’, piece of the pattern in place now!
Surrounded by unbounded potential in my WingHaven demographics today, my work is securing the foundation under this life long passion starting right here. Our LifeLong Learning Summer Special Series starts mid July through August at Webster Univ. for both youth and adults. We will be offering a complimentary monthly book club recognizing the leaders in every chair there, at WingHaven Express Library. Monthly Women’s Circles will be forming at Bristol’s meeting room (WingHaven) integrating our personal and professional lives for greater authority in authentic leadership and economic experience. We are looking for a corporations in WingHaven to begin core wellness models and, this is just the beginning of engaging community in St. Charles County.
The synergistic relationship building I'm looking for is with individuals, institutions and community synthesis, already materialized in substantial places such as: Berkana Institute, Noetic Science, Bravewell Collaborative, HeartMath, Fetzer, SOL, Omega and so many of the top ten teaching medical centers: John’s Hopkins, Harvard, Duke, Stanford, and more. We’re not reinventing the wheel, rather bringing the BEST of all worlds right here to the heart of yours! I believe we are ready for it. Having done a 200 plus page 'feasibility study' for creating healthy communities this time last year ( with more evidence based research than required by the CIA or FBI). Seriously, I’m ready for it! I know our country is ready for it, by the ‘Prevention Promotion commissioned by the Senate Summit Conference in 2009. Today is the Summer Solstice, traditionally a sign of all kinds of positive things, so. . . I’m honoring the dawning of this day to let the magic and miracles roll out in 2011! I invite you to join in the blessings and benefits created with us, right here in our WingHaven Community Celebrating Health.
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