There’s a quote I heard the other day, “Only those who see the invisible can do the impossible.” I don’t know the source of the quote but it’s message stood out for me. Later, I read the following quote by Paul Hawken in the wonderful book, “Walk Out, Walk On” by Margaret Wheatley and Deborah Frieze:
“Forget that this task of planet saving is not possible in the time required. Don’t be put off by people who know what is not possible. Do what needs to be done, and check to see if it was impossible only after you are done.”
— Paul Hawkens
Both quotes speak to the power of visioning and to the ways in which our points of view can either empower us beyond belief or limit us until we stand paralyzed. Innovators, pioneers and social entrepreneurs choose the path of envisioning and hold empowering viewpoints that bring what some see as impossible into reality.
So…what’s possible for communities and families when we begin to dream bigger dreams? When we hold onto the view that we can collaborate to create the change we want to see? When we really begin to believe that each of us has the power to make a difference – especially when combined together?
I’m discovering people around the world who stopped waiting for top down solutions to problems and are joining together at the grassroots level to brainstorm and implement innovative and creative solutions to large scale community problems. They are sharing ideas and knowledge, foregoing rigid hierarchy, daydreaming and playing together, exploring possibilities, connecting and collaborating, and getting the job done! They’re replacing competition and hierarchy with collaboration, shared knowledge and shared power.
Equally exciting are the collaborative tools and processes that support this work like the circle meeting format used by indigenous people or Open Space and World Cafe formats that engage large numbers of people. In these types of forums, the viewpoints and ideas of all who are impacted are invited and valued. Everyone is engaged in looking at old challenges through the lenses of new and empowering questions, creativity and collaboration – asking what do we really want and need, what can we create together and how will we get it done? So…
- What’s the biggest dream you can imagine that can impact your life and the lives of others in your family and/or community?
- What’s possible if you really believe you can be a part of creating the change you want to see?
- Who will you connect with to explore the possibilities?
