One of the things I notice in every one of these conversations is that no matter what the specific topic is there are certain fundamental principles that come up every time. One of those is that everything in life is sacred. Looking for a specific "answer to a problem" or a way to "correct/heal" past wrongs or hurts is, as one person said, "a bottomless bucket". Only as we step into a new story, a new perspective, does fundamental change happen. That new story is what indigenous and spiritual elders have been saying for centuries: all of life is sacred and is designed to function with reciprocity, generosity and abundance. If we truly "get" that, then we are invited to participate in this story - right now. Fixating on the past can bring regrets and frustration. Looking at the future can make us scared and overwhelmed. Opening myself to what is asked of me right now, in this present moment, is motivating.
Economy:
It's interesting to me that in this time of pandemic and lockdowns and closed borders, much is said on mainstream news about "the economy". It is usually couched in literal monetary terms: profit, loss, GDP, savings, debt, inflation etc. Understandably there's a lot of anxiety for individuals and businesses - and for the country in general. I'm not passing judgement on that - I live in that "story" too.
But what if we were corporately living from a new story of co-operation, generosity, reciprocity - knowing that there really is enough for all (ie abundance)? There are encouraging examples of communities and organisations who do live out this story. Here are three examples I personally know about: Our current NZ government launched a "wellbeing budget" in 2019 and still operates from those principles. A friend of mine recently sold her house. She told the real estate agent that she didn't need "top dollar" and the house must be sold to first home buyers. The church to which I belong is associated with a housing trust CORT Community Housing where rent is matched to income not market rates.
I'm sure there are many more examples - you probably know of some. At the moment they are probably the exception rather than the rule. However, I am optimistic that in time a tipping point will be reached where this new story becomes the norm.
I'm sure there are many more examples - you probably know of some. At the moment they are probably the exception rather than the rule. However, I am optimistic that in time a tipping point will be reached where this new story becomes the norm.
The word 'economy' coming from the Greek means "good housekeeping"! Maybe like me you had a class called "home economics" at school. I don't remember learning anything about money in that course! It did focus on cooking and sewing however. For many of our mothers and grandmothers cooking and sewing were a key part of the good housekeeping economy. I'm sure in some households that is still true. I'm really heartened that so much of this way of living is coming back into the mainstream. Schools are featuring gardens where children plant, nurture and then cook and eat the produce. Farmers' markets are popular and regenerative farming is becoming more well known.
 |
| Glen Eden Primary School: Garden to Plate |
Values:
What do we truly value? It was suggested that our values are often "upside down". For example we value a tree when it is cut down and made into timber but we don't value it in the same way when it is alive. We value products but we often don't value the people who made them. (However, see TearFund's Ethical Fashion Guide.) Budgets often seem to value sickness (hospitals etc) more than health and well being. The NZ Wellbeing Budget is seeking to turn this around. We say we value the growing number of elderly in our midst but the pay scale for those who care for them certainly doesn't demonstrate that.
Money:
All of us have some relationship with money. Maybe we fear it, worry about not having enough, feel guilty about having so much or are focussed on accumulating as much as possible to ensure our security.
It was suggested that money is a beautiful resource and energy for connection to the things/people we value. If it was generally seen in this way it could be the resource to drive things in a different direction.
What is your sacred currency?
We can also see "currency" in a different way. We each have a sacred currency to bring to the table. One may bring the currency of teaching, another of building, another of caring, another of legal training, another of gardening, another of parenting, another of political skill. If you are from a Christian background this is probably reminding you of the "gifts of the spirit" and the part we each play in the unity of the body (1 Corinthians 12). I'm sure all religions have their way of saying the same thing. All of life is sacred and each of us has gifts to bring and a part to play. It is when all these sacred currencies are woven together for the good of the whole that we create a culture of co-operation, generosity, reciprocity and abundance.
Our personal economy is how we spend our life energy. Do we "spend" it on what we value and share or on what we want to accumulate and protect? The resources listed below offer ways to explore our own approach to "the energy of money" (Sarah McCrum) and the outcome of this approach to life (Jyoti Ma). Mick Collins' books offer visionary challenges to the spirit in which we live out our values and Catherine G Lucas invites us to share in Co-creating Our Future.
Links for those in the conversation:
Catherine G Lucas Co-creating Our Future, Birth the New Earth
Sarah McCrum sarahmccrum.com The Energy of Money Scorecard
Jyoti Ma thefountain.earth
Mick Collins The Unselfish Spirit The Visionary Spirit
