🌏 TREE 340 – Three questions for world-changers
One.
Question 1: What needs done?
Question 2: What is my power right now?
Question 3: How can I apply my power so it makes a difference?
Two examples:
Poverty, drug misuse and crime ruins families and futures.
Christine and I can’t fix capitalism or create good jobs or get people off drugs. We can raise kids.
We adopted a child. That doesn’t fix the system but it does help one kid and depeens our understanding of certain systems. In Christine’s case, because our adopted daughter is deaf, it lead to understanding deafness, Deaf culture, and the historic and continuing oppression of deaf people.
Are we changing the world? No. But we are giving one kid a shot at life. And Christine has knowledge, connections and power she didn’t have before. It’s certainly better than shaking our heads and tutting.
People are drowning in a social media swamp that wastes potential and viciously divides society.
I can’t fix or destroy social media. I can design and write and draw.
I could make neato graphics to raise awareness about the harms social media does. It wouldn’t help. It would be a waste of my power. I did start an email called TREE that tries to show a different, healthier way of living.
Am I changing the world? No. But TREE does seem to help a lot of people. And now I have means to amplify other helpful people. And I met Skyler who launched Feynmansplaining and is expanding the reach of TREE. And – this is very important – I’m having a lot of fun.
Two.
Bad idea: IoT (internet of toast)
Three.
Turns out you’re very hard to kill.
What do you see that needs done? I’m thinking about the kind of thing that gnaws at your guts on a regular basis.
What is your power right now? There’s always a starting place.
How can you apply your power so it makes a difference?
Grow slowly, because that’s what actually works
Jeff
PS We’re hanging out IRL one week from today: TREE hangout on Wednesday 16 February.
What I see needs to be done is taking time to enjoy life. I’m empowered to do so by living in my rv. It may sound idyllic but it’s not. I am challenged daily by the new and different. Adapting and transitioning is imperative. The people I meet along the journey are strangers and require some discernment. Staying sharp and focused are key so personal disciplines are important. This time for me first is crazy good and freeing me up to be instant in helps. I carry tow straps, extra fire extinguisher 🧯, and a great first aid kit. Practical helps have been the ticket for roadside travel. And then there’s the occasional neck jerk…I had cordially chatted with a man passing my campsite. He had a huge backpack on, walking sticks and water bottle. He said see ya and walked off. Only then did I realize he wasn’t wearing a stitch! Chuckling, It’s a beautiful journey. Me time.
1. Please do not knock the Internet of Toast before it has been debugged thoroughly. I see great promise for this, especially in the mornings and especially with regards to butter.
2. I love this post. You and Christine... your impact = lead by example, open-heartedness, light-heartedness, and love.