A Snapshot into One of the Many Conversation Week 2008 Events
Conversation Week 2008 brought hosts and inspiring conversations from all over the world. Some met online to have conversations via Global Mindshift, participated in conversations in the virtual world, Second Life, conference calls, kitchens, coffee shops and restaurants.
There was no right or wrong locale and each had a conversation that left participants inspired that conversation holds the key for change.
More information about what we learned from the conversations that took place during Conversation Week 2008 will be coming out in a report in early July, but here is a snapshot, of a multi-generational Conversation Cafe that took place in Montara, California.
This CC took a look at the whole world cosmic sandwich, each generation sharing a bit about what they recall as being significant changes that have occurred during their lifetimes. Those in their 70s recalled refrigeration, Pearl Harbor, the invention of TV and the Internet, airplanes and cell phones to name a few.
Those in their 50s and 60s identified significant events such as man walking on the moon, the Civil Rights movement, the Viet Nam war, test tube babies, women's liberation-ing, Roe vs. Wade, and intermarriage, as well as TV dinners, frozen foods, overt hatred and a black man and a woman running for president.
It was clear by their list that the world has indeed experienced a lot of change, but their conversation was not limited to the past. They looked at the present as well as toward the future. One key point they defined for looking forward was that human interconnection cannot be accomplished through thought, rather it needed to be felt.
They felt that points of emphasis for us will soon be: water, the end of famine, peace, the meeting of basic human needs, global warming, the elimination of borders and an openness to oneness. They talked a lot about how we would get there, and they felt we all needed positive acknowledgement because it simply inspires us to do more! They also talked about how we could impact "redefining success" as effective social action, and considered the realities of 'footprints in the sand', and felt concern over widespread apathy. They believed solutions would include sharing home grown chard, peas and beans and conscious living. We need to lower thermostats and closethe gap between intent and result, and to be willing to educate and affect someone else's behavior. They believe that the body follows the mind; the mind follows ideas, and ideas follow dialogue.
Their conversations seemed to wrap up on hope. They gained hope by realizing that if we as inidividuals change, we can change the world. Small changes accumulate. Small changes X many people = BIG change. The realization that we are not powerless brought tremendous hope. Finally, they grappled with the question: How can you BE the change? Their answers included helping both individuals and community, needing the sense of having enough and a positive vision of the world. They concluded we are one world, we need to be in the moment, focus on the now, and and listen to learn, including all at the table.