Thought for the Week: Being co-creators
Ruth Tod is inspired to see ourselves as creators for the highest good
The annual Quaker Peace & Social Witness (QPSW) Spring Conference was an inspiring event. The enthusiasm, interest, energy and inspiration I experienced among Friends over the weekend continues to be a great source of support and upholding for me, especially when I start to worry about political and social crises. At the conference, we shared a vision rooted in our testimonies and learnt about exciting projects that QPSW is involved in, and also about some of the many actions we are taking in our own Meetings and communities.
I came away with a strong sense of being part of a movement of similarly-concerned people, with a common sense of direction, each taking steps, however small, towards it. In our last session together, we each had two ‘sticky notes’. On the first sticky note we were asked to write one step we would take as soon as we could, and then on the other to write one step we would take later. These might be marching against war, writing to our MPs, helping at a food bank, making a donation, signing a petition, knitting blankets, talking to strangers. Whatever it is, each step is contributing to the whole. For those who like to do such exercises, this one is called ‘Monday, Someday!’
Reflecting on this great weekend, I think we did something really important. We side-stepped the fight or flight option of worrying, getting angry, or closing ourselves off. Instead, we acknowledged our concerns and asked ourselves constructive questions, such as where do we want to get to and what steps are we taking individually and together towards it? Without denying reality, which can often be painful, we were giving life to our vision together.
I am reminded of David Emerald’s book The Power of TED* (*The Empowerment Dynamic). In this he says that to turn our backs on our vision is to ‘compromise our souls’. When we do this we are failing ourselves and others by ignoring our truth. David Emerald believes that on a personal and a political level many people get caught in what he calls the ‘drama triangle’ of victim, persecutor and rescuer. That is why we can be so prone to fear or apathy, and why we can feel unsettled by events. In place of victimhood he offers a more constructive triangle of creator, challenger and coach, in which we support ourselves, and one another, in engaging with our vision. We ask questions such as: ‘What is my vision?’ ‘How can we move from reality as we perceive it towards our vision?’ ‘What can we do now?’ ‘What resources do we need?’ ‘Who can we support?’ ‘What is the gift in this current situation?’ Our vision of peace, justice and sustainability may be hazy or specific. Either way, when we walk towards it, our ideas will develop with experience and we will be creating the life we want.
As Quakers we believe that each person has an inner compass that can lead us to act with love. When we are uncertain, we can sit quietly, upheld by love, waiting in the Light for guidance. Even the smallest steps towards love are an antidote to fear and frustration. When we take this path, we are more aligned with what we believe in and more whole in ourselves. Whether in personal or political situations, we find this is so. To see ourselves as creators for the highest good is to be co-creators with God and with one another. I feel that this thread ran through the whole weekend and was one of the greatest gifts we gave each other.
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