Photo by pixabay.com.
I was asked recently to share what I envision as a “Golden Civilization” as it might exist thousands of generations into the future. This may seem like a daunting task, but for me it was easy. I described what I experienced at the end of August at the week-long, residential Vermont Wilderness School’s Art of Mentoring program. If I could change the world today, we would all live in communities of 150-200 people, synced with the cycles of the Earth, living close with the land as stewards showing gratitude for its gifts and using our ability to tend to help her thrive. We would support one another’s development on their individual journeys of creativity and passion as they follow their curiosity, to understand personal sovereignty and self-care, taking responsibility for our preparedness, judgment, and contributions to the whole, with to respect each person as someone who has something to teach and to be taught. Basic needs of clean water, nutritious food, and appropriate shelter are met. There is no need for money. Our elders are respected as the wisdom holders, receiving priority seating, care, and support. Perhaps this is socialism at work or a hippy version of Club Med. When you take away the stress of thinking about where you’re going to find your next meal, having to make money to pay your utility bills, knowing where you might sleep tonight, and even whether people will accept you for who you are, then there is a special reveal that happens. You get to explore who you are--what are you drawn to? What do you want to learn? What gift will you be sharing with others? To be loved for who you are and where you are on life’s journey is something everyone has the right to feel and offer others. I wish everyone could feel the love that comes from living in such a caring space.