When we as change agents and experts in the area of diversity encounter difficulties in projects and relationships, the question of whether and how we are honoring the world may also be relevant. (Among change agents in Europe, the phrase “honoring the world we live in” is used as a synonym for “sustainability.”)
For example, how we use the resources we have directly relates to honoring the planet. Often resource use is a source of conflict or friction. The way we are using resources does not always align with the values of individuals and of an organization. Within and among groups, people differ about what values they hold and therefore about how financial and other resources should be used. Messages about wise use of resources and stewardship of the earth may come from many cultures.
Lynne Twist, in her book The Soul of Money: Transforming Your Relationship with Money and with Life, tells the story of the Achuar people of Ecuador, who asked for help to protect the future of their culture and their rainforest. Both are at risk because of logging and oil exploration. The Achuar elders were asked, “What will it take to protect your culture and your forest?”
“We don’t know much of the rest of the world,” they replied. “From what we see, saving our rainforest and our culture will require altering the dream of the North.” (Twist, Lynne. The Soul of Money: Transforming Your Relationship with Money and With Life. New York: W.W. Norton & Co., 2003.)
In considering ways to honor the earth, you can ask these questions:
- 1) What does honoring the planet mean to us individually, culturally and collectively?
- 2) With respect to honoring the planet, what are our values and our beliefs? How do these values differ among the members of a group or of various groups? How can we honor these differences and still take action?
- 3) How are we honoring the planet in the way we are using (not using) resources? Where does our money come from? Is that source aligned with our values?
- 4) How do our current lifestyles and honoring the planet line up?
