Impact – Pattern 1: Think and Act Like a Movement
Al has identified five social characteristics of movements to help us in our journey to think and act in them.
- Movements ignite our imaginations – "It is my conviction that slight shifts in imagination have more impact on living than major efforts at change" Thomas Moore. Social movements strengthen our imaginative muscles.
- Movements are multi-generational – "If you don't deal with my generation, our descendants are coming. If you don't deal with our sons and daughters, you'll have to deal with their children and their children's children" George Erasmus. Movements are destiny's children.
- Movements comprise small acts – If you have enough small stuff that's right, the big stuff will change" John McKnight. Your small act may be the one that opens the flood gates.
- Movements are self-organizing – "Movements embody order without central control" Brenda Zimmerman. Leadership is diffuse.
- Movements marry art and justice – "Art bridges the silos that separate us as we confront today's pressing issues. Art creates new visions and engagement, connecting the head and the heart" Judith Marcuse. The arts can transform our perception of reality. They can give us the experience of the new world we want.
I've been reflecting on each of these and am going to take a day or two to flesh out some of these thoughts.
Being a Force for Good 