DO(D)GE? ... or GATHER?

The Gathering - 2024 Highlights

Living in the Washington DC area, Elon’s actions bring me back to childish days playing do(d)geball. On the one hand, should we dodge the reality that federal debt and future obligations will bankrupt our government, causing catastrophic economic impact? Or, should we dodge the heavy-handed manner in which jobs or program funding are being discarded, such that our nation’s unity and stability is being threatened – especially on the world stage?

Either way, while we need to make substantial changes to our systems of governance and economy, it doesn't have to feel like a painful, zero-sum game of dodgeball with a few winners and lots of losers. Rather than participate in what feels like a divisive game, can we instead gather and together find alternative ways of living as a single human family?

Answering this requires us to recognize that humanity’s behaviors traditionally have either a creative or destructive act at their core. Unfortunately, destructive activities cause waste, making us unique among all species – none of which generate any waste in their life cycle.

What if our behaviors lived within a spectrum related to either creating or being -- instead of creating or destroying -- and any destruction occurs within the creative process? Can we consider this regenerative model, which relies on things like reciprocity, mutuality, agency, and decentralized trust? Can we move towards an entirely new Creator Consciousness paradigm that is embodied by loving leadership to harmonize our thoughts and actions?  

A good friend and partner in our country’s heartland say’s “YES”! Having just returned from a trip to Nebraska to visit Omani Carson, the co-General Partner of Simply Shenandoah, I am truly excited about what’s possible. By leading with love and supporting conscious leaders with world changing ideas, Omani is living this new consciousness.

As one example, each fall, he hosts a four-day event called The Gathering on hundreds of acres of scenic ranch property. About one hour from Omaha, The Gathering serves an inspiring and invigorating set of experiences and workshops that use art, music, and community as tools for revitalization, exploration and connection.

The Gathering attracts amazing guest speakers, change makers, and fellow pioneers working on and supporting innovations in areas like mental health, regenerative agriculture, indigenous causes, consciousness, and planetary health, among others.

It is through collaborative, experiential convenings like this that we will find activating energy to ultimately guide our way forward. The agenda for The Gathering has not yet been published, but it will be amazing and is expected to sell out. So, I signed up today and am excited to blend recreation with re-creation, in partnership with aligned change makers working on new and exciting possibilities …

… AND it is through these types of partnerships that we are finding our path to re-starting Simply Shenandoah’s development … more to come soon!