This past week I received an email that was a very lovely surprise. Someone who I'd met a few months ago who is part of a group who host a radio show on WBAI invited me to be interviewed and appear on the show which was live and also done on Zoom for video online. The show is called Eco-Logic, and the three hosts are all so knowledgable and also so enjoyable to spend time with that not only did I feel like I could learn so much from them, but when we had our pre-interview I stayed on the Zoom call for quite a while, even after they told me that I could leave if I wanted to. It's rare to meet people who are all so passionate about the topics that inspire them and who can ask questions of each other with such caring and respect that the conversation just flows. It was something in the way that they interacted that made me want to continue the conversation and when we had our broadcast, it felt the same way.
We talked about the Food System, and how it might be possible to create a more equitable environment for people who are food insecure to get the food and services they need to live healthy and well nourished lives. It's a topic that is such an important one to me, and one of the aspects of it that came out in our conversations is that it's the work that is done in person that makes all the difference in how successful programs and implementation of projects can be. It's the conversation we have with people, the getting to know each other on a more personal level and building trust that creates an environment where we can really find out what it is that people can use or that they would prefer, rather than deciding that we know what they need. When we make the decision for other people we take away their power, and it is one of the core beliefs I have that was developed over the years of the work I have been doing that giving people answers that we think are right may not be answering the actual needs that they have.
There is so much to be done in the world, and it can be daunting, but the truth of it is that all we need to do is start taking steps. Not every one of us is called to the same way of working or to the same group of people or to the same type of work. There is need on every level, and each one of us has gifts to share. A person who loves finance can help a not-for-profit or charitable organization or small community business to find the best ways to build their business sustainably; a performer can be a part of fund raising events or entertain at parties for the holidays to add joy and lighten people's lives. I'm a producer at heart and I love to put pieces of puzzles together to create events and projects and design programs, and my public relations and marketing skills can be happily used to explain what those projects and programs are meant to do and why they are worth people investing their time and resources in. Each one of us can play a role in the development of a community, and whatever the interest and ability, each gift is needed.
When we work together, using our gifts with respect and care and a feeling of camaraderie, we'll find that the work we do is more complete and more fulfilling to ourselves and to others. Like the conversations we had in our radio interviews, there is a free flowing that can happen that can make the work that we do sustainable, and while also making it replicable, we can keep it unique and of the highest value. Work done like that will never grow tired or become outdated, because it will always have a place to organically grow and succeed.
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