“Love all Creation
The whole of it and every grain of sand
Love every leaf
Every ray of light
Love the animals
Love the plants
Love everything
You will perceive
The divine mystery in things
And once you have perceived it
You will begin to comprehend it ceaselessly
More and more everyday
And you will at last come to love the whole world
With an abiding universal love.”
(Fyodor Dostoyevsky)
How did Dostoyevsky, unquestionably a writer and muse for all times, in the midst of so much terror and oppression in 19th century revolutionary Russia, come to this understanding of the love of life? How do we, in the midst of relentless world-wide conflict and seemingly insurmountable challenges, find life-affirming optimism and activism? How do we in ‘Paradise Denmark’ stay Centered when everyday personal and community trials and tribulations blow us off course? How does Denmark move forward together no matter what?
I was greatly touched and fascinated by our recent ‘Bloody Hippies!’ movie that brought together highlights of a pioneering small town being transformed by an influx of ‘alternative life-stylers’. Quiet and beautiful Denmark was forced to face a cultural revolution, and with this unwanted change grew some terror and conflict as a second wave of settlers changed the face and business-style of this town. Today we see tourists driving for hours to come to a naturally beautiful, creative and stylish Denmark. We are now in the midst of a third wave of settlers – monied, savvy and wanting to savour the many delights of a very special rural-cosmopolitan life. These same settlers, along with the children of pioneers and hippies, have never been more astute, well educated and aware of their wishes, rights and hopes. Not only do we have one of the oldest (in age) towns in Australia but we also have the smartest! (ABS Survey)
Denmark’s people – past, present and future are our valuable social capital and creative resources. It is our rich diversity, honest discourse and mutual integrity that ensures better and happier communities and worlds. The old world-order is one of protectionism and possessiveness where status-quo, might and righteousness do battle. Expedient outcomes and winning-at-all costs is everything. We still see this daily on our TV screens with so many bloodied battle-fronts around the world where people feel disempowered and are literally put down. This time, in this wise and talented community, we can choose more elegant and enriching ways of creating the next steps of our personal and communal lives. We can choose to embrace re-newing ways of process and endeavour, where we are not compelled toward preserving status-quo, fall into old battle-lines or choose outcomes of expedience and only short-term gain. Let us practically and demonstrably ‘Love this Denmark’ and commit to this ‘loving practice’ at every social and organisational opportunity. How do we begin this practical ‘Love-in’ for our community? Simply, when each of us matters in Denmark, and all are respected and engaged at the community table, we systematically create the natural conditions for a New Way and Wave forward. A love-ly and shared future is where we create better outcomes for all parties and community members. This true sharing is an inclusive process whereby all parties are able to respectfully negotiate, feel that they have ‘won’ the possible and even relish the process of getting there. Finally this poem speaks of an underpinning quality in this Way of Process, namely let us learn together and embrace Learning Well from every opportunity we face. Maybe then we will be inspired to live out and make the next Denmarkian movie – ‘Bloody Good Boomers – The Third Wave!’
“When the wind blows
that is my medicine
When it rains
That is my medicine
When it hails
That is my medicine
When it becomes clear after a storm
That is my medicine”
(Anonymous)