A safe place to be...

Have you seen it yet? You know, the video of that crazy dancing guy at a music festival who eventually inspires a whole group of people to join him (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4-1_-P016Ns).

I was sent this video recently as an example of the mechanics of leadership. Someone had added a voiceover to this video of the dancing man illustrating how equally important both followers and leaders are to any viable movement. As you will see when you watch the video, the speaker points out that while a leader takes a risk when they throw themselves into the fray, the same can be often said for the first follower.

This made me think about the idea of risk when it comes to community building. Many people who have ever attempted to build community know that risk is part of the equation… the risk of failure, the risk of re-opening old community wounds, the risk of causing conflict, and the risk of alienating the people you are trying to serve.

During my time at ACE Communities, however, I’ve seen the risk of what happens to communities if they don’t attempt to change and to engage with others. We know that communities who don’t attempt to move past the barriers that have constricted them, whether it be societal, political, or economic, are the least likely to make it through the long haul.

Risk… well, it’s a darn risky thing. One bright spot I have noticed lately is how the arts, culture, and heritage can be used as a non-threatening, universal way to start the community engagement process. People seem more open when you speak to them in terms of how they spend their leisure time, how they celebrate their culture, or how they remember their past.

Ask them about health care, infrastructure, or the economy, on the other hand, and watch them get their dukes up.

In 2002, the Canada West Foundation created a report entitled: “Culture and Economic Competitiveness: An Emerging Role for the Arts in Canada.” This report reviewed and considered studies from around the world to identify the following benefits from arts and culture:

1) Improves mental and psychological health including enhanced personal motivation, feelings of connectedness to others, a more positive outlook on life, reduced sense of fear or isolation and increased confidence, sociability and self-esteem.

2) Arts promote intercultural understanding and validates diversity through cultural festivals, historical presentations, exhibits.

In other words, it makes us feel better about ourselves, our neighbours, and just plain helps us get along. And isn’t that where the community building really needs to start.

After all, I might dance in a way that is different from you, with different steps and different rhythms, but we can all agree that the act of dancing together can do something amazingly positive for the spirit. Just look at our famous dancer from the above video and tell me that it doesn’t make you smile… if just a little.

How did I measure up?

Where Christmas ‘tis the season for plum pudding, the New Year is the season for accountability. So I’m slurping back the yearly cleanse, hitting the gym with a brand new level of enthusiasm, and have sadly shoved all remaining shortbread cookies into the darkest, deepest recesses of my freezer (that cleanse does have to end sometime!).

One thing I have learnt during my time with ACE Communities is the importance of self-reflection. We all need to take time to think about the ways in which we are approaching our lives, our work, and our communities.

I thought that it might be fun… well, at least interesting, anyway, to take a look at my new year’s resolutions from 2010 and see how I actually did.

Here are my resolutions as posted in my last year’s blog. So… deep breath – here we go:

1) I will stop and make a meaningful connection with at least one person every week in my neighbourhood.

Yes – off to a good start already! I have, in fact, stepped it up and can say that I know my neighbours even better and am glad for it. Not only did I hold an open house for all of the proverbial block this Christmas (and LOVED it!), I’ve finally made it over to dinner with another newer neighbour that I really liked and wanted to connect with. So ah ha! Not looking too shabby so far.

2) I will listen earnestly to someone else’s opinion everyday without judgment.

Eeeekk! Well, I am trying but I find that I often still have to use all of my free will not to jump into a conversation and give my two cents before giving any real thought to what someone might be telling me. I was in a meeting today, however, and made a conscious effort to be an active, non-judgmental listener and it was worth it. But lets just keep this on the list for 2011.

3) I will spend extra time every day scratching the bellies of my basset hounds – even when I feel like I don’t have the time or the patience.

Check and check! And I actually think back to this resolution occasionally when my basset is squeaking (yes, they do actually squeak – very enthusiastically, as a matter of fact) and the LAST thing I really want to do is scratch her belly. Makes me feel better every time I do, though, so thank you resolution number three!

4) I will make every effort to improve my mind with new ideas and rise to all challenges.

It’s my new mantra. BRING IT ON… I say.

5) When I workout, I will give it my all no matter how much I think I might upchuck.

You know, I’m actually on board with this one and have even added some new crazy additions to my routine. Pilates, anyone? Hey… they are harder than they look. Ask my butt muscles. They’ll tell you.

6) I will always stop to help those in need – the lady who looks lost on the street, the mini-van stuck in the snow bank, the gentleman looking for the last dollar for his bus ticket.

Sadly, I’m bereft to say that I can’t think of one example of how I really rose to this challenge in 2010. I’m just too darn busy running off to my next appointment or meeting to even stop and really look around. So move this resolution to the top of the list as a goal for this year – its time to pay more attention to the situation of my fellow human.

7) I will eat fewer pastries because I know they are bad for my cholesterol.

Gah. Now why do you think I’m doing that cleanse. I just can’t resist… I don’t eat meat or fast food or drink excessively. I try to only eat organic and shop locally. Can’t a girl get a break… a pastry or a cookie? Is it ok if its peanut butter and I desperately need the protein? La sigh.

8) I will spend more quality-time with my parents. Because, you know, I really like them.

I love ‘em when I see them! They’re busier than me but we did manage to bond over the holidays and it was the best Christmas yet.

9) I will make an effort to speak to my very dear ‘out-of-town’ friends at least once a month.

You know, I don’t know why this is so hard because I do LOVE speaking to my friends. Yet, months can go by without me picking up that phone. So as soon as I’m done this blog, its time to get the finger dialing. In fact, I resolve to speak to one ‘out-of-town’ friend every month no matter what.

10) I will increase my volunteer-work because it really does feel good to help others.

I’m so committed to this one that I now even have my basset hound Cleo (the squeaky one) volunteering. We go to senior care centers and let them scratch her belly. So its win win for everyone. I have an appointment lined up already.

How did you all do last year with your resolutions?