A new year brings new resolutions, new goals, and new hope. January reminds us that last year is now truly history and we've been given the opportunity to have a year to change what we did or did not do the year before. Many choose to change their diets, their spending, their friends, their routines.
At this point in the month, many of us have already given up on at least one of our planned changes. I guess you can say many of us have "failed" in some area of our life. I recently was in a class by a successful local businessman who emphasized the fact that we only truly fail not when we fail to succeed but fail to continue to try. But even still many of us tend to hold out hope that we will start the change "next week."
At this point in the month, many of us have already given up on at least one of our planned changes. I guess you can say many of us have "failed" in some area of our life. I recently was in a class by a successful local businessman who emphasized the fact that we only truly fail not when we fail to succeed but fail to continue to try. But even still many of us tend to hold out hope that we will start the change "next week."
Change is a relative term. I believe that this is especially true in this most recent election and new presidency, with change as a key topic of discussion and motivation for millions in the last election. Millions became involved on a historic scope, in many areas of the country because they hope in the prospect of change. Some may hope for change in the middle eastern wars, the economy, abortion laws, marriage laws, drug enforcement, fossil fuels, climate change, or the way our democracy is run.
I must be honest and say that I have been intrigued with Obama's presidency this first week. From inauguration, to GITMO, and economic recovery discussions, I have been listening for my own version of change - a change in dialogue. So often politicians are elected to represent a constituency, but unlike true statesmen, they fail to do build a broad enough constituency to develop fair dialogue on the issues they are faced with. Political community organizing is often done to advance an agenda, secure a re-election, or prevent an opposing group from gaining ground. I hope to explore the idea of dialogue and deliberative democracy in the next few weeks.
In the mean time, check out some entries from some others on this issue.
Organizing for America (Social Capital)I must be honest and say that I have been intrigued with Obama's presidency this first week. From inauguration, to GITMO, and economic recovery discussions, I have been listening for my own version of change - a change in dialogue. So often politicians are elected to represent a constituency, but unlike true statesmen, they fail to do build a broad enough constituency to develop fair dialogue on the issues they are faced with. Political community organizing is often done to advance an agenda, secure a re-election, or prevent an opposing group from gaining ground. I hope to explore the idea of dialogue and deliberative democracy in the next few weeks.
In the mean time, check out some entries from some others on this issue.
"Start Listening" (Harwood Institute)
People Power (Peter Levine)
Consider what your approach to these tough issues of change have been. Are you looking for root causes, common areas of agreement, or just differences? How can this new administration foster local organization and dialogue around these national, state and local issues to bring effective, realistic and transformational change?
Consider what your approach to these tough issues of change have been. Are you looking for root causes, common areas of agreement, or just differences? How can this new administration foster local organization and dialogue around these national, state and local issues to bring effective, realistic and transformational change?
