[This is an article written by Geneviève Emond, originally in French.  Geneviève is a friend and close collaborator, with whom I co-hosted the February 1, 2012, Thrivability Montreal conversation about Leaders as Stewards of Living Systems.]

We started the 2012 Thrivability Montreal conversation series magically on the evening of February 1^st at the Crudessence Loft, with close to twenty participants, some familiar, some new.  The experience was wonderful, especially because we represented and embodied each of the four characteristics of living systems, presented brilliantly by Michelle Holliday, as well as the theme of stewardship.

1. We represented divergent parts of a single group (women and men, at least 3 generations, coming from every continent, using different languages, with varied experiences and active in multiple domains, etc.).

2. We entered into very harmonious relationship with each other, in gentle stewardship of each other, of the space, and of what was being offered (in particular the excellent meal served by Crudessence!).

3. We constituted a convergent whole in engaging together in the unfolding of the evening’s activities. The culminating point of our exchanges was the co-creation of a mural whose words and images represented a path forward (see photos of the event).

The mural was an exploration of two questions: 1. What would change if we (as leaders and facilitators of learning) saw ourselves as stewards of a living system? and 2. What is required to get there?  The result is indescribable in just a few words, because nearly everything we know would change, including our ways of being and of relating to each other.  But what we need to get there – this, it seems to me, can be summed up more simply: we need people who are strong, calm and anchored (especially through contact with nature); courage; a great deal of love; and the capacity to go together toward the vision we desire.  And in fact, the group who gathered on February 1st showed that they already possess a large part of these requirements.  

4. We had an animated discussion about the fourth characteristic (self-integrating life), as we tried to embrace the concept individually and collectively.  The coherence we felt throughout the evening allowed us to feel a connection to this larger, transcendent aspect of our experience.

I would also add that having the honour of stewarding individual and collective learning during our gathering was for me a magnificent example of “creating and holding the container” for a group.  At different moments, the container was also held by others, and at times by yet others in turn.

Learning & Education

One of the objectives of the evening (for me, in any case) was to share my passion for the transformation of places and spaces of learning.  I shared my perspective that we can transfer the lessons from the evening into other contexts, especially education.  I think we can all feel the need for such a transformation, whether we’re actively involved in education or not.  The gathering of February 1^st enabled me to touch on this subject with the group.  This felt to me like the beginning of an adventure.

The COURAGE to continue, starting from where we are

I left Wednesday evening with high energy and emotions and especially with an immense gratitude for the life that flows within us, with its self-generating, self-integrating capacities which create nothing less than miracles.  I felt gratitude for the authentic connection, respect and openness people shared, and for the harmony between human beings who want to live well and to thrive together.  And I left encouraged as I heard again and again something that I feel deeply and strongly: we need (and want) to find ways to reinvent our guiding story, together! 

That gives me more than courage to continue; it drives me to dive into this work even further, finding ways to move toward individual and collective thrivability, with all its fabulous divergence!