We all work on environmental and social issues everyday.  While we may be dedicated to saving the earth, caring for others, and creating a more sustainable world, the pressure for solutions, action and raising the alarm often removes us from the very feelings, intuitions and impressions that drew us to this work.

How many of us work to preserve the environment, but never get the opportunity to speak with our colleagues about the joy, the pain, the despair or the hope we have for the world?

This is an exercise from Jackie Larkin and Maggie Ziegler, two amazing facilitators who are running a workshop called "The Work that Reconnects".  This exercise can be done with your colleagues, family, friends or volunteer committees as a way of grounding you in the purpose of your work.

With a partner, take turns completing the following sentences.
For each open sentence: The speaker completes the first sentence, taking 2 -3 minutes to speak. The listener gives undivided attention and does not interrupt or respond, even if the speaker is silent for a few moments.  Roles are reversed. Then go on to the second open sentence:

"One thing that brings me joy in this world is...."
(Each partner speaks for 2 to 3 min)

"One thing that causes me pain in this globalized world is....."
(Each partner speaks for 2-3 min)

"When I think about the world we are leaving for the next generation, I feel....."

"What excites me about living in this time of global crisis is...."

After all open sentences have been completed, take a few minutes to discuss with your partner about what it is like to talk about your deeper feelings and how it felt to be heard.  What would it mean to talk about your feelings this way in your daily life?