In this project the goal was to make a public action on the streets of Cork city Ireland which raised awareness of a specific global issue. We had to engage creatively with our approach to promoting our values and encouraging people to live as Global Citizens.
My collaborators and I were not sure of which of the many issues that we connected with individually would be best for this collective endeavour. After some time of chatting and offering ideas for topics to work on, I made a suggestion that we make our decision through an alternative process.
What do we feel like doing today? I had noticed that my energy was low and I really didn't want to stand on the street trying to convince people that the impact of global warming was real or that feminism is an imperative for the equitable advancement of the human race. Not today! I did, however, want to sit and drink tea, have a chat and maybe draw a picture. We went around the group each talking for a while about what we felt like doing, trying to be mindful about avoiding the trap of linking the feeling to a specific global cause.
It came about that the common cause for us was connection with self and others. We were sitting around a table and really enjoyed that dynamic; the intimate chat, the tea, the sketching ideas on a communal page watching the project emerge as a result of connecting with and sharing our feelings. It was clear that this format was a preferable way of continuing this work.
I remembered that I had read a book by Depak Chopra a long time ago and was very inspired by the way he articulated neuroplasticity and how mirror neurons work through discussing Kindness. I offered this suggestion of connection with others through the spirit of kindness as a way into clarifying the intention of the project. Karina was very interested in this idea as she had already been working on the subject of learning about Kindness with the children in her project at work. Declan and Nina were also in agreement about developing this idea so we had further clarity through synchronicity.
After that we just had to organise the logistics of setting up a visible and accessible space in town, get the furniture, art supplies and the tea sorted and continue the conversation, inviting others to get involved.
We set up three 8 ft blackboards and provided chalk for people to write and draw about their experiences of Kindness.
People connecting in their own way.
Meeting new people and spending time talking about and thinking about what is kindness? When is that last time I was kind to someone?
People really engaged with this action in a thoughtful and considered way.
