Climate change, environmental degradation, war, social injustice … these critical times in our lives are stirring up a lot of powerful emotions and feelings in people - anger, anxiety, confusion, guilt, overwhelm, powerlessness, isolation, indifference, ambivalence or hopelessness and more. This is understandable and quite normal. But it can be hard to know how to respond.

The Work that Reconnects is a set of powerful ideas and practices that help to support and mobilise us to reconnect with what is really important, face reality, and to reframe passive hope into active engagement during these troubling times. It was originally developed by eco-philosopher Joanna Macy in the late 1970s for activists, bringing together ideas and practises from deep ecology, systems theory and Buddhism. It is as relevant today as it was then, and has been developed and expanded to reach wider audiences, often under the name “Active Hope”.

When you’re trapped in Business as Usual it’s hard to see outside of it. So through a series of thought provoking explorations about what it might mean to make the transition from an industrial growth society towards a life-sustaining society, people discover aspects of themselves and the rest of life on earth that they had taken for granted or almost forgotten. In remembering these, people become reconnected, more creative and more energised for the work that needs to be done.

The Work that Reconnects:

• Recognises the valuable interconnections in all our lives, with each other, with the rest of nature, and across the world

• Increases awareness of the interconnectedness of climate, environmental, and social issues

• Enables people to move away from overwhelm, self-blame and guilt towards seeing anew the systems that block change

• Increases agency to influence change - from tiny to large - in the many systems of our lives

• Builds more inclusive, trusting and compassionate groups and teams, aligned around a purpose

• Invites courageous conversations that integrate our head, heart and hands, inspiring us and building a sense of Active Hope. .

Based on a Spiral of four stages related to Appreciation, Challenge, Perspective and Action, the Work that Reconnects can be experienced in as little as two hours, or more deeply over a series of short sessions, days, or a long period of time. It can be incorporated into Sustainability Leadership programmes or used in communities. It’s also a way of thinking differently that people can take away and use for themselves and others across all kinds of situations and settings.

If this resonates with you, contact me to explore how the Work that Reconnects can help to build motivation, creativity, courage and resolve, moving people from a sense of isolation and confusion to a sense of participation and purpose.