This week
I recently wrote a blog post about how the growth mindset is destroying us. It’s important to note that growth is not inherently bad. Growth is a natural part of life—the seed grows into a tomato plant, small trees become tall, and babies grow into adult human beings.
The problem we have is the growth imperative that dominates our culture. When growth is precedent, we ignore nuance and think a quality life is only made possible with more—that is, more money, more development, and more production.
A growth imperative looks at nature and people as widgets or cogs in the machine. We become nothing more than producers or consumers, contributors or moochers, growth oriented or fixed.
Part of the reason why we have so many crises in the world—politically, ecologically, and economically—is because the growth mindset has reached its limits. In other words, we are running out of “things” to convert into capital.
To get out of this never-ending exponential growth, we must make room in our modernity for scared or communal ways of living. We can look to and model ancient and indigenous cultures on how to live. This isn’t going back to Stone Age tech of rock and fire; it’s intersecting our modern ways of life with a communal mindset.
The way I have been working with a communal mindset is by closely examining my intentions and actions. For instance, Am I working towards maximizing self-interest? Or, am I intending and acting in service?
Am I using my relationships as means to an end? Or, do I genuinely care about and love the people in my life for who they are? Could I let them be who they are without wanting them to change?
How much is enough for me? What does enough look like? And when I reach “enough”, what can I do to redistribute and share my wealth and abundance?
I encourage you to borrow those questions and give them some meaningful attention and thought. Comment below or reply to this email and share thoughts and ideas about living from a communal mindset.
My recent posts
The Counterculture Approach to Money
When it comes to personal development and money, I have generally seen two approaches: manifesting money and budget culture. In this slideshow, let’s briefly look at both of these approaches and then a third, unrefined approach to money.
Continue reading (micro.blog) or see the slideshow (Instagram)
One of the Worst Questions Ever
Also referred to as, “The question of despair.”
Continue reading (micro.blog) or see the slideshow (Instagram)
Adopt a Growth Communal Mindset
The growth mindset is destroying us. When there’s an imperative to grow, develop, and produce regardless of the cost, we cut ourselves off from the sacredness and beauty of life. We need to change the context.
Continue reading (micro.blog) or see the slideshow (Instagram)
What I’m reading
Climate: A New Story by Charles Eisenstein.
I’m most concerned about the growth mindset’s impact on ecology. Since we are running out of things to convert into capital, and have declining GDP, we are/will ramp up the war against nature. This means we will do everything possible to turn nature into money so we can “live the good life.” This book presents a lot of ideas to get out of the growth paradigm and work in alignment with nature and regain our sacredness.
Climate: A New Story also shows us that focusing on reducing carbon emissions is a focus on treating the symptom and not the underlying cause of the problem. The premise is that our activities to reduce emissions are simultaneously damaging ecosystems, soil, and water. The Author suggests that to create a more beautiful world, we need to have regenerative activities that care for soil and water. We must look upon nature as scared and base our collective decisions from that context.
Real wealth
The etymology of wealth is “weal”, which means “well-being.” Within that context, having real wealth means to feel at home and belong in the world. Contemplate how you already belong. What needs to happen for you to feel or embody this belonging, this real wealth?
p.s. I trust you enjoyed this newsletter. I’m trying out a new format and intend to make this a weekly(ish) newsletter from here on out. Let me know what you think. I always welcome your questions and feedback.