Who and what are you following — and why?

There is so much written about the leaders, leading, and leadership. But most of us, most of the time, are followers. Most of the time, we don’t make decisions and take actions that are the result of our own original and independent reflection and thinking — we simply follow the thinking and the lead of others.

For example, we might pick out our own clothing, but we choose from what others have already designed and marketed, and what we believe to be socially acceptable (as determined by others). We might decide who to vote for, but we choose from among available candidates, most of whom are still white, male, and privileged. We might choose to eat local or use less energy, but those of us in the US live in a country that consumes 5 times more resources than the Earth can support. 

As followers, we may feel that our role is passive. We’re not the one responsible for making the big-impact decisions or making big things happen — we’re just one among many, going with the flow. We may not even recognize that we’re followers, who or what we’re following, or why.

But following is not passive. Following is intentional. Following has consequences. 

I have been suggesting that those of us engaging with the “real world” are following the Conventional Paradigm yet are likely unaware that we do — and that’s a dangerous and unhealthy thing for ourselves, our society, and Nature.

“Unintended consequences are the predictable result of intentional ignorance.”
~ Denise DeLuca, Re-Aligning with Nature | Ecological Thinking for Radical Innovation

I believe that a core problem is that good people — meaning most of us — make choices that have bad, albeit unintended, consequences. We abdicate responsibility for consequences to the leaders. In our western capitalist society, many of the people we make into leaders — people we choose to follow — are driven to accumulate personal wealth and power, regardless of the consequences to people and planet. They lead from the Conventional Paradigm. 

Take a moment to reflect on who you are following, what they value, what paradigm drives their decision-making.  I’m guessing they are not aligned with your values or Nature’s Paradigm, your Natural Paradigm. 

It’s an enormous issue, but you can start by being clear about your own values and begin the journey of (re)aligning with Nature and your Natural Paradigm.  

If you’re curious, I invite you to request your [free] Tiny Transformation Workbook.  

If you want more, please explore the on-demand course Re-Aligning with Nature, Re-Discovering the Power of Your Natural Inspiration, Creativity, and Wisdom 
>>>  Use the coupon code SUMMER-50 to get the course for 50% off, if you register by the end of August.