Like many analogical thinkers, I find it much easier to stay focused if I am guided by a more general “North Star” vision, and if I imagine the interim goals to get there in terms of an organic metaphor that the subconscious mind can more easily relate to. Here I have created a visual representation of my North Star goal of a worldwide Visionweavers organization that I have conceptualized in terms of tree that first develops strong roots in well-nourished soil before branching out in all directions.

In my mind’s eye, I envisage Visionweavers International as a series of globally-connected, but locally self-organizing networks of like-hearted people, dedicated to re-weaving the fabric of society thread by thread and to restoring the healthy flow of connection, caring and sharing that are the lifeblood of local communities. The organization would achieve this by encouraging diversity, inclusion and the provision of resources, tools and advice that empower people to help themselves, instead of stealing from them with one hand and giving back highly-conditional handouts in a trickle-down fashion with the other.

I am currently in the stage of gradually developing the strong root system that I hope will sustain this vision as it branches outwards and bears fruit in the future.

My mission statement is “a life in flow for a world powered by joy”.

In many ways, I feel that our current society works a bit like the society at the beginning of the children’s film “Monsters Inc.”, where power is generated by harvesting the scream energy that nightmarish monsters capture by scaring the children at night. By the end of the film, however, the owners of the power generation plant have finally understood that they can actually capture more energy by making the children laugh so that they radiate joy instead.

I see this as an analogy for what Barbara Sher always advocated, namely that, if we are allowed to pursue our heart’s desires, the regenerative effect of experiencing joy on a more regular basis, actually provides more life energy and resources for the community in the long term.