Jörgen van der Sloot
I am perhaps a charter member of the Community For Change we are all creating and a facilitator and coach of collaborative strategy development. I work with organizations who seek breakthrough thinking and I have been actively doing this for the last 15 years. I work to design customized think tanks for clients meant to help them see the world from a future perspective, helps them think of innovative solutions and guides them in taking action on their road to the future. My biggest joy in my work is when I see people are smiling as a result of the process they are engaging in with me.
Jorgen mentions Maria Souza and Morris Pickens in his piece. Maria is a biologist and Morris is a sports psychologist who works with 6-7 professional golfers.
Jorgen, your writing reassures me of the importance of the little bit of extra time I spend each morning asking certain questions to the kindergarteners I intern with. Before diving into schoolwork, I always ask them, "How is your morning going so far? Are you feeling well? Did you eat breakfast?" I think those simple questions help me connect with them on a much more personal and emotional level. That connection may build the bridge leading to greater motivation in their academic efforts as they are reminded they are deeply cared for.
- Amanda
I love when pleasurable, restorative experiences can unintentionally spark a new realization about the world, especially when these experiences involve children and young adults. I have always felt that watching those in their youth navigate through their life can shed light upon very valuable lessons and truths to live by. I think Jorgen so creatively parallels his experience climbing with his son to the mission of making meaningful change in the world.
- Amanda
I love working with children and I love that they are constantly teaching me something, or at least reminding me of a notion I once knew of or habits I used to partake in. It's refreshing. And like you said Jorgen, they don't operate with limitations and they apply what they've learned through failure. I guess as time goes on and life gets more complex and "busy" and risky, I tend to view my world and opportunities with constraints in mind. But this blog reminds me to be more free and bold. Thank you for that, Jorgen.
- Amanda
My best friend from high school has an awesome tattoo on her arm that says "Ask good questions" in a delta symbol which means change (I guess I do remember something from AP Calculus!) Jorgen, your piece reminds me of this truth... that actively asking questions can profoundly lead to collaboration and subsequently even change in one's life.
- Amanda
We like to keep the group for this small and tight, as close connection is our philosophy...With that being said, we just added two longtime friends to the communication flow that for some reason weren't already on the list! Those two people are Jags Walia in the Netherlands and Roger Williams of Brooklyn, NY via Austin, Texas. And here's from Jorgen!
- Amanda
(PIP: Beta #1 60-second thoughts: a group of ten of us are joining to create a writers’ circle of sorts or maybe a ‘bloggers’ circle is more apt… while we do send pieces already which are all residing on the website, we felt that this emerging sense of community in different ways and different degrees among a group of about 260 people might be further fostered by the back beat of more frequent 45-60 second thoughts. Soon I will happily share more of the design elements we will work with to maintain a consistency while providing tremendous freedom for each individual and their uncorrelated thinking and passions and topics and communicating. A first-person bio is at the bottom. Amanda Posa will be leading this effort and perhaps frame these notes for us as she does with this first “beta” from my dear dear friend and long lost brother Jorgen Van der Sloot. Thank you Amanda for your awesome energy. Much more ahead.)
As I have talked to friends and colleagues about life after COVID-19, we seem to agree that yes - what is happening is tragic and traumatic for many - but there also, perhaps surprisingly, positive unintended consequences. The big question seems to be will there be enough of a physiological shift to change things in the long-term? Families cooking and eating dinner together, a heightened appreciation for teachers and healthcare professionals, abnormally clear skies in China with no planes around…thank you, Jorgen, for reminding us all to reflect on what is happening presently, and also meaningfully prepare for what comes next.
-Lauren