The Optimistic Anthropologist Vol 3

The Openness Equation & Life Sabbatical-ing at Home

November 30, 2017

Volume 3, November 2017View this email in your browser

Happy Last Day of November Changemakers!

A year ago this week, I set out on what I've come to call my

. The first place I visited was the

in the Highlands of Scotland -- a spiritual and eco-community where I spent two weeks in retreat.  Findhorn allowed me to slow down and learn alongside generous and colorful characters interested in a range of topics from spirituality and mindfulness, to the cosmos and our environment, as well as how we connect with and cultivate our own wisdom, our relationships with people, and our communities.

I've been reflecting on how my experience at Findhorn helped me stay connected to my optimism over the last 12 months, in spite of a political climate -- locally, nationally, and internationally -- that I know is having a negative impact on so many people. 

If you are feeling that negative impact, I hope this newsletter provides you with a small bit of joy each month. And if you or your organization or collaboration are in need of a bigger dose of optimism and a

for undertaking qualitative research, emergent learning and continuous improvement, or building your team's problemsolving capacity, I hope that you will

.  And if you are contemplating your own version of a 

I'd love to

, too.

Be well, and do good!

PS  I'll be out West in late December (Phoenix), and early January (San Francisco Bay Area and Los Angeles).  If you're based in one of those metros and want to connect, 

Looking for a great holiday gift for a loved one or yourself?

"Life Sabbatical at Home" launches February 1, 2018 in Washington, DC 

Often a sabbatical is thought of as a period for travel and learning, "time off" from our regular routines. But, what if we could facilitate an experience, create a community, and support one another to build our individual practices of inquiry, reflection, exploration, sharing, joy, and change right here at home? Join Optimistic Anthropology and The Well for Life Sabbatical at Home, a first-of-its kind workshop where we'll aim to do just that over 4 evening sessions in Washington, DC on February 1 & 15, March 1 & 15.Register by December 31, 2017 with code: EarlyBirdSabbatical for 10% off!

The Openness Equation

In the latest article from the

, our Optimistic Anthropology Founder,

, describe the qualities that together create, "the contexts in which we are open to the world [which] allow us to tap into your inner wisdom, our amassed knowledge, and our emotions in expansive ways." 

.

And for those who are interested in this topic, there's also a

that informed

.

Just 3 Things: Recent Resources for the Curious Changemaker Vol. 4

This month's Just Three Things features a four-part podcast series covering the inaugural year of Washington, DC high school serving male students of color, an article that questions why we need a business case to do the right thing, and another that explores the social psychological research that describes the behaviors and power structures that enable men like Harvey Weinstein to perpetrate sexual misconduct. Read it here. 

The Essential Skills of Cross Sector Leadership in SSIR!

Prior to founding Optimistic Anthropology, Alison Gold directed curriculum and the national fellowship program at

.  The Institute recently sunset and also shared a central part of its learning --

-- in the winter issue of the Stanford Social Innovation Review. 

A Wish Inspired by Alison's Camera Roll...

There is a beautiful tree outside my window. When I view it from my desk, its leaves appear like one big mass and this fall, that mass has been turning the most vibrant reds, oranges, and yellows. Earlier this week, the late afternoon light was particularly lovely, so I walked across the street to take a picture of the tree and gained a totally different perspective. Standing closer to it, I could distinguish the texture and varying hues of the individual leaves and see the strong, arched branches that they grow from. I honestly didn’t expect that taking the picture would illustrate a metaphor, but it does seem apt that curiosity allowed me to gain a different perspective and discover and see something new and joyful, quite literally in my own front yard.My wish for you as we head into the final month of 2017: forever stay curious and open to gaining a new perspective. 

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