I think we’re all asking the questions. Is democracy failing? Has our democracy been hacked? How could that happen? What do we do about it? Are there other options? How do we let go of the patriarchy? If we do, can we really thrive in a democracy where everyone gets a say? Well, I’m not about to answer those questions for you. I am going to share something I’ve recently gotten to observe that proves to be a highly functional democracy where I see my little boy thriving every day. Even at home, he is thriving again after several years of struggle and resistance around school and lots of other things, including not getting his way about something he wanted to do that us as parents did not. What he is experiencing at school, he is bringing home and teaching us how to better hear each other’s’ voices and take votes to make choices that best represent the desires of the group, while ensuring everyone’s ideas get recognized. It’s amazing how just being heard eases the realization that it’s not going your way this time, but it might the next time we have ideas and vote. I remember one of the things, Margaret, a student of Makarios Community school, told my husband and me on our first tour of the school. “No one here has any more power or worth than anybody else. That’s why we call the teachers mentors. They might know more about some things because they’ve been around longer, but we are all on the same level. They listen to us and care about our voice. We make the rules together too. Everyone matters, everyone has power, and everyone gets a say.” Jordan and I love seeing this modeled so close to home and are playing with it now in our own home. As we do, there is a natural easing into more trust of our children’s uniqueness and sovereignty. We see the newly researched and proven idea that we as humans are not separate and in competition but connected and cooperative beginning to take root and work for us in our home. What we are experiencing is more peace, more connection, more trust, more cooperation, and a lot more fun! Freedom is our birthright and believing in ourselves as separate and finite beings in competition with one another has cost us our freedom and our ability to thrive as a democracy. I really love the research of Gregg Braden who brings to light the new scientific research regarding our true power, connectivity and the natural tendency to collaborate. I see this sovereignty, connectivity, and collaboration at work every day when I walk into Makarios, and I am grateful to be experiencing more of it in my life, partly as a result. We deserve freedom! Our children deserve freedom too and they, like we the people, are capable of governing themselves. At Makarios, they function under the four agreements, which are stated simply, be impeccable with your word (aka be kind to yourself and others), take nothing personally, make no assumptions, and always do your best. The thing is because everyone has a voice, and the environment is founded on mutual respect and the benefit of the doubt, it totally works! From there everyone proposes and votes on the rules, and they come up with some groovy solutions for perceived problems or things that are not functioning ideally. They all get to think outside the box and be innovative creators of their little reality. They are all thriving as a result. This Thanksgiving, I offered our experience of Makarios as one of my biggest gratitudes, particularly as I see the state of our government that is in shambles. And, I ask you, if this moves you if you are wondering what can you do amidst a world of things that just aren’t working, maybe you would be willing to invest in this thriving community. Because we are One, when we bless others, we bless ourselves. So, if you bless Makarios in any way, whether it’s through intentional prayer and gratitude, just knowing that this exists as an option for humanity and holding it sacred, or by giving financial resources, we all win! Makarios is currently accepting financial donations, which will be matched up to $50,000 by a single donor. So, your financial blessing will be doubled and go toward building playground equipment, giving the amazing mentors a raise (they deserve it!), running the school while keeping tuition costs down, offering scholarships, so Makarios is accessible to everyone, and more.
After all, Makarios, in Greek, means blessed or happy and isn’t that what we all want. To be blessed and happy. So, if you bless Makarios, I trust that your blessing will be returned to you multiplied. Thank you! Kelci Hart Brock is a change artist who is inspired and enlivened by her children, inner and outer, be alive and live a wholehearted life full of fun, freedom and frisky energy! Guided by Mark Twain, she enjoys writing and sharing her journey with others in fun and creative ways. Her recent playful interest includes compiling a book called "Mommy, what's the F~word?", which encourages parents to stop lying to themselves and their kids and start telling the wholehearted truth, in order to build a faith-full foundation of connection, freedom and true+sustainable joy. source: http://info.makariosschool.com/blog/a-highly-functional-democracy Images: http://info.makariosschool.com/blog/a-highly-functional-democracy
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