Sustainability and hot issue. The media are full of it, the government speaks of it in its procurement policy, even with the energy issue is raised and the cutbacks of the cabinet, is not forgotten. But in all these discussions, people are hardly aware that this focus on sustainability often very one-sided and only touches the outside of it. Prof. Herman Wijffels, Professor of Sustainability, emphasizes that sustainability is ultimately about human welfare, that's not something on the doeniveau but at his level. These human inside is often overlooked, even though that is precisely the essence of sustainability.
Have we wondered what happens at his level in a family with the dismissal of the household, for example? What an old woman with a small pension when they experience with heavier loads and lower income is saddled. What goes on in a family that the house is turned off because the charges prove priceless because of the sudden death of the breadwinner? I saw an old woman in a nursing home before her sad gaze. I asked her why she just sat there. She had no family? Yes, but she had asked them not to come because she was ill and needed a rest. Otherwise the grandchildren had asked grandmother what was for them and they had nothing for them.
I spoke with a young woman that her husband had lost by accident when she was pregnant was high. Meanwhile the child was born but the deceased man had only recently been employed and they could not count on a good pension. But until now there was still nothing has been arranged and she went completely. If I see all this, I do not look primarily to the Government and doeniveau, but to the people themselves. Who is actually responsible for this are level? The government or the people themselves?
The government has a certain time in the later development arising as a derivative of the responsibility of people for each other. In a village or in the faith community, near the people themselves made for each other. Later this was better organized and there were bodies. Eventually it became the state. In almost all so-called primitive cultures provide the people together. Also in the Netherlands is not known. During the war, during the flood was not the government that the people helped, but it was the fellow who offered help. They felt responsible for each other. This mutual helpfulness and responsibility for each other is still alive, but becomes weakened because it's more like the duty of the authorities see.
I see in the Bijlmer in Amsterdam how a woman her neighbor's children into his household as their father and mother both in the hospital. I see a friend, a mother of two small children absorb, because her husband by a fatal accident at work died. Here and there we see networks of friendship which managed to alleviate distress. Democracy is not only freedom but also responsibility for each other. That requires a culture change.
Sustainability is not only coping with the natural energy, but also with human energy. In nature, the energy stored by a healthy ecological network which ensures that the consumed energy is constantly replenished. This ecological wealth is increasingly threatened by the irresponsible use of this energy making it increasingly less capable of recovery.
Where we are not aware of is that the people belong to this ecological network and its power to contribute. The people also form a human network, a network of friends, a spiritual network of responsibility for each other. This is also a network of energy, especially mental energy. Also, this network is weakened and ruined by the loss of responsibility for each other. This is due to an overdose of state influence and bureaucracy.
Sustainability also requires that we pay attention to this relationship network of people who are aware that they also share responsibility for each other. Here is not a recipe for finding, and there are no protocols. That is a language which the heart can teach us with his spiritual depth and social responsibility for others.
| Sincerely, Paul de Blot Professor of Business Spirituality Nyenrode Business Universiteit |  |
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Beautiful words, and largely agree. Western society as we take an example to many families we "foreigners" as, where grandparents are not left to their own home and be left, but included in the family. Beautiful, I think. But can I afford it yourself? And my family? I know the answer and I do not need to think about.
Care for each other, but it also means together provide a government that takes care of the whole.
What really nicely written again. And so true! Very nice of you to inspire us all as the seminars and columns. Thanks for this!
Sincerely,
Marjon Parmentier
Dear Paul,
Your inspirational newsletters bring calm, take time to stand still and keep me a mirror. My company is focused on support to families rush hour, on an optimum balance between work and family. Rush hour and are sustainable paradoxical to each other.
By a certain period 'as the rush of a lifetime "to define, is your work and your family unwittingly into overdrive and narrows your scope on the' survival 'of the tropics. From a sustainability perspective, we get more space, we might easily put the brake on our busy schedules and we get even more attention to the needs around us.
Thank you for your reflections and coupling of the concept of sustainability with the family and the relationships within and beyond.
Bye, hope in the autumn the seminar series to take.
Emmeliek Boost
Paul Day,
I'm glad more people are likely to be! I recognize the strength in themselves and in people, but sometimes need another to be able to accommodate you, or you learn to dare to ask for help.
Do you know the existence of Eigen-Force? I am coordinator for this and indeed, for many things and support are loving people who want to help in whatever form, but they need to know where and what to do. Long ago, but now including the Maori people themselves make a plan that works. Not everything is for a government, or his "side-line alpha '/ decisive aid agencies is necessary or desirable. Many people can and want a lot themselves (solve, answer or have ideas about what they would really help), supplemented with (think) help from family and loved ones. Weather discovering disinterested support, help in many creative ways as I do it and I go for! This is another (truly sustainable) interpretation and perspective on society than the economic or legal right-thinking. I hope more people inspired by the newsletters you, it helps me in any case, my own thoughts to share.
Beautiful and true words.
Hi Paul, thanks for your fine contribution,
And the companies?
The network of energy I find a nice metaphor. I agree with you that each of us has his or her take responsibility for maintaining and strengthening the network. The government will Zaal you say a bit, although this is less and less.
I still miss a third party: the organizations and companies. I see it as their not-so-major social task, that they contribute to human energy. This may or through more and better attention to the social energy in those institutions themselves. Currently, I study this phenomenon and you will in the course of the year to hear more of.
I recently attended the second "Henk van Luijk reading" at. Herman Wijffels also emphasized the social responsibility of enterprises. In the lecture he advocated a shift to a "self-sustaining economy" in which companies their original rationale, providing added value that contributes to the development of man and society-will recover.
In short, companies can contribute to tomorrow's network of energy through the social energy within their company to recognize and nurture.
Carry on,
Walter Annink
Hello dear Paul,
How nice to be able to read your article on the way to Sarajevo Kids Festival along with dozens of meaningful work for our neighbors, yet unknown neighbors in Bosnia.
I take the positive, playful and loving heart energy of your words your are happy with me and will be the story of the man sustainable energy, with many international friends.
Hope you get to another humanitarian project it can go as a clown Paul.
Yours
Rik
Nice story. I recognize the actions of my family in this story without beating ourselves on the chest. Despite the fact that we have a severely handicapped child at home and a lovely teenager, our family often a kind of "save house for young people who just can not stay home for several reasons. That does not go through official channels. Through youth care or foster care. That is often too complex. But ordinary care, because that for the kids (a few days or weeks) is best. Why? Because it feels good. And no, we are not believers. Even atheist. We do this because we believe that people are part of a larger, more holistic, system. Of a civilization that is more than your own ego. Nothing more. And challenges that we must accommodate each other with each other to solve. Because on top wait, that does not often
and I do not mean the government.
Dear Mr. Blot,
Beautiful words that touch when you recognize. How can we ensure that more people are touched by these words?
thanks,
Ilse
Good morning Paul,
nice to read that in mind also the sustainability and well-being of a relationship are increasingly being appointed. From the be-ge-leading business transformation processes in humans and I see this intense need creation and see, and I find people who actually go into the relationship. Beautiful!
Involved and this life gives strength to the next step may make.
Thank you for sharing this with more people.
Thanks
Warm Regards,
Karin
Hello Paul
An article aptly, a signal that self-esteem is more important than the values that are judged on who you are or what you do.
We ourselves have 4 foster children, and why. Because we we normally find that those who can should help those who need it.
Sincerely
Han
Dear Paul de Bot,
Silence is necessary to understand that we live in a life in which we live.
Thanks for articulating my feelings.
Anyone who is guilty of the debt to forgive others give me the hope to accelerate the culture change to his level.
Greeting Gate Inigo
Paul Day,
so eloquently expressed! Sustainability is first and foremost about the roots of the system. As long as the ego reigns no sustainability. Thank you for these touching words
Jan Bommerez
Glad to read this column. Indeed when it comes to sustainability, that goes much deeper than the bike suits. These verantwoordlijkheid. Themselves to be responsible and do not require a different take responsibility
Thank you! Dirk Boersma
Dear Mr. De Blot,
Thank you from my whole being for this column.
We forget too often that we humans are indeed part of all life on Mother Earth and that we ourselves and our neighbors, so also durable to handle it. Certainly in this society together-with all speed Internet contacts often we forget our neighbors and we have eyes only for the distant friend.
Thank you.
Margaret Trowel
What a wonderful article to read. Self joined a homeschooling organization. When we have a weekend, it turns out down your thoughts on this weekend. Then I feel surrounded by paradise.
Ina
If you read this article, it tells what happened with our society.
To return to the period that you just stood ready for each other,
but what is more important than was assumed, everyone also again
need to be told about that period. What in education or
beautiful in a project could. Then look again that generation very differently. And the medium of computer and TV would still have to play well Opin.
If the last 1, 2 or 3 generations do not know how the past was, they can and they will not act. The normally find that bodies that stand to take the task.
How ernu stands for and what's coming, do they know broadly.
Then their will be more open to the ready for each other and what you therefore in return. We are apparently still matrialistisch
Dear Paul, Wise words that properly reflect what society together-although again stands for. Together we are stronger, togetherness is good, we are all connected to each other and be aware, awake therefore, is a beautiful development at individual and societal level. Your wise words are supporting. People help each other, support each other and be there for each other. Give energy and invest in relationships, rather than consume out of relationships. Is it now at this point that we will tackle all together?
Dear Paul,
Heartwarming, nice to read that durability is not only the environment around us is concerned but also the wjze and responsibility to each other as humanity, pity that education even more students feed on one-sided knowledge that much work pressure and stress brings about and too little awareness of unity, I remain optimistic changes that take place there, thanks again for the inspiring letter
Sincerely Karin van den Heuvel
I totally agree with you Paul that a greater commitment to each other enables us to contribute to sustainable solutions in a time when increasingly there is alienation, isolation and powerlessness.
But there are also very encouraging developments opposite. I myself recently coordinator Own Strength which implies that when problems arise in a family such a meeting (conference) will be organized where family and friends are invited to think about practical oplossingen.Deze discussion culminates in a plan that oneself to get started. The result of such "conferences" consistently shows to be: a better understanding of each other (instead of alienation), a greater intimacy with each other (instead of the isolation), a belief in their own power (instead of helplessness / dependence).
I see this method as a way to practical way to give content to focus on 'the inside' as you advocated in your column.
Sincerely, Paul van der Lugt
Hello Paul,
Nice that you get shows that in essence is His and that from there you different choices in life makes.
Thank you for your wonderful column that is sure to inspire many again.
Good luck and warm regards,
Theo
Dear Paul. your piece touches the essence of a 'society'. 'Society' means 'living together', with responsibilities and duties towards others, which together with your life. I have many years active in clubs and oddly enough you can see exactly the same reflection.
An association was not so long ago almost the only platform to a hobby, sport or activity to do by working with others, today it is mostly a consumer association "has become. Which one to another (or more often, to the board) look who's going to organize, so that the freedom can be weighed up whether this activity can be organized by others 'consumption'.
Your argument that in hard times people are socially interact, is traced back to the general lack of financial resources that often accompanies these difficult times.
In the club you see the same club members who do not participate in club activities often give very large sums on sports in other parts of the world. Sports, hobbies and a society in society verindividualiseren increasingly as the suit individual financial wealth increases. Not fun, but for the weak who depend on the solidarity in a society it is an unmitigated disaster.
Incidentally, I do not share the view that 'the government' everything but need to arrange. Since the Second World War, government policies, education and social policy strongly oriented to the responsibility on other shoulders.
Look in traffic, cyclists and pedestrians as you can afford everything yourself, because if you hit it is always the "other" to blame. Even in law. My father used to say all good: "When you repeatedly warned that angry bear in the woods and you are going into the woods, you should not bear the bad blame your stupidity to still go into the forest. And the man has increasingly equal, I think. I therefore calls for a resurgence of the concept of 'individual responsibility', accompanied by a concern for the weak, who really can not help them in the particular circumstances have ended. But the ethical dilemma "Where is the line?" Will always remain.
Dear Paul, when everything is said and written, I get to your documents always an experience of depth, and truth lived. Thanks for this. Greeting Nynke
Dear Paul,
Although the tendency also occurs to me regularly to the finger in the direction of (say) the government to designate as I see things go wrong, as the decision to stop the PGB recently, it remains very important to the individual responsibility of people in order to look for each other, to come to stand in, etc.
Instead of "yes but ..." more towards "yes and ..." converge.
Thanks for the inspiring words!
Sincerely,
Bob
Dear Paul, fellow traveler
Beautiful, beautiful, beautiful. You Bloq touches the essence that I feel and that I experience. You have allowed me to see how you can communicate beautifully. By personal. Examples. Down to earth. Personally, I think awareness. An awareness that becoming increasingly manifest. The number of people beginning to see the relationship is growing. Before that I was grateful. Thankful that I, albeit virtual, you have met. A source of knowledge, insight and talent in the transfer of what is happening, and assumes a personality that his position is necessary to contribute to this trend and provide the necessary ideas to carry on. I am grateful that I may live in this time. That I be a part of this time of change where we the next step in our collective consciousness set. And also thankful that I put the challenge is to go take my responsibility in this. Just like you do!
It's not so easy. Sometimes I experience uncertainty, I shudder, I'm afraid and I have doubts. Yet increasingly, more and more, I begin to experience the synchronicity. I meet people, kindred, from which we connect with each individual to make the difference. It is also increasingly clear to me what my contribution can be. I have to pull myself and vervrouwen. I have to stand up, my eyes, ears and heart open to use my talent to my responsibility. From inspiring and servant leadership step I face the world, to turn the tide. Full of confidence despite uncertain economic times. Me to join where the change occurs. Existing new movements to strengthen and support. Both business and leisure, family and friends: as I raised my area, so I feed myself.
Thanks for this beautiful Bloq.
Dear Professor de Blot,
I just read in the Times that the 300,000 dependents care allowance will be abolished. Carers have a larger role. I totally agree with the view that people should show more responsibility for each other, that we should be more sociable to each other. I also think the need for a culture change is needed. This article in the Volkskrant however, I see a beautiful piece of deception. The government cuts in a scandalous manner having regard to the responsibility that people should have for each other. However, that feeling is not there and I see that culture change has not come on stream. There is no way to even more attention. The government throws a bomb without thinking the consequences. A characteristic which I so often see in this government. It may be that more people do for each other emerge when conditions deteriorate, perhaps because they have no choice. Therefore, I think that this is a bad decision. People will now be imposed for a particular behavior. My whole idea is that people themselves should choose, because they have a certain kind of behavior seen as correct. Frankly, I think the current culture of individualism, however, a different behavior will recall, one of more selfishness. Also, I see an important role for an authentic form of religion and spirituality.
Dear Professor de Blot,
Sustainability is another great theme that you give attention to. It is also a theme close to my heart and that in turn excites me to respond. Especially since you also have the responsibility and cultural change concepts used. So I recently been to a lecture by Professor Tim Jackson, a British professor of economics. In his book, 'Prosperity without growth ", he describes how on a finite planet is impossible to endlessly profit and growth. He proposes creating a society that strives with nature as an example to the greatest human happiness. Talk about a cultural change. Personally I think such a shift in our thinking is necessary and there is going to come. When I look at the world around me, I see so much chaos that it is for me like the world is in a liminal phase, a transition phase. Chaos is often a signal that things are changing. The only question is what form that changes will take. Human responsibility and free will, I think it will play a crucial role. But spirituality and religion can be of decisive importance. Specializing in religion and when people really believe something then they go also. The question for me is whether there is currently an authentic form of religion and spirituality that can occupy this position and who sincerely on the necessary changes can respond. If important parts of that spirituality and religion, I see an attitude of compassion, space for a critical attitude towards all human thought and action, interfaith and intercultural cooperation based on equality, the pursuit of long-term developments and efforts to balance the nature around us. In this latter concern, we are rapidly working on the environment around us to destroy. We will really (e) to make choices. I am thinking that God or the Absolute is our free will, which I think we have or can learn to use respects. When we choose the same way to continue destroying the earth then I think that God will support us in this, but when we actually want to choose a different world, one that might be better than the current God will or Absolute us support it.
Sincerely,
Dear Paul, I have column with a "tight throat" read, tested myself and my responsibility taken, by my network of acquaintances and friends, to offer my help. Thank you. Adri
Great to be able to read texts that way. I would like the last, have a slight noncommittal paragraph of Paul want to provide comments. OR There is a recipe and a protocol for these changes to bring about.
It starts with myself, with you, just do it. Set an example, JUST DO GOOD. The effect is the pebble in the pond. Tangible, measurable, very many people who want to see. Not always easy, but certainly feasible, it provides a great energy.
Dear Paul,
Thank you for your wonderful column.
Sincerely, Geertjan Aleven
Dear Paul,
What did you do that again nice and clearly written. Totally agree. For example, it is therefore. The practice is stubborn. In the first place, to make them to live, and it can then also be put into practice with others. That's not easy. Then I notice how far we are off / stand by these principles and how difficult it is to each other in practice.
Sincerely, Theo Country
best Paul, I've ever spoken at a seminar and was impressed by your simple and clear heat. I'm glad your here to read wording of sustainability because yes, we are a time spent with technology, structures, finance and ICT. Everything is now. There is therefore now time for the truly enriching each other and the preservation of relationships?
Sincerely,
Monique