Desiree Adaway is a visionary, imagining – and working hard to build – a more compassionate world. Though I am only beginning to know her, I’m drawn to her strength and, through reading her writing, to her wide and wise soul. I’m also drawn to her practice – her real life, boots-on-the-ground good work.
We move so fast, and social media has only sped things up. This year, one of my intentions is Sacred Activism – I want to bring my work off the screen – and out of my head – into the real world. That’s where Desiree Adaway is working – through social action. She’s out in her community – supporting and building and strengthening partnerships, mentoring and teaching compassion, calling on her clients in the non-profit world to cultivate courage, integrity, and true community.
For me, Desiree is a warrior for our potential, and hers is the wisdom of social movement, of the sacred activist. I am pleased and proud to introduce her to you today:
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Lessons from a Secret Gardner
I am a gardener. My hands get dirty…I sweat…. for the most part life thrives and blooms around me. I am rooted in the now. I recycle and reuse. Nothing is thrown away. I grow and nurture.
Yet, I have never grown a pepper or pea in my entire life.
I grow community. I grow spirits. I grow souls via the love and power of connection.
Lesson from a Gardner
The benefits of community start with a plot of land(mostly known as home) to many of us and an individual seed ( us humans) that, through proper preparation of the soul, cultivating, and adequate nurturing will create an environment which allows us to grow and blossom into beauty.
Once the roots of respect and love are established this human grows into a healthy, loving being. It will reward us all with a healthy harvest equivalent to the amount of effort we are willing to put into each other .
This is my work.
Investing in others and partnering so they invest in themselves. Working side by side as we prepare to
be loved deeper, be more fully present and connected as we lift each other to greater heights.
The roots go deep.
They touch one another. Together they create a system that feeds and nurture all for the greater good. They are the foundation for the work we do and the people we are meant to become.
In a real community no one is invisible or unworthy
The garden of community is built upon benevolent love. The beauty of communities caring for its members, and sharing its gifts. Feeding and building with one another. The caring about another’s welfare. Nurturing another’s potential. This love is unconditional. It’s not about self-interest. It’s actually about self-acceptance.
Rewards are bountiful in mind, body and spirit. Discovering many mysteries rhythms and patterns we never imagined….perhaps even a purpose, a reason, a “time for all things.”
And always a time for us to bloom and be fully human.
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Desiree is a consultant, strategist, coach, speaker, storyteller and explorer. She uses her superpowers-her voice, sense of adventure and belief in the transformative power of community-to help organizations design programs that create unrestricted revenue, volunteers and advocates.
You can find out more about her at www.desireeadaway.com, or follow her on Twitter at @desireeadaway
{ 8 comments… read them below or add one }
“The garden of community is built upon benevolent love.” Yes, love this, the whole metaphor is wonderful right from the very first sentence.
So glad you like it… I love the metaphor as well and love the thought of strong, healthy communities blooming around the world.
Thank you, Desiree, for your wisdom. I have not grown a pea or a pepper either, but truly admire those who do. Your description of creating community is beautiful, and can be applied to so many situations, first and foremost, in families.
Kim,
Families are the foundation for communities….without strong, healthy families we have no good rich soil from which to grow.
So glad you enjoyed the post.
How grateful I am to meet so many Inspiring and Beautiful women through Amy’s Wisdom Series.
What you do is so meaningful and significant ~ and I have no doubt that who you are is so brilliant that your ability to ignite such positive change is beyond question.
I do think we’re in a place right now that redefining Community and ‘grounding’ it as you have so beautifully in this post will serve us all well going forward.
Thank you for inspiring me today.
Sally,
Thank you so much. I appreciate your kind words . Naming community and reclaiming it in a way that honors and includes everyone is my purpose. The amount of loving care that we nurture in ourselves and each other will prosper, bloom and grow in ways we do not even understand.
Desiree,
“Once the roots of respect and love are established this human grows into a healthy, loving being.”
I’ve been thinking lately how important it is to a human being to know she/he belongs. Thank you for these luscious words that cause me to feel even more deeply rooted here and ready to make a difference.
With love,
Julie
Julie,
Belonging…. belonging … comes from fully BEing and being accepted by others. I feel you need strong roots for that happen. I am so humbled that your response to my post. I appreciate it.