We don’t want to talk about it anymore but most agree, things are a bit of a mess right now. Climate wise our collective house is on fire, social and income inequality continues, and food insecurity is rising in our neighbourhoods. Poverty’s measurable impact on health and well-being is also a huge issue.
Much has been written about a higher, more altruistic, calling on a personal level. Volunteering, donating, becoming more engaged. But, few talk of investing in social capital as individuals, as travellers, family members, business owners and employees.
Social capital comes about when there are common goals and a willingness to work together in kindness to reciprocate those actions.
According to philanthropist and social activist, David Lockett, it’s time for Canadians to lead by example and pull together to make transformational change. The economic returns of strong human capital are well recorded, after all. Lockett claims that, it’s not that hard to improve or even save the world, we love so much. As he sees it, “We need people with the minds of business leaders and the hearts of social activists. By investing in local communities, demonstrating shared interests and being able to trust, there are dividends on both sides”
We’re looking for meaning in our lives of plenty. Along with love for our fellow humans, simplicity, locality, connection, scalability and continuity are said to be at the root of all. We’re intrigued by the basic lives of the monks when we visit Tibet and the divinity of the families working together to re-build a neighbour’s barn after a fire in days gone by or supports we share after natural disasters. Might it be time to step out of our glass houses and do something simple, yet profound before it’s too late, suggests Lockett. After all, if we don’t help, who will?
Caroline Tapp-McDougall,
Editor-in-Chief
caroline@bcsgroup.com
