Category: Narrative
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Collapse Now and Avoid The Rush
“We use these situations either to wake ourselves up or put ourselves to sleep.” Pema Chodron (1996) When Things Fall Apart This short post is largely a personal reflection on barriers that keep us from thinking about the possibility (inevitably?) of social collapse. Unbelievably this is the first post of mine for nearly 9 months!…
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Reconnecting through land-based crafts and skills in socio-ecological systems
Where I reflect back over this weeks two events, the first of our safe-to-fail ‘experimental’ initiative Land Skills for Wellness and Sustainability introducing crafts, skills and nature based learning to students, faculty and staff at UWaterloo for wellness and sustainability benefits. With a bit of complexity and flow theory thrown in. Connecting to the Land…
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Working in Complexity (with another visit to the Schoolhouse)
A few weeks ago I began a course called Complexity Inside Out taught by Chris Corrigan and Caitlin Frost of Harvest Moon Consultants. I have followed Chris’ blog for a few years now on the recommendation of my friend and mentor Ron and the insights he offers to those of us working with complexity and…
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The Schoolhouse in the Woods: An Earth Day Long Read
Happy Earth Day! Despite my best intentions for a monthly long blog this is only my second of 2023! This wasn’t intended as an Earth Day blog, but its seems apt to be publishing this today as a story about connection to place, love of natural landscape through art and community, and renewal. I have…
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Singing My Way Back Home
I’m preparing a Spanish tortilla in my folks kitchen. I can only describe the sounds coming out of my phone as “fluid landscape”. The Reeling by Brighde Chaimbeul, the award-winning young piper from Skye. We had a family holiday on Skye in September 1998 that I will never forget, and the Reelings are bringing back…
James T Jones 