Power Shift 2011 was quite the experience. We reunited with old friends, shared our stories, and initiated thousands of new leaders into a world of organizing. The days following the event were a time to reflect on why this movement, with my generation, is truly the best thing I could possibly be doing right now. It was also a time to reflect on why I've spent the past six months launching Summer of Solutions Oakland -- a program for 24 young change makers to build community and create the green economy this summer.

I wrote this post for all of us. May we continue to find our passions, inspire each other, and become people in whose presence transformation happens. Thank you.

With gratitude,

Mary

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What Being 'Solutionary' Really Means

“Very few people can say they are at exactly the right place, doing exactly what they should be doing. That’s you. Here. Now.”  Bill McKibben, speaking to nearly 10,000 young leaders at Power Shift 2011

Summer of Solutions leaders have this word, Solutionary -- those of us who our talents and passions to create solutions to environmental, social, and economic problems in our communities.  To be Solutionary is about creating solutions. But more importantly, it is about living a life of purpose and playing for change. The key word there is play, because who wants to spend their lives doing something that isn't fun? And we're in it for the long haul.  We play to prove wrong every person who ever said we were not powerful enough to change the world.  

I was introduced to organizing in college. The first time I saw a mountaintop removal site, it shocked me into a new reality. As I looked upon miles of bare, flat, grey land with a weight in my heart and tears in my eyes. I realized I could choose to ignore it, or choose to do something about it.  Some people call this ‘blessed unrest’, or ‘waking up’ -- but ultimately, it’s choosing to engage in your life in a meaningful way. It's choosing to play.

When I first started organizing I had an idea that organizing was like a puzzle. I thought if I could just figure out how all the pieces fit together we would defeat the coal companies, stop mountaintop removal, and then win the game. I thought it was my job to work as hard as I could until we won.

I have now had the privilege of working with young people all over the world who are hospicing the old systems and midwifing new ways of living that honor non-violence, equality, and interconectness. And now more than ever, I more clearly understand how this movement is not about winning the game (however, we’ve got to do that too).

Being a 'Solutionary' is kind of the same as writing, or anything else we put our heart and soul into. I’m reading Bird by Bird: Some Instructions on Writing and Life, by Anne Lamott. She tells her writing students that writing is not about getting published; it’s about writing. One writes because one likes to write, producing a great book is only a result of the time spent writing.   Even in the face of all your self-doubt, fear, boredom, and burn out.  You just show up, do your job, and trust. 

Being Solutionary is not always an ecstatic feeling of marching with thousands in the streets of Copenhagen or Washington DC. It's not always glamourous. There are days when we doubt we’re making a difference, and have the feeling like the world is too out of control.

I sometimes find myself thinking, should I go get a “real” job? Is this really changing anything? And then I hear about the people creating community powered solar, or I watch an inspiring video by SOUL of the City in Oakland.  I feel a little leap of my heart -- that feeling athletes must get right before they make the score that wins the game -- like we can do the impossible, together.

It's not about winning the game; it's about choosing to play. When another person wakes up and chooses to play, we all win.  The puzzle pieces might not actually ever fit together, but we have to keep trying.  We play to find unity and solidarity among people. It’s about playing for a vision we believe in.  But mostly we play because we want to play.

Lastly, we do in fact need to win. We urgently need to succeed to shift our economy, develop clean energy, dismantle systems of oppression, and stop blasting our mountains.  So it’s all about playing a game worth playing, but it’s also deadly serious.  Really, that’s what being a Solutionary is all about.

Mary Shindler

Program Leader, Summer of Solutions Oakland