Think Globally, Act Locally and Other Quandaries
The phrase ‘think globally, act locally’ has been plastered on T-shirts, bumper stickers, water bottles and beyond. It is utilized as a catch phrase on everything from clean tech projects and small-scale agriculture projects to micro business marketing campaigns and local food distribution. The encouragement to take the planet into account while taking action in local communities is a welcome and holistic paradigm in my mind. That being said, it can be challenging to reconcile internationally- focused work and local community building.
It reminds me of a conversation I had with my late grandfather, whom we called FePaw. FePaw was one of my biggest supporters, even though he didn’t completely understand my working for non-profits and NGOs in Africa and South Asia, he saw that I was purpose driven and appreciated that. He lived in a small town in East Texas and focused a tremendous amount of time, energy and resources to serving his community. He created scholarship funds for kids to go to college, helped develop infrastructure and small businesses and was a committed member of the town Rotary Club. One Christmas, shortly after my first return from Uganda, our entire family was gathered in said small Texas town. FePaw and I were playing a game of rummy, when he looked up at me over his cards and said, “Winter, you know, there are people in Oklahoma that need help too”. Now, I have nothing against the fine folks of Oklahoma—can’t speak for FePaw, that Texas pride runs strong and deep—but his point has stuck with me. I have thought of that conversation many times over the last twelve years.
One of many games of rummy with FePaw
I have made many of my life and nearly all of my career decisions around international work. It has become a deeply ingrained piece of my identity; there are few conversations I have that don’t start with, “where are you off to next?” From a relatively young age, I have felt called to serve in communities much different than my own, and yet I have a deep love and appreciation for the community in which I was raised. A little over two years ago a dear friend of mine and I began a young professional board for a local organization, The Third Way Center[1], to encourage our peers to get involved, learn about board membership and serve our Denver community. I am learning a great deal about how to indeed, think globally and act locally, but I have a long way to go!
How do you serve your purpose, whatever that is, and your local community? I would love to learn from you, how do you pour your energy, love, and resources into you neighborhoods and communities? I look forward to hearing.
Happy Friday~
[1] http://www.thirdwaycenter.org