What The World Needs Next: A Global RE-Think Tank

2011 was spent with the Awesome Women Hub National Tour that asked women across the globe the question "What Does The World Need Next" through a RE-Think Tank conversation.  Each city women gathered face to face and virtually to RE-Think the question, RE-Think definitions, and RE-Think there own voice in the world they live in.

From the beginning of the tour, the questions rattled participants.  In DC it was asked "What would you do if you were fearless?"  This simple question required that we redefine the world fear and its opposite of fearless.  I personally witnessed woman after woman have profound spiritual experiences simply by coming face to face with their fears and releasing them.  I know scores of new ventures that have occurred simply because the women who redefined their own concepts through the weekend long conversation that transpired in the RE-Think tank found their voices.  So is that what the world needs next?  To become Fearless?

In NYC, the topic of beauty was ground shaking.  RE-Thinking what beauty is, where it is found, and how it is expressed proved to be just as vital.  Watching women who have never felt that they were beautiful suddenly awaken to their authentic selves and seeing that reflection was life affirming and life transforming.  So is that what the world needs next?  To shed society's definition of beauty?  To discover the true beauty in all people and all things?

In LA, we looked to our ancestors.  What did they leave us for clues about how to transform the world?  Do we honor their lessons?  Their wisdom?  Interestingly, one of the most profound transformations was a woman who had been living in a domestic abuse situation that found courage through the RE-Think tank conversation to stand up and seek help in a shelter.  What an experience for those who were involved to watch and experience as she got up and within hours was in a shelter for abused women.  This from a conversation about honoring ancestors and the lessons they shared through time.  So is that what the world needs next?  To look backwards in order to continue going forward?

In Massachusetts it was time to look to the next generation.  What are we leaving them?  More importantly, what do they want us to leave for them?  College students joined in the RE-Think Tank conversation to share their definitions and hopes for the future.  Some reflecting that no one ever asked them what they saw the future as, let alone what they wished to be left.  Women from 85 to 13 having a conversation about what does the world really need led to cross generational sharing.  Wisdom of the past melding with hopes for the future.  So is this what the world needs next?  To meld the generational wisdom, listen to all parties equally, and communties that honor the elder and respect the future?

In Seattle we the conversation was about how do we step into the world and let our voices shine.  What does that mean?  What is the difference between shining and ego?  RE-Thinking what self worth means and its values.  How does the individual become part of community?  Is community important?  The conversation now expanded to nine countries and almost every state in the US through a virtual LIVE streaming event.  A community of different cultures, different belief structures, and different spiritual paths.  Can that work?  Can everyone come together for an entire weekend without ego, stories, and the pallor of negative emotion?  It did.  So is that what the world needs next?  To let go of constraints built by a society that devalued community?  To come together as individuals; yet, value the shining of each one standing shoulder to shoulder carrying their own unique message for the world?

I don't think that our tour came up with a singular solution that fits all for what the world needs next.  I do know, however, that the RE-Think Tank conversation goes on.  The community remains.  Values, definitions, and ideas redefined.  So perhaps what the world really needs next is a global RE-Think Tank where everyone has equal voice, equal participation, and equal value.

For those who spent the year on the National Team and had the opportunity to participate in these RE-Think Tank's, our lives are forever changed.