THRIVING TOGETHER

The compassionate mind has empathy and sympathy for those who are in pain or hurting
The compassionate mind is concerned with growth and helping people meet their potential
The compassionate mind is concerned with supporting, healing and listening to what we and others need
The compassionate mind listens and enquires about problems in a kind and friendly way
The compassionate mind is quick to forgive and slow to condemn
The compassionate mind does not attack but seeks to bring healing, repair and union
The compassionate mind recognises that life can be painful and that we are all imperfect beings The compassionate mind does not treat ourselves and others simply as objects with a market value.
Self-worth and self-acceptance are not things that can be earned; they are not conditional or based on fulfilling contracts."
(p.102)

Thriving Together in Regents Park

A poem from Simon

Thriving together
Hiving together
Scurrying around like ants in a hill
Each to their own task
But always willing to share a big load
Always striving for the greater good

What does thriving together mean to you? Here are some responses from participants on the Life Talent Programme 2004/2005...

Where there is belonging without possession
Where there is responsibility without confinement
Where we negotiate our needs as equals
Where affection is never rationed
Where forgiveness heals and cleanses
Where a helping hand appears when you stumble in the dark
Where the door is always left half open
Where pain and torment are not shunned
Where there is always one more chance
Where compassion is never exhausted
Where others'gifts and passions are a source of joy as are our own
Where truth is never compromised

Being/working together interdependently in win-win relationships interpersonally and collectively ... for the individual and collective good.
Part of that supportiveness includes for me challenging each other (or the collective) and times of tensions when new paradigms or other kinds of changes are needing to emerge as part of individual and/or collective growth.

The time when this concept fell into place for me was when you talked about "thriving together" at a personal systemic level. In other words, when all parts of oneself thrive together rather than stay in conflict with aspects of self being suppressed, denied or ignored. Thriving together is a form of congruence for me.
That each individual within a group can fully express themselves, be authentic and continue to grow as they need to whilst being fully supported by the rest of the group - and vice versa, fully respecting and supporting the thriving of others - and the energy of all these individuals thriving, somehow gives the group a greater momentum and energy that wouldn't exist without the individuals fully thriving.

team work - working together - helping each other to be the best they can/reach their potential - be more present and contribute more..

Interesting - I found 'thrive' in a big edition of the Oxford English and it actually comes from the old Norse - I thought it was an old word - it has that earthiness about it. When I think of thriving I think of lively kids, and green shoots, shiny smiling faces, healthy communities with people laughing, dancing, singing, young men wrestling, little pigs running around and squealing and getting under everyone's feet, kids running in and out of people's houses, it not mattering whose house you go into, simple food being shared - a bit of a cross between a medieval village, a commune, a kibbutz perhaps. People being loved and forgiven for their foibles but also being told if they are being stupid, or stopped if they are hurting someone.
Engagement between people. Love of life.

Paul Stoney, founder and director of 'Thriving Together'