-The Meeting-

At a time not unlike this time, the animals, sensing that the world was heading in a direction that was not healthy for them, came together to discuss how to make their collective existence more in line with what they felt was correct. Although the direction was unclear at first, the need was real, the buzz was global, and the animals knew there was something needed to be done.

The stage was set and members arrived. Those is attendance: the Coyote, the Big Bear, the Moose, the Fox, the Cheetah, the Owl, the Turtle, the Giant Tiger Shrimp,  the Deer, the Hare, the Dolphin, the Finch, the Hawk, and the Brain. Others were invited, but they had not yet arrived so the meeting was started without them.

With no clear mission, belief system, monetary expectations, or similar common boundaries, many other animals did not understand or even opposed the idea of having such a meeting because they were used to living within a defined structure… but those who arrived, those who could envision a path, even though they had never walked one quite like it, knew that they were embarking on something entirely new… Something necessary… Something that could change forever the way the jungle treated them. With no walls in which to live, the options were endless… The whole of the Ground was there for them… to provide for them. They need only decide on how to efficiently wield its power for the good of all of animals, not just themselves. Many groups of animals had sprung up for positive and negative reasons in the past. Usually they were in response to another larger and more powerful group of animals… and almost always craving money=power. But this group was to be different. This was a group of ALL animals. This group was not against anything… In contrast, it was FOR most everything. This group was not to change, replace, subvert, underhand, or deface any other group, it would SUPPORT every group who also showed signs of walking a similar path toward a healthy, sustainable local community.

And so began the meeting of Ground.

The first thought raised was by the Turtle, who’s hope was to allow the growth of the group to be slow and not forced.

“Let it grow organically and allow the roots to firmly implant themselves… In this way, the group will never be heavier than its community support structure.”

This raised a valid question of “How do we begin?” To which, the Moose responded,

“This is something that we are, and have been a part of every day, I can’t wait to continue!”

Everyone nodded, but still the lack of structure left a feeling of confusion in the air. The wise Big Bear then asked the question “How do we get others involved and are we ready for that?” The Turtle continued, having done much thinking on the subject…

“This is a community effort on a global scale. We will ALL run and OWN this effort in and for our respective homes, dens, schools, prides, communities, local groups, and houses of worship. We will use the power of global communication to support each other in any way possible without harming or overextending ourselves, and always with each local community being the benefactor. This group is not a way to make money or gain power, it is way to live happily without the inherent control brought about by those things. To answer your question, Big Bear, we lead by example”

Then, the Hawk, who has always been gifted with great vision, spoke up with the first Grounded idea,

“My community does not recycle and I have been delivering my recyclables to the next community. I could begin a recycling effort in my community, but I do not have enough money to purchase the infrastructure needed. Is this something that this group can help support?”

The turtle responded with,

“Yes! We would love to support this effort! But why do you need infrastructure?”

“To deal with the demand of the community”

“Why don’t you just recycle as you have been and offer to do so for your community as well? If you are already doing it, it is very little extra effort and will open the door to other like minded thinkers in your community to do the same. If you have them fill a bin at your nest and deliver it for no compensation, you are not extending yourself beyond your comfort level and you are building trust and belief for something greater than money in your community. I believe that by the time you are overwhelmed by your neighbor’s demand, the same neighbors will help to open up resources to not only reduce the load, but begin to build an infrastructure that is community supported and completely self sustainable.

“I could make custom bins and hang a flyer at the school… How would we make money?”

“The simple answer is, you won’t. By GIVING support to your community, I believe you will gain something higher than 1 world credit.
And so goes the idea of support… Give SUPPORT, not direct money, to the community without expectation of reciprocation, but never extend beyond your comfort, ability, and resources… Support is defined in many ways: labor, love, belief, patronage, recommendation to others for their support, naturally occurring abilities, and sometimes just your arms… because a simple hand will ALWAYS support more than a paper bill.”

With excitement in the air, The Coyote, skilled at seeing beyond the light of day, said to the Turtle,

“So, Turtle, are you the leader of this group?”

And the Turtle said,

“I have ideas and a philosophical vision that I plan to hone and implement for the rest of my time, personally, here in the jungle… I have zero want to run or command anyone… in fact, I would like us all to think very carefully about the infrastructure of this group to minimize or perhaps even eliminate any power that could ever be used negatively or unethically by this group or its leaders. I have already asked the Big Bear for guidance on this very subject and I invite you all to think about it as well.

That being said, I have thought of a basic leadership hierarchy. This is, of course, just my vision and is open for discussion…

We are ALL equal owners.
We develop regional locations around the jungle lead by owners who are all present here: the Dolphin, the Moose, the Hawk, the Deer, and the Fox to start with. They will have complete control over their local Ground. They can organize any effort or support in the name of the Ground Foundation… including rides of the Hare.
I have in my mind a place for the Owl and Big Bear to watch over all aspects of the group to guide with ethics and love as they see fit. I ask you all to respect their wisdom.
There exists a special need for the Cheetah to lead the Hare who, without a watchful eye, can become scattered and counterproductive.
The Brain, Giant Tiger Shrimp, Fox, and the Turtle will be working with global communication to link all of us easily together, as well as to the rest of the jungle.
Once established, I would like to see an educational arm developed to help teach proper community nutrition and health, lead by the Coyote.
The Deer will be a very valuable resource as well, as he has been involved with many community efforts.
The Finch will be our political face and voice… she will sing our song to the world.

Beyond that, I would like this group to, as a single entity, take ownership, and begin discovering and collectively creating the roots for the future of the Ground Foundation.

As for the Turtle, Mr. Coyote, he is not a leader… We ALL ARE. I will simply do what I’ve always done… Move slowly and surely, without waiver, toward my goal. Along the way, I will spread knowledge of Ground and, in any way I can, support Sustainably Ground groups and individuals. With the wind in my face, I will continue to add to, and happily ride with the Hare… and for the rest of my days, I’ll also be sure to organize get-togethers for us all to simply enjoy eachother’s company.”

Then  another Grounded idea was raised by the Hawk.
“How about we look into setting up some free community food gardens”
Then another idea was raised….

To Be Continued…