Can shoveling be a reflection of your values? YOU BET!
When it starts snowing on our block in Beverly you can feel the energy of an Olympic track race about to start. The runners are crouched at the starting line nervous, excited, focused, and determined. They’ve trained long and hard for this moment and they’re ready. The gold medal here goes to the first person who can suit up and shovel the entire block before anyone else gets outside. The whole sidewalk is a given and then the walkway for the elderly residents or, this week on our block, an exhausted and happy family that just brought home their third baby. My sister in West Virginia even text me saying, “how was the snow blower race on Damen?” Our block isn’t unique in Beverly/Morgan Park as a quick walk reveals block after block of sidewalks cleared in a single strip.
I know, it’s only shoveling but the values driving the behavior are community, connection, empathy, respect for elders, responsibility, and belonging. I get choked up each time and it repeats all winter. The simple act of shoveling.
Jahmal Cole and his power house team at My Block, My Hood, My City know this and are spreading these hopeful, life affirming values all over Chicago’s deserving neighborhoods. Check out the M3 shovel crew at www.formyblock.com to get involved. BAPA (www.bapa.org) knows this and it’s small but mighty team works hard to give residents in Beverly Morgan Park endless opportunities to live, grow and share these values. I am lucky and proud to support both these organizations and I urge you to find the groups that spark something for you. When we’re in alignment with our values, everything just feels right. Now grab a shovel and get out there!
What are your values? What's driving your behavior? To get clear, check out www.consultgo.com
Vice President & Head of North America B2B Commercial Payments Sales
4 年Love it...wise words Maureen Gainer Reilly
I would love to live on your block. Today I learned about dibbs (I don’t even know if it is spelled right) . I was baffled that we had to keep our place instead of helping others by shoveling before the snow becomes ice. I managed to do 3 cars before my wife said I was a hopeless romantic and took out a launch chair and said that was the best way to go about it. Unfortunately, she was wrong. Even with her chair our spot was taken and I said see if everyone had done one or two cars we wouldn’t have to be in this situation. Life in the city is hard cause people make it hard but it doesn’t need to be that way. Tomorrow I’ll do as many cars as possible before I need to get Milo out. Better be a hopeless romantic than a bitter city person with no parking generosity.
Visiting Professor, USF School of Law | Founder & Academic Director, Center for Law, Tech, and Social Good
4 年Love this analogy!