“The mediocre teacher tells. The good teacher explains. The superior teacher demonstrates. The great teacher inspires.” -- William Arthur Ward

Back in my 20s as a licensed public school teacher, I was mediocre and good on a regular basis. I worked hard to be superior. When I imagine teaching differently in such a classroom setting, I focus on how I would demonstrate first and foremost, explain as necessary, and hopefully inspire in what is a style of apprenticeship. As a edutainer, inspiration is always my goal -- especially as I revise my Theory of Change. For me, it's finding the emotional resonance beyond the logical one. To activate awe not just interest. Today I think I got a bit closer. And was actually surprised to see it mirrored the 3 Step Reciprocity Cycle.

Acknowledge Earth Is Our Home

As some of you may know from my story, "Earth is my home" was one of 2 phrases that kicked started this journey of Earth Archetypes.

So it's been pretty dear to be throughout this process -- even as I learned more and more.

As I got much more exposure to indigenous ways of both my ancestors, those of whose land I live on, and those far away from me. Huge shout out to Robin Wall Kimmerer and Braiding Sweetgrass!

As I found inspiration in Love Languages, relationship coaches, and even erotic blueprints.

As I felt into so many embodiment practices from somatic therapy to dance to walking in barefoot in the grass.

And as a result of all this, I've now been saying for awhile...

"Climate is a relationship."

I may even joke that it's a complicated one like with my biological mother, but still a relationship nonetheless.

Discover Your Earth Archetype

And thus, Who you are matters.

This has been around for a good while too. Just like "Earth is my Home. Arts are my skillset."

But it's definitely taken on nuance over the past 7 years.

Using a whole lotta therapy and trauma informed care to change "What can I do?" to "Who are you?"

And then about a year ago, asking "Ready to stop trying to 'save the planet' and have a relationship with it instead?"

Both of these are all currently at the top of the website homepage.

But I think people get this far, have a couple light bulbs go off, and stop.

Even if they like the quiz (I often hear that the questions themselves get people to come away with a whole new framework because of how they frame ideas)...

It's more of an intellectual exercise than a commitment.

Definitely not an emotion that has the power to override an existential crisis like the climate.

Work Together in Community

And quite frankly, nor should it!

Climate is not an individual issue but about systems and community. After all, it's Fritoj Capra's "Systems View of Life" course that finally gave me the a-ha needed to create the 5 Earth Archetypes (that I had been searching for for a couple years).

So even though my intrinsic motivation was supercharged back in 2016 as I was already asking big, transformative questions, this is not the norm for many people beyond puberty, parenthood, and menopause.

We need to be stretched by what needs doing. I pointed out how brilliant folk like Ayana Elizabeth Johnson, Nina Simons, and more showcase this important element in their own theories of change. Heck, it's even at the core of marketing anything -- "What problem is this solving for?"

But kinda like in marketing, asking these questions is usually related to our jobs -- not our extracurricular time -- which climate is often regulated too. And though this could easy bring us back to the beginning of the cycle "Earth is Our Home//Climate is a Relationship," let's push a little further here first.

Already in the "What is your Earth Archetype?" quiz report, one whole page is dedicated to compatibility with other types. This came directly from relationship advice gurus.

A big part of us working together is allowing diversity of thought, skills, and points of view to enrich the whole -- just like nature does all the time. And this has been rooted in Earth Archetypes since I conceived of "Climate of AWE."

And as my work at the journal Earth Stewardship shows, this work continues to be vital. Self described as a transdisciplinary journal, I'm the only artist on the editorial board, and we had to create a whole subset to tackle how to include anything beyond traditional ecological research.

But through all this, a key piece was missing. One that I've hinted at, written about, and discussed plenty. But for some reason felt shy about formalizing.

The power of friends. Of peer pressure. Of external locus of control. Of the power of characters to be our friends.

After all, what our friends are doing is the #1 motivator in climate action (and voting).

Plus, I've ALWAYS known that the power of Earth Archetypes would only be unleased once we have stories out there. Where the types are put into action in time, place, and situation. In ways that we relate to and connect with. That ignite our imaginations.

So it's time to say it outloud.

And so do our friends!

Basically...

I came to realize that my Theory of Change has been embedded along. Right here in the 3 Step Reciprocity Cycle. However, I need to translate from CTA commands to simple, relational a-has.

Climate is a relationship.

Who you are matters.

And so do our friends!

What do you think? Let me know!