People Helping People

The real definition of power

Recently, for many reasons, I have needed to remind myself that change happens from the ground up. Real change. Not the top-down smoke-and-mirrors promises spouted by officials in suits. Change that affects families and communities in a beneficial way, that meets basic needs and offers practical solutions to everyday problems, the kind of change that sprouts from the hearts and minds of kind, generous, thoughtful individuals. Like you, and me.

Power can be misused, misdirected and mismanaged. Too often those in power have their own agenda which has little to offer the average citizen. It’s essential that we remember the definition of power:

1.     The ability to do something or act in a particular way

2.     The capacity to influence the behaviour of others or the course of events

Power is not inherently good or bad; it’s how someone uses power that makes the difference.

With this in mind, I’ve gathered a few stories for you today to illustrate how power can be used for good, and how change begins with individuals.

At the University of Maine, one of the world’s largest 3D printers is building 600 square foot homes using sawdust from the state’s logging industry. Maine, as is the case for most of the United States, is facing a serious housing shortage. Biohome3D is one of many projects around the world designed to meet the need for affordable housing as quickly as possible. The research team is working towards shortening the build time of the roof, walls and floor from 96 hours to 48 hours per house. A good example of seeing a need and finding the most effective way to address it.

The Lower Sioux Indian Community in Minnesota has found a unique way to address their housing shortage and create an income stream. After several years of research, the community planted 20 acres of hemp to create hempcrete, a concrete-like substance made from mashed hemp, lime and water. Once hardened, hempcrete has good insulation values, is nontoxic and resists mold, fire and pests.

They chose hemp because it grows in poor soil (which is the situation for their reservation), can provide more than one crop per year, sequesters carbon, doesn’t require fertilizer, and has multiple uses including biofuel, animal feed and textiles. It does not have the psychoactive component of cannabis.

Since that first crop, they have planted 100 acres, built two prototype homes and opened a processing plant on the reservation. They can now retrofit existing houses and build new ones for 20% less than normal methods ($171 or less per square foot). All the work is done by community members. Truly a case of neighbours helping neighbours. Their innovative approach has attracted attention from other reservations north and south of the border. Patagonia, the international clothing company, recently completed a short film on their progress as part of the Patagonia Stories Series.

One final story this week is about mothers supporting mothers. A video that went viral on social media has led to women leaving gift cards and other items among diaper boxes in grocery stores. The idea is to brighten the day of a post-partum mother by leaving something special they can use just for themselves. Often mothers put themselves last on the list, making sure everyone else’s needs are being met. This anonymous gift-giving is designed to help mothers feel less alone and isolated. The trend has spiralled across the United States, making a difference in the lives of many mothers.

You see, we don’t have to make grand gestures or huge efforts to change the world. All we need to do is pay attention and take action to meet a need, one person at a time. Whether among your immediate circle or in the broader community, who could use a smile, a helping hand, or a word of encouragement today?

Offer a glimmer and watch the world change. For the better.

Photo: J Wise