The Thrill of the Chase

Most of us are chasing something; the ideal partner, the best fitting clothes, a new house, the latest music, the perfect wave. There has been much written about the dangers of retail therapy, of our cravings and attachment to material things. Whilst I agree with this general observation I would argue that 'the chase' comes from a good place. It comes from a place where our ancestors chased to find shelter, food, water, and clothes for ourselves and our loved ones. This chase goes on for many still today. It is a place that spawned the diverse cultures that populate the planet, the solutions that supply us with what we need, the satisfaction that gives us purpose to wake each day. It is deep within our DNA. I contend we embrace the chase rather than shun it.

As community development workers and campaigners many of us are angry at the fact that there is enough food on the planet to feed everyone but there is still famine, that we know about the need for environmental sustainability but we still live unsustainably, that people are so wealthy they don't know what to do with it whilst many have none. How do we react to this? We set up goals and objectives, we get people to sign our petitions, we gather our troops for protest and we point to tried and tested solutions. I will not argue the merits for and against this, however, I do suggest that we must take one step further and inspire our brothers and sisters in 'the chase' for social good. The chase is the place where vibrant social movements are born. A chase where we can vision a better future for us all.

To truly empower people, for them to own their own solutions, we can't deliver it to them. We know this but we continue to design community change through logframes and design documents years into the future. What we we must do however is give others a chance to catch a glimpse of positive change. It may only be for a second but once individuals and communities catch that glimpse they will start to follow it, just as many of us chase a new pair of jeans. In doing this we must find ways of inspiring people to follow the path and avoid providing a destination.

We can do this through engaging individuals, groups and communities in creative processes that give them the tools to follow this change to their own destinations. The journey is more emotional than a logical conclusion. We must also combine this chase with an experience that exhilarates, that affirms, that encourages and that does point to real and tangible outcomes for individuals and communities; better health, better education, better nutrition, better well being (even better jeans!). So next time you are tempted to provide someone a solution for change, think more about inspiration and help them catch a glimpse of the place we call Utopia. I have caught my own glimpse and am on the chase, I hope you are too!