Let me give you a snapshot about how I found myself in these circumstances. Years ago, I decided to come from out east to see the mountains and the sea, and explore whatever else was willing to reveal itself to me. And when I finally moved to BC 8 years ago, I had an unexpected welcoming committee show me how to proceed.
First, a retired skating coach, with whom I sat on the James Bay seaside in Victoria, affirmed, "People have been coming out west to re-invent themselves for years. You're doing the right thing." He then drew attention to the horizontal strokes in the distance (where the sea met the sky, or the land) and instructed me to focus on these as a channel of peace. “You might need it.”
Later, a businesswoman on the Douglas St. bus explained the intricacies of tree-hugging. "Any tree will do. Even a tree that's been cut down may still have a spirit present. Listen to it. Feel its texture. Press as much of you into that tree as you can.” She drew a single stroke from the top of her head down to her knees. Then she paused a moment before adding, “No humping.”
In a short while, I learned to keep an open heart and mind to the wisdom that people from all over the world were willing to share with me. Over time, I became a good listener, not only about things that would benefit me. Soon, I was getting involved in a variety of issues some of these wise people were discussing. Yet I found that no matter how serious the issue or how great the idea for a solution, the process of communicating change was arduous and often involved untying the knots left by people moving in the opposite direction.
So, that's where I would help - communicating the ideas, making sure the proper message got out to the right people, using the right tools, methods, words. I found a program that taught these principles, and brought people together to work on them and discuss them.
Of the ten steps you are required to take in order to be awarded a Diploma in Public Relations, I am currently in the middle of step 5 and 6.
