A week ago I returned home from South East Asia where I lived one of the most meaningful and enriching experiences. I took part in Designing for Social Innovation + Leadership (DSIL) field course where we unlocked, re-imagined and created solutions to the world’s most daunting challenges and initiated positive systems change.  After studying Sustainable Community Development and working as an industrial designer for several years, the course was the perfect opportunity to apply myself to Human Centered Design.

The whole experience still hasn't quite crystallized yet but what became clear for me was a distinct feeling of belonging and coherence. You know?  When everything about yourself, others and what surrounds you is in perfect harmony.

Beyond that feeling of balance, the greatest and most unexpected realization is that wonderful things happen when one is willing to share.  The more we tell our stories out loud, the more we become ourselves. The more we learn about each other, the more we create inclusive communities. Sharing our stories with those around us keeps us connected.

 

It's a simple concept but an important one. From now on, the quiet person that I am will trade off some active listening for some sharing.