Kansas, Iran: Help Harvest A Better World

Minus the machinery, life on the Bucyrus Kansas farm I grew up on was much like life has been around the globe for thousands of years. Transfixed by the events in Iran, it is clear that each of us is a global citizen. At our core of us is a farmer. Each of us is responsible to cultivate the world we live in.

What are you planting, nurturing and harvesting?

Summer Is Harvest Time
With every bite you take from an cucumber (or from any food for that matter) you have participated in a miracle that depends on the delicate balance of the elements. An unexpected heavy rain, and early frost, and infestation of insects can damage or destroy a crop. A farmer's living depends on the whims of the weather. This makes them humble, wise and altruistic. Each one of these qualities is our authentic nature.

As a farmer you know that your survival depends on working together with your neighbors to bring in the bounty of your harvest.

Farmers know that you can't go it alone.

Neither can you or I.

On our farm, the yield of an entire year's work depended on the help of our neighbors. Harvest was a very short window. You could see this every summer when it was time to bale the hay. (Translation: A bale of hay is a 75 pound rectangular 'brick' of dried grasses like alfalfa.) Families from near and far came to help you load all your hay bales into the barn. This was vitally important. If it rained on the hay, it would mold and be ruined. Farm families pitched in to help one another. If one family's hay was ruined while they were helping the others, neighbors pitched to help them through the winter. No big programs. Just neighbors helping neighbors.

The "Give To Live" Gene
Growing up on the land, I got to experience how deeply interconnected we are. Being of service to one another is actually at the core of every human being. Now, science is confirming that we as a species are genetically engineered to be altruistic. Scientist have dug up what they term the "Altruism Gene." The findings report that Volvox carterii, gene may have evolved to suppress certain biological activities in lean times. The report from www.worldscience.net reports: "Several competing theories attempt to solve the puzzle. One is that groups with cooperative members out compete groups with selfish one, and thus spread their niceness."

Kansas, Iran
We are seeing this gene in action. We are seeing the power of this play out on the streets of Iran. The underlying fabric of Kansas and Iran have a great in common. Across the planet we are seeing citizens across the planet do what they can to help Iranians harvest their votes and their human rights. The outpouring of support of the citizens of Iran is monumental. The swath of green is a wonderful signpost for our plant. Just a few examples are : helpiranelection.com, "# iranelection proxy" This is a public resource on how to create proxy sites. This is helping Iranian dissidents. It also gives tips on preventing Green citizens tweets. from being infiltrated and jammed by government officials. The Chinese are helping evade the government crackdown on the Internet: Facebook members are working together to translate and upload video. The list could go on for days and seems to be growing by them moment.

From ME to WE
Events in Iran are another indicator that the paradigm on the planet has shifted- from Me to WE. "Yes WE Did!" elect Barak Obama. The Green Revolution shows us what we can harvest when we come together to assist one another. Since being of service is part of your genetic code, it is natural that it each of us express the innate need to give. In an earlier post I discussed research that shows how helping others leads to enhanced health and emotional well being.

This Summer, Bring the Harvest Home
Many reports state that most Iranian citizens couldn't have even imagined the events ten days ago. The tiny spouts of Green that dared to oppose a repressive regime now blanket the world. This is a movement of the people conducted without much formal structure. What if we harnessed that same power? Imagine if we came together for the common good here at home.

Even though it is July, many Americans are in the midst of a bleak winter. President Obama has called upon all of us, "and I do mean ALL of us." to get involved. The White House, The Huffington Post, Goggle and Craigslist have come together to use the power of social networking to make giving back to our neighbors easy and effective.

As you see the photos from Iran you see that this Green Revolution has engaged people from all walks of life. Garbage collectors, college professors, conservative women and now even the police are working together to take back their rights.

What are you doing to help your neighbors?

The Summer of Service is inviting you and I to do just that. Now, it is easier than ever to get involved. There are so many in such great need. The simple action of holding a baby, combing an elder's hair, or teaching a child to read has the power to transform a life. As events have unfolded in Tehran I have been awed by the creativity and unity of the global community. My prayer is that we continue to nurture that need to serve, and bring that goodness to our neighbors.

I look forward to hearing what you are doing to harvest a better world.

You can receive notice of my blogs every Friday by checking Become a Fan at the top. Ask Eli a question at [e-mail] or go to www.elidavidson.com today.

Eli Davidson is a nationally recognized executive coach and motivational speaker. Her book, "Funky to Fabulous: Surefire Success Stories for the Savvy, Sassy and Swamped", (Oak Grove Publishing) has won three national book awards. Eli is a reinvention catalyst, who can transform your professional and personal life from Funky to Fabulous with her ten, trademarked Turnaround Techniques that create rapid and remarkable results. Check out her blog at http://funkytofabulous.blogspot.com/

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Comments

[KikiAnderson]

The "Give To Live" Gene

LOVE IT

[lafondabrown]

Thats very clever, well done Eli!

Im gonna keep reading about you for sure now Ms Davidson

[johnrothstein]

Eli Davidson...

Very well written, i think that im gonna become a fan for sure :)

[funkycarlos]

"Purchasing local produce is such a wonderful way to help local farmers....and the environment. Buying local produce helps cut the energy comsumption of bringing foods from distant locals"

EXACTLY! Finally someone notices! Great post

[supersallyB]

OH MY GOD!

Great post, I never thought of it like that!

[Jason Mannino - Huffpost Blogger]

Very poignant! Great parallels between life and Kansas and the events of Iran! and I love how you brought forward the emphasis on "we." This is the direction we must be going in on the planet at this time! Thanks for the loving way that you make that so apparent.

Light ahead!
Jason

[Kari Henley - Huffpost Blogger]

Fantastic post, Eli!
I love the creative way you wove your experiences in Kansas and farming to Iran. Farming for votes and pulling together. Very complex issues presented so beautifully.
I will make a mention of this piece in my blog coming out on sunday about "Why we don't volunteer and the "Dare to Care."

We are on the same wavelength!
Take care
KARI

[Moshe]

Thank you for your wonderful post Eli.

Locally, with the help of techniques we learned from Eliot Coleman's work ("Four Season Harvest") we are successfully growing crops year round by choosing the right crops for the right seasons, and using inexpensive homemade mini-green houses to extend the season year round.

And more globally, we are inspired by the work of John Jeavons www.bountifulgardens.org

Bountiful gardens is a non-profit group working globally to help people grow a healthy, organic, sustainable, complete vegetarian diet on very small areas of land with few external resources.

With these techniques, we are now easily producing most of our own fruits and vegetables with plenty to share with neighbors and those who need them.

It's great food, great exercise, great educational opportunities for the children, and a great way to bring together the community. There is no down-side to living closer to the Earth and working with rather than against the natural seasons.

I look forward to more of your posts in the future. Keep up the great work.

Shalom friend.

[Eli Davidson - Huffpost Blogger]

John Jeavons www.bountifulgardens.org can help us live a more sustainable and healthy life.

I know the satisfaction of eating food we have grown.

"It's great food, great exercise, great educational opportunities for the children, and a great way to bring together the community. There is no down-side to living closer to the Earth and working with rather than against the natural seasons."

Bless you!

[Davia King]

So I just commented on Buzzup about what a great reminder your article is on the importance of service. There was a man who commented after me saying, "pitiful bunch of do-gooders, tree hugging LIBS !!!!!!!!!!! WAKE UP!!!!!!!!!!!" I love how he says I need to wake up, obviously this guy has never lifted a finger for another human being before and seen how good that make him feel. Service is an easy test, if you want to find out if it make you feel better and more happy, try it! GO SERVE SOMEONE ELSE! Even Martin Seligman wrote about it in his book, "Authentic Happiness". Check it out, you may be able to use his study in future articles.

[Eli Davidson - Huffpost Blogger]

Dear Davia,
It is so interesting that the topic of serving other human beings brings up negative responses. I noticed that Craig Newmark's column announcing www.allforgood.org had a high ratio of critical comments, This is even before the site is in use.

Yes indeed. f you want to find out if it make you feel better and more happy, try it! GO SERVE SOMEONE ELSE!

PS I love Martin Seligman's larndmark work , "Authentic Happiness".

Love,
Eli

[BitterSpiritualist]

Eli -

"Fridays with Eli", Morrie can have Tuesdays, you are the perfect way to start every weekend. Wonderful as always.

Your story inspires me to give more of what I have to offer. I was writing yesterday on giving for this sites Giving Stories submissions. Being a what's in it for me type of guy, I am finding that I am getting double my investment, an anomaly in todays market. The biggest of all of the many gifts I've received from my giving is owning that I do have gifts to offer in this world. Too long had I been holding back my generosity of self, not out of a miser mentality, but rather I felt I had I nothing of worth to give.

As I step out of the shadows and begin the give from the heart freely, I am realizing how empowering that is; how magical it is to help my fellow brothers and sisters on this planet. The smallest actions can have the most brilliant results. Giving a smile to the people I pass on the street, gives me a skip in my step. Giving a kind word to the homeless man asking for change puts a song in my heart and a smile on his face.

You've inspired me to give more of myself, thank you. As mentioned, I'm doing it for purely selfish reasons - it feels great!

Love,

Brendan
http://bitterspiritualist.blogspot.com/

[Eli Davidson - Huffpost Blogger]

Der Bitter,
What amazing heart and wisdom you share. " As I step out of the shadows and begin the give from the heart freely, I am realizing how empowering that is; how magical it is to help my fellow brothers and sisters on this planet. The smallest actions can have the most brilliant results. Giving a smile to the people I pass on the street, gives me a skip in my step. Giving a kind word to the homeless man asking for change puts a song in my heart and a smile on his face."

I always look forward your comments! Friday's go Better with Bitter!

Love,
Eli

[RBny]

We do the best we can around here, my friends and family start purchasing from local farmers as soon as the farmers markets open, it's what we do!!

[Timmy14]

We do the same and there is always more that can be done. Once a month our family helps an elder with house projects and such. In the winter we adopt a family and provide christmas gifts so the children can wake up and experience the joy of a gift under the tree. That alone makes our Holidays better!

[Eli Davidson - Huffpost Blogger]

Dear Timmy,
Thank you so much for sharing what your family is doing to help harvest the goodness in our world. Your story is so important. If each of us 'adopted' a family, i believe that we could dramatically reduce the 'misery factor' our nation faces.

Your Fan,
Eli

[Eli Davidson - Huffpost Blogger]

Hi There,
Purchasing local produce is such a wonderful way to help local farmers....and the environment. Buying local produce helps cut the energy comsumption of bringing foods from distant locals.

I saw first hand how important local support was in helping families keep their farms.

Thank you!

[Anne Naylor - Huffpost Blogger]

Dear Eli,

Your post is very inspirational and reassuring. We are none of us alone. I do not know abut genetics but I do know that giving however that may be is very rewarding; has been in my experience.

I love that with all the media that we as ordinary people have at our disposal, the world is growing smaller and our voices of care and concern can be heard far and wide. I have the feeling we are moving into an age of beautiful opportunity.

Thank you for the gentle encouragement you offer in your article.

With love and blessings,
Anne

[RBny]

I agree and thank you Eli for another wonderful article!

[fouroclock]

Hmmm, an altruistic gene? To reduce altruism to a biological process is to ignore the spiritual aspect that many Kansans possess. "Do unto others as you would have them do to you" carries much more weight with many Kansans than science. Spirituality or lack of influences human behavior.
I'm a Kansan too.

[Eli Davidson - Huffpost Blogger]

Spirit is at the core of our essence. Science and spirituality contradict one another. Finding scientific findings that back us our goodness is a good thing.

Have a great day...fellow Kansan,
Eli Davidson