The Flow Campaign 4/10/2011 Issue 5

4/10/2011-4/16/2011 Issue 5

Community Vitality This week we are focusing on Community Vitality which is the idea that true happiness comes from the connections and relationships we build with the people around us in our homes, our neighborhoods and our work places. Most working adults spend the vast majority of their waking time at the workplace. People who work forty hours a week spend more time with their coworkers than they do with their family and much more time than with their friends. Therefore, it is essential for us to make our work environment community a more pleasant, meaningful place. So what are some actions we can take to make our work places more pleasant and more enjoyable? Here are a few ideas that can transform the experience we have at our workplaces. Firstly, eating is fundamental to the human experience and many people working at full time jobs do not either eat properly or eat with others. Eating with your coworkers is one of the first steps to take to establish and grow a more pleasant work environment. When eating with coworkers I would first start by eating on the work campus when appropriate as this will tie the experience with the workplace. Secondly, get rid of your headphones or other personal devices that separate you from your surroundings. Audio clues are so important to relationships, but body language is even more so. The act of putting on isolating devices sends a strong signal to others that you do not care to interact and that you don’t value the ambient discussions and hubbub of office life. Thirdly, come In to work early. When you are relaxed and rested the day at work is a more pleasant experience as you do not need to be running around and catching up with duties or actions that need to be done. When you have plenty of time every other action becomes easier and with less effort. Also, when you come in early you can spend that time chatting with coworkers, getting the best coffee and of course impressing the boss. Lastly, listen more. Coworkers are starving for attention and if you are a person whom they can talk to about small, and the most important, things they will pay you back in favors, friendship and respect. Recommendations This week’s website recommendation is: Sustainable Industries This week’s book recommendation is: Not On Our Watch by Don Cheadle, John Prendergast Sign up for the weekly newsletter.

Brian Kahn: Getting Back to Our Founding Values Community, Governance, Cultural www.townhallseattle.org Monday, April 11, 2011 | 7:30 – 9pm Seattle for Japan Benefit Community, Material www.seattlegreendrinks.org April 12, 2011 5:30PM - 9PM Jane Fonda, Inspirational Luncheon Community, Culture, Health www.ywcaworks.org April 14, 2011 Noon-1:30PM

Introspection on disaster

Below are thoughts from us at Sustainable Seattle about the disasters in Japan and other areas on the other side of our planet

In two days we are hosting a party. In two days, hundreds more bodies will be found, mothers, fathers, sisters, brothers and friends will learn of a greater loss, or will continue to live in uncertainty. I look in bewilderment and grief at the devastation and wonder what I can do to help. In times like this, it is hard to keep going, and sometimes its really important to stop. Should we stop? Yes - and no. To be mindful of what we are doing now and what we do it the future is key. We continue doing the work to create a better future for all. We stop and rethink so we can learn from the past. We stop for a moment and take an action today to show we care and help those in the midst of destruction. S0- at our event we will give a portion of the proceeds we raise to disaster relief. -- Thoughts from Laura Musikanski

More valuable than donating money is donating ones effort and time, but in a disaster like the one that Japan is continuing to experience, distance and sheer magnitude make this all but impossible. If we care enough to donate money then hopefully we also care enough to stay informed as Japan struggles through and recovers from this tragedy. This means reading beyond the headline stories and understanding the situation as it continues long after public interest dictates that it is removed from TV news and the front page of the paper. -- Thoughts from Andrew Cozin

In the Jewish tradition, the groom at a wedding breaks a glass as a symbolic acknowledgment and reminder that even at the happiest of times there is pain and sadness in the world. I hope that tomorrow's party will have some of that ethos to it: while we celebrating all that's worth celebrating, we must never ignore that there are always people suffering. -- Thoughts from Eldan Goldenberg

My heartfelt condolences to all those suffering both passed and alive. I cannot imagine the devastation they must be feeling and I wish there was more I could do. I guess the best tribute I could give is to honor the foresight and prevention planning that the Japanese nation put into place through sound policies and public political will. We all have a lot to learn and in the wake of this tragedy I hope we open our hearts, show compassion and learn from the actions and strength of the Japanese people.--Thoughts from Nathan Jackson

Japan needs our help

I am in pain with what is happening in Japan after the biggest earthquake in recent recorded history. The quake has been upgraded to a 9.0 on the Richter scale and the damage that has been ripping Japan apart has shown once again that our human endeavors can be wiped out with a wave of nature's hand.

Spend time with your loved ones today. Get back to what really matters and love each other. Tell them, show them your heart while you have them close. We never know what is just around the corner.

So what we need to do is act. We need to work together as humans and help each other. We cannot simply hope for things to get better on their own; we have the ability to reach out and help when disasterer strikes.


The best place to start is with the Red Cross. The Red Cross has a long history of integrity and service to those in need and we would do well to emulate them. Please if you can spare any money, time or blood donate to the Red Cross.





Disaster Update: Family Linking for Japan Earthquake and Tsunami

There are several methods people can use to find information about missing family members. The Red Cross is still unable to accept International Disaster Inquiries for Japan. Please encourage members of your community to utilize the ICRC website and to keep calling and to trying to contact other family members who live in the region. Even though communication networks are overloaded right now, the situation may change and access to mobile networks and the internet may improve.

ICRC Family Links Website Available for Japan
The International Committee of the Red Cross (ICRC), working closely with the Japanese Red Cross, has
launched a special Family Links website to help people seeking to re-establish contact with family
members and friends.

People in Japan and abroad can register on the website to inform their family and friends that they are
safe and provide their current contact details, while those looking for people can check the list for
information. They can also register the names of family members and friends, encouraging them to get in
touch.

The website is at http://www.icrc.org/familylinks.