Daring Team Building

Dear Friends of Unity Through Creativity,

The Singing Tree® Project conducted a breakthrough program last month with the Japanese-based automation company Azbil. Azbil brings technological solutions to large-scale building automation challenges such as ventilation and fire detection for skyscrapers. Their work impacts the areas of the seventeen Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) articulated by the United Nations. Azbil desires to bring their technological innovations into harmony with the SDGs, and they turned to Unity Through Creativity to amplify their commitment.

Twenty-six managers, engineers, marketers, and trainers from Japan, Singapore, and the U.S. came together for a three-day team building program entitled “The Science of Creativity and Collaboration”. Azbil’s driving question was “How can AI, iCloud, and wireless technology be used to support the United Nation’s Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs)?” By asking this question, Azbil is a leader in corporate responsibility.

Despite the differences in language, culture, gender, age and different and disciplines within the company, the group created an 8’ x 4 painting in three days called The Azbil Singing Tree® of Innovative Technology Based in Love. They expressed their deepest values and made a shared vision of success by painting the mural. The multi-national corporation made a bold choice to hold a training where the results would be unknown. The practice of “Emergent Wisdom” prepared participants to have increased faith in their own creativity and in the creativity of their colleagues. It strengthened the tools of imagination and solid relationships that are the key to flourishing in a changing world.

The following feedback from some of the participants describes their experiences:

I gained creativity and speaking myself from the workshop. It was the most amazing experience I ever had.

Reiko Kuga, Japan

This training was a sprint of challenge.

Masaru Murakami, Azbil FTC

I am proudest of being able to communicate and relate to many of my colleagues from Japan.

Armen Garabedian, Azbil North America

What stood out to me the most was the inclusive environment, where participants listened to everyone's opinions without excluding anyone, and felt encouraged to actively share their own thoughts. I would like to leverage this experience, as the workshop encouraged taking risks and not being afraid of failure. I will bring these practices to my family.

Takumi Komatsu, Japan

I think my next mission is to continue this workshop and provide an environment where more Azbil employees can participate.

Joe Kaseda, President, Azbil North America

The trunk contains a miniature earth resting in water. The Azbil Singing Tree of Innovative Technology Based in Love reminds us that, when we allow ourselves to be held in the palm of the earth and treasure her heart, we can create a life of abundance for everyone. We can achieve the Sustainable Development Goals, which are ultimately a manifestation of Love for each other and our planet. We are proud to partner with a corporation who is committed to this vision.

Yours for the world we know is possible,

Laurie

Creative Activism: We Steward the Blessingsof Creation with Love

Dear Friends of Unity Through Creativity,

Those of you who have raised children or taught adults know how difficult it is to focus attention on the behavior you want to foster - and how positive the results can be. Focusing on the world we want, envisioning it and making it visible, is the work of Unity Through Creativity. Our approach of Creative Activism includes celebrating Earth Month in El Paso with Eco-El Paso, the Department of Parks and Rec, the Environmental Services Department, the El Paso Zoo and Paso del Norte Trails, all working to focus attention on the joy of living in the Chihuahan Desert. All ages contributed to The Mesquite Party for the Planet Singing Tree. All skill levels were present; all were welcome. The whole world was invited to make a painting together, and these people did.

From left to right Rachel Quintana, Carmen Navar and Fernanda Lugo at the unveiling of the mural at the El Paso Zoo. Rachel, Secretary of Unity Through Creativity, and Fernanda are both Singing Tree Facilitators in-training.  Carmen is a celebrated El Paso Artist whose students contributed to the "Conservation Meets Creativity" show being held throughout the Zoo until August.

Below are details of the mural, which was partially funded by Eco-El Paso and the El Paso Rotary Club. The painting brings attention to the life-giving native mesquite tree, based on one in my neighborhood whose branches form a heart. We honor the bat (upper right) who depends on the agave plant (colorfully portrayed to the right of the mountain lion); the prairie dogs who escaped the Zoo two years ago; the endangered Mexican grey wolf; and the wild yellow poppies that appear every spring. A chakra rainbow encircles the earth as a protective labyrinth.

We are also raising awareness of the need to preserve the 372-acre Rio Bosque wetlands, nurtured for 20 years by the University of Texas in El Paso. A beaver has returned. We honor this sacred land in our painting. The Texas Department of Highways is studying the impact of three proposed new highways by and over the wetlands. Citizens are seeking permanent protection.

The mural will be on display in the Zoo's amphitheater through August.

Training Opportunity

The next Co-Heart of training Singing Tree® Mural Project Facilitators will start with the July 13-15 weekend. This will be hybrid, both in-person in El Paso and online. Artists, activists, and concerned members of local communities will learn how to lead their own the Singing Tree® Murals that address community issues and concerns. If you believe that creativity, collaboration, and compassion are a birthright, this training is for you. You do not have to be an artist. The training includes

• A weekend intensive with me focusing on:

  • designing and executing a Singing Tree®

  • art practices

  • the neurobiology of communication

  • peace literacy skills

• Five months of mentoring while you do your first Singing Tree®

• A 100-page Singing Tree Facilitator Guide

• An invitation to join the worldwide Singing Tree® Facilitators Guild.

We are working with schools, non-profits, government agencies, and corporations—you can too. You can make a difference in the world through the practice of the Singing Tree®.

I end with a quote from Sherri Mitchell in her book, Sacred Instructions: 

“If we hope to create a new reality, we have to shift our emotional energy away from the reality being presented and focus on the reality that we wish to create.”

Dystopian narratives for our future abound right now. Unity Through Creativity invites the story that we CAN collaborate and that it's FUN and BEAUTIFUL.

Please join us,

Laurie and the UTC Team

Life Will Out!

Dear Friends of Unity Through Creativity,

The gathering of loving minds at the Bioneers conference this March in Berkeley, CA was expansive, strengthening and focusing. 50 youth from around the country co-created "The Singing Tree of Reproductive Freedom that Restores Mother Earth"  in 15 hours.   The 8' x 4' mural expressed the collective heartache these caring youth are carrying, stemming from the denial of reproductive freedom, land/habitat destruction, and climate injustice.  They transformed their distress into joyous beauty.

The symbolism of the mural includes a pink tree whose roots form a uterus and fallopian tubes; an angel to guide and protect us in this difficult time; the wisdom of the owl; ten trees connected to a heart in a sacred circle; the female, male and trans signs combined and following the spiral of growth; and the miracle of technology as shown by a satellite. 

One student said: “The information at Bioneers about our environmental challenges is really hard.  Being able to paint together and talk really helped me have hope.”  

Party for the Planet Singing Tree 

This is a work in progress. Thank you to all those who added your vision and voice in El Paso's at the Earth Fair and at the El Paso Zoo. We are happy to have you here.  Stay tuned for the completion of this mural.

May we reach for sustainability in the hot desert climate, like Eco-El Paso Board member Adrian Aniekwena. May you reach for sustainability wherever you find yourself. We are in this together.

With appreciation,

Laurie and the UTC Team