October 2023
Planting seeds to make a better world possible
Dear friends,
I hope you’ve been having a joyful week. Thank you for signing up for this snail-mail newsletter and joining this community of folks who want to make a better world possible!
Last Fall I planted tulip bulbs for the first time in my life, carefully digging a hole in some rocky soil mixed with clay in my front yard. Not exactly the fertile environment the bulbs needed, but a starting place. In March, to my delight, a few of those bulbs started to poke through the soil and eventually turned into stunningly gorgeous tulips. I had to plant seeds in 2022 so that 2023 would be a bit better. I had to plant them with the future in mind, despite the uncertainty of my soil. I simply had to trust that planting seeds would lead to a better tomorrow.
I’m writing this newsletter because I want to build communities that plant seeds today to make a better world tomorrow. In these newsletters, I hope to share fresh perspectives and provide concrete tools to create just and equitable communities and institutions.
I will write and curate this content based on the multiple hats I wear in my community. I am a professor of public health at the University of Michigan where I teach about working collaboratively to create solutions for community issues, examining the historical roots of inequities, and how to build a toolkit for social change. I am a researcher who partners with community-based organizations to address root causes of inequities in their communities. I am a community organizer who engages in activism to create local policy change for a more just and equitable community. I am a parent who desperately wants their kids to live in a world where everyone has the opportunity to thrive.
Here are some key highlights for what you can expect from this monthly newsletter:
Who should read it? Do-ers, leaders, and change-makers in their communities, schools, or workplaces who want to build a better world
How frequent? A new issue will be mailed each month
What type of content? You can expect a different theme or topic for each issue accompanied by three things: (a) a key reflection question, (b) a tool or resource to help you take action, and (c) suggestions for further reading/listening for those who want to dig in more. For some months, I will also invite do-ers and change-makers to write their own stories, tips, and perspectives.
I’m glad to have you as part of this community of folks making a better world possible. Please share my newsletter sign-up link with any other do-ers, leaders, and change-makers who might be interested. Anything you want to share with me? I’d love to hear it. Send me a postcard or letter at P.O. Box 1332, 2075 W. Stadium Blvd, Ann Arbor, MI 48103 or reach out by email: MakingABetterWorldPossible@gmail.com.
Take care and plant seeds for our new world,
Paul
Today’s Key Point:
A better world is possible and this newsletter will curate new perspectives and concrete tools to build the just and equitable communities we all need.
Today’s Reflection Questions:
What are the seeds you are planting in your communities today to make a better world possible for tomorrow?
Which friends could you invite into your change work? (nudge: send them this newsletter!)
What are examples of successful change that have recently happened where you live, work, or play? How was that change able to happen?
Tool/Resource of the Month:
Civilla is a Detroit-based design studio working to reimagine and transform public institutions. They use a 10-3-1-3 framework to guide their change work:
10 years
3 years
1 year
3 months
Civilla describes: “We set goals across each of these timelines…the 10-3-1-3 framework creates a shared purpose for our team and ensures our long-term visions are connected to short-term actions.”
What is your 10 year vision for change in one of your communities? Jot down what you need to do in the next 3 months, 1 year, and 3 years to make that happen.
Inspired reading/listening/viewing: