Shift is Happening: Let The Ripples Begin

It used to be thought that the events that changed the world were things like big bombs, maniac politicians, huge earthquakes, or vast population movements, but it has now been realized that this is a very old-fashioned view held by people totally out of touch with modern thought. The things that change the world, according to Chaos theory, are the tiny things. A butterfly flaps its wings in the Amazonian jungle, and subsequently a storm ravages half of Europe.

~Edward Lorenz

It’s Called The Butterfly Effect

Call it the butterfly effect or simply fundamental ripples of change created in us and consequently in those who encounter us when we are changed by enlightenment, no matter how small. We learn something new or different and we pass it along to others and perhaps they do the same. One bit of knowledge, one bit of change, one ripple, one person at a time. That’s our objective. That’s the “backstory” behind Salon 360° as more fully explained below.

Walking the Talk: Time for Shift to Happen?

Setting the Foundation

The doors to our Salon 360° live Zoom event opened for the first time not long ago with almost four dozen patrons at the table.  Yes, there was apprehension. Yes, there were a few bumps in the road to getting folks to show up, step up, and speak up. And yes —the purveyors of doom & gloom continue to cast stones from the sidelines, just as they did before the Salon doors opened. But we continue to view each stone as simply another brick in the foundation for real change. With each stone comes the reassurance that we’re on the right track as they merely signify an aversion to (real) change. A resistance that forces so many to give up and simply retreat. But not us. And not those who really “get it” when it comes to just how much persistence and strength of conviction it takes for (real) change to occur.

The Ripples of Positive Change Have Begun

Our Salon is a work-in-progress –with zero expectations that everyone will begin “walking the talk” soon thereafter. And as many have said, change must first begin within ourselves. One person, one voice, one positive ripple at a time –glimmers of hope as captured within Salon patron quotes below:

“So what I take from the Salon 360° Zoom gathering is this —I have become too angry, too cynical, and too quick to assume where someone may be coming from.  I think I do a good job of asking questions to sincerely learn, but I can always do better. Seeing the hope in the yesterday and recognizing that I have to work to assume positive intent may open some dialogues that may otherwise not have presented themselves.” ~Carol Anderson

“My biggest take-away is to step outside of the echo chamber with intentionality – to seek out others who do not think, look, believe like I do and bring sincere curiosity in seeking to understand new perspectives without judgement AND invite them into the bigger conversation so we can all learn from one another.” ~Kimberly Davis

“I recently shared an article via this platform that was well received —by this audience. When I shared the same article to a broad (promoted) audience on FB… it was a very different story. As I shared within my breakout group, the vast majority of responses (from this broad FB audience) to my article about racism were quite negative. Based on the encouragement and guidance provided by my new breakout group friends, I started responding to these negative comments. It wasn’t… comfortable… but it was enlightening. Engaging with these folks who clearly did not agree with what I had written allowed me to get a glimpse into their perspectives. I believe it’s important to engage with individuals who don’t share our point of views. If we “seek first to understand…” we will likely be a little more uncomfortable…and more productive.” ~Ric Leutwyler

Help Wanted (Naysayers Need Not Apply)

MORE Fresh Voices: We need more fresh voices from around the globe. We’re not interested in a gathering of like-minded people who already understand and embrace our quest for creating positive ripples of change, but fresh voices sharing fresh perspectives  through their lenses.

MORE Contrarians: We need more folks who are ready to constructively “poke the bear” —those able to disagree without being disagreeable; those willing to actively listen, probe, understand, learn, compromise —with ego, bias, subjectivity, politics, prejudice, polarized opinions, diatribes and all else negative checked at the door. Let’s replace conventional with unconventional ideas, perspectives, solutions.

It matters not your gender, your ethnic or religious background, your orientation, or your social status. Our struggles in this world are similar, and the lessons to overcome those struggles and to move forward — changing ourselves and the world around us — will apply equally to all.

We’re Listening

It’s not our Salon. It belongs to those of you who are ready to show up, step up, and speak up for positive change. Our doors are open to those actually ready to walk the talk and dive deep. Those willing to push back with constructive feedback to make your Salon a worthy investment of time. Your feedback is already changing the way we operate and cooperate:

✅ We’ve increased the frequency of Salon 360° events to keep the conversation focused & flowing.
✅ We’ve expanded each gathering to a full two-hours to allow for deeper diving.
✅ We’re sticking with the same topic until we’ve done it justice.
✅ We’re fine-tuning the Breakout Room question(s) for clarity & focus.
✅ We’re reaching out to (objective) subject matter experts to broaden our perspectives.
✅ We’re reaching out to attract more “fresh voices” worldwide.
✅ We’re we will limit Salon Breakout Rooms to 5 participants each
✅ And responding to those who wish to continue discussions in between our live Zoom Events, we’ve now opened Salon 360° RippleRooms as a complimentary, safe space to be seen, valued, and heard.

Much more to come as our Salon evolution continues. Meanwhile ⤵︎

REGISTER FOR OUR NEXT SALON 360° EVENT HERE

VISIT OUR NEW SALON 360° RIPPLE❀ROOMS HERE