In Right Relationship

 Humanity is an integral part of an interconnected web of life in which there is no real separation. The scale of the human economy matters in relation to the biosphere in which it is embedded. What is more, we are all connected to one another and to all locales of our global collective & civilization. 

 The harmonization of multiple kinds of wealth or “capital” — beyond the conventional financial, material and technological capital to include social/relational capital, cultural, experiential and spiritual capital. These forms of capital rest on the foundation of natural capital and a healthy ecosystem function, upon which all life — inclusive of our human economies — depend. Critically, the whole is only as strong as the weakest link.  

What Darwin actually meant is that: the most “fit” is the one that fits best - the one that is most adaptable to a changing environment. The entrepreneurial dynamism associated with a free enterprise system and the free flow of capital is essential. Yet both must somehow be channeled in a way that is responsive to the changing dynamics and essential needs of systemic health rather than short term individual desires of wants and greed.  

The quality of empowered participation means that all parts must be “in relationship” with the larger whole in ways that not only empower them to negotiate for their own needs but also enable them to add their unique contribution towards the health and well-being of the larger wholes in which they are embedded versus "inclusiveness.”

A Regenerative Economy nurtures healthy and resilient communities and regions, each one uniquely informed by the essence of its individual history and place. Each place must define how the pattern applies based on its own unique contexts. Just as every snowflake looks like a snowflake, every snowflake is also unique.   

 Creativity and abundance flourish synergistically at the “edges” of systems, where the bonds holding the dominant pattern in place are weakest. At those edges the opportunities for innovation and cross-fertilization are the greatest. Working collaboratively across edges – with ongoing learning and development sourced from the diversity that exists – is transformative. 

Economic health depends on robust circulation of money out to all extremities of the system, the robust circulation of accurate information enabled by the internet, and even the circulation of empathy to help raise consciousness. A healthy economic metabolism demands healthy, toxin free material and financial inputs, while disposing of wastes in a way and on a scale that does not undermine the health of the whole. 

Regenerative systems are always engaged in the delicate dance in search of balance. Healthy systems harmonize multiple variables in a unified whole instead of optimizing single ones at the expense of others - it seeks to balance masculine with feminine energy and competition with collaboration. It also balances efficiency and resilience; diversity and coherence; and supports fractal structures that balance small, medium, and large organizations in healthy hierarchy.