On a group call for the Amplify course last week, we did a two-part co-creative exercise. The first part involved connecting with our sorrow, and the second part was to see the invitation in that sorrow to discover a new place of joy. Then members co-created intentions for the world with the purpose of sharing those intentions publicly – with the hope that we may collectively inspire more positive ripples in the world.

I promised to share on my blog the intentions that people wanted to put out into the world. Every group was free to decide what medium to use to express their intentions, as long as it was something we could capture and share in a digital format.

Here are the intentions that people wanted to share with you. I hope you find this inspiring. 😃

Umbrella of Love

Respectful Co-creation
Nurtured by Love and Connection,
a Möbius strip, no beginning or end,
Embracing both result and process.
An umbrella of Love overarching,
Held aloft aloft by Connection

– Group 2

Healing Ripples

Through healing ourselves and taking personal responsibility for our authentic self-expression, we create ripples that heal the world.

– Group 7

A World of Connectedness

We intend a world of connectedness where everyone feels like a part of a community. A world where there’s freedom of speech and expression. A world where people feel deep empathy, recognize each other’s common humanity and find ways to relate to each other irrespective of their backgrounds. A world where they feel safe and a sense of belonging.

– Group 3: Gianfranco, Benjamin, Sean, Christine, and Ranjana

Waking Up Abundance

To combat indifference, apathy and cruelty in the world, let go of scarcity, wake up to abundance, empathy and the power within you.

– Group 5

Feeling Deeply

Lead by example, in this moment, by being open to have our heart broken today. We’ll be able to feel connected to each other, experience profound joy and create change because we feel deeply.

When you have a powerful enough “why”, you’ll find the “how”. Leave space for infinite how’s.

Additionally, eat ice cream every day!

– Group 1: Ellie, Randy, JR, JQ, Théo, Thorsten

On behalf of Group 1, Ellie sings about being the change you want to see in the world.

Embracing Individual Uniqueness

On behalf of Group 6, Sean shares the intention to connect based on our uniqueness rather than our sameness.

Elevating Empathy and Compassion

Compassion…there is no “other.” We are interconnected…but what’s it like to be the other?

– Group 4

Phil elaborates on Group 4’s intention to elevate empathy and compassion.

Welcome Home

On behalf of the Welcome Home Group (Harriet, Bri, Nessy, Darryl, Artem, and Karine), Darryl shares intentions of belonging, wholeness, nurturing, and healing, encapsulated by the words “Welcome home.”

Celebrating Existence

On behalf of Group 9 (aka “The Dandelions”), Manuel celebrates the fact that we’re alive and that you may contribute a verse to the powerful play of life.

Here’s the poem “O Me! O Life!” that Manuel mentioned in the video.

Oh me! Oh life! of the questions of these recurring,
Of the endless trains of the faithless, of cities fill’d with the foolish,
Of myself forever reproaching myself, (for who more foolish than I, and who more faithless?)
Of eyes that vainly crave the light, of the objects mean, of the struggle ever renew’d,
Of the poor results of all, of the plodding and sordid crowds I see around me,
Of the empty and useless years of the rest, with the rest me intertwined,
The question, O me! so sad, recurring—What good amid these, O me, O life?

Answer.
That you are here—that life exists and identity,
That the powerful play goes on, and you may contribute a verse.

by Walt Whitman (from Leaves of Grass, 1892)

And by the way, Broderick… Walt Whitman isn’t the guy from Breaking Bad. 😉

Here’s an image of a dandelion growing in a sidewalk that Manuel mentioned in the video, drawn by Harriet Knight.

A Community of Higher Selves

Build a community to help us connect to our higher selves. It will require investment from participants (not necessarily money) to join.

– Group 10

On behalf of Group 10, Richad envisions a community of people who want to embrace their higher selves.

Welcome Home – The Song

This exercise has been inspiring some further creative ripples among Amplify members. In particular, Bri Harris felt inspired to write and sing this beautiful song called “Welcome Home,” shared with her permission.

I have a dream
that one day every being
will feel nurtured, loved, accepted, safe
and welcomed on this earth

And they will know
that they are home
and they belong
yeah, they belong

Standing at the mirror
the young girl does not compare
herself to flawless images
or fear judgmental stares

The voice in her own head
is a kind and caring friend, it says
your body is beautiful
your body is your home

Welcome home
welcome home
you belong
Oh you belong

Playing in the yard
the boy falls down and cries
his tears are not a weakness
he ever has to hide

The feelings in his chest
are openly expressed
holding space for his friends,
he makes them feel at home

Welcome home
welcome home
you belong
you belong

Stepping off the plane
in an unfamiliar place
the woman doesn’t recognize
a single face

But the people in the crowd
wrap their loving arms around her
and say—
Welcome home!

Welcome home
Welcome home
You belong
You belong

Walking through the doors
head bowed down in shame
the man is scared he won’t be forgiven
for all of his mistakes

But the world is there
with its heart open wide
ready to heal
and to welcome him home

Welcome home
welcome home
you belong
you belong

Girl or boy
he, she, they or them
No matter your identity
or the color of your skin

You are welcome here
You always fit in
You are home
And you belong

I have a dream
that one day every being
will feel nurtured, loved, accepted, safe
and welcomed on this earth

And we’ll know
This is our home
and we belong
yeah, we belong

Final Thoughts

Even though each group did this exercise independently (in groups of 5-6 people), it’s fascinating that there’s so much commonality in the themes, especially regarding belongingness and welcoming. Several people noted this during the call as well. There was even a suggestion of getting “Welcome home” tattoos.

I wonder how universal this intention is – to create a world where everyone feels like this is truly their home and that they belong here.

It’s interesting how many spiritual beliefs suggest that there’s a better place after this one, or that we came from a better place before this one. What if we intend to make this world the most welcoming place to be, while we’re here right now?