When you watch the news it sounds like crisis is everywhere. And lord help those who are stuck on Fox News. The barrage of fear must be overwhelming. Here's a suggestion: start watching for stories about solutions and your media algorithms will improve. There's are things going on in the world to be hopeful about.

A huge problem for American culture is the fragmentation and isolation among so many of us. Social media, that was intended to bridge those connections, does more to sow confusion and build barriers. Those barriers are a big part of the reason we've lost touch with the deep connections with community that helps us be most fully human.

An example of the disconnect is the way media - especially social media - extols stories about the former president (both positive and negative), and seems to miss out on much of what the current president is really accomplishing. Biden isn't perfect by any means, but if the media were paying attention we'd all see a lot more positive than negative happening in the White House these days. The stone-casting leaves people with doubt and confusion at a time when pulling together and reweaving our communities is the most important activity we could be doing. What we need are positive solutions. And there really are positive solutions.

When we start looking for solutions, media's a good place to start thinking about them. Have you noticed solutions journalism yet? That doesn't just mean a feel-good story. It tackles the problems we face on deep levels, but also reveals positive aspects and how real people are effectively dealing with things in their own communities.

Yes! Magazine has been my favorite solutions source for a long time. Here's the home page:

And here's an example of approaching solutions differently:

If we look for solutions they're out there. For a few weeks I think it's important to hunt up some of those solutions and share them so Omni folks can join the Solutions Team in tackling the metacrisis. We're just the ones to do that.

If you're looking for an in-depth look at solutions journalism, here's the longer version from the Your Undivided Attention podcast: It's an interview with the founders of an emerging stream that needs to be recognized..

Haven't posted a Community First video for awhile. Here's a very nice one about Brandon, that give the feel of a place where a resident feels safe and welcome. That's what community really is, of course!

Hope you enjoy it. Please share it if you can. It'll make future conversations about homeless people easier.

Welcoming Week NWA kicks off Friday, Sept. 8 with multiple speaker panels, volunteer drives and other family-friendly events highlighting the significance of accessibility, LGBTQ+ identity, immigration and more in making NWA a thriving and inclusive place to live and work.

 You are invited to a double-header concert with

We will celebrate, in words and music,   the release of the printed version 

  of Geoff's book, with photos by Leslie:   Attunements for the Earth 

 Where: Mt. Sequoyah,  at Vesper Point (seating provided)

Admission is free, and all proceeds from the sale of books and CDs will go to the Wild Foundation (wild.org)  which focuses on

  please reply to this email .

Now available in hard and softbound versions at Amazon.com, and as an ebook at Amazon's Kindle store and at geoffoelsner.com

Our planetary climate crisis calls for all possible creative responses. It calls us to turn and tap into the catalyzing intelligence of Nature. Leslie’s and my new book is titled Attunements for the Earth. It includes Leslie’s photographs and my writings. It’s part of our turning, part of our response, and I would greatly appreciate any support you can offer for sharing it with as many people as possible.

Attunements for the Earth is now available on Amazon as an ebook, and in soft and hard bound book form. 

Thank you!

Geoff Oelsner

$25 Amateur: individuals, families, schools, and non-profit organizations

$50 Professional: individual/team who wants to showcase their professional art, design, or craft work

$100 Business: for-profit businesses

The Climate Moment ....

What's happening around the world about climate? Selected moments from the collection of Reevaluation Counseling leader Russ Vernon-Jones and shared by local Omni member Dorothy Marcy

"We humans are meant to be connected to each other and to the earth. When we are disconnected we create grossly unequal societies that harm humans and harm the earth." - (paraphrase of Marama Davidson, female Maori member of the New Zealand Parliament)

Dear Friend,

Have you been toying with the idea of gardening? Growing food and flowers can be part of the climate solution if done regeneratively. And, it’s easy! Learn about the basics of gardening and tips for getting started. 

No matter where you live or how much space you have (even if you live in an apartment), your garden is part of the movement of thousands of individuals across the country (and world!) who are gardening for the climate.

Climate Victory Gardens are having a real impact on the planet.

Check out our Youtube channel for an instant replay!