What is your why

[Website Administrator]

Sometimes it’s easy to lose sight of “why” we do the things that we do. The why behind our actions is so important to remember.

Your “why” is your personal purpose – the underlying reason you do what you do, beyond paychecks or expectations. It motivates you. It is your calling. It helps you to remember your values so that when it comes time to make decisions, you are doing what’s best for you. And it drives you when times get tough.

Think about your values and what motivated you to become a Rural Change Maker.

Share your “Why” in the Forum!

[Website Administrator]

Our Why’s are so many things, but something I noticed as we moved through discussions with change makers is that there is a common element threaded through the heart of change makers whys. That motivation to give. That care for all the reasons shared below in our collective “why’s”.

[Shannon Millar]

Hi everyone!

Reflecting on the question above, I realized that my “Why” is rooted in a few things that have consistently mattered to me: curiosity, authenticity, and compassion. Although these are the three words I chose during our breakout groups, I feel that they do not fully encompass all of the values that are important to me.

To create a more well-rounded representation of my values, I have grouped some of the other values that I hold under these three themes.

Curiosity reflects my desire to learn, explore, and understand the world around me. I have always been drawn to learning about new subjects and understanding the “why” behind the things I encounter, which is why I am a firm believer in the importance of lifelong learning. My education in archaeology, GIS, and museum education, as well as my experiences teaching adults and working and volunteering in museums, have allowed me to explore this curiosity in different ways. They have also reinforced how much I enjoy learning not only for myself, but also helping others discover and engage with new knowledge. Critical thinking is an important part of this for me, as I believe in questioning assumptions, considering different perspectives, examining evidence, and forming my own conclusions rather than simply accepting something at face value. I also value wonder, the ability to appreciate the world with a sense of awe and recognize that there is always more to discover. Additionally, creativity is of high importance to me as it is rooted in imagination. For me, creativity is a way to explore “what if?”.  It allows space for people to experiment, come up with ideas, and express oneself.

Authenticity reflects my desire to live in a way that feels true to who I am and what I value. Integrity and ethics are important to me because I want my actions to reflect my values, my decisions to be thoughtful and responsible and for me to consider the impact those actions have on others. I also value agency, both for myself and for others. I believe people should have the freedom to make meaningful choices about their own lives, have a voice in decisions that affect them, and feel empowered to shape their own path. To me, authenticity means being comfortable enough to be myself while also creating space for others to do the same.

Compassion reflects the importance I place on kindness, empathy, and supporting others. I believe kindness is important because we never truly know what someone else may be going through, and even a small act of understanding or support can make a difference. I try my best to understand other people’s perspectives and experiences, even when they are different from my own, and to offer support to those who need it. Inclusivity is also an important part of compassion for me, but I see it as more than simply creating spaces where people feel welcomed, respected, and able to participate. I want people to be able to enter a space and feel comfortable being who they are without having to hide or change parts of themselves to fit in. I also see accessibility as an important part of inclusivity, and I want to help break down the barriers that can prevent people from participating. To me, that means considering not only physical accessibility, but also visual, auditory, financial, and cognitive accessibility. I also care deeply about environmental stewardship and sustainability. We only have one Earth, and I think we have a responsibility to take care of it, both for ourselves and for future generations. I want to be mindful of the impact we have on the environment and support ways of living and building communities that allow us to enjoy and benefit from the world around us without taking it for granted.

[Alexander Thorne]

My initial ‘why’, is more of a story. The story goes like this.

 

A while ago, I worked for the Ontario Federation of Agriculture. It was a summer Co-op term on the tail-end of finishing my university degree. At the time, I was part of their policy research team.

Before I worked there, I had ideas about how our society worked. It was a pretty serene picture – Bureaucrats, scientists, professionals, and citizens all coming together to decide what is best for our country, and the people within. (I know – very optimistic, right?)

Well, while I was there, like peering through the lock of a door – I learned how the mechanics how the government actually work. And it was nothing like the peaceful image in my head.

Through that keyhole was a world of constant policy battles, debates, working groups, lobbying, wildly competing interests, opposing voices, and large governmental machinations all turning to make a this huge, hulking, slow, and often contradictory machine.

It was scary to see behind the curtain. One of the many things I learned that summer, though, was the importance of local bylaws.

I know what you’re thinking.

“You saw this terrifying machine, and what you took from it was… bylaws?”

And hey! I know that may not sound very flashy – but stick with me here.

I’m telling you, you that these rules affect our live in numerous, tangible ways.

They tell you what you can do, and what you can’t. They tell you what types of buildings can be made, and what can’t. They dictate the businesses you see, the neighbourhoods you live in, and what you’re allowed to do in them.

The best part? You actually have a tangible ability to control and change these rules! This realization got me inspired to get involved in making them

..Where does that happen? Your local city council!

So, that’s where I went. And in my first meeting, I learned  something else about my community. And, as it turns out – most communities in Canada.

Well, the people that hold the keys to the rules of our society….. Well, they… are not a diverse bunch.

 

I was the youngest person in the room, and not just by a little… I’m talking by more than 40 years.

 

Don’t get me wrong – though they may not be diverse, at least most of the folks that show up seem to mean well. They all clearly care about the community in their own way. But the thing is, their values are not everyone’s values. And that’s because not everyone is at the table.

Their values are not the values of people working 3 jobs to making ends meet. They’re not the values of hard-working parents with kids, and a full time job. And they’re definitely not the values of any of our youth, who are completely absent from the conversation.

Just the values of old, wealthy retirees. These are the people that make our decisions. These are often the only people making our decisions. To put that in perspective, that’s less than 16% of my community that make decisions for the rest of the 84%.

The strangest thing of all is that, I don’t even live in an older rural community, like you might expect. I live in what I’d consider a very progressive, relatively young university town. So – how can this be?

Well, when you look at the details, it’s no wonder only retirees show up. The reason for it?

Time.

Parents, are using their time to take care of their kids. Working class people, are working to make a living. Students are struggling to get through their classes, make ends meet, and navigating our complicated world for the first time.

But this isn’t just abstract. Not only that, but the time that city council meetings take place are horrendous.

Most of the meetings take place at 2PM. the ones that don’t, take place at 6PM, once a month, on a Tuesday.

Who (that isn’t a retiree) in their right mind would make a community meeting, that’s supposed to get everyone together, at two in the afternoon, on a weekday?

And for anyone working 9 – 5 with a long commute, how are you going to show up for 6PM after you’ve been working all day?

Anyways, this really lit a fire in me for the importance of showing up in my community. I’m not so sure I even show up for my own sake. I’m outraged that other voices are not at the table.

This is one part of my ‘why’. I want to show up for myself, and for people like me in my community. I want to learn to speak up, and inspire other people my age to show up too!

We don’t deserve to be left out of the conversations taking place in our community. I believe that when we put our voices together, we can make a difference.

 

[Brianna Maltais]

As I grow, my priorities shift. New opportunities emerge, old ones fall away, and each day offers a chance to begin again.

My “why’s” are not fixed. They change as I do, challenged, reshaped, abandoned, rediscovered, and gathered along the way. Some propel me forward; others simply point me in a direction I want to explore.

The ones below are what speak to me today. I don’t think all of them are fully formed “whys” yet. Some feel more like something Im reaching toward, a way of being that is still taking shape.

What calls to me today:

• Vulnerability: Being willing to be seen unapologetically, to show up honestly, embrace what I have to offer, and allow my authentic self to be known.
• Collaboration: Creating with others, learning from others, and bringing people together to build something greater than what any of us could build alone.
• Love: Leading with connection, an open heart, and generosity.

What I want to lean into more:

• Balance: Making space for ambition and rest, giving and receiving, doing and simply being.
• Health: Prioritizing and caring for my body, mind, and energy so I can fully participate in, and fuel, the life I’m creating.
• Self-discipline: Creating more structure around both my short and long term goals, following through on the commitments I make to myself, and holding myself accountable to the targets I set, whether I reach them or not.

[Author]

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