Futurism, leadocracy and nanosecond culture were just a few of the big terms and even bigger ideas discussed during the TEDxMileHigh Values & Instincts event at the Ellie Caulkins Opera House on this past Saturday. The annual event welcomed approximately 2,000 curious minds from across the Denver metro area. From more traditional leaders like Roxane White, who serves as chief of staff to Governor John Hickenlooper, to promising stars such as Easton Lachappelle who is tackling the challenges of prosthetics and wireless robotics at the ripe old age of 17, the day did not disappoint.
I participated in the first half of the event and came away inspired, but also a bit numb. In the moment, it all seems possible that “love” is the only “currency” we need to solve our problems both big and small. And sometimes I do experience the realities of “scarcity” in our community that cannot only be solved with “reciprocity” alone. (Yes, this is oversimplifying of few of host Tim O’Neill’s quick references.) So in reality, what are actionable next steps for a committed citizen?
To know and demand more of my government – local, state and federal. To uncover my passions and connect with others who share similar interests, amplifying our collective voice and potentially strengthening our combined impact in the community. To take accountability for my actions and lead by example, knowing the decisions I make for myself and my family have ripple effects across the community.
This conversation comes at an interesting time as I’ve been grappling lately with making the right choices and being a good role model for my young daughter. Roxane White mentioned that her mother implored her never to sit on the sidelines and let something unfair happen. And Jandel Allen-Davis highlighted the chilling fact that all too often our society is more focused on overcoming negative outcomes, rather than addressing the root cause of the issue – in the case of health care, a shift in our national focus toward preventative care would have a far-reaching impact.
So as a daughter, wife, mother, friend and colleague, my commitment to TEDxMileHigh and the community at-large is to eat more quinoa pancakes with serviceberry jam (both foods that thrive in Colorado’s high plains), align my purchases with my values to the best of my ability, continue my volunteer work in support of health prevention programs, and ensure that I am fostering a sense of connectivity in all of my relationships both professional and personal.
Not sure that I can bite off much more than that and I doubt you’ll see me on a TEDx stage any time soon, but hopefully micro changes in my life will continue to make a macro impact on our community. I’m excited to call Colorado home, and also proud of the positive accomplishments and thinking from our state that were part of the conversation on Saturday.
For more about our resident locavore, Kimmie Greene, check out her Real Story on the GroundFloor Media website.
