ARE YOU A CULTURAL CREATIVE?

Dear friend,

The term ‘Cultural Creative’ was coined by Paul H. Ray and psychologist Sherry Ruth Anderson who published a book in 2000 titled: The Cultural Creatives: How 50 Million People Are Changing the World. I was so happy when, years ago, my neighbor introduced me to this book. It enlightened me to the idea that I didn’t fit into the author’s definitions of a modernist, a conservative, or a traditionalist. Rather, I fit into the category of “a progressive leading edge thinker”, -a person with a serious focus on spirituality and a strong passion for social and environmental justice and activism.”

According to Ray and Anderson, over one quarter of the population in the U.S. is represented by Culturally Creatives, and Europe is said to have at least 90 million Cultural Creatives!) Many Cultural Creatives, they say, are writers, artists, teachers, musicians, psychotherapists, alternative health care providers, and professionals who have a high need for independence and a low need for conformity.

If you would like to know whether or not you fit the description of a Cultural Creative, I have included 18 statements that Ray and Anderson have complied, to help you decide.

Choose the statements that you agree with.

1. ...I love Nature and am deeply concerned about its destruction 2. ...I am strongly aware of the problems of the whole planet (global warming, destruction of rainforests, overpopulation, lack of ecological sustainability, exploitation of people in poorer countries. I want to see more action on them, such as limiting economic growth 3. ...I would pay more taxes or pay more for organic consumer goods if I could know the money would go to clean up the environment and to stop global warming 4. ...I place a great deal of importance on developing and maintaining my relationships 5. ...I place a lot of value on helping other people and bringing out their unique gifts 6. ...I do volunteering for one or more good causes 7. ...I care intensely about both psychological and spiritual development 8. ...I see spirituality or religion as important in my life, but am concerned about the role of the ‘religious right’ in politics 9. ...I want more equality for women at work, and more women leaders in business and politics. I see the value of reclaiming the feminine half of our humanity which is oriented towards cooperation and relationship building

10. ...I am concerned about violence and abuse of women and children around the world 11. ...I want our politics and government spending to put more emphasis on children's education and well-being, on rebuilding our neighborhoods and communities, and on creating an ecologically sustainable future 12. ...I am unhappy with both the Left and the Right in politics, and want to find a new way that is not in the mushy middle 13. ..I tend to be somewhat optimistic about our future, and I distrust the cynical and pessimistic view that is given by the media 14. ...I want to be involved in creating a new and better way of life in our country 15. ...I am concerned about what the big corporations are doing in the name of making more profits: downsizing, creating environmental problems, and exploiting poorer countries 16. ...I have my finances and spending under control and I’m concerned about overspending 17. ...I dislike all the emphasis in modern culture on success and "making it," on getting and spending, on wealth and luxury goods 18. ...I like people and places that are exotic and foreign, and I like experiencing and learning about other ways of life.

If you agreed with 10 or more of these statements, you are most likely a Cultural Creative! As a Cultural Creative, the mission of Eco-Learning Legacies offers to speak loudly to the concerns you may have about living well, and living whole, in today’s world. So…stay tuned for great educational tools I’ve created, that can support you in proudly “changing the world!”

Have a wonderful day!

Candia Lea Cole

Founder, Eco-Learning Legacies

www.ecointelligenteating.com

www.eco-mentor.com