Culture.

I have been thinking/reading/writing a lot about culture lately and the importance of it in every aspect of life. Everything has a culture, each relationship, each team, each group, each society, each company, each organization has its own unique way of interaction, each its own reality of what is acceptable, what is valued and what determines success.

There are bad cultures that foster oppression and use power to put down subordinates and there are great cultures which foster creativity, personal development, teamwork and innovation.

As I reflect on the culture that I have helped create in my friendships, daily interactions, with my housemates and in group projects, there are some that I am not so proud of and some that are at least decent. In these more personal relationships how much control do we have over the culture of each? My mind automatically places blame and diffuses personal responsibility for the cultures that are not so healthy and takes credit for those which are. But in reality we are each responsible for each culture that we create in every interaction. I think there are a few things here that are important:

1) To define your own personal culture within yourself before entering into relationship with others. Know your own beliefs, values and strengths, as to not be pursuaded to succumb to the concertive control or power from outside sources. As the saying goes "If you don't stand for something, you will fall for anything."

2) Be intentional about the culture you create with other people. Do not misuse power and "Do not do anything out of selfish ambition or conciept." -Phil 2:3

Ultimately, this all comes back to the post I did earlier about LOVE. As Christians we are called to love unconditionally, Agape love. The cultures we create should be ones of love included in this is mutual respect and genuine care for the other person's well-being and development.

What would it look like if company's and organizations adopted this kind of culture? Even further what would it look like if nations adopted this kind of culture? This kind of culture, that kind of love would be revolutionary.

I will end with yet another Mother T. quote.....

"If we really want to conquer the world, we will not be able to do it with bombs or with other weapons of destruction. Let us conquer the world with our love. Let us interweave our lives with bonds of sacrifice and love, and it will be possible for us to conquer the world."

-No Greater Love