More than likely we think of a rebellion as a violent act of a mob, bent on overthrowing an established system of authority. “Down with the establishment; burn baby burn!” This was the battle cry of the radicals I admired during my college years. And then my class graduated, entered the real world, and found ourselves in need of jobs. Oh well, time to pivot! Our new focus centered on a plan to work within the establishment to meet the financial needs of our families.
Today I embrace a different rebellion. It centers on resistance in a quiet, solution-oriented collaboration which creates abundance and freedom for the masses. As new research heightens our awareness of the universal, timeless, global elements of our economy, we’re slowly awakening to the truths that our spiritual leaders have proclaimed for eons.Life works when we practice love for one another.
Which brings us to identify the elements of a collaborative rebellion – one that offers hope, opportunity and freedom for everyone. Consider these somewhat surprising elements that characterize this kind of community.
Reading.
Finding books at the top of the list was astonishing to me. Although my husband and I have been involved in financial literacy education for years, I had not deeply considered the role of reading in helping pull people out of failing patterns of thinking and acting.
Just fifteen minutes a day, one book per month will build new neuropathways that lead to better ways of thinking. Through reading, we develop a curriculum of self-directed learning and participate in the greatest conversation the world has ever known. Whenever a community reads the same books, blogs and articles, individual members are drawn into a cohesive collective, capable of thinking through strategies reasonably, rationally and confidently. The resulting bond of trust sets the stage for effective and synchronized group action.
Listening.
This discipline is the audio version of reading, which deploys another of our senses to reinforce the messages gleaned from reading. Lectures, podcasts and audio broadcasts allow us to learn from other readers and thinkers—on the go as we work through daily activities. Many people are auditory learners, who retain information better through listening than through the visual activity of reading. The rhythm and tone of spoken words can make the content more memorable and engaging.
Association.
This discipline is the required social element, making the live connection with the real world of human interactions. Author Jonathan Haidt in his book The Anxious Generation uses the term “embodied play” to describe how children develop the skills needed to function responsibly in adult life.
Embodied play is in person, in your face, bodies touching bodies. A lack of embodied play results in children growing up to be anxious, insecure, ineffective in thinking and faltering in action. Adults need a grown-up version of embodied play in order to bring about desired change – the quiet rebellion that benefits everyone.
Being in the physical presence of positive, honest people, who are also readers and listeners fuels the desire and ability to strive for greater levels of accomplishment. Gazing into a face, shaking a hand, hugging, laughing, posing for group photos—these activities generate positive energy, lifting us above the drag of daily drama and driving us to develop dynamic dreams. Through association, natural leaders rise up and become humble servants who lift others up, eventually causing everyone to see themselves as leaders.
Accountability.
With this discipline the rubber meets the road. Accountability begins with self. Clearly stated goals for (you got it) reading, listening, associating, etc. are tracked daily, weekly or monthly. This provides a clear, visual account of progress or need for course correction. Whenever an accountability culture is created, individuals thrive and community materializes organically.
Gamification.
This discipline optimizes the innate human quest for fun, friendly competition and celebration. The bigger the goals and dreams, the more certain these elements will rise. Modern tools and technology enable us to create and enjoy a gamified life. A vast array of activities and hobbies have been gamified to add incentives, excitement and a heightened sense of accomplishment. Team competition in business is exhilarating and can spur on individual members to work through tough personal trials in pursuit of coveted, collaborative wins.
Passive, Residual Income.
Acquisition of money is the discipline at the center of the quiet rebellion. But in many ways money is only achieved as a side benefit of the other goals. Personal development, wellbeing, fulfillment, satisfaction and time freedom head the list of objectives, always. Residual income is simply the means by which the important goals are achieved. While every economy generates passive residual income for some, the point of the rebellion is to redistribute the flow of income to the masses.
Expansion.
One lone ranger does not make for a rebellion. The discipline of expansion is the blue ribbon reward. All who master the other disciplines unlock in themselves a duty to bring others out of the failed system and find their greatest joy in expanding the quiet rebellion. The thrill of reproducing ourselves is built into every human soul. Building something new, growing something big, leaving a monument of success as a legacy and springboard for future generations is the ultimate drive of every human endeavor.
I circle back to “down with the establishment”.
The economic system of financial and political practices that suppress opportunities for most people will come down, when growing numbers of people embrace the disciplines outlined here. The new community will quietly ignite a flame, and fan it into a refining and purifying fire. The resulting system is pure gold—rebellion at its best. Burn, baby, burn!
One question remains.
Are you in? Are you ready to build a global network of prosperity, abundance and freedom? Those who engage early will build a monument to stand forever. All stragglers will eventually be swept into the current. No one loses. But the builders of this quiet rebellion will always have more fun.
