Efficiency versus Meaning

Today's post is a reflection on a keynote address video that I watched by Dr. Bill Thomas who founded "The Green House Project" (TGHP). TGHP (see: www.thegreenhouseproject.org) is a revolutionary living arrangement for the elderly where up to 12 elders live in a home-like environment, cared for by dedicated caregivers (Shahbazzim). Elders are given control of the daily life and allowed to flourish. For all of you with elderly loved ones, you really need to check this project out, and I encourage you to view Dr. Thomas' keynote video. The concept is akin to the L'Arche living model for disabled persons and their caregivers.

Many things struck me a "right" in Dr. Thomas' keynote, but the one that really resonated was his comments around the fight between "efficiency and meaning". Having worked in health care institutions for most of the last 25 years, I understand what he's talking about. In fact, much of the last 25 years in health care has been focused on increasing efficiency and decreasing waste (think Managed Care/Cost programs, etc) to the detriment of providing care. Dr. Thomas was reflecting on the need for efficiency in the average Nursing Home which has to serve many residents with a relatively small number of staff.

He contrasts the search for high efficiency leading to a decrease in meaning for both elders and staff. Meaning here being a spiritual concept that the elders are institutionalized to the point that they actually regress or increase their decline - and their caregivers are never allowed to progress either. TGHP elders and their Shahbazzim, however, show increases in functional capacity and their "developmental potential" (his phrase) is maximized. They find meaning in being given the reins to their elder years and life, and to having meaningful relationships which provide stimulation and love.

I was struck by how our faith communities have opted for efficiency over meaning as well. My own spends an inordinate (in my opinion) amount of time fussing with the budget, and relatively little time focusing on what it means for us to be a community of faith both internally and externally. We're supposed to be intentionally building community, instead we are intentional about building barriers to discipleship - and we aren't the only ones.

Dr. Thomas' words called to something that has been building inside of me - the reason that I created Possibilities Journey, Inc. (www.possjrny.org) I am searching for ways for folks to find meaning in their path towards health, wellness and wholeness. Now I've received an expanded vision that says that all stages of our lives, finding meaning where we are is a key point for finding wholeness.

So follow that link and watch the video keynote. If you're like me, it will give you much food for thought. It also may spark a search for meaning for you.

Peace,
Dan