Scarcity Language and our Fearful Natures

I was working this week with a friend, a pastor, and while we were working on a joint project we entered into a dialogue on scarcity versus abundance language. We came to this conversation through a reflection on how our collective worldview is colored by the words that are employed. I told him that scarcity language permeates all that we do and that one of the reasons for our fear and our greed (looking out primarily for ourselves and loved ones) is due to this.

Let me illustrate some scarcity versus abundance word pairs and see what reaction you have. "Directive" versus "Dialogue"; "Institution" versus "Habitat"; "Hoard" versus "Share"; "Mine" versus "Ours"; "Competition" versus "Collaboration"; "Fear" versus "Peace". How does the first word "feel" versus the second word? Which feels more inviting - a habitat or an institution? These diametrically opposed words form the basis for our worldview - which words appear more frequently in our current lexicon? Not sure, pick up this morning's newspaper or listen closely to CNN or another program. Write down the scarcity language and the abundance language - which has the longer list?

Nothing in our world will change until we change the language that we use to communicate our views. Pundits decry the loss of civil debate - our ability to listen to opposing views without becoming irate and irrational. Wars are fostered and fueled by scarcity language ("we have to protect our interests"). How does scarcity language affect our health, wellness and wholeness (HW2)? It's not a stretch to say that we're in the state that we're in due in signficant measure to how we've chosen to communicate our needs.

HW2 requires community - right community. Abundant life can only be attained when we operate within the bounds of sharing and collaboration. As long as we dictate to one another what it is that "I" need over what it is that you need, we only widen the chasm between us and deepen the lack of understanding. So, pay attention to the wors that you and others are using. When you speak, use words of abundance - see what the reaction is in yourself and in the person(s) you are addressing. Every word can heal or hurt.

Peace,
Dan