CulturalCreatives

Here in the Natural Awakenings office, we’re constantly talking about this community. We get pretty animated discussing what we think you want to see in these pages, for we believe that you’re a lot like us. Let’s see if term "cultural creative" describes how you see yourself.

The term was first coined by sociologist Paul Ray and psychologist Sherry Ruth Anderson in their turn-of-the-millennium book, The Cultural Creatives: How 50 Million People Are Changing the World. Here they describe the quarter of the U.S. adult population now creating a new American culture. So what are we like?

First and foremost we hunger for a deep change in our life that moves in the direction of less stress, more health, lower consumption, more spirituality, more respect for the Earth and the diversity in the species that inhabit her. We may or may not be interested in the arts, but definitely favor a creative approach to life. It’s hard to fit us into one category because we continually evolve in life and lifestyle.

Already we’re redefining the status quo, fashioning new kinds of businesses and nonprofits. We’re driving demand for ecologically sustainable products and services, authenticity and accountability in business and government, public focus on women’s issues, spiritual awareness in daily life and a penchant for seeing the big picture. We trend toward good news.

"We have evidence," writes Ray, "that a typical cultural creative cares intensely about, and is often involved in, half a dozen of these new social and consciousness movements. When you're involved in several movements who do reframing, it changes your whole world view."

Founding 18 characteristics of this group at CulturalCreatives.org, we personally responded with a resounding "Yes" to them all. Still, we’re wary of adhering too closely to any list, or grasping any ideology too tightly. That just creates a new box of separation. We’re glad that while the list denotes some qualities pertinent to many of our readers, it cites others shared by people from wider walks of life—values like loving nature or caring deeply about relationships.

Overall, we believe that you must share our holistic perspective. So many tell us that you read Natural Awakenings cover to cover. Our hearts fill with gratitude for the opportunity to share this diverse magazine with you and positively affect your life and health. It also pleases us enormously to hear that you often pass Natural Awakenings along to friends and family. Thank you.

When it comes down to it, life is all about relationships and meaningful connections isn’t it. That’s why we’re thrilled to share this month’s issue on emotional wellbeing with you. We suspect it will spark an insightful conversation or two with fellow travelers, and we’re eager to observe and appreciate what blossoms as a result.

Together, as a community of cultural creatives (or however you choose to define yourself), we will remain healthy and strong as we valiantly continue to connect, inspire and transform each other, our community and our extended global family.

From Our Hearts to Yours,

Bill & Sara Peterson