Author Archives: Beth Waitkus

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About Beth Waitkus

Connect. Build. Grow! As a consultant, I draw on my experience as the Founder & former Executive Director of the Insight Garden Program (now Land Together) to reimagine how we creatively build organizations, movements, and ecosystems rooted in justice, wellbeing, and connection. All people need is a little time in the garden, or outdoors -- nature teaches us everything we need to know!

Manifest (your) Destiny

Posted on December 13, 2010 by Beth Waitkus

Last weekend, as I sat down in Starbucks in Pt. Richmond, CA, on came a remake of the Chrissie Hind/Pretenders hit song 2000 Miles…”You’ll be back at Christmas time…Diamonds in the snow sparkle…”  Immediately flashed me back to the early … Continue reading →

Posted in Self-Actualization | Leave a comment

The TSA Tussle

Posted on December 9, 2010 by Beth Waitkus

“The means of defense against foreign danger historically have become the instruments of tyranny at home.” (James Madison) The TSA Tussle’s not a new Hip Hop song (though there have been a few poking the airwaves!), or a remake of … Continue reading →

Posted in Community, Foreign Policy, Organization Development | Leave a comment

Thanks for the Gravy (or reflections on cultivating gratitude)

Posted on November 23, 2010 by Beth Waitkus

OK, so the holidays are approaching like a Turkey in heat (is that possible?)  And this year’s been a tough one for a whole lot of folks.  Being someone who always tries to find the silver lining, I very purposefully … Continue reading →

Posted in Associational Life, Community, Gratitude | Leave a comment

Trusting Together

Posted on November 15, 2010 by Beth Waitkus

Lately it seems that the theme of trust is very in my face.  Now and more than ever, in this time of uncertainty and collective media-messaged fear, finding trust in ourselves and each other seems to be in short supply. … Continue reading →

Posted in Associational Life, Community | 1 Comment

The Good News

Posted on November 2, 2010 by Beth Waitkus

I’ve recently been reflecting on ways to reweave the fabric of our community through leadership and citizenship.  Much of my shift in thinking about what makes great leaders and citizens (or citizen leaders) and indeed – sustainable, healthy communities and … Continue reading →

Posted in Associational Life, Citizenship, Community, Environmental Care, Leadership | Leave a comment

“Real” America

Posted on October 25, 2010 by Beth Waitkus

It’s a week before the mid-term elections. During campaigns, I’m always reminded of Sarah Palin’s “Real America” mantra so prevalent during the last presidential campaign. Somehow she positioned folks from the heartland as having one up on the rest of … Continue reading →

Posted in Community, Politics | 1 Comment

Why do I help “criminals”?

Posted on October 19, 2010 by Beth Waitkus

Despite the recent revival of the death penalty controversy here in California and what “those people” must be like behind bars, there are reasons why people like me spend time working with prisoners. Recently our Insight Garden Program co-hosted the … Continue reading →

Posted in Prison Reform/Prisoner Rehabilitation, Uncategorized | Leave a comment

The Power of Plants

Posted on October 11, 2010 by Beth Waitkus

The power of the natural world to transform… Continue reading →

Posted in Gardening as Transformation | 2 Comments