Heroes Not Zombies

In the French town of Aubigny-sur-Nère I found this phone box. There’s a plaque on the back which tells you that it’s a gift from the people of Haddington, a town near Edinburgh in Scotland.

This phone box has been turned into a free book exchange. You can take any book you’d like to read, and leave any you’d be happy to share with others.

I like the depth this brings to the core value which I think we need more of in this world – connecting.

When it had a phone in it this box was a beacon of connection. It was where anyone in the community could have a conversation with others far away. It brought people closer, enabled them to build and deepen their relationships. It allowed them to find help when they needed it, and to offer help to others.

Now that it’s a book exchange it enables the exchange of ideas, the re-telling of stories, the stories which inspire us, encourage us.

Whether through the telephone or through books this little red box is a symbol of making connections.

And look how deep are the connections in Aubigny-sur-Nère, the town where, in 1295, an alliance was formed between the Scots and the French. An alliance, a friendship, a connection which has existed for so long we call it “The Auld Alliance”. An alliance formed for military reasons, which over the centuries became a deep, and lasting friendship.

Making connections – communicating, sharing, telling stories, describing experiences, building mutually beneficial relationships between diverse and different people. Listening with empathy, listening attentively, listening without judging…..

It’s how we build a better world.