Overlap 2016 - In Service

(Group photo by Paul Sheetz)

In early June, a group of creatives and changemakers answered a vague invitation to gather in a Minnesota forest. The next few days were full of thought-provoking conversations, honest personal stories, and deep self-reflection. There was laughter, some tears, but most of all a sense of joyful camaraderie amongst kindred spirits. Together, we explored what it means to be "in service", and committed to helping each other find our way (or as Dila proposed, perhaps "there is no way"). 

Striving to improve a world that favours the status quo can be a lonely and challenging path. I'm grateful to have found this supportive community of thought leaders and innovators. Coming away from Overlap, I feel more self-compassion and acceptance that change happens at different timescales. I'm inspired, re-energized, and focused on the journey ahead. 

Thank you Cecily, Chris, and Julie for organizing the gathering, and to all fellow Overlappers for making it an experience to remember. I hope we meet again soon!

Here are moments and conversations captured in sketchnotes:

Talking government and medical device innovation on a lovely walk with Tesia, Marcel, Simon.