The Process is our Purpose

Around here, the process is the purpose.

In an era obsessed with worshipping efficiency, optimization, and productivity, we think it's worth pausing to ask an overlooked question- FOR WHAT?

To what end do humans benefit when a hard process passes us by?

As a community, our intention has been to restore a space AND learn as much as we can with as many people as possible through the process. Sure, in the end, we all get to sit in hot water, but it feels so much better with dirty hands, achy backs, muddy feet, and a lot of painful lessons under the belt.

Product efficiency rarely has time to build people through the process.

The addictive allure and illusion of more progress that is increasingly faster, cheaper, leaner etc... is a hack that will betray us in the end.

What's the point of arriving if you don't recall the journey?

This past week, during our project closure, we hosted an international humanitarian NGO @choiceorg for its annual leadership training. Together, we explored the power of community development at home and abroad and trusted a timeless truth -

Building people through projects IS THE PURPOSE.

We planted nearly 40 trees and tended to all of our annual tasks of staining, cleaning, and preparing for a Summer season of rest.

Could we have hired an excavator to dig holes in seconds instead of battling wet soil together in hours?

Probably. But a planted tree is not our product. So what is then? 30 strangers leaving as friends with stories, laughs, new experiences, new blisters, and new memories that will forever tell their grandkids that THEY planted the tree decades ago that gives shade today and for generations to come.

The process is our purpose.

And guess what? We still have about 10 trees left and its not too late to join our Earth Week tree planting and soak w/ @treeutah on Easter Sunday! Snag a family or friend and come leave your footprint on the land with us, one tree at a time. Sign up in our calendar or profile.

Thanks to the CHOICE Humanitarian community for planting more than trees around the world at a time when efficiency seems to be eliminating some of the best parts of being human in the first place.