Can we be like drops of water

Falling on the stone,

Splashing, breaking, dispersing in air

Weaker than the stone by far, but be aware

That as time goes by the rock will wear away. — Holly Near, singer/songwriter and activist

The power of water is the power of flexibility, creativity, and persistence. Water finds a way through the tiniest available channel. Water creates change over time. Participants learn how the force of water carved the massive Grand Canyon, over millions of years. A game, Rocks vs. Water, demonstrates water's ability to move past obstacles. Participants explore the real-world power of flexibility and creativity by working on scenarios in which two groups have opposing goals. In the Human Knots game, participants physically experience the water power of working together to explore options and find solutions.

Goals

This session will:

• Introduce qualities and forms of "water power"
• Demonstrate through physical experiences what it means to "go with the flow" when facing obstacles
• Interpret our fourth UU Principle, a "free and responsible search for truth and meaning," as guidance to creatively seek possible solutions to a problem.

Learning Objectives

Participants will:

• Discover how solutions to problems can often be found using indirect routes and flexibility, two attributes of water power
• Consider the scientific story of how the Grand Canyon was formed by the action of the Colorado River
• Explore processes of working cooperatively for mutually beneficial solutions as a form of water power.