What if the purpose of Business is…

"What if the purpose of business
is to nurture and sustain all life?" *
by creating global prosperity,
that could end hunger, war and strife

We are fortunate to have been blessed
With natural resources so abundant
then we create useless products
that are totally redundant

What if money and profits
aren't the real bottom line
and we're missing the big picture
it's time to re-design

the way we do business
how our products are made
the raw materials we use
how we conduct our trade

Business as usual
Just won't cut it anymore
It's killing our spirits
and actually making us poor

The downfall of many companies
Has been a focus on pure greed
When profits are the sole driver
Our values they supersede.

because then only a few
get to reap the rewards
while the rest of us question
what we're going towards

we watch the destruction
growing out of bounds
wondering how much of nature
will still be around

for our children and grandchildren
to enjoy and explore
precious landscapes and animals
will be there no more

Watch the bottom line focus
as it crashes and shatters
Now we can give our attention
to what really matters

We can't measure what's valuable with numbers
Calculations, spread sheets or charts
The things that are most important
Can only be measured with our hearts

Caring for people and the environment
is the best business strategy
To create a successful company
and a sustainable economy

it's time for business to shift
to a life-affirming approach
bringing value and integrity
and being beyond reproach

life in all its grand diversity
is what we must honor and cherish
it's obvious that if we don't
we are all going to perish

So, think carefully and clearly
about your part in this creation
and what we all are leaving
for future generations

it's the top line that's important
honoring people and the earth
it's caring and love
that create true net worth

will the legacy you leave
be more junk in a landfill
and money and some trinkets
you've written in your will

or will it be a contribution
beyond your time and space
making a lasting difference
leaving this world a better place

© 8/2002, Jane Norton

* quote form Tom Hurley of The Chaordic Alliance