With November 11 approaching and knowing that at least one of my colleagues has a holiday on Monday, my thoughts turned to the occasion of the 11th hour on the 11th day of the 11th month in 1918 that marked the end of World War I. I wonder if perhaps we should do even more to celebrate the end of wars, at least the 7 or 8 that I recall in my own lifetime. I recall a number of people, including MLK, Jr. saying that if we want peace we should work for justice.
Laying a wreath at the tomb of the unknown soldier in Arlington National Cemetery is a symbolic but meaningful gesture as it is a visual reminder of the ultimate sacrifice made by so many on our behalf so that we can continue to live in a country that continues to assert its freedoms upon which it was founded. What are we to make of the most recent 4400 deaths and 32,000 wounded in Iraq, the 2000 deaths and 18,000 wounded in Afghanistan? How do we honor those lives?
Our nephew has been deployed to Afghanistan twice and is probably going back a third time to help clean it all up as he rides in one of those advance mine-sweepers that look for APD's (Anti-Personnel Device) or an IED (Improvised Explosive Device). Just this past Thursday, 20 people were killed by such devices in Afghanistan. (http://www.washingtonpost.com/world/asia_pacific/insurgents-kill-8-afghan-policemen-soldiers-in-separate-attacks/2012/11/08/0fa68fea-296d-11e2-aaa5-ac786110c486_story.html) When will it end and what can be done to stop the mayhem and man's inhumanity to his own kind? We must truly be one of the few species who set about intentionally to destroy ourselves.
As an 8-year old child, I was convinced that the end of World War II was the end of all world wars and then discovered later how absolutely wrong I was. I felt deceived, betrayed and misled. I wondered then what the veterans thought and felt that I knew, those who had returned alive and who had watched their friends die in battle. Had they all fought in vain to end a war only to see it all start up again too soon afterwards?
Here is the list of those in which we have been involved and I won't even try to enumerate the cost. Let's just agree that it's simply way too much and you have to love some of the names, even calling the Korean conflict at one point a police action! And then wars became Operations?
For the US: Korean War (1950-1953); Vietnam War (1961-1975):
1. Operation Urgent Fury-Grenada (1983)
2. Operation Just Cause-Panama (1989)
3. Operaton Desert Storm-Iraq (January and Febuary 1991)
4. Operation Restore Hope-Somalia (1993)
5. Operations in Europe-Bosnia (1990's)
6. Operation Enduring Freedom-Afghanistan (2001-present)
7. Operation Iraqi Freedom-Iraq (2003-present)
Find a way to pause on Sunday and give thanks, perhaps with a moment of silence at 11 AM and remember those who have served and sacrificed. And maybe do it on Monday too! Lest we forget.
Friday, 9 November 2012
Wednesday, 7 November 2012
PEST - Post Election Stress Thoughts
Waking up this morning to yesterday's election results shows what we all know, that this is a country that is polarized, divided and fractured. The political divisions are significant because they are along race, class and ethnic lines, they are clearly socio-economic, and these differences must be bridged somehow if we are to become what we call euphemistically these United States. Red and blue should perhaps be changed to green and yellow, since white isn't a color but the lack of same. Otherwise from some perspectives, the colors might be black and white. Let's forget colors and find a way to put the divisions that separate us behind us so that we can find the common ground to move forward.
We endured an obscenely expensive campaign, some estimates just over 2 billion dollars spent, hundreds of thousands of ads that were negative, discouraging, and far more against rather than for anything. And the cost was not merely in dollars. There was also a price paid for human dignity. Now is the time to restore our faith in the principles on which this country was built and on which it can stand in the future - these self-evident truths, "that all men are created equal, that they are endowed by their Creator with certain unalienable rights, that among these are Life, Liberty and the pursuit of Happiness."
We need a shift in attitudes and behaviors from negative to positive, from intentions to destroy to designs to create, from verbiage to constructive action. Too much rhetoric, too little reality, too much theater of the absurd, too little rational and logical action. It is time for a paradigm shift in many areas instead of continuing the same behaviors and expecting different results, the definition of insanity.
Etched in stone on the F.D.R. Memorial in Washington, D.C. are these words: "The test of our progress is not whether we add more to those who have much; it is whether we provide for those who have too little." That is true globally as well as nationally and locally. Perhaps we could come together around the most pressing priorities facing all of us and take constructive, creative and responsible actions to solve those most troublesome issues. Then we would be much more united and stand together, with bonds that strengthen rather than divisions that separate. Maybe and hopefully, the next four years will see a positive change in the will and ability to work together for the common good, not merely partisan interests. This is the message that each of us needs to send to those who represent us at every level.
In the meantime, we must take every opportunity we have to help heal the divisions that separate us, to share the visions that can unite us and to exert whatever influence we have to demonstrate that we can and will work toward a common purpose with common goals. All of this is for the commonwealth of our future that can be so much better than it is. If you believe that, today marks a new beginning for what lies ahead.
We endured an obscenely expensive campaign, some estimates just over 2 billion dollars spent, hundreds of thousands of ads that were negative, discouraging, and far more against rather than for anything. And the cost was not merely in dollars. There was also a price paid for human dignity. Now is the time to restore our faith in the principles on which this country was built and on which it can stand in the future - these self-evident truths, "that all men are created equal, that they are endowed by their Creator with certain unalienable rights, that among these are Life, Liberty and the pursuit of Happiness."
We need a shift in attitudes and behaviors from negative to positive, from intentions to destroy to designs to create, from verbiage to constructive action. Too much rhetoric, too little reality, too much theater of the absurd, too little rational and logical action. It is time for a paradigm shift in many areas instead of continuing the same behaviors and expecting different results, the definition of insanity.
Etched in stone on the F.D.R. Memorial in Washington, D.C. are these words: "The test of our progress is not whether we add more to those who have much; it is whether we provide for those who have too little." That is true globally as well as nationally and locally. Perhaps we could come together around the most pressing priorities facing all of us and take constructive, creative and responsible actions to solve those most troublesome issues. Then we would be much more united and stand together, with bonds that strengthen rather than divisions that separate. Maybe and hopefully, the next four years will see a positive change in the will and ability to work together for the common good, not merely partisan interests. This is the message that each of us needs to send to those who represent us at every level.
In the meantime, we must take every opportunity we have to help heal the divisions that separate us, to share the visions that can unite us and to exert whatever influence we have to demonstrate that we can and will work toward a common purpose with common goals. All of this is for the commonwealth of our future that can be so much better than it is. If you believe that, today marks a new beginning for what lies ahead.
Thursday, 1 November 2012
CREATIVITY AND INNOVATION
Some passing thoughts on creativity, innovation......
“We all operate in two contrasting modes, which might be called open and closed. The open mode is more relaxed, more receptive, more exploratory, more democratic, more playful and more humorous. The closed mode is the tighter, more rigid, more hierarchical, more tunnel-visioned. Most people, unfortunately spend most of their time in the closed mode. Not that the closed mode cannot be helpful. If you are leaping a ravine, the moment of takeoff is a bad time for considering alternative strategies… But the moment the action is over, try to return to the "open" mode—to open your mind again to all the feedback from our action that enables us to tell whether the action has been successful, or whether further action is needed to improve on what we have done. In other words, we must return to the open mode, because in that mode we are the most aware, most receptive, most creative, and therefore at our most intelligent." John Cleese
(http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=VShmtsLhkQg&feature=related)
Of course, you will know once you have crossed the chasm whether or not you made it successfully. And if you have, you can review how it went, whether or not it could have been better, easier, more efficient, and this is why feedback is so valuable. There will be a next time and what we can learn from having an open mind set (see Carol Dweck’s book, Mindset) may well lead to a more innovative and creative approach, whether solving problems or introducing something new.
Photographers know that one way to get a good picture is to take a lot of pictures. It is the same with ideas. One way to get a good idea is to have a lot of ideas. This is why brainstorming can be a productive activity, especially if you value the thoughts, ideas and experiences of others in your department or group. Rearranging the chairs, or the schedule, is unlikely to have a major impact.
Here are several questions that you might contemplate that could help clarify your understanding and potential application of innovation and creativity. I am not even sure they belong together but that’s another discussion.
1. What are the roles of innovation and creativity in your work with your colleagues? Are they the same? Does one lead to the other? Are they merely complimentary?
2. How open (or closed) is your organization’s culture to innovation? Who are the innovators? What are their characteristics? How has it worked previously? What are the obstacles to new ideas?
3. If you had a blank sheet and were given the opportunity, how might you create or re-create your department or dividion? What would you look for in the people whom you want to hire? What methods would you use to deliver the optimum experience for both colleagues and customers? How would you measure or assess your effectiveness overall?
Sunday, 14 October 2012
A Personal Reflection
$1749.20 per ounce – The Price of Gold and My Priceless Golden Girl
7:30 AM, October 14, Abiquiu, New Mexico
The sun is streaming through the cottonwood trees and it is as if this brilliant sunlight is making them shine like gold. I look out my three office windows into a veritable forest of gold, spectacular against a clear, deep blue New Mexico sky. I consider how fortunate and blessed we are to be in this place at this time, this time of this year, this month, this early morning time of day, another beginning.
The love of my life sits down the hall, pure gold in her own
unique way, precious, rare and extremely valuable. She is worth more than anything material that comes from the
earth whether diamonds, rubies, emeralds, silver or gold or any other “thing”
which we might dare think we could own.
So, we shall make the best of whatever time we have, a brave
and new adventure and make this gift of time the most it can be. I thought of
these verses from Robert Browning and offer it up for consideration.
"Grow old along with me!
The best is yet to be,
The last of life, for which the first was made:
Our times are in His hand
Who saith "A whole I planned,
Youth shows but half; trust God: see all, nor be
afraid!''
And I shall thereupon
Take rest, ere I be gone
Once more on my adventure brave and new:
Fearless and unperplexed,
When I wage battle next,
What weapons to select, what armour to indue.
Youth ended, I shall try
My gain or loss thereby;
Leave the fire ashes, what survives is gold:
And I shall weigh the same,
Give life its praise or blame:
Young, all lay in dispute; I shall know, being old."
Friday, 12 October 2012
LEARNING from ASINTMAH (earth/nature goddess, Native American)
Fall Colors!
Photosynthesis is as natural to plants as eating is to
humans. In fact, there are some
similarities with several significant exceptions. One is that plants seldom overeat. They take what they need, water from the ground through
their roots, CO2 from the air and sunlight to turn water and CO2 into oxygen
and glucose. The way they do this
is called photosynthesis which means literally “putting together with
light.”
Chlorophyll helps make it all happen and is what gives
deciduous tree leaves their green color in the summer. During winter, there is not enough
light or water and the trees will rest and live off the food they stored during
the summer. As they begin the
transition, as one who lives where I see this magnificent color change into
yellow and orange, I am amazed and delighted every year, this year just as much
as ever.
Plants and trees are very smart. As plants grow, they shed older leaves
and grow new ones. This is important because the leaves become damaged over
time by insects, disease and weather. The shedding and replacement continues
all the time. We
do the same, we let go of the old and grow something new for that which we
leave behind.
Right now the leaves
on our hundreds of cottonwoods are brilliant orange. The brightest colors are
seen when late summer is dry, and these Fall days are bright, sunny, and cool
(low 40's Fahrenheit) nights. Then trees make a lot of anthocyanin pigments. The coming frost and freeze will hasten
this process, the daylight diminishes, the leaves will turn brown, fall off the
trees and most of the plant activity we will not see for it is going on
underground.
Lessons from nature
abound. The rhythm and dance
continue in their annual display in a riot of color. Here are some lessons to consider.
1 Eat
what you need to sustain your vitality.
2
Save resources for
leaner times.
3
Add some color to
your life.
4
Figure out what you
don’t need and let it go.
5
Prepare well for the
next season.
6
Wait and don’t try to
rush the process. Let it work.
7
Embrace and celebrate
inevitable change.
8 Know that what is not seen is often more important than what is seen.
9 Stay warm, dry and safe.
Friday, 28 September 2012
REVISE AND REVIVE
I was called recently by a school head to see if I would be interested in helping him and a few others look at their most recent strategic plan and explore ways that it might be renewed, revitalized and given some new life and energy. At least that is what I heard in his question. The next step was that he and I were joined by a trustee who chairs that committee and we talked through the objectives and possible outcomes. Some of the previous action steps had been taken, others were still a work in progress and a few had become dormant.
Many of the 22 strategies in the old strategic plan
were still valid and useful and the "sustainable 10-year financial model",
contains essential information for responsible management. These documents, along with a current self-study for accreditation, have most of the background information
and details necessary for the future of the school. However, in order to jump-start and accelerate any forward
movement, a few top priorities that merit attention and action may help
realize some desirable results in a timely manner.
There seemed to be at least three big issues the school was facing in the immediate and short-term future, thus the need to address the challenges and figure out what options might be viable.The three most important priorities, not necessarily in order, were financial sustainability which was related to enrollment and marketing; appropriate staffing and infrastructure; and current support of the internal and external communities. In order to assemble a group of people who might understand and appreciate these issues, and be willing to commit to working on them, the head and his trustee hand-picked a group of 12 people who came to be known as the Strategic Design Task Force. We met for a day-long session to identify and analyze these issues, create some design and direction for the road ahead and to assign specific tasks to each of the people present to be joined by a few others not in attendance.
The Strategic Design Task Force considered the six
constituent groups that composed the school and in the end came up with actions that could begin immediately with people assigned to manage and direct the activities
required for each group. There was
an agreement to meet again in two months to review the progress in each area
based on what emerged from the day-long discussions and deliberations. It was clear that each constituent group has an important role to play and it would be the mission of the task force to direct and manage the activity in each of the groups.
The six sub-groups, together with the actions required can
connect the pieces and parts into one unified vision of a newly revised and
updated plan for the school. It is also important
that this activity itself be communicated to the entire school community following
these precepts. This is what we are doing, this is why we are doing it, this is
how we are doing it and this is what we need from each part of this school
community.
There is no magic formula
or recipe that will guarantee the results but being specific and concrete in each of the areas for action will have
a greater likelihood of success. Each member of the task force needs to understand the objectives of the mission and
what is needed in each case for the desired result and then work toward that end
keeping in mind how critical it is to communicate clearly in each
instance. There is no room nor
time for ambiguity, vagueness or maybe. The people on the Strategic Design Task Force are making a commitment, both individually and collectively, to get
this work done in the year ahead with a timeline that includes updates and
revisions as the work gets done. It seems time to not merely survive but find the ways and means to breathe new life into the community, thus revise and revive! Stay tuned for the outcomes!
Wednesday, 26 September 2012
Seasonal Transitions
It seems like we are often in some kind of transition or shift from one state to another, from one status to another, from one activity to another, from one stage of life to another or even from one time to another. Does that all make sense in your own observations and experience? Maybe it's just my own projection but in the past 12 months, I sense these transitions both externally and internally and I don't think it's just my imagination. Nothing brings it home to me more clearly than the change in the season, the most recent one being from Summer to Fall, the prologue to Winter. We just returned from northern Colorado where the Aspens were exquisitely golden, especially at the higher altitudes. And for the past several days, the pinon burning in the fireplace has elicited one of my favorite aromas of the season.
One of my own transitions of the year just past is a shift from working full time professionally to working only part time and thus having more time for other things such as travel, writing and other so-called leisure activities. Previously postponed projects can now receive more attention and energy but I would not call these leisurely pursuits as they require a fair amount of planning, thought and resources including my own involvement. However, there is certainly more latitude for choosing when and how I wish to work on these things.
I recall times past when Fall was harvest time and "putting up" all kinds of things including food for both animals and families. Corn and hay were stored in the barn, the shelves in the fruit cellar were filled with jars from orchard and garden and the bounty was celebrated with the cornucopia spilling out prosperity in fruits, flowers and grain. The Thanksgiving feast and table laden with home-grown goodies of all kinds - meats, vegetables, pastries - was a visual and tasty treat for a family gathering around hearth and home.
Several conversations lately have indicated Fall to be a number of people's favorite season. I wonder why. For me it's certainly a time of seeing brilliant colors, the clear light toward the end of the day seeming to light up the stage for nature's show. It's also a time to review the past and plan for the future and I am not sure why that's any more focused now than at other times but it might be that academic calendar kicking in, the end of the previous year and the beginning of a new one. I will be involved this coming weekend in exactly that kind of activity with a small group of thoughtful people, reviewing the past, planning for the future. And in my own case, the same is true personally. It's a big shift for me and it's taking some time to sink in, all that's implied in this life change and different rhythm of work and play. It's an exciting time to look ahead, to set a course and to follow the internal compass and where it will lead. The GPS may well be a handy tool but we will supply the directions, the content and the ultimate destinations. Onward! Prorsum et sursum!
One of my own transitions of the year just past is a shift from working full time professionally to working only part time and thus having more time for other things such as travel, writing and other so-called leisure activities. Previously postponed projects can now receive more attention and energy but I would not call these leisurely pursuits as they require a fair amount of planning, thought and resources including my own involvement. However, there is certainly more latitude for choosing when and how I wish to work on these things.
I recall times past when Fall was harvest time and "putting up" all kinds of things including food for both animals and families. Corn and hay were stored in the barn, the shelves in the fruit cellar were filled with jars from orchard and garden and the bounty was celebrated with the cornucopia spilling out prosperity in fruits, flowers and grain. The Thanksgiving feast and table laden with home-grown goodies of all kinds - meats, vegetables, pastries - was a visual and tasty treat for a family gathering around hearth and home.
Several conversations lately have indicated Fall to be a number of people's favorite season. I wonder why. For me it's certainly a time of seeing brilliant colors, the clear light toward the end of the day seeming to light up the stage for nature's show. It's also a time to review the past and plan for the future and I am not sure why that's any more focused now than at other times but it might be that academic calendar kicking in, the end of the previous year and the beginning of a new one. I will be involved this coming weekend in exactly that kind of activity with a small group of thoughtful people, reviewing the past, planning for the future. And in my own case, the same is true personally. It's a big shift for me and it's taking some time to sink in, all that's implied in this life change and different rhythm of work and play. It's an exciting time to look ahead, to set a course and to follow the internal compass and where it will lead. The GPS may well be a handy tool but we will supply the directions, the content and the ultimate destinations. Onward! Prorsum et sursum!
Tuesday, 11 September 2012
EVOLUTION not REVOLUTION
I remember a 1940's radio program called "The Life of Riley" starring William Bendix who played Chester A. Riley, and he used to say, "What a revoltin' development this has turned out to be!" Bugs Bunny may have picked it up as well. The phrase came to me this morning as I was thinking about how "revolting" so much seems to be in several arenas including the latest political morass. The meaning of revolting is two fold - one meaning is that which is disgusting and abhorrent and the other is to rise up in rebellion. If something is utterly unacceptable then maybe there is a peaceful alternative that transcends mere resistance and rebellion. Are we not now capable, as human beings, of finding ways to settle differences beyond "killing" the opposition?
What I want to offer are several ways to grow and change and evolve in our humanity rather than revolve, regurgitate and resuscitate. "The old has passed away, the new has come"....and we are restless until we find our place in sacred creation. In other words, until we can become part of the creative and re-creative process, it looks like we may continue to destroy and self-destruct. On the other hand, there are many opportunities to choose to care about.who we are and what we do such that we must shift the paradigm or be left behind.
So, where to begin and how? This assumes you already know why. You begin right where you are with whatever it is that you are doing, right now, today, in this place with those who you know, with whom you live, with whom you work. You might start first with those whom you love and who love you as they are the closest in so many ways. Share something of value than has such deep meaning for you that you want those closest to you to be part of that feeling and part of the experience. Shared values, shared vision, shared purpose become stronger, more visible, more powerful when the collective consciousness is at work. Likewise, with those whom you work. We invest a lot of time, energy and thought with others in the workplace. Make it count by making it more visible and more accessible to others.
Some techniques? Plan the change you want to see and become the change you want to be. Do not be held back by convention or convenience. Discover the obstacles, define the challenges, and then invent, innovate and implement the plan. Invite others to participate. One of the first lessons in scuba diving is to plan the dive and dive the plan. It's the same for flying an airplane and filing a flight plan. There are very good reasons for those kinds of plans and you should already know what they are and why they exist and how they work. Suffice to say that here on terra firma, it's a little easier sometimes to tweak the plans and not lose your way. Certain adjustments and changes along the way because of prevailing conditions may be necessary!
Perseverance pays off, eventually. There are times when patience and perseverance are helpful, even necessary but perhaps not sufficient ingredients in the process of change. There are times when intervention may be indicated. There may come that moment when the sense is that we cannot wait any longer and some kind of action is needed. One easily available illustration is in the world of medicine. A doctor may say, try this and let's see what happens. Or the diagnosis may reveal that in fact, surgery is necessary in order to eliminate something that is causing the problem. There's a question worth pursuing. What can we eliminate that is impeding progress and what can we do that will increase good health and more effective functioning?
Dan Pink in his FLIP manifesto has this to offer: "The key insight of both Peters and Collins is that we spend too much time on addition and not nearly enough on subtraction. Yet it's only by taking away what doesn't matter that allows us to reveal what does matter. That's why a couple of years ago I began using a hybrid of the Peters and Collins techniques—a combo of a to don't and stop-doing list. I revisit the list more than once a year, but I don't craft a new one every day. Instead,
I post it on the wall next to my desk where it's always in view and revise it when circumstances demand." When we eliminate that which is counterproductive we can make space for that which is more productive, more satisfying and more rewarding.
Finally, try to figure out ways in which you are evolving and with the help of others, how you might help another person or organization evolve, grow and change. It's not always easy but it is very worthwhile, good work. Having been a professional change agent for most of my 50 year career, I can say unequivocally, there has been a tremendous amount of satisfaction in hanging around to see the results.
What I want to offer are several ways to grow and change and evolve in our humanity rather than revolve, regurgitate and resuscitate. "The old has passed away, the new has come"....and we are restless until we find our place in sacred creation. In other words, until we can become part of the creative and re-creative process, it looks like we may continue to destroy and self-destruct. On the other hand, there are many opportunities to choose to care about.who we are and what we do such that we must shift the paradigm or be left behind.
So, where to begin and how? This assumes you already know why. You begin right where you are with whatever it is that you are doing, right now, today, in this place with those who you know, with whom you live, with whom you work. You might start first with those whom you love and who love you as they are the closest in so many ways. Share something of value than has such deep meaning for you that you want those closest to you to be part of that feeling and part of the experience. Shared values, shared vision, shared purpose become stronger, more visible, more powerful when the collective consciousness is at work. Likewise, with those whom you work. We invest a lot of time, energy and thought with others in the workplace. Make it count by making it more visible and more accessible to others.
Some techniques? Plan the change you want to see and become the change you want to be. Do not be held back by convention or convenience. Discover the obstacles, define the challenges, and then invent, innovate and implement the plan. Invite others to participate. One of the first lessons in scuba diving is to plan the dive and dive the plan. It's the same for flying an airplane and filing a flight plan. There are very good reasons for those kinds of plans and you should already know what they are and why they exist and how they work. Suffice to say that here on terra firma, it's a little easier sometimes to tweak the plans and not lose your way. Certain adjustments and changes along the way because of prevailing conditions may be necessary!
Perseverance pays off, eventually. There are times when patience and perseverance are helpful, even necessary but perhaps not sufficient ingredients in the process of change. There are times when intervention may be indicated. There may come that moment when the sense is that we cannot wait any longer and some kind of action is needed. One easily available illustration is in the world of medicine. A doctor may say, try this and let's see what happens. Or the diagnosis may reveal that in fact, surgery is necessary in order to eliminate something that is causing the problem. There's a question worth pursuing. What can we eliminate that is impeding progress and what can we do that will increase good health and more effective functioning?
Dan Pink in his FLIP manifesto has this to offer: "The key insight of both Peters and Collins is that we spend too much time on addition and not nearly enough on subtraction. Yet it's only by taking away what doesn't matter that allows us to reveal what does matter. That's why a couple of years ago I began using a hybrid of the Peters and Collins techniques—a combo of a to don't and stop-doing list. I revisit the list more than once a year, but I don't craft a new one every day. Instead,
I post it on the wall next to my desk where it's always in view and revise it when circumstances demand." When we eliminate that which is counterproductive we can make space for that which is more productive, more satisfying and more rewarding.
Finally, try to figure out ways in which you are evolving and with the help of others, how you might help another person or organization evolve, grow and change. It's not always easy but it is very worthwhile, good work. Having been a professional change agent for most of my 50 year career, I can say unequivocally, there has been a tremendous amount of satisfaction in hanging around to see the results.
An Opening in the Clouds Above the Mountain
This morning when I woke up, I looked out the window (at 3 AM) and there was a strange narrow band of light above the mountain, Sierra Negra, which is across the river from where I live. I wondered what it was, why it was there, what conditions caused it to be and then, upon musing further and looking more intensely, I could see that there was an opening in the clouds above the mountain and it must have surely been moonlight. In checking, to be sure it was moonlight, I discovered that the moon is in a waning phase, 24% of a full moon, against a stunning backdrop of stars. However, the clouds were covering all but this light display and there was sufficient concentration of light coming from the northeast to give me this morning gift of light upon waking.
Thinking of the possible connections, I recalled several conversations of the past few days with people who were struggling with their own mountains, challenges that they were facing in one way or another. One had to do with a relationship that had soured, temporarily I'm sure, not nonetheless a painful experience. Another person was dealing with financial issues and a job he doesn't like. A third was experiencing physical pain and limitations, probably stress induced but nonetheless real and debilitating. These challenges must seem like mountains that look and feel daunting. And what about the clouds that prevent us from seeing the whole picture?
What these friends need are what I saw this morning - an opening in the clouds above the mountain.
That is both reassuring and gives hope to those who look beyond the current prevailing conditions.
These conditions will change and the conditions of these three lovely human beings will change also. They can be the active participants, architects of their own change for this too shall pass. What they need is what I saw, an opening in the clouds above the mountain. To find it, they must keep their eyes open to all that is around them and I am confident they will find what they need.
Thinking of the possible connections, I recalled several conversations of the past few days with people who were struggling with their own mountains, challenges that they were facing in one way or another. One had to do with a relationship that had soured, temporarily I'm sure, not nonetheless a painful experience. Another person was dealing with financial issues and a job he doesn't like. A third was experiencing physical pain and limitations, probably stress induced but nonetheless real and debilitating. These challenges must seem like mountains that look and feel daunting. And what about the clouds that prevent us from seeing the whole picture?
What these friends need are what I saw this morning - an opening in the clouds above the mountain.
That is both reassuring and gives hope to those who look beyond the current prevailing conditions.
These conditions will change and the conditions of these three lovely human beings will change also. They can be the active participants, architects of their own change for this too shall pass. What they need is what I saw, an opening in the clouds above the mountain. To find it, they must keep their eyes open to all that is around them and I am confident they will find what they need.
Monday, 3 September 2012
LABORER THANKS, 9-3-2012
There are numerous workers who have made my life easier, better or more productive this past year and I want to list them by category and thank a number of them personally for their good work. Here are my top ten:
1. Medical personnel including doctors, nurses, technicians and administrators
2. Police, fire, safety and sanitation workers
3. Farmers, food producers and purveyors
4. Teachers, colleagues, clients and educators
5. Utility engineers and technicians including plumbers and electricians
6. Highway construction engineers, workers and builders
7. Hotel and hospitality employees including table attendants
8. Pilots, reservation agents, flight attendants and baggage handlers
9. Sales representatives, concomitant technical support and mechanics
10. Domestic help and support both inside and outside of our home
This group is extensive but certainly far from exhaustive. I am grateful to many individuals in each of these groups and I have interacted personally with numbers of them repeatedly. For their service and support, their good work and for their helping to sustain me in one way or another, I remember them this day, Labor Day, 2012.
1. Medical personnel including doctors, nurses, technicians and administrators
2. Police, fire, safety and sanitation workers
3. Farmers, food producers and purveyors
4. Teachers, colleagues, clients and educators
5. Utility engineers and technicians including plumbers and electricians
6. Highway construction engineers, workers and builders
7. Hotel and hospitality employees including table attendants
8. Pilots, reservation agents, flight attendants and baggage handlers
9. Sales representatives, concomitant technical support and mechanics
10. Domestic help and support both inside and outside of our home
This group is extensive but certainly far from exhaustive. I am grateful to many individuals in each of these groups and I have interacted personally with numbers of them repeatedly. For their service and support, their good work and for their helping to sustain me in one way or another, I remember them this day, Labor Day, 2012.
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