Amazing Life Amazing People

It was 3:00 p.m. Sunday afternoon on a late Spring day.  Having gotten up early to do some gardening, much of the day got away from me.  It was about this time that I was feeling like I needed to be doing something else.  I didn't just want to go for a drive but I was still lost... almost lacking focus.

I fired up the Harley Davidson VROD, having decided that I would take a quick spin since it was so nice outside.  Still, I wasn't sure where it was taking me.  Initially I planned on going to the grocery store to get some multi-grain bread.  While Trader Joes has my favorite bread, they don't have many of my other favorites (I try to stay away from processed foods).

My friends in Estonia have a strong sense of national pride and it is one of the things that makes them so amazing to me (Allan and Karoli).  And this is the heart of this article, the impact friends have on what you do in life.  Where you meet them, what is occurring at the time and where you are spiritually/ metaphysically etc.


I lead a very ordinary live, my experiences are exceptional, and exceptional experiences become what they become because of what I want out of those experiences.  Secondly, the people I meet are amazing not because of who they are (meaning their social status) or what they have, but because of what they want out of life.  Zach C. I met during his short and simple visit in Boston, but he had a lasting impact on me as a result of our discussion about decisions regarding college, professional writing experiences, social networks and technology.  Lisa is a woman I met from Canada who moved to Australia.  She is amazing in so many ways; from the very natural way she inspires me to write to her insights into my being, she seems to understand things about me no one else does.  Andre and Andria befriended me and have become life long friends after talking about my book Seed (still in the works).  Andria's background directly relates to the topic of my writing interests.  Lise from Quebec has an exceptional gift of kindness and has invited me to come and visit with her and her husband.  They are an extraordinary couple and seeing them together elevates the joy in my heart-- there relationship is magical yet simple.  David who is an English specialist from Switzerland has chosen to return for another visit.  David also dances competitively (he is quite good).  And Amanda and Mark, whom I visited with last summer opened their home and hearts each is a master in their fields of photography and sculpture (respectively).

I have made friends with people all around the world.  Today was exception on a local level.

Four years ago I met Mario after purchasing a sailboat to sail from Boston to Cape Cod, on my first solo open water journey.  No instructions just faith, research for what I needed.  Prior to making the full trip, I connected with Mario after searching for an alternative motor for my sailboat on Craigslist.  Mario provided  a motor I needed to make the trip safe.  Upon arriving in Hull, MA, Mario greeted me with kindness and as promised, a motor.  Harry was a long time friend of Mario's and offered a battery that I needed, further ensuring safe travels.  So my motorcycle ride took me across Boston, into Cambridge, back to Boston and then out to Wollaston Beach in Quincy, then to Hingham and finally to Hull, where I would be reacquainted with Mario after passing his house-- four years after our initially meeting.  Having passed his house, I turned around noticing two boats in the driveway.  That had to be him I thought.  To my pleasant surprise, Mario was working on his boat.  We greeted each other as old friends might.  His hands soiled with grease and dirt from working on the motor, firmly gripped my own, it was a comforting familiarity.  We began talking about sailing, motorcycles and Craigslist- as friends would.

Each of the persons I have just spoken of reflect something in me that is somewhat of a quest.  Perhaps it is a quest to get the most out of life, possibly to answer questions I have not been able to answer myself, or perhaps it is to engage with people who seem to make my life more amazing just by knowing them.  Their kindness, positive energy and personal journeys speak volumes of what I seek myself.  In this respect I suppose we are very much the same.  We all had a journey, a story to share and a desire to listen for something new.

Anonymous...What is the Absence of a Name Responsible for Action or Justice; The Question Is...

"We are group of concerned citizens that have recognized an injustice in the system."


It is 11:24 and I have just returned home from working with a client.  HP posted an article that continues to surface in the plight of women, girls and injustice in the balance of the Scale-- we know as Justice.
One can debate what is right or wrong according to the rule of law, but what cannot be disputed is the fundamental understanding of human nature's moral compass.
We don't resist government as a people for the sake of resisting government.  With the proper infrastructure, accountability and commitment, a governing body can be very effective.  There is no reason be stand against corporations, if they are guided by the same standards and expectation that individuals are suppose to be held to.  What then is the problem?


Exceptions!
Exceptions interfere with consistency and continuity.  A claim is made about right or wrong; positions are taken on behalf of interest...  But who's interest.  Sure our founding bodies that created the Constitution had ideals in mind that would protect the well being of individuals, however corruption and currency got in the way and forever changed our destiny.
So at this cross roads what do we do?  We could minimize years of fabricated and/ or real conflict and get at the root of such disharmony by rethinking about how we look at more effective ways to meet the needs of the general population.  From redistribution of wealth to people friendly policies (so as not to get conflicted with social policies).  We are the People; and the only entitlement we deserve is a society based on egalitarian structures that rectify the imbalances of greed and secularism.
Liberate justice, not in the form of retaliation but restoring balance and accountability.  Is government is off kilter? Yes.  

Can it be fixed? Yes.  But the road to redemption is a long one. This oration is not a depiction of religious discourse, but that of the moral compass of man kind.


Fix what is wrong as leaders, not to control or punish but to bring back the balance to a scale that has long remained uncalibrated and diminishing in purpose and meaning. 

" I do not pretend to understand the moral universe; the arc is a long one, my eye reaches but little ways; I cannot calculate the curve and complete the figure by the experience of sight; I can divine it by conscience. And from what I see I am sure it bends towards justice." (Theodore Parker; wikipedia)

Self Wellness and Spring

06:09 a.m. and I am calmly racing to the beachfront to enjoy the Sunrise.  The anticipation of this amazing moment in time also reminds me about the importance of self wellness.  Sunrise is at 6:14 today

The grains of sand still moist from the cool night air, the air itself is crisp which is a perfect compliment to the warmth that is soon to engage me.  Befuddled I am, for it is an amenity we often take for granted yet without it, we would be extinct.  It makes sense to greet the Sun daily, acknowledging how much we appreciate what it offers from the warmth of a perfect summer day to the photosynthetic process that provides nourishment  for our biological system-- all of this without expectations.  Why do we not start each day with a ritualistic greeting of appreciation for the sun?

Light blue fades to a tinge of auburn followed by a grayish orange as the clouds across the horizon experience first light.

Peaking now through the openings, a subtle brilliance reveals itself as I my pace slows even further.  I breathe in slowly, allow my eyelids to fall downward and my arms to go limp for a moment.  My body pauses to take in all that is around me as my senses liven-- ahhhhummmm.  The vibration of my deepening tones help awaken my relaxation state of being.  I feel my inner self expand and contract once again.  I have resolved in this moment to reside in an imperturable state of mind... committed to balance and inner peace that is real.

So not to neglect the gift of vision, I open my eyes to embrace fully, what gift is on the horizon. My eyes lock with what appears to be an orange globe, perfectly round and inviting.  My mind speaks quietly, allowing my soul to relax... another expansion and contraction of my lungs absorb the fullness of the morning air as it patiently shifts from cool to warm with the advent of a daily occurrence I call warming.  Personalizing naturally occurring events can help one engage more fully.

Warming is the sunrise effect for me because it does so much more than just warming the Earth; it warms both literally and metaphorically-- what a gift.

As I go through the motions of my posing meditations, I commit to the Sun, rather than pray to it.  This experience is not one or religion, this experience is based on the joy I feel each day, my gratitude for the rising Sun, and the peace it brings into my life.

Daylight is here, Spring has come, and Summer eagerly awaits me, knowing I fully appreciate what lies ahead-- Oh joy...  It is 6:32 what a way to begin living each day.


Be Well and Enjoy the Day

Word of The Day
Daily practice: imperturable: extreme calm, serene, incapable of being upset or agitated

How to Affect Change(part IV)

As mentioned previously, the leader has already set the tone for such changes in his or her expectations, illustrating their vision that is easily recognizable in his or her behavior, touch points, and establishing a revised mission that is set forth according to the times.  Remember that a strategic planning process that begins at the top levels is the catalyst for this activity.  In an ideal situation this process is occurring on the heals of a previous strategic plan.  In other scenarios, there may be an urgent need for change.

As a final note, every organization and individual within it should plan and consider time for the unexpected.  Shooting from the hop is a recipe for failing.  Acknowledge the 7P's but don't dwell on them.  I have never in my many years of consulting experienced work with an organization that did not have issues with short staffing and/ or,  the frustration of constant disruption to their routine because of someone else's needs.  By creating a work flow for yourself, you can begin to really understand how your time management is working for or against you.  Look at where most of your disruptions occur and get a grip on what you need to do to manage them.  Disruptions may be major or minor but a strategy for assessing them is important.  You will make noticeable gains in productivity, that you never imagined possible.  This section could easily be an entire book but this will have to do for now.

The former merely present some fictitious scenarios that should come into consideration when moving towards deeply embedded change.  Consultants offer a fresh eye to help pace and order the steps of change; they should have the tools to do scenario planning and allow the CEO to have a 30,000 foot view for a small fee, without investing too much up front.   Integration of change features results in a more holistic change that can be believed and adapted throughout the entire organization.