Where to Now?

To those of you who continued to visit my blog while I have been hibernating, I'm back with some new interesting stuff for your consideration. I will be writing about the most powerful force in the universe--Love. Not only manifested forms of love, such intimacy, marriage, dating, or traditional ways we use and abuse feelings and emotions, but love as the source that can transform the consciousness of each individual as well as planet earth.

I also plan to discuss how this force can be harnessed in practical ways to center ourselves and provide clarity for each of us in terms of what is really important from a human experience. These determinations will be made by you of course by exploring alternative paths to the ones you may now be pursing and accelerating the path of those already "on track."

I'm sure you would agree we are at a crossroads with respect the path of human compatibility. So the question is can we begin infuse the power of Love into our daily lives to simply provide personal peace. I assure you, you or we can, but not the way we presently view reality. So, the choice is "pay now, or pay later!"

Bill

The example that immediately comes to mind are building contractors. I've been involved in building a cabin in the mountains for the last two years. When the plumber's assistant drilled into a supporting beam, the structure was not passed by the building inspector. The owner of the plumbing company, to this day, does not claim responsibility for the incident. Notwithstanding, I had to pay $1300.O0 to repair the mistake with another supporting beam. My major plumber said to me, "these things happen. It's not my fault, and I am certainly not paying you $1300.00!"

However, I had not paid him fully for the contracting work he had done. This is the ONLY card you have to play. However, it's not quite that simple. I still needed him to finish the job. And, he had plenty of demand for his work. So, what did I do? This is where negotiation begins. Particularly, since this guy is the best around. I'm thinking, this is such B.S. I don't need these games in my life. I need people who take responsibility for their screw-ups. But alas, not in the construction business.

By the way, this kind of screw-up was repeated by the painter, who refused to return to do final touch up as he promised. The most blatant form of irresponsibility is making promises and breaking them as easily as eating a hot dog. No integrity, no honesty, no sense of apology! That's just the way it is! Only new competition will change this situation or less demand for building contractors.

Now for the Good, in the midst of the Bad and the Ugly. My electrician (Dan Collings), my log stacker (Larry Smith of Spanish Fork, Utah is the absolute best in the business and reliable), and the guy who has done my inside work, tirelessly. His name is Mike Sanford in Spanish Fork, Utah. So, if you want a reliable contractor who takes pride in what he does. These are the guys! Oh, I forgot to mention some of my other contractors, but one was so bad I will not say anything further.

In spite of the situation I have described, the individual who also emerged with outstanding marks, is the guy who drilled my well. He has roots in Mississippi (and I am Black), he is almost threatening, and he's the best driller in Utah. My well stopped working and I called him to let him know I was against a wall with financing. He said he would check it out in the next few days; and he did!

In the process of testing the well motor, he burned the motor out. When he called he told me the truth and said he would not charge me for the burned out motor. I was astounded and pleased that I encountered a contractor who told the truth, kept his word, and worked until he repaired my well. (Water is precious in the mountains.) By the way his company is Miller Drilling out of Provo, Utah. He's the absolute best!

What's the point I'm trying to make. I've very rarely encountered a profession where the sequence of contractors who come in and do their work, often screw-up and claim no responsibility. In fact, quite often you have to make sure they've done the job right yourself or hire someone to do so. Like sheet rocking over electrical outlets, breaking light fixtures, painting over window screens, installing cabinets incorrectly, etc., and not really caring. If I ran my consulting business like some of the contractors I hired, on good advice, I wouldn't have a business.

Well, I think you've got it! "It's always someone else's fault"

It's quite amazing how many times in a day I promise people that I will call them, keep in touch, meet them for a drink, or say "we really must get together." When, in fact, it's all B.S. I just feel good about assuaging my guilt or pretending to miss them, or whatever it is that is driving me to promise things I have no time or interest for!

Why? God, I don't know. I guess I want to be in touch with the world. At the time, I really want to be with them and catch up on things, but I don't want to use up my future time to make choices.

My best male friend and I used to spend at least four days a week when I was going through a post separation process. He was my rock. He was the reason I made it through. He is my main man. I know I can depend on him no matter what. Now, we see each other possibly once a month. We vow to make it more often and we don't. However, I KNOW that if I ever need him he will be there.

The use of this rule to look more responsible is the "kiss of death." Particularly, in the workplace. It's amazing to watch people who want to be overloaded with responsibilities that they can't live up to. When they can't do what was promised, they point out how often they came through, how hard they worked, and missing a few promises isn't that big a deal!

These are individuals who love overload! They live on it! They thrive on it! It's what they live for. And when they occasionally come through, they want to be worshiped.I'm sorry, but I know the game. And many of you know the game also. In fact, you know someone who fits this profile perfectly. (You should refer them to this blog site. Or send them a download of the audio book.

The point is, this rule ultimately catches up with anyone who has this pattern. I once decided that I would pay close attention to what I promised and would not promise anything I did not want to do. It's amazing how my life cleaned up. How stress-free I was. And most of all, how centered I felt. Recently I've gotten away from that level of honesty. It's so out of the normal expectation, that began to feel something was wrong with me.

Well, I think you get the point about this rule. We probably all use to some extent!

Download the audio version and/or buy the book!

In the right-hand column of this site is a conversational version of the Failure book. Download it, send it to your friends, and use it for exercising, walking, or just relaxing to have a good laugh!

Then, if you choose, buy it on Amazon.com

Bill

Reading the Failure Book I’ve got aware that there is one central theme called: Responsibility.

If we’re resisting learning anything new, if we’re promising things we have no intention of doing, if it’s always someone else’s fault, or if the truth is in the mind of the beholder, in each and every of these mentioned cases, we’re not willing to take responsibility for our own life.

What, in fact, doesn’t change anything – the only one who is responsible for what ever occurs in my life – is ME, if I like it or not. It’s never, and it never was, my parents, my older brother, not my teacher or my spouse. But it’s so easy and comfortable to put the blame on them.

Is it my fault, that my marriage was bound to go wrong? Sorry – yes it is. And that’s ok. Ahead of being able to take responsibility there is accepting. If there is no way to go on together, we’ll have to face the truth and take responsibility for our solutions. How ever they might be.

This book is including a wonderful secret, and the authors don’t keep it, they are giving it to us (thanks a lot): Every fault is a new possibility; nobody will condemn us, if we fail. They will pay us tribute, respect and regard when we’re able to accept us the way we are.

Reading some of the stories I started to think about how the authors came to know me so well. I don’t know Phil at all – but – he knows that my little girl once wanted to have a horse. It was my part to tell her, that I’m not able to buy a horse. We all have to deal with disappointment, more ore less, sooner or later; life is not always up there; sometimes it is down here. But we are only growing from challenges.

And this guy, Terry, how come that he knows that I was afraid of coloured people? It’s not Terry and it’s not me – we’re all afraid of differences, people not being the way we are. Different in thinking, looking and behaving. This should be a challenge, being curious about getting closer to them; listening to them. What we will discover: they are just the same than we are, there is absolutely no difference.

We are one – if we believe it or not.

This rule is more prevalent than I had thought. I'm not out of touch with the reality of the world. However, I had thought that there was some ethical or moral character that would come into play in back-to-the-wall situations. Like political races or not selling out when you encounter a challenge that requires personal growth. But, you must know by now that I'm an idealist who is probably out-of-touch with the earth-plane reality.

In the course of my business lifetime, there were several customers who thought they controlled our company because they were contracted for significant sums. I must say that the combined agreement of our employees was never to sell out who we were for the money; and we didn't!

There was also an occasion when I gave a speech to a Fortune 50 corporation where there was excessive coaching by internal people of how, when, and what I should say. I followed their advice. The presentation was a disaster. I vowed then that I would never do that again. I would be my authentic self or not speak. When they sent me the payment for the speech, I sent it back, saying that I had not earned the sum sent to me; fully or in part!

So, what's it with you? Write and let me know. Is it all about the money or am I really out-of-touch with reality?

A conversational version the Failure book is attached as an audio file. It is a conversation between Sue Kwon, San Francisco TV Personality, and your truly, Bill.

Listen and enjoy! It's great! The chapters are recorded 7 to 9 minutes at a time.

Ten years ago, I was asked to write an article for a journal about the intersection between science and metaphysics. More precisely, I was asked to comment about where I thought Newtonian-Cartesian Science was headed--possibly to the study of pure energy. I stated that it was obvious that the progression was from the study of "something" to the study of "nothing"--or the study of consciousness.

The obvious skills available to humans for the study of consciousness are metaphysical skills. So the next paradigm will involve study beyond the bodymind world of those things we can see, feel, and probe with every possible kind of instrumentation.

It will involve developing the power of the mind beyond the survival-driven programming that so totally controls our base motivations. We might even learn how to get along on this very small, but magnificent, planet. It is the obvious key to a transformation in the planetary consciousness so desperately needed to ensure our continued existence.

I have attached this paper to this site along the right-side column for your reading pleasure. Take a look and let me know what you think!

Bill

This rule probably permeates Western society and is rapidly catching on to the entrepreneurial types in other parts of the world. It's essence is doing whatever necessary for your own success, even at the expense of others or the environment for that matter. It's commonly referred to as "Social Darwinism." Although, what Darwin actually proposed is far from this notion.

I had a good friend who once used the phrase, "You eat what you Kill." He used it as his sales philosophy as well as how he operated, in large part, professionally. When sales were good, his philosophy was validated and justified. When his industry hit hard time, his organization used it to "right-size" him. It was a real come down that resulted in a lesson he has never forgotten about the value of others in his personal success.

My mother used to say to me, "Treat the people you meet good on your way up because they are the same ones who you'll encounter on your way down." What I've learned over the years is that we all experience "the way down" in some aspect of our lives where we discover what humility is--by experience. Whatever success we've achieved, it's never as profound as being humbled to the core. On the exit side is the Aha resulting from transformation.

Actually, looking out for #1 in an interconnected world is a dichotomy. I suspect if we live long enough, we ultimately discover the illusion of this rule. However, don't take my word for it, work it as long as it works. On the other hand, he sooner the illusion is realized, the sooner we discover ourselves through the authentic relationship with others.

Again, the book "How To Become A Total Failure" in on Amazon.com and on our website at innovint.com

Being a jerk can have its advantages; particularly, if the people around you are willing to put up with insensitive, obnoxious behaviors. Since no one wants any extended time with a jerk, it appears that this individual can get his or her way. This sequence of thinking is NOT necessarily true!

I remember an occasion when my former wife had set up a meeting with a very prestigious woman writer. She was internationally acclaimed for her work in leadership theory. Since my former wife knew I channelled and had received some incredible material regarding FuturePerfect leadership, she set up the meeting so that we might get to know each other. To make a long story short, I behaved like a complete jerk! Why? I have no idea. The famous lady still hates me to this day (10 years). She pretends she doesn't even know me at meetings when we make eye contact. I really can't blame her. The tragedy is, together we could have come up with some incredible stuff. Well, that's life.

The Point: Being a jerk has no redeeming value. It's a losing, immature cause that has no advantages in the short or long term. The loss is what I could have learned from the famous writer. The lesson is what I have learned about being authentic as often as possible. I am still a work in progress. As you peruse your life, consider the time(s) you behaved as a jerk or someone you observed. Notice, if being a jerk is mainly driven by insecurity. It is cured by learning to be authentic. It begins with accepting yourself exactly as you are! Even though it might not fit the picture you have of yourself or others. At least, it's who you really are!

Buy the book on Amazon or our website. By the way, the book will soon be distributed by Costco and a major book distributor. Everyone who reads it thinks it is a bestseller! And it will be! With your support.

Unfortunately, this rule is more pervasive than we think. In a competitive, dog-eat-dog world, information that others don't have appears, in the short term, to be an advantage. However, information is a form of energy. If you try to control and store it, it will find some way to explode!

I had this realization several years ago when I used to be on the lookout for consultants using Innovations workbook materials. Then I realized how much time, energy, and effort I devoted to that activity. If I devoted the same resources to continually creating new ideas, exercises, and learnings of our work, we would always be ahead of the game.

This realization led to Innovations inviting over 300 independent consultants to our Salt Lake office to learn our two-day diversity program FREE OF CHARGE! This process not only led to new improved exercises, but a whole cadre of facilitators using our materials as the industry standard! This realization led to the next Aha! There is enough business for everybody. The real challenge is staying on the cutting edge with new breakthrough materials.

So the opportunity is how do we best use all the information we have to share to create the new knowledge we uniquely need. That's why I freely contribute everything I have learned on this blog site. I invite all of you 3000 visitors a month to do the same with each other!

The Failure book is on Amazon.com. Visit, write a comment or two, and buy the book!

Thanks,
Bill

It's amazing how prevalent the resistence to new learning is in most workplaces. The compromise most people like to make is "How can I learn the least in the longest period of time." After all, we have to have new learning simply to survive. Why do we resist?

The answer is, new learning will change our reality. After all, we already figured it out at 13 years old. Since then, we've been trying to prove that that point of enlightenment was the culmination of all new learning that could change our lives. Nobody wants to change when he or she has figured out the nature of reality.

For example, we live in the knowledge-base era. New learning is expected to be a necessity in the world of work. And most Gen Xers and Gen Yers are right on board when new learning involves Information Technology (IT) The same is not so true when it involves creativity, innovation, or quantum-thinking. These cognitive skills require transformation in the most fundamental way. In this sense, younger workers are no different than mature workers.

When Shelly Novak joined a high tech, cutting-edge organization on the West coast, she saw it as a dream come true. She quickly learned that she was not as skilled as she presumed herself to be. Having come from an organizatiion that had put up with resistant learning on her part, until they figured she had no future there, she found herself agreeing to a mutual parting of the ways. In her new position, she sudenly found herself surrounded by hotshots that operated in different reality. She concluded the gap was simply too much cover in her desire to meet the expectations of her new organization. Her fate was predictable. Find a place where she could "nest," and fake it for as long as she could finesse it! As of this writing, she's still surviving.

So, what's the point? Without continuous learnig, your days are numbered. And that goes for us all. We are only as valuable as our personal stock. That is, our value on the Market of Work--similar to the Stock Market. Are we blue chippers, junk bonds, or quick risers and fallers?

This is the discussion in the first chapter of the book, "How to Become a Total Failure." Free download on wwwtenwaystofail.com. Buy 10 copies and get a discount. Give them as gifts to friends for which you want to send a message. There are some wonderful messages in this book.

Buy copies form this website or www.razorpages.com.

Phil and I have just published our new book "How To Become A Total Failure." The Ten Rules of Highly Unsuccessful People! You can link to our incomplete blog site for more description at www.tenwaystofail.com/blog.

We share wonderful stories about how we sabotage ourselves in thinking that looking out only for ourselves is the road to success. Only to discover that it's an interconnected world and no one makes it to the "top" alone.

The book then suggest ways to convert patterns of failure into formulas for success; ending with The Ten Rules for Success. It's a great read with numerous, humorous stories.

You can purchase the book by emailing or phoning Innovations International, Inc. It will soon be available on Amazon.com. In fact, you might email them now requesting it.

Phone 1-(800) 487-3354 or fax 1-(801) 268-3422 or email: innovationsintl@qwest.net

I look forward to your feedback on the book. I guarantee you will enjoy it and will want to buy copies for your friends!

Bill

I was reading "Finding Life". I cannot agree with your statement that most people don't care about material things or money. My point of view is that they would not like to give much attention to these things, but, they think they need to. Because the most important responsibility is to take care of family, then friends and relatives.

To be able to take care of them, the common source is money. Very few are aware that giving love,feelings, and emotions is much more than material. They even cannot imagine that it could be this way. This is too easy - and life is hard and difficult, it has to. To let go, to follow the flow your life is taking you, is like giving up. People are looking for the difficult ways. We're all raised with the words: "If you want to reach something in your life - you'll have to work very hard!" And that's what most are living. To transform is like: giving up your strong held beliefs and giving in to something you don't know but you're needing to trust in.

If we want people to transform, what is our absolute goal, we're asking them to let go safety and protection (or what they seem it to be). We're asking them to open and to show who they really are. We're asking them to show the world their inner most secret. Falling in love at first sight is much easier than falling in confidence at first sight. We tend toavoid disappointment and we have to face it: There is no being able to avoid anything!

I've been travelling quite a lot lately. Therefore, I've not communicted with you in a few weeks. What I have learned is that people pretty much the same everywhere. They want to be able to provide for their families, raise their children, support their love ones and friends. And on occasion, they want to celebrate life.

Most people don't want very much in the way material possesions or riches; just to be above food, shelter, and clothing. Most have no interest in control, domination , or power. Why doesn't this consciousness dominate the the planet?

I have discovered that if I live consistent with my passion I feel satisfied with my earth-plane existence. Even if I have not made a differnece. It's more important to me to be a differnce. For example, I had dinner with a colleague who does seminars with thousands of people a year all over the world. We began discussing the impact of her work and she tearfully shared that there was an emptiness in her work. I asked her what were her expectations. She responded that she wanted her participants to face up to their difficulties and transform.

I reminded her that their transformation was not in her control. That such an objective was her own ego-satisfaction; and had little to do with her clients or their well-being. That the drive to make a difference often lead us to attempt to control the fate of others rather than assuming the the "universe" will lead to the best resolution.

So what I have been reaffirmed of is that life finds its own "fault line" if we just let go and help others find their own path and self-created fate. There can be no better way of making a difference by being a difference.

Ciao,
Bill

I had a dream last night. I was observing the human dynamics on the planet we have named Earth. In spite of the efforts by many to live "from" love, violence and division dominant the planetary consciousness. Not only in terms of mass conflict of armed encounters, but also in our most popular books, video games, newspapers, television, or any form of information delivery that is most popular. And we wonder why violence and separation are inherent in our relationships, societal systems, and countries of the world.

Quite simply, we create the reality we observe. All of us, worldwide! We like to amuse ourselves with talk of peace, love, and unity. But the prevailing consciousness of this small planet of highly intelligent human beings do not appear to have the potential to create such a reality! Why? I dont't really know. But the need to be right permeates the dominant human consciousness right down to the core of our programmed realities that we collective declare to be truth! I would still like to meet the person who "knows the truth, by spiritual experience; not through teachings and mass agreement."

So, an intersting question is "Where are we headed? Because we are definitely headed in a specific direction toward a specific outcome. At least, when we get there we can all say we were right; and extinct. If you believe in going with the flow, then wherever we are headed is okay. Just remember, there are no victims, we are all collectively responsible and accountable for the human fate of planet Earth.

These comments are not meant to discourge the efforts of those who do live in a context of love, peace, and oneness. Because there are many who do. Such a consciousness is simply not doninant, at present. I wonder what would happen if 50% of us decided to stop gossiping about others, help those less fortunate than ourselves, and began accepting those in our lives, unconditonally. I do not think such a situation is possible in a given community of human inhabitants of this plant; except for those aboriginal to this panet.

Well, I think I'll program my dream state to do another visit from 40,000 feet. Maybe, I've missed the point. Maybe, I'm seeing what I want to see, even in my dream state. I certainly hope so!

Love and Peace,
Bill

Those of you in Europe, espically my visitors from Sweden, come to my seminars just outside of Frankfurt this month. Email Ulla Knoll at ulla1301@yahoo.com

Good morning to all of you out there!

Today I want to share, what a very good, close, friend was telling me:Focus on your relationships, not to the world. You’re like a stone thrown into the water. If you throw a stone into your pond you’ll see the waves it’ll make. There are circles getting bigger and bigger. That’s how you’re acting in your relationships. You don’t have to see or feel a change. But there is one.

And live your life out of your “inner brain” not with your head. Listen to your feelings. If there is a sudden feeling, listen to it.This inner brain is not influenced by the way you’re brought up. During growing up you forgot about acting out of your heard, your feelings, your inner brain. You’ve started thinking, and you’ve started weighing up: If I do that -what may happen? Will I be doing good? And you’ve been captured in a net. You’ve lived your life, creating an new one. A life that’s called:

How others want me to be. Just return listening to your inner brain. And by the time you’ll become centered, you’ll know what to do and for all that you’re taking responsibility. ’cause it’s YOU.

I’m sure, this is the way we all should go on. Focussing on ourselves, being a change in the world. Would be great if I could give you some words to discus about.

Looking to hear from you.
Ulla

I couldn't agree more with you Bill. I'm backing Barrack Obama for president, not because he's the most experienced candidate or the best manager. Hillary has more experience and Romney is probably a better manager. But we don't need a manager (or a puppet) as our next president. We need inspiration. Already Barrack has influenced the other democratic candidates as they are beginning to focus on being change agents, a message Obama had from the beginning. Leadership is about vision and influencing people and as Barrack says, words are important to accomplish this.

I will be presenting a seminar near Frankfurt, Germany on Wednesday, February 20, 2008. It is open to the public. It is described below: (Also, see the previous blog for the seminar "The Power of Personal Performance" presented on Monday February 18, 2008.)

Leadership for the 21st Century—Creating an Inclusive, High-Performance Organization


PERHAPS THE MOST CRUCIAL ELEMENT for professional success in the 21st century is leadership. I define leadership as the ability to influence others. Influence their

• commitment to achieving an objective (thinking)
• willingness to change (transformation)
• willingness to perform (behavior)

These competencies involve the combination of both cognitive (mind-set) and functional (performance) skills—thinking and behaving. The greatest challenge in combining these two skills for maximum performance is changing one’s mind-set and correspondingly, one’s way of thinking.

For example, the most important shift in thinking, necessary for success today, is expanding from cooperation to collaboration. I define cooperation as working together for a common purpose, benefit, or joint action driven mostly by necessity. Whereas, collaboration is working together out of commitment to maximize performance, where one’s individuality is secondary to team success. It involves trust, respect, and humility in addition to exceptional performance capability.

“Leading high performance in the 21st
century is synonymous with
leading collaboration.”

Several years ago, I attempted to bring to together seven different consulting firms to explore ways we might work together in a more collaborative way. We had already mastered using each other out of necessity, in terms of limited resources such as people and expertise for large projects. However, we had not learned to reduce our individuality sufficiently to engage a project that anticipated the future. As a group of seven different firms, with incredible energy, creativity, and talent, we were only partially successful in our collaborative efforts.

On the other hand, we did experience a series of successes from two or three firms working together. We learned that the intention to collaborate had to also involve recognizing one’s own critical skills and teaming with others to complement the other necessary components. In spite of the fact that we were all multi-talented as entrepreneurs, the central idea driving successful collaborations was to focus on one’s single-most extraordinary talent. We learned one partner was exceptional at networking (marketing), one partner was exceptional at design (creating new products and services), another was exceptional at production (scale level production), and the final element was delivery to the public and service (sales and customer service). These components are no different than the various divisions of a corporation. The key is learning how to balance individuality (which is crucial for success) with collaboration. The two are not mutually exclusive! Therefore, learning how to leverage the power of collaboration is a critical leadership skill for personal and organizational success.

The third critical element for leading high performance is inclusion. Inclusion is an environment where all employees experience equity of opportunity for success. It is an environment where everyone feels wanted, appreciated, and valued for his or her contribution to the organization’s success—irrespective of differences. The key word in the previous statement is differences; differences in sex, ethnicity, nationality, education, native language, position or title, or culture. It is estimated that 80% of the loss processes in producing a product or service is due to interpersonal difficulties resulting from differences. These difficulties include miscommunication, poor relationships, ethnocentrism, lack of collaboration, continual conflict, and control-oriented management. Each contributing to the underutilization of people and significant loss in performance, productivity, and profitability. Learning and implementing the leadership skills of inclusion is the key to creating “profitable environment of production.”

This seminar will provide highly interactive and experiential exercises for learning these three leadership skills:

• Leading high performance
• Leveraging the power of collaboration • Creating an inclusive environment

The site is Klosterberghalle, Langenselbold; kontakt@academy-of-new-life.com is the site for registration. Telepnoe number in Germany for Ulla Knoll:Germany 06055/937369

I will be presenting two seminars/workshops just outside of Frankfurt Germany. "The Power of Personal Performance" on Monday February 18, 2008. The description is attached below:

The Power of Personal Performance


The most important asset we each have in the “world of work” is our performance potential. That is, our ability to bring value to workplace activities that result in greater performance, productivity, and profitability. Profitability is the result of producing our products and services in the most effective and efficient manner. Effectiveness involves the best processes (e.g., Six Sigma) or management system (e.g., Empowerment); whereas, efficiency involves the best utilization of resources (e.g., time, people, materials, and money). Empowerment is the capacity to perform.

Performance potential begins with an individual’s talents, skills, and experiences driven by a mind-set of success. It’s important to recognize that one’s performance potential, in practice, is no greater than the power (mind-set) that drives it. This is a mind-set which assumes a high degree of responsibility and accountability for his or her success— in spite of workplace challenges. For example, it is not uncommon, worldwide, that we all experience inequities in the workplace for which we feel victimized. The question is, “Is it possible to transform that feeling of victimization to one of ‘empowerment,’ in spite of the inequities we might experience?” The answer this seminar proposes is a resounding, Yes! This transformation in mind-set is primarily a result of making a distinction between “unfairness” and “personal responsibility” with a focus on performance.

After establishing a mind-set of “empowerment,” we are prepared to learn new skills involving new personal competencies, as well as new skills in working effectively with others. In addition to maintaining one’s performance potential at a high level of competency through continuous learning, today’s workplace expects employees to be able to plan prioritize, execute, and focus their workplace responsibilities with the least amount of oversight and management. This is self-management. When given an assignment, do you know how to plan it, organize it, and secure the people and resources necessary to execute it? Or, do you need to be told how to perform these responsibilities. An essential part of personal performance is learning a method for organizing and executing your professional (and personal) activities.

The third element of personal success is knowing where you want to be in the short-term and long-term—however you personally define these two phrases. The more your desired future is specific, definable, and a clear picture in your mind, the more probable you will achieve it.

What you can do, or dream you can do, begin it; boldness has genius, power, and magic in it.

--Goethe

In addition, the instant you commit to that desired future, the greater the probability unforeseen resources will come to your aid.

Once a person commits to something, providence sets in; all forms of support will come to his or her aid that could never have been predicted.

--Goethe

This seminar will provide highly interactive and experiential exercises for learning these three skills for exceptional personal performance:

• Personal empowerment
• Self-management
• Designing you future

The site is Klosterberghalle, Langensebold; kontakt@acade
my-of-life.com for registration. Telepnoe number in Germany for Ulla Knoll:Germany 06055/937369.

I always become very reflective around this time of year. Mainly because something inside of me is activated. A feeling. An urge. An overwhelming sense of urgency to make sure that I am moving from the old year to the new with a break in consciousness.

An urge to reflect, to examine, to evaluate myself and the state of the world. So that I don't just take for granted the freedoms and opportunities I have by being an American citizen. That is not to say that I condone the "isms," injustices of what certain groups courageously endure everyday, and even the pain we cause ourselves. I still believe, perhaps naively, that my happiness is primarily my responsibility. And that the more happiness, joy, and enthusiasm I "bring" to my relationships, the happier I will be.

I realize that there are places where there is suppression of the expression of the human spirit, but the human spirit itself cannot be suppressed by anyone except myself. That is, living in a state of empathy, compassion, humility, and love. This is the state where I find peace and happiness with how things are rather than how they should be.

I also recognize that I am constantly in a state of becoming, mainly driven by the experiences and forces of life. Some lessons are harsh, from my perspective, and some are loving and gentle. For me, the harsh ones are the most profound. Like losing someone we love with all the intensity and strength we can spiritually express. It is this type of experience that has the potential for creating an everlasting spiritual connection within ourselves. The process is "letting go" of the mental attachments that appear to sustain us on a human level and allow the spiritual expression to find its own way in human form.

The transition also reminds me of my desire to base my life on a personal vision. This vision has no form of how the world should be. It is simply to assist in creating "human compatibility" among human beings on planet earth. For me, this is a state of being. A state of consciousness that I believe to be a necessity for our continued existence. That vision is the major purpose of this blog site.

I am convinced that if we can collectively experience a critical transformation in human consciousness, permanent solutions will follow with blinding speed. In fact, most of the solutions we require exist today, and have existed for millenia. However, they have all been driven from a context of survival and threat. Therefore, what ultimately shows up are temporary fixes that we somehow know will not be any lasting value.

I am constantly reminded by the optimists I encounter that that the consciousness that I speak of is increasing in number and intensity. I'm not so sure. I struggle between wanting to believe them and yet grounded by my scientific upbringing of tangible, measurable results. In spite of these doubts, I will live my vision everyday as though I am an infinitesimal difference that is influencing human consciousness toward a state of human compatibility.

Have you given thought to what your personal vision is for yourself, those you love, and the world. When you have it, then live it everyday in your sphere of influence. Together we can make a difference by first being a difference.

Your comments are appreciated.

We live in this society which socializes us to value money and achieving it as a way to validate the self. Now, I am speaking about my socialization world growing up, and if you came from a world where the love of doing something in itself was the top prize, regardless of the money situation, quite honestly, I admire that and am a little bit envious.

Growing up, I thought if I could have just enough money to raise a family and keep everyone happy, that is success. Although fleeting thoughts of "what I wanted to do in life-a passion" crept in at times, I often chose paths that money would follow.

Now, at the age of 40, reality has hit in like a ton of bricks. Sure money is important, yet it is not even close to everything. My relationship with my wife, Elizabeth and three boys, Michael 5, Matthew 3, and Cole 1 are the most prescious.

Recently, I discovered a revelation about myself. Whenever, I am desiring the need to be famous or achieve external rewards such as money, it occurs when I am not doing something of "passion" or something that is alligned with my values.

In November, I completed the Philadelphia Marathon. After training for 6 months, and experiencing the pain, sweat, and tears of the process...an elation came over me of joy and peace. This feeling is what is important...as this goal was alligned with my values. My lesson: One of the best experiences in my life, had nothing to do with money. Secondly, it was one of the most difficult challenges and successes in my life.

As we move forward in to 2008, my goal is to really uncover the layers of the onions to my true work passions and continue pursuing them and that it works for the fabulous four.

Happy Holidays to all, thanks for listening.

What does it mean to you that you've not mastered this
major area of relationships? (This question is only to
be answered to yourself! I didn't either.) For me I
don't know if there is really a mastering of
relationships anyway - I guess it's more a learning. A
relationship is the most difficult challenge in life,
especially an intimate one. My point of view to what a
relationship is about has totally changed. There are
two people, they're finding each other. To love
somebody to me means: I'll do all I can to support and
to help him. To let him be the person he already is
(and this is the real difficult part). As soon as I'm
trying to change anything he does or he is - I'm
automatically changing the one I love - would I still
love him, when he's meeting my expectations, when I've
made him change his habits and behaviors? No - because
he's no longer the one I was falling in love with.
Love is not to be exprienced in good times it's more
important to experience love in bad times. And love is
needing truth and confidence as well as imperfection
and failures.
It's more important to give than to get. Listening is
more important than talking. Being here is more
important than going out. Sharing times together in
quietness and silence. Being one.

Am I too romantic or unrealistic?

The more years we can count the more value is our
life. Therefore conflict and gossip are things we
don't need anymore, that's wasting time, and we don't
have that much and we should'nt waste it. But
sometimes they are facing us - that's the time to show
the results we learned in our unique "workshop of
life".

Just as Ithought. When I let go of control all kinds of thoughts began to surface. Particularly, with respect to relationships in my life. I guess it's not surprising. It's the major area of my life that I have not mastered. I feel good about the other parts of my life in terms of growing and learning.

I have a basic dilemma. I enjoy my time alone when I don't want to meet anyone else's needs. And, I also enjoy being with others in meaningful interactions and conversations. I've also reached the point where I understand myself fairly well. Therefore, frequent conflict or gossip is not something I have much patience for anymore.

My point in sharing my thoughts is not a confession, but perhaps to stimulate your own self-examination. I find that it's a powerful exercise to do a regular mental check-up of expectations we have of ourselves and others.

During this season, I plan to continue my introspection process. So that I can do sufficient housekeeping that none of the "stuff" built-up in 2007 will be carried over to 2008. However, prior to transitioning into 2008, I will be writng my vision and objectives. Hope you do the same. If your mind doesn't know what you want then you'll probably be unhappy with what you have.

Love,
Bill

I recently had conversation with one of best friends. He shared with me that he takes a day off every month to be with himself. The day is unplanned and evolves, and is driven by a force within himself. It's like his inner self knows exactly the activities he wants and needs.

The major lesson in his Special Day is trust. Not external trust of others or even himself, but an inner, probably spiritual trust. You can begin to see that such a trust in one's self means a complete loss of control. Because you don't know where it may lead you or the "inner game" you may be participating in! If control is vitally important to you then your Special Day would be one which is well-planned with no deviations or probable surprises.

On the other hand, if you are an adventurer of "inner space," then a spiritually driven special Day per month is perfect. That's exactly what I have in mind for myself today. Just writing this blog has already created a process within me of foreboding or the rumblings of fear. There must be something down there that is just waiting to come to my conscious awareness. I will find out before the day is over and let you know.

In the meantime, why don't you ask yourself how much you trust your self being totally out of control. What might you learn or already have inkling of. Particularly, if you have had this feeling of foreboding for some time. The programmed psyche is a truly mysterious thing. But nothing compared with your spiritual consciousness when it demands to be "heard." Again, I know this from experience.

If you read this blog early enough today, why don't you experiment with me on a half-day basis. Then share with me what you experienced. Or not! Well, "I'm off to see the Wizard, the Wonderful Wizard of Oz!"

Ciao,
Bill

During the Thanksgiving-Christmas season I always take time to reflect on just about everything: Am I doing what I really want to do in my work? How well do I prioritize my time with people and events? Do I know myself well enough to know the kinds of relationship(s) I want; especially intimate ones? Do I feel compelled to fulfill the expectations of others? What are my short and long-term goals and aspirations? How well am I managing money for the short and long terms? And most of all, what comprises happiness for me?

These questions require quiet meditation for me. It appears to also require a kind of selfishness where the answers are all about me. That's okay, because the next sphere of consideration is, "How does my reflection affect and include someone or those around me?" For me, this should be a stepwise process of me first without the aspirations of others mixed with my answers and then recognizing that I don't live in a world without those I love, work, and serve, my personal aspirations and goals must include them.

This is the difficult part of growing up or maturing. How do I "include" others without losing myself or feeling forced to do things that breed resentment--either spoken or unspoken? Moving through this delicate process requires "two" people who are willing to learn and grow. I notice that a number of maturing individuals, particularly women, choose to be single rather than simply "putting up" with a warm body to feel complete. There are a few lessons I have learned through the "workshop of life."

1) Don't feel the need for someone to complete you, you are complete, whole, and perfectly learning, just as you are.

2) Don't look for someone to make you happy or fulfill your dreams, this expectation, in practice, will only breed resentment, polarization, and and unhappy relationship. Bring your happiness with you "to" the relationship and you both will have extended periods of bliss!

3) Don't try to hide the difficult conversations. Things change. People change. Relationships change. And sometimes things can hurt real bad. I know from experience. But hanging in there with a trusted friend can lead to the discovery of a new person inside yourself.

4) As you reflect on the questions above, begin to create a vision or a dream for yourself in whatever spheres of life that interest you most. Then make a "quick plan" for achieving that vision. Then figure out who and what you will as resources. Remember, most of the vision or dream depends on you!

As always, the more ambitious your dream, the greater the test. Oh yeah, somewhere in the process you will be tested as to how badly you really want your dream. I know you have been reading "The Secret," but your dream will not materialize without sweat, pain, and passing your unique tests. So dream something that is both realistic and challenging.

For now, just take a week or so for reflection. Pose the important questions to your subconscious and just be receptive to the answers popping up at unpredictable times; even while you are sleeping! Then move the second phase: formulating a vision or a dream so vivid that you could see, taste, and feel it! Then, move to phase three: planning. As you implement your plan, visualize your end-state every morning. It will guide your daily activities in the direction of your dream.

Let me know how you doing with your process or bumps you might encounter.

Love,
Bill

I just read in U.S.A. Today that Utah has the largest number of depression cases per capita of the 51 states! This article jolted me back to my senses because lately I have been a "little" down. I'm not sure whether it's the holiday season or just feeling overloaded. So I to have to give myself time to think and be alone.

When I just let my mind go without any directions I stumble across people and events in my life where I wish I had done some things differently. Then I pause at certain events or persons to have a conversation or rerun the movie. Then I can feel a sense of calm come over me. I can remove the judgement of myself and just allow me to be the imperfect person I truly am.

In spie of my imperfections, I have many close, trusted friends. I have family that would give me the clothes off their backs. And I have two close friends who love me unconditionally. I'd say I'm pretty well off. Yet, this feeling sort of hangs there with less intensity but reminding me of a life well-lived with many learning lessons.

When I take time to appreciate the little things that are free, but earned through honesty, trust, and love I begin to get some idea what being a human is all about. Like my health, friends, family, and events that have made me successful from sources I have no control of or clue of where they originate. I am convinced that as long as I appreciate and honor the little things in life, the big things will take care of themselves!

Love,
Bill

I know most of us have heard this expression before. But I wonder if we have seriously thought about its implications. The important element is "point of reference" or more precisely "point of origin." If we were or continually are spiritual beings experiencing a human lifetime, then it implies that "who we really are" are spiritual beings in origin.

Therefore, my human experience as Bill is an extension or an aspect of my spiritual self. This assumption or conclusion raises some interesting questions. Like "How many times do I get to have human experiences." Probably only once as Bill. But what about others human experiences as Chad, Mutiu, Chang, or Alexi? And who decides these other human experiences? Do I know, in advance, who I will be, from the spiritual point of reference; after all progressive time does not exist in the spiritual realm!

Another interesting question is, "Can I have simultaneous human experiences as Bill and Chad? If so, would there be a strong attraction between Bill and Chad, no matter where they were born or raised. Would the attraction be so strong, that we would inevitably find each other on planet Earth?

A variation of the scenario above is, "If my spiritual vibration is very close or identical to another spiritual being, what are the implications if we decide to have human experiences simultaneously! The former is a Soul Mate and the latter is a Twin Soul. Would we decide to become human beings together, before being born? Would we remember after becoming human beings? Would our human lives be inextricably tied? No matter what the specific form the drama might take? Marriage, divorce, close friends, business partners, sisters, brothers, etc.

All interesting questions! But they all arise from the basic quotation most of us use quite often and declare makes sense--We are spiritual beings having a human experience! Are we really?

I am interested in your thoughts,
Bill

The plot thickens as the various animal groups decide how to protect themselves with the impending crisis they face. After downloading the various parts, send them to friends you know who will enjoy them. My intent is to create as wide a distribution as globally possible!

Listen and enjoy,
Bill

^The central theme in the free download audio book Animal Kingdom is human compatibility. Why are we so challenged by simply getting along with each other? We tout our scientific and technological advancements as evidence of our evolution as a species, but we continue to destroy each other and the planet that supports our existence. The momentum to do the latter appears to be unstoppable until we collectively face a threatening crisis.

I guess the old statement about change is true. Human beings don't change unless they have to! We are too invested in our way of thinking and believing is right and others who disagree are wrong. This is true right down to the one-on-one relationship level. We all collectively support and behave this paradigm of thinking--even at our own peril. That way of thinking does not appear to be a highly evolved to me!

On the other hand, there are millions of people who work tirelessly everyday for the welfare of others and planetary conservation. Most of these individuals begin by learning to be a difference as their rite-of-passage to making a difference. That is, they attend their own transformation first! Then with humility and compassion, they offer assistance to others in helping them find their own solutions.

I have friend who deals with recurring migraine headaches. I suspect the source is deeply programmed in his reality. At first, I found myself being angry at him for not wanting to explore this source and resolve it. Instead, he chooses to suffer every month or so. When I got real straight that compassion is accepting how another chooses to create his or her path and being there for support, love, and/or conversation when requested, our relationship about his migraines transformed. I learned the issue he is dealing with requires the pain he experiences as due punishment for his unresolved deed--at least in his reality.

I guess human compassion begins with simply accepting others unconditionally as a prelude to influencing their compatibility with others and themselves. The fundamental issues we must deal with are righteousness and ethnocentrism--the human tendency to believe our way of thinking and believing is superior to others. This is not a highly evolved state of consciousness!

I hope these questions are raised as you listen to Animal Kingdom.

Love,
Bill

the third chapter of the book Animal Kingdom is available for downloading. If you like it distribute to all your friends and send them to to the www.where-to-now.com site.

Regards,
Bill

The second chapter of Animal Kingdom is posted--the audio vesion.

Enjoy!
Bill

I have begun posting a free download audio version of the book Animal KIngdom-A Diversity Fable for your enjoyment. As you listen to each of the chapters on a weekly basis, please enter comments where you choose.

Enjoy,
Bill

I think Rule #5 is clear. In the U.S. and probably everywhere else, except possibly Tibet, "Money equals Success!" So the objective for success is to get all the money you can. The problem is, you will probably come face-to-face with some moral dilemma sooner or later. That dilemma will be the moment of truth of your commitment to this rule for failure. If you are anything like most people you'll probably have to learn through the "workshop of life." That is, you'll compromise (a little) of the right thing to do and go for the big pay off. Only to learn that the little compromise was your undoing.

The most recent examples of this situation are the admissions of Jason Giambi (New York Yankee baseball player) and Marion Jones (Olympic champion several times) use of steroids to enhance their performances. I would guess that the mental stress of knowing you cheated and trying to live with it is overwhelming. Which proves that there is something very deep within each of us that wants to be honest and truthful about ourselves. On the other hand, there are situations like Flyod Landis who claimed he did not use illegal performance-enhancing drugs to win the Tour de France, although the tests indicated he did; unlike the tests for Lance Armstrong.

The endorsement and notoriety payoffs in these situations are enormous. It's all about the money and being set for life. Except for the fact that if there is the "slightest" doubt, then someone will go to the ends of the earth to expose You! If you don't do it to yourself, he or she will. In the case of competition, there is always someone just as driven to win as well as collect the "gold" that comes with the win.

As Gordon Gekko (Michael Douglas) states in the movie Wall Street , "Greed is Good. Greed is right. Greed clarifies, cuts through, and captures the essence of the evolutionary spirit." At some level within each of us, particularly in the U.S., this is the credo that equates to success. Until, of course, we experience the fate of Bud Fox in that same movie. He is arrested for insider trading and apparently learns his lesson. However, he still does the time. So keep in mind the lyrics, "Don't do the crime, if you can't do the time!

The point of this rule is, you have to define your own definition of success. Not those flaunted by the media, such as "Lifestyles of the Rich and Famous." There are no famous people!!!! If you live your life full out with whatever you are good at. Then you are just as famous as anyone on this planet.. The only acknowledgement necessary is your own--which is commonly the most difficult one to get!

Write-in your stories of this rule so we can all learn more.

Bill

That's the title of the book Phil Davis and I have written. The subtitle is "The Ten (10) Rules of Highly Unsuccessful People." The basic premise of the book is that we learn our most important lessons in life through experience or "The Workshop of Life."

As children, we are overwhelmed with choices about how to handle life. As a result, we are bound to program some choices that are not in our long-term best interest. Such as, "Look out for #1." Since everyone else seems to be using this rule successfully, we also adopt it. For example, don't share your knowledge or homework with someone else, since they might get a higher grade than you. If they haven't put in the work, that's tough! After all, there only so many "As" available.

By the time we get through schooling and go into the world of work, we have perfected the skill of #1. We begin planning our careers by looking out those opportunities that are in our best interest. After all, we're not plotting the downfall of others. That is, as long their interests don't conflict with ours. We decide what people are needed in support of our quest, and we use them accordingly. After all, if they are too stupid to look out for themselves, there's no hope for them anyway! "It's life. It's not personal."

The problem with this approach is when we encounter someone more ruthless or skilled than we are at "Looking out for #1," then we are in trouble. Because we are likely to get "screwed." This experience is both good and bad. Bad because we lose at winning or gaining some advantage. And good because we are likely to learn the lesson that winning at the expense of others will not sustain our success in the long run; no matter how much short-term success we have. The earlier we learn this life lesson, the greater success, contentment, and well-being we will experience. (I didn't learn this lesson early in life. What about you?)

It's a collaborative world. We can't make it without each other. If even if we apparently do win, what will we have won?

Please share your own personal stories of "Looking out for #1." I will be pleased to post them on this Blog site.

The book will available as e-book in two weeks. Next blog: Rule #4.

As summer fades into the sunset, I begin to look inwardly; much like a bear hibernating for winter. I evaluate my life in terms of what I am doing in comparison to what I say I would like to do.

Relationships are still the dominant force in my life. Just being with people who love me unconditionally. Those with whom I trust with my life. Those who I am tied to in a spiritual bond of love and friendship.

I recently met a Vice President of Human Resources for a Hospital Organization. She was not only fascinating in her power to influence her colleagues, but also had a "presence" that emanated energy of the highest frequencies. I found myself simply fascinated to be around her.

These are the types of people we all have in our lives when we stop to reflect on how they have supported us in times of difficulty and crisis. The most powerful support is having us recognize the power within ourselves to overcome any difficulty we create in our lives.

I have the belief that "problems and solutions " are created simultaneously. Problems are clearly visible and solutions are hidden from us. That means that we are ultimately the only ones who can solve our problems. However, in order to do so, we must resolve some aspect of our ego belief system. This is very difficult to do since most of us believe we are right about any conflict we have!

If you are presently going through a difficult time at present, then let me know anonymously and the combined effort of this site's readers will offer our solutions. I'll post your situation anonymously. You might get some free, valuable ideas for resolution!

Let's hear from YOU.
Bill

Next week I will be presenting a keynote speech focusing on the interrelationship of resilience, transformation, and leadership. If we simply define resilience as the ability to adapt to both gradual and abrupt change, we might also suspect that the major challenge we are dealing with is the acceptance of a different reality--or a transformation in mind-set.

For example, when the levees broke in New Orleans, precipitated by Hurricane Katrina, the resulting flooding and disappearance of New Orleans as I knew it growing up was a very difficult reality to accept. Even the television pictures were not powerful enough to transform my thinking. I had to actually go there and experience the devastation to move through Elisabeth Kubler-Ross' model of Denial, Anger, Bargaining, Depression, and Acceptance. This process was a test of my resilience to change. But most of all, the acceptance that New Orleans would never be the same again! Period!

The process of working as a facilitator with the Hurricane Katrina Utah Support Group helped measurably in my moving through the five-step process. The mutual, support, sharing, and self-organizing we did to survive and adapt to Utah, I define as "collective leadership." Where I define leadership as the ability to influence the thinking (acceptance of the new reality), commitment (the commitment to reinvent their lives), and the performance (through empowered behaviors) of others.

During the very early stages, a more individualistic leadership was necessary to inspire others with hope and desire to ask the question: "Where to now?" Getting to that place was different for each individual, because it required the the five-step journey of Kubler-Ross. At the culmination of this journey, an extremely high level of resiliency is acquired--in addition to whatever existed before by virtue of their race, sex, or other "isms" prevalent in our society requiring adaptive behaviors.

The point is resiliency is a measure of our unique abilities to adapt to change. The change that is required for adaptation is transformation of of our mind-set with respect to accepting a different reality. The process of getting to that place is usually assisted by the influence of others--either individually or as a group.


P.S. Phil and I will be announcing our new blockbuster book very soon! I will also be announcing a date and time for a free webinar on Leadership.

A new twenty-minute podcast is availbale for your listening pleasure. Great for workouts, running, walking, or just being in a learning mode.

Have a great day.

Bill

Here in the U.S. we are lining up for our next presidential election. Many of those running are from the "old school" of 20th century thinking and politics. Some align their strategy on what they think many Americans want to hear. Namely, that we are in a simple adjustment period, but we are still "masters" of the world. Nothing could be further from the truth.

We are in a transformation of influence and power from a Western-dominated world to an Eastern-dominated world. To the first point above (U.S. domination), if you exchange $500 U.S. dollars to Euros, you get back, on the street, 322 Euros. That reality will probably not change very soon. If China, India, and Japan as well as other Eastern economies were to seriously align, the Eastern shift would occur at significantly accelerated rate.

What we need in the role of leadership, globally, are "leaders" who are willing to tell the truth of the changing nature of the world and how we can best adjust to that reality! Self-interest nationalism is a totally out-dated concept. It's based on the pretense that we do not live in an interconnected world. Many, if not most Fortune 100 U.S. companies earn more than 50% of their income outside of the U.S. Fortunately, business realizes they cannot survive and prosper in a world of illusion!

It is crucial to have political aspirants who are willing to have us learn to find a constructive way of adjusting to the changing world reality. Not those who pretend we can go back to the so-called "glory-days" when western-oriented countries did dominate the world economic, political, monetary markets.

Part of the problem is our U.S.-centric news media. If you view CNN News in the U.S. and compare it what you see and hear on CNN Mexico or CNN Europe, you might get the impression that we are living in two or three different realities on the same planet!

My definition of leadership is one who influences others to adjust to the rapidly changing reality that affects their well-being. Telling us what we want to hear by pretending we can "hold-on" to an outdated reality insults the intelligence of us all. I believe we are mature enough to handle the reality that roughly 85 to 90 percent of the world's population are "people of color." In the U.S., that percentage is in excess of 33%; not counting illegal aliens. I project that percentage in the U.S. will be at least 40% by 2020.

We need someone who will tell us that global warming is a reality, that we consume too much energy, that we need to seriously cut harmful emissions; or fundamentally, that we live in a finite world with finite resources. If we don't heed these realities, then we deserve exactly what we get in terms of so-called leadership. Barring anyone willing to begin telling us the truth about our interconnected and transforming world, we are each 100% responsible for learning and accepting the truth ourselves!

I am off on vacation for a week. I invite Guest Bloggers. Most of you must have something to say! So say it!

Peace and Love,
Bill

Which would you choose? Most people want to make a difference. Why? I suspect because they want to see tangiible results for their efforts. But do tangible results mean that something happened that will sustain over time. Or, are we seeing a "temporary fix?" Something that make US feel good about making the world better place by making someone else better.

The question I have is "Did we really make them better or did we really get a temporary fix because of our own self-importance? Do we really have the power to make others better in the firast place? The truth is the only person we have the power to make better is ourselves!

On the other hand, being a difference is whole other matter. It is clear that we enter into a symbotic relationship to experience mutual transformation. Transformation is the only experience that truly "makes a difference." Once there is an irresversible change in mind-set then one's entire outlook on life transforms. Whatever one needs to "do" to make his or his life work becomes an opportunity not a unsurmountable challenge.

The major challenge with being a difference is that You will have to change along with whatever or whoever it is you are trying to change. In other words you subject-object relationship will have to change to Oneness.

I remember when I used to conduct Minority Enhancement programs. I thought I was actually changing them. O found out they decided whether they chose to change or not. And all the science in the world I imparted made absolutely no difference until "they" decided that want to learn.

This is the breakthrough: Until I transformed my mind-set from improving them to "being the change" (Gandhi) I sought for them, then I made absolutely no difference!

The Bill & Phil book. A blockbuster! Coming very, very soon!

I've always believed that I had the power to change the world, but life has taught me that it is an overwhelmingly difficult, if not, impossible task. What I have come to learn is that the instant I take the "I" out of the statement, in thought and deed, then a whole new dynamic appears. For what naturally replaces "I" is "we." "We" is literally infinite in dimension. It goes on forever in both time and space.

For example, communicating in cyberspace is a non-physical encounter with no limitations. The "we" that share the contents of this blog extends as far and wide as this energy transmission can go and be received. The power to change the world depends on the power of the message and readiness of the "we" to accept and live consistent with the message. And now the message: Along with me, I invite you to think and live "simple acts of kindness for one week." View every encounter you have as an opportunity to transform that relationship to peace, harmony, and love. (I know this invitation sounds mushy but examine your own mental, physical, and spiritual well-being afterwards.) You might start with your family or those you encounter on a daily basis.

Here is a list of what I plan to think and do for the next week:

1) I will be aware of how I prejudge others I know based on history. I will assume I am experiencing those close to me for the first time with no history brought into the present moment.

2) I will say "thank you" for every act of kindness done for me.

3) I will think of whose day might be brightened with a flower and give them one.

4) I will acknowledge to someone how important he or she is to the quality of my life.; particularly, where I have been meaning to say it for some time.

5) I will buy a new plant and nurture it to symbolize a new beginning to nurturing my own life in terms of body, mind, and spirit.

6) I will give to others in need, regardless fo their condition in life.

7) I will pay close attention to the needs of my children that I may have recently neglected.

8) I will allow others to be or go first and celebrate their success.

9) I will conserve my use of water, electricity (power), food, to use only what I absolutely need.

10) I will live all of the above without the expectation of acknowledgement, change on someone else's part, or even their conscious awareness of what I have done.

I invite you to make your own list (long or short) and live it as is appropriate for you.

Most of all, invite someone you know do the same if you believe this invitation to be an act of kindness. Together we can change the world with "Simple Acts of Kindness."

I have attached to this blog a booklet titled "Living Without Fear" as a gift. Please enjoy it and write comments. Although the publication at the time involved Katie Guillory, she is no longer my wife.
Click here to download the file

Click here to read online.



Bill

Anyone who has been around Walt Disney stuff knows this song. The fact of it is becoming more real for each of us daily. Borders are a meaningless separation no matter how hard we try to use them for security, protection, or simply to keep others out. Something happens on the Chinese stock market, it's felt around the world. The U.S. has just experienced it's greatest trade deficit with China of staggering proportions. What does that mean anyway?

The World Bank loans money sparingly to poor countries with a suggestion for them to pay it back. Then we expect them to compete on a global stage to earn money to pay the debt; with interest. Then we come to the conclusion that there is no way they can pay it back, whatever proportion was truly used for the best interest of people.

Then there is the Internet which allows this communication. By the number of visitors attracted to this site I feel like I'm sitting in your living room having a chat. Sharing ideas primarily to establish relationship; not to be right about my thoughts. It helps to know that we are connected and probably thinking about the same things: security for our families; peace in the world; and enjoyment of the little daily things in life.

In spite of all the important people running the world we can still reach out to each other to share the truly important things in life. Maybe this weekend you might give some thought to what these are for you and your loved ones. For me it begins with my children; my significant other; my relatives; my work in global transformation; and the taste of a good cup of coffee every morning. I suddenly realize, I am wealthy!

P.S. Phil and I will be coming out with a new book very soon. Be on the look out for it!

A friend just told me of a recent article he read on the Internet. The article predicted that practically information and new knowledge generated would be hosted by the Internet for everyone's use free. Your personal computer would simply be a vehicle for accessing this storage base. It would not be used as we presently do so. Whenever something new and creative is generated, it would automatically become integrated into the universal source. This concept seemed to approach what metaphysical people describe as "Universal Mind." At least, within the bodymind realm.

If so, I have a few interesting questions to pose:

1) What happens to copyrights. Are there any anymore? Are they necessary?

2) Does anyone own information and new knowledge?

3) Is there any such thing as privileged information?

4) Most of all, what are the implications of mental oneness with physical separation? Does physical separation become an illusion?

By the way, I have a couple of new ten-minute diversity podcasts on the site for your listening enjoyment: "The Business of Diversity" and "Personal Discovery."

I haven't written blog in a week or so because I've been doing some thinking. I been wondering how bad does it have to get before we (the average person) decide that we are 100% responsible and 100% accountable for the condition of Planet Earth. I suspect most of us believe we are innocent victims of the system or that our leaders (whoever they are) will somehow save the day. Or at least we can blame them when things start to fall apart. When I speak of we, I am speaking of every inhabitant of Planet Earth.

The condition of the planet is that we have had 10,000 wars in 5,000 years; with no end in sight. More than 40% of the U.S. population is health uninsured. The rate of poverty and starvation continues to increase in spite of the fact that there is enough food to feed every person on this planet. Most of us live in a constant state of fear. In the U.S., we are individually the most armed nation on the planet. We live in fear of each other. Yet we all seem to be looking for something that brings us peace, love, and happiness.

However, peace, love, and happiness are not free. Fortunately, the cost is not money. It costs something more challenging than earning money. It requires a transformation in way we view reality. The problem here is that we all, 6 or 7 billion of us, think that our reality is not only right but the only one that makes sense! Even in this day and time, most religions are still claiming they are the only true religion. With this mentality, I wonder some time how we've lasted this long.

I'm sure you've heard the story about the rat, the tunnel, and cheese. A rat will go down a tunnel once or at most twice. If there is no cheese, he or she tries another tunnel. But not humans. We continually go down the same tunnel of conflict, endlessly. The beliefs and attitudes we have about each other are so hard-wired, that we'd rather end our existence than change or more precisely, transform.

This whole discussion is why I believe diversity is the most important phenomena of the 21st century. Our willingness (not ability) to understand, respect, and ultimately value differences is the only hope for our continued existence on planet earth. Transformation can come about through either "tipping point global transformation" or "catastrophically driven transformation."

The point is this: When a majority of us individually and collectively decide to live as though peace, love, and understanding already exist, the the reality will appear at blinding speed--without the necessity of any great (or ungreat) leader. When we realize that leadership is the "living will of the people," we will have gotten it!


P.S. I will be posting some new podcasts soon.

No matter where you look these days diversity is ever present. I think of diversity as being synonymous with differences. I used to think that you needed another person as part of your experience for diversity to play out, such as a relationship, collaboration, or a team sporting activity. But more recently I am finding more points-of-view in my own thinking. Me, myself, and I are not agreeing so easily on everything as we used to.

In fact I thought disagreeing within your self was schizophrenia rather than diversity. But what I am beginning to believe is that it is the start to seeing the world through someone else's eyes. This insight is the first step to understanding others or empathy--to be and see the world through someone else's experience. When I have this experience with someone I am having conflict with what I experience is fear. And fear triggers survival behaviors; fight or flight or both, depending on the situation.

Right now I am in the process of writing a co-authored book with one of my best friends. I respect him and I love him as a person. We are significantly different in race, background, age, life experiences, religion, and many other dimensions of diversity. Yet I find it easy to listen to him and his differing views on relationships, the war, religion, the strong issues involving race and sex in the U.S. In fact, I always come away transformed in my own thinking by his non-threatening way of communicating.

I find I am more influenced by him than all the news media--paper or cyberspace--around. Over time, I've sought out people in my life who are significantly different in their thinking than I am without feeling threatened. I have concluded that my reality is not only not right, but is in constant transformation--as is life.

However, what I have also noticed is that we have a spiritual commonality. We are spiritual beings having a human experience--the ultimate source of conflict is nonalignment of this principle with human belief and behavioral systems. We are all interconnected--what happens to you will eventuality happen to me. We are one undivided family--the illusion of separateness creates ethnocentric conflict which breeds the apparent necessity for superior/inferior, right thinking/wrong thinking, best way/worse way, and the endless dichotomies the rule our thinking.

As I have stated previously, diversity is the most important phenomenon of the 21st century. Our willingness (not ability) to embrace it and make a reality will determine our fate on this planet we call Earth.

I recently gave a speech on integrative health care. Yet if you asked me exactly what I said I cannot recall specifically. I prepared extensively what I wanted to say but when I began my written speech became more of a nuisance than an aid. Then I did something not unusual for me. I began having a conversation. Except it was like one the TV anchors. The dialogue just flowed through me.

The sequence of conversation took it's own flow. One sentence led to another without my conscious interference. The time in my reality disappeared. I could read faces as though they were telepathing thoughts about examples I should use or the direction the speech should take.

I would glance at the powerpoint slides just at the time the conversation would lead to a certain point. Then I came back and audience was staring at me as if I had said something important. I wondered what I had said. Now the feeling was of inspiration coming "through" me instead of through telepathing.

The messages were very clear.

1) Obstacles you encounter are not meant to be solved by you alone. They are there for your discovery of love and connectedness with others.

2) Since no one really owns the resources of the Earth what you need will find its way to you if you do not block it with walls of isolation--whether your need is love, support, learning, money, peace, renewal, or recapturing the love you alienated.

3) The act of forgiveness is really an act of your own humility, since you truly do not have the power to forgive another. You do have the power to forgive your own incompletion of internally-sourced anger that is often expressed at some external situation or person.

4) As long as you remember that you are spiritual beings (as point of origin) living a human existence then you realize love is what gave rise to your existence. And love is what gently guides you through the obstacle course of life.

5) The love We speak of is a smile, a hello, a few coins for someone in need, a non-judgemental attitude for a misdeed, letting someone else go first and you go second, and the recognition and acknowledgement that nothing you accomplish is done alone.

6) And finally, problems, more often than not, resolve themselves when you decide to resolve your inner conflict that fuels emotions of fear and anger.

These are a few thoughts for you to dwell on Bill.

Afondadieu.

I recently gave a speech on integrative health care. Yet if you asked me exactly what I said I cannot recall specifically. I prepared extensively what I wanted to say but when I began my written speech became more of a nuisance than an aid. Then I did something not unusual for me. I began having a conversation. Except it was like one the TV anchors. The dialogue just flowed through me.

The sequence of conversation took it's own flow. One sentence led to another without my conscious interference. The time in my reality disappeared. I could read faces as though they were telepathing thoughts about examples I should use or the direction the speech should take.

I would glance at the powerpoint slides just at the time the conversation would lead to a certain point. Then I came back and audience was staring at me as if I had said something important. I wondered what I had said. Now the feeling was of inspiration coming "through" me instead of through telepathing.

The messages were very clear.

1) Obstacles you encounter are not meant to be solved by you alone. They are there for your discovery of love and connectedness with others.

2) Since no one really owns the resources of the Earth what you need will find its way to you if you do not block it with walls of isolation--whether your need is love, support, learning, money, peace, renewal, or recapturing the love you alienated.

3) The act of forgiveness is really an act of your own humility, since you truly do not have the power to forgive another. You do have the power to forgive your own incompletion of internally-sourced anger that is often expressed at some external situation or person.

4) As long as you remember that you are spiritual beings (as point of origin) living a human existence then you realize love is what gave rise to your existence. And love is what gently guides you through the obstacle course of life.

5) The love We speak of is a smile, a hello, a few coins for someone in need, a non-judgemental attitude for a misdeed, letting someone else go first and you go second, and the recognition and acknowledgement that nothing you accomplish is done alone.

6) And finally, problems, more often than not, resolve themselves when you decide to resolve your inner conflict that fuels emotions of fear and anger.

These are a few thoughts for you to dwell on Bill.

Afondadieu.

I am in the process of preparing for a speech titled "Health, Wellness, and Spirituality." It is to be given next week at a conference of the Integative Health Network in Salt Lake City, Utah. When I attempted to write about the connection between spirituality and health, I suddenly realized that I had no idea what the connection is! A blank!

Then I began to review what I perceive spirituality to be; that which comes from within, beyond the belief structures of the bodymind consciousness. I define health as a state of natural body functioning. This means that the body needs little in the way of artificial support for its natural functioning, consistent with its age and predisposed genetic disposition.

If I assume connectedness and oneness to be natural spiritual principles of human existence, then belief structures and behaviors which attempt to create a reality of separateness is the source of discord, division, and conflict in human reality; right down the the personal level. Diversity is the universal phenomenon which is attempting to have us realize the falsity of separateness.

By separateness I mean belief structures that support racism, sexism, ethnocentrism, etc that are translated into behaviors of discrimination. I had an experience the other day of a person who stated, "I'm glad my skin is white." Now I'm sure this person means something more than just color, but further implications of beauty, intelligence (involving technology), or possibly superiority. These notions are the obvious cause of most of the discord in the world today. But they all have in common the notion of separate and unequal by whatever measure one wants to use.

The reason diversity is so resisted is because, at its base, it fosters the concepts of connectedness and oneness. Since these are spiritual principles, that is the major reason diversity, as an acitve initiative, still exists today. Remember, it had its official origin about 1985. The ultimate objective of diversity is to create "cultural inclusion or compatibility." In essence, this means the collective human experience of transformation from separateness to oneness.

Oddly enough, in spite of the resistance to diversity, cultural compatibility is the only hope for continued human existence on this planet we call Earth. From a "scientific" measured perspective, that occurrence does not appear to be anywhere near a reality on anyone's radar screen!

What's your opinion?

This past weekend a friend and I spent a weekend in the Napa Valley in Northern California. We meet about three times a year with no agenda or reservations. The weekend unfolds as it unfolds. This weekend we were led to a conversation involving the Law of Intentionality. Which states, "you want what you have in your life."

For example, if you are in job you hate, you would rather have it than leave for something else--whatever the reason might be. If you are in an ongoing dysfunctional relationship, then that relationship is preferable to leaving it. And the list goes on and on, such as work-life balance, an unsuccessful career, under performing in school, etc. In essence, "you create your reality" more than you acknowledge to yourself.

Our conversations extended to groups. Are African Americans doing enough to help themselves? Is a position of victimization going to serve our best interests in the long run--irrespective of whatever wrongdoings have been done in the past? As America progresses at and accelerated rate, are we keeping pace? What are the consequences of being left behind? And most of all, is our own mind-set our greatest deterrent? How would we behave if we assumed 100% responsibility for our collective condition in the U.S?

We also discussed other groups. How would the state of racism transform if majority individuals admitted the racial bias and discrimination are active, alive, and practiced in every aspect of American society? How would the polarization that exists change if we truly began the process of cultural integration instead of cultural assimilation? What would happen if we created a "tipping point" of diversity by those in power?

These are a few of the questions we explored. We did decide that if humans are committed to their continued existence on this planet we call Earth, then we are going to have to begin asking, dialoguing, and acting on very, very, uncomfortable questions. I emphasize again, tipping points are never started by appointed leadership. They start because of the concern of people right where they are within the sphere they influence. The multiplying factor will take care of itself if there is sufficient public concern.

At the conclusion, we discussed the possibility of putting together "An African-American Leadership Retreat" focused on transforming the context of our approach to change rather than a content-oriented approach. The question we were left with is could we attract enough participants to attend? The number we had in mind is 20-25 participants. What do you think?

This past weekend a friend and I spent a weekend in the Napa Valley in Northern California. We meet about three times a year with no agenda or reservations. The weekend unfolds as it unfolds. This weekend we were led to a conversation involving the Law of Intentionality. Which states, "you want what you have in your life."

For example, if you are in job you hate, you would rather have it than leave for something else--whatever the reason might be. If you are in an ongoing dysfunctional relationship, then that relationship is preferable to leaving it. And the list goes on and on, such as work-life balance, an unsuccessful career, under performing in school, etc. In essence, "you create your reality" more than you acknowledge to yourself.

Our conversations extended to groups. Are African Americans doing enough to help themselves? Is a position of victimization going to serve our best interests in the long run--irrespective of whatever wrongdoings have been done in the past? As America progresses at and accelerated rate, are we keeping pace? What are the consequences of being left behind? And most of all, is our own mind-set our greatest deterrent? How would we behave if we assumed 100% responsibility for our collective condition in the U.S?

We also discussed other groups. How would the state of racism transform if majority individuals admitted the racial bias and discrimination are active, alive, and practiced in every aspect of American society? How would the polarization that exists change if we truly began the process of cultural integration instead of cultural assimilation? What would happen if we created a "tipping point" of diversity by those in power?

These are a few of the questions we explored. We did decide that if humans are committed to their continued existence on this planet we call Earth, then we are going to have to begin asking, dialoguing, and acting on very, very, uncomfortable questions. I emphasize again, tipping points are never started by appointed leadership. They start because of the concern of people right where they are within the sphere they influence. The multiplying factor will take care of itself if there is sufficient public concern.

At the conclusion, we discussed the possibility of putting together "An African-American Leadership Retreat" focused on transforming the context of our approach to change rather than a content-oriented approach. The question we were left with is could we attract enough participants to attend? The number we had in mind is 20-25 participants. What do you think?

Three significant events happened to me this past weekend. In retrospect, I can see they are are all related. They have helped me to refocus on my defined life purpose: which is to create a humanly compatible planet. This purpose has been an active part of my life through my twenty-five years of diversity work. The driving-force of this work, all along, has been my continual learning about the power of spirituality as the essential source for creating this vision.

The first event was a meeting with five of my dearest business friends. We met to try to understand how the business environment is changing and its impact on our businesses. The more we talked, the more I experienced increasing anxiety about what we are selling as a business. The anxiety gave way to fear and I began thinking about creating the next gimmick that could be popular and profitable, but having no direct connection to my purpose. The reason I call it a gimmick is that the diving motivation was trying to figure out what people would be attracted to and buy in great quantity, rather than would it lead to greater human compatibility. Even while thinking through the process, I could feel something flawed about my motivation. I can see now that my motivation was driven out of scarcity, profit, and a lack of faith in myself that by staying the course, the path would reveal itself.

The second event is conversations with my daughters. These always tend to create an easy environment of in-depth sharing. First, I feel I can tell them anything that's on my mind. Second, they ask questions for greater clarification that inevitably lead to greater introspection on my part. Or I simply perceive that greater depth is where the real answers are. So, I picked the right moment to say to them, "Remember, always be true to yourself. Be sure to do what you truly love in your life. Whatever you need will follow." One of them asked, "Like what?" I said, "Like trying to make the world better or treating someone nice who might be having a hard day or doing what your heart tells you when you feel confused." But most of all, remember that what you do is telling the world something about who you are as a person. And that is what the world remembers most. At that moment, I realize that I am not only talking about myself, but I have two incredible facilitators.

Now to the dream. Last night I had a vivid dream of four people, each having a role in bringing about a compatible planet. All four had different roles to play and all four were experiencing different degrees of anxiety and fear. As I focused on my role there were three pieces in place and a fourth piece missing. No matter how hard I tried by "doing things" nothing clarified the missing part. I felt very frustrated. I finally gave up trying to figure out the fourth piece and slept through the night. When I awakened this morning, I had an overwhelming feeling the fourth piece is there but I still cannot consciously see it. I also know that sometime in the next day or so, it will appear to me from "the blue nowhere." By the way, I'm sure the dram was triggered by a movie my daughters and I watched last night titled, "the Girl in the Cafe."

I am equally certain that these three events are not accidental, but all a connected sequence to serve as a course correction for me to refocus on my self-defined purpose--which is spiritually sourced.

Bill

For Easter Sunday, I thought I would revisit the subject of service. What does it mean to serve others, from a spiritual perspective? I have a friend whose brother was an alcoholic. He devoted a great deal of time and energy trying to make his brother sober, as a way of life. When his brother visited, he hid liquor in the house. He constantly monitored his brother's activities. He tried to keep his brother in sight at all times. And most of all, he felt it was his duty to use whatever resources he had for his brother's conversion to be like others who were non-alcoholic.

He convinced his brother to attend an Alcoholics Anonymous meeting. When his brother returned from the the meeting, he stated, " I hate going to those meetings, it's like looking at myself." For some reason, a light went on in my friend's head. The statement appeared to be true about him also. He realized that his pilgrimage to save his brother was really driven by a fear within himself of his own potential to become an "active alcoholic." He realized that he was a "latent alcoholic." And given the right circumstances, he could also become active.

Following this line of thinking, he had a further realization. If alcoholism is basically an addiction, then he was an alcoholic in several areas of his own life with his wife, children, and friends. But what all those areas had in common was his need to be accepted in spite of his short comings as a person. He realized he was just like his brother that he was trying to save. His desperate act of conversion was really his own personal transformation. Such a transformation leaves one humbled and respectful of the struggles of others, which is wisdom; an in-depth understanding, empathy, and compassion for the human condition.

Now my friend was ready to serve. Service, from a spiritual perspective, requires a "rite of passage." That rite of passage establishes the context for service. This context begins an "unconditional acceptance" of others exactly as they are. There is no "need" to make them better as defined by one's own criteria or condition. There is no necessity for someone else's conversion. If so, the act is not service but manipulation to cover one's own uncertainty or deficiency.

Spiritually-driven service is the natural expression of human participation in life based upon an inner prompting to contribute to the well being of others. The context for this expression is

Empathy--the true caring and understanding of another's path as if it were your own.

Compassion--the unconditional acceptance of another's chosen path; and where appropriate, have them realize their potential for change.

Humility--the realization of your own equality with others regardless of their condition or station in life.

Love--the realization of your interconnectedness with others as one.

And most of all, remember you are saving yourself!

Happy Easter,
Bill

Good morning to all of you out there!

Today I want to share, what a very good, close, friend was telling me:Focus on your relationships, not to the world. You're like a stone thrown into the water. If you throw a stone into your pond you'll see the waves it'll make. There are circles getting bigger and bigger. That's how you're acting in your relationships. You don't have to see or feel a change. But there is one.

And live your life out of your "inner brain" not with your head. Listen to your feelings. If there is a sudden feeling, listen to it.This inner brain is not influenced by the way you're brought up. During growing up you forgot about acting out of your heard, your feelings, your inner brain. You've started thinking, and you've started weighing up: If I do that -what may happen? Will I be doing good? And you've been captured in a net. You've lived your life, creating an new one. A life that's called:

How others want me to be. Just return listening to your inner brain. And by the time you'll become centered, you'll know what to do and for all that you're taking responsibility. 'cause it's YOU.

I'm sure, this is the way we all should go on. Focussing on ourselves, being a change in the world. Would be great if I could give you some words to discus about.

Looking to hear from you.
Ulla

Hi,

We are responsible to all the things that ARE GOING ON.

We can change "thoughts". the world will be the result of our actions.

Pay attention! Collective conscience. Lets think in peace, and happiness for all the world everyday at 6 a.m. ? Together, and once a week let us talk about our feelings in here?

I am only making a suggestion!

Hugs for all
From Brazil

My good brothers and sisters,

There is a persistent breeze blowing through Delhi this blue-skied spring morning. It is this breeze that swirls within and looses the remaining ties of my soul to this place.

Yesterday marked a cleaning out of desk drawers, today a second-to-last Costa coffee and tomorrow a 'yard sale' (give away) to my cleaning lady (whose daughter marries next month), garbage collector, and newspaper recycler.

I expect that all that shall return with me will fill two suitcases, my lone Indian treasure being a beautiful shawl given to me by the team I've worked with over these last five years. Otherwise, the riches I bring back are those empty spaces freed up by all the layers of me worn away by India. And an awareness of the layers still to go.

My next adventure is yet to be determined. This breeze must first carry me home. However, as with the initial pull to India (and South Africa before), there is a similar gravity to what may come. Perhaps it will be in the land of Dr. King... though we shall see.

I am eager for my long overdue homecoming and to reconnecting with many of you. I look forward to sharing reflections on the unfolding journey, particularly as they arise within this cusp of transition. I apologize that it's been a bit quiet over these last few months - I've found myself caught up in the whirlwind of bringing this life to a close.

Peace and much love,
Gared

The sixth and final element is creativity and innovation. Creativity is the conception of an idea. Innovation is the manifestation of that idea in some form, such as a product or service. The natural question regarding this element is how are these phenomena related to collaboration? The obvious answer is that we need new ideas and products on a continuing basis to collaborate about! These have to come from the collaborators.

In other words, a culture of collaboration is one that fosters creative products. My most obvious example of this phenomenon is Apple. I think there is little argument that it is a culture where software innovation is a way of life. The most recent to be release in June, 2007 is the iPhone. Creativity can occur both within and outside of the mainstream thinking. This idea is perhaps best captured by the quote of Wynton Marsalis, famous New Orleans-born jazz musician.

Leadership is the ability to influence others. In terms of collaboration, it is enhancing the growth, skills, and performance of others, regardless of status, position, or title. The emphasis is on horizontal structure and operation. Respect, in terms of leadership, is reflected by competence, continuous learning, and performance, not presumed title.

A short time ago, I brought together two of my closest business associates and friends. We met to consider how we might establish a closer business relationship. Everything went fine until we began to discuss money. Then a whole new dynamic set in--scarcity. At first, we didn't recognize the increased emotion and level of intensity that had set into our conversation. Then someone said, is 20% or 15% that big of a deal compared to what we can create together? What is the issue we are dealing with?

What we concluded is that we were operating as a collection of individuals in a cooperative way. We were still trying to work our way to establishing a "consciousness of collaboration." The contents of the agreement was NOT the problem. The context of looking for the best interest of each other in terms of the value of each of our contributions was the real life process we were engaged in. It's a funny thing about collaboration, the more you think about the well-being and value-added of others, the more you get a greater share than what you could bargain for! This is a leap of faith in your willingness to collaborate.

Those of us who are really interested in collaboration will lead by a willingness to risk. After all, collaboration does not come naturally to a strongly individualistic society like the U.S. On the other hand, Eastern societies will be equally challenged by integrating individualistic performance with their natural inclination to collaborate. What I am saying here is that although collaboration will dominate the business landscape, individual performance will still be the intiating force to create, innovate, and produce breakthrough products and services.

Leadership, within this context, is the willingness to influence the transformation of others in creating a "collaborative mentality." Once this mentality is established, the rest is detail!

Bill

For the individual who is interested in my blog stats let me know your name and email address. I look forward to hearing from you.

I am inviting those of you who benefit from the contents on this site to help me expand the number of visitors to this blog. At present, we get an average of 2000 unique visitors and 4000 visitations per month. Eighty (80) percent of our visitors are from the U.S. and twenty (20) percent are from other countries in the world.

I would like to increase our unique visitors to 4000 and the percentage of non-U.S. visitors to 30% in two months. I invite each of you to ask at least two other people you know to visit our site and see if they gain value. I ask for your support and suggestions.

Thanks,
Bill

Inclusion is transcending (not eliminating) one's own personal identification to become part of a greater whole; to create a unity of One. I know we all like to identify with a "Tribe." We are American, Christian, African-American, French, Liberal, Democrat, relationship-oriented, group-oriented, individualistic, and on and on. We have so many forms of identification of who we are it must be confusing just to keep up with them all!

Why not simply be a human being. In every sense of that phrase. Be a "spiritual being having a human experience," and you'll probably get along with everybody. You'll also establish the basis of a relationship to truly collaborate with others--not simply cooperate. Cooperation, again, simply involves trade offs where in the end I am always looking for what's in my best interest.

I understand that with a survival-based mentality, we are always limited to a small dimension of who we can possibly be--the descriptors above. Thus, we always have the basis for differences prevailing as the major driving force for human interaction. Primarily, the endless process of proving one descriptor is better than the other and ultimately doing whatever is necessary to have one's way of thinking prevail. This mode of thinking and behaving will not produce collaboration or a unity of One!

To give up one's sense of personal identification can be challenging or down-right scary. "What will the group think?" "What about my friends?" But the scariest question of all is, "Who will I become?" "Just another human being without distinction from the others?" Well, you'll have to take a leap of faith in yourself that the defining spiritual character about yourself cannot disappear by the process of becoming a greater dimension of who you can be. But I can guarantee you, you'll not only like what's on the other side but you'll never fit into that limiting form again. The old shoe will no longer fit!

So, inclusion involves dealing with the self-limiting prejudices, biases, ethnocentric attitiudes, and feelings of superiority we all have with respect to others. Give up the endless process of trying to succeed at the expense of others. Give up the "you or me" attitude based on scarcity. Even if you want to be a multimillionaire, you can only eat one hotdog at a time. Think and behave more of supporting the success of others. These are some ideas for adopting a "consciousness of collaboration."

Wynton Marsalis (jazz guy from New Orleans) said it best,

"The feeling that 'our way' is more important than my way."

By the way, thanks for the recommendations for others to visit the site. The numbers went up from the day before. I will keep you posted of our success.

I am inviting those of you who benefit from the contents on this site to help me expand the number of visitors to this blog. At present, we get an average of 2000 unique visitors and 4000 visitations per month. Eighty (80) percent of our visitors are from the U.S. and twenty (20) percent are from other countries in the world.

I would like to increase our unique visitors to 4000 and the percentage of non-U.S. visitors to 30% in two months. I invite each of you to ask at least two other people you know to visit our site and see if they gain value. I ask for your support and suggestions.

Thanks,
Bill

Trust is the interpersonal glue that creates quality working relationships. Trust means there are no hidden agendas, back-stabbing, or gossip. These are all behaviors that undermine the morale and functioning of an organization.

Trust means to live up one's agreements, obligations, and responsibilities--both interpersonal and professional. Whatever it takes! For example, in our organization, Innovations International, as a CEO who travels 50% of the time, trust has to exist among us. Sometimes when the ball is dropped, we have heated conversations. That's infinitely better than passive-aggressive behavior that undermines people and will ultimately extend to customers.

The interesting thing about trust is that you can "feel" it with your metaphysical senses--clairaudience or even telepathy. How many times have you used the expression, "I have a feeling that......" And trusting that feeling you are probably confirmed more often than not. I often use it to make decisions about people who I do business with that claim to embrace collaboration and partnership. Even when the business chips are all aligned, if "gut-trust" is off, it is a no-go!

Trust means that you have surety that your back is covered. If you have someone in your life like that, hold on tight. Fortunately, I have about four people like that in my life, not counting family members. I am very, very fortunate. One of the best tests is if that person is willing to go to the end with you. For example, I find that money is usually one of the best tests for trust--especially when people are hurting.

I have experienced two or three gut-wrenching violations of trust from people I absolutely trusted. In spite of these experiences, I will continue to trust, without the necessity of proof. The number of people I have met of quality far outnumber those who used my back for their own purposes. But I assume that comes with the human experience.

When all is said and done, trusting others is a measure of how much you trust yourself! Trust is probably the most important element that distinguishes collaboration from cooperation. The two are the Grand Canyon apart. If you ain't got trust in the organization as I have described it here, then forget about a Culture of Collaboration. Be satisfied with cooperation as long as you a have profitable operation.

However, sooner or later (more sooner than later), you will have to "do" collaboration to be successful.

Check out our most recent podcast on the FuturePerfect Organization. It is a 28 minute speech describing the New Leadership for the 21st Century. And for the time being, it is free!

Love,
Bill

Like the "Lady" said R-E-S-P-E-C-T, give me my propers when I get home! Respect in terms of the acceptance of the inherent value and equality of others; particularly where differences are prominent. How can there be collaboration, as I have defined it, without respect? Not possible. The mechanical and technological aspects of collaboration are EASY compared to the interpersonal stuff that make them work. Can I get an AMEN?

I remember when I used to conduct "minority enrichment programs" at the university. I could see on the faces of those students, "Do you think I am inferior?" So, the first thing I began with is, "Why do you think we are here?" There was absolute silence. In fact, there was more than a hint of hostility. So I asked again, "Why do you think we are here?" Someone said, "Because they think we are dumb!" So I asked, "Are you dumb?"

There was a resounding "No." With an unspoken word that started with an A. So I said, "If you are not dumb, then why are we here?" "Because we have a hard time adjusting to this place," was a response. This place was a dominantly white, middle-class institution. "Why is that," I asked. "They think we are here because we are academic welfare cases." "Well, are you?" I asked innocently. "Hell no," was the response of my brightest welfare cases. "Well when are you going to stop performing like you are? I asked. There was absolute silence. Notice I didn't ask "acting like" but "performing like."

"They don't respect us" someone shouted. "Do you respect yourself?" I asked. "Of course" was the collective response. "Then why do you need anyone's approval? I asked humbly. Absolute silence again. "If we are going to do this thing together, then we had better get clear about the difference between respect as a person and what you know or don't know about western mathematics and science. If we discover that science and mathematics are not the problem, then let's talk about self perception, responsiblity, and empowerment." Which we did for two hours. After which, I suggested we meet again in one month to review our performances and decide where do we go from here. By the way, these minority students were of all races, ethnicities, and sex!

What's the point? When we bring self respect (not arrogance) to a relationship it shouts louder than any action needing approval. When respect is there, then the third element of collaboration naturally follows: Trust.

The first element of collaboration is commitment. That is aligning and obligating one's self to achieving a common objective, goal, or vision. The greatest challenge to western-oriented people is the fact that we are dominantly individually-oriented. We believe that a group is made up of a collection of individuals. Whereas, eastern-oriented people believe that there is no such thing as an individual separate and apart form the group.

We can immediately see how these two different interpretations of "who we are" can set us off in totally different directions--particularly where collaboration is concerned. What makes this situation even more challenging is that both groups believe their point-of-view is "truth," not a belief! The perfect condition for ethnocentric conflict!

I facilitated a workshop in diversity in Hong Kong about fifteen years ago. I separated the workshop group into four teams with different instructions (western style) and a time-frame for completion. After five minutes into the exercise the four teams spontaneouly formed one big team--the entire group! The one team proceeded to address the four parts of the exercise until they felt they were complete. That was lesson I have never forgotten. When I had conducted the same exercise in the U.S., my instrucrtions were followed perfectly.

On the surface individualism and group appear to be incompatible. But when we adopt a holistic view, we begin to see that the two are mutually compatible. There is a time for individualism, group, and both. I am most creative as an individual experience. I am most innovative (to manifest a creative idea) when working with others. The combination of our knowledge bases creates a product none of us could have done alone.

So the first, and most challenging, step is adopting a holistic, integrative mind-set that transcends one point-of-view and compatibly embraces both. Particularly, since the the Earth's population is less than 10% individualistic in their thinking; as a natural propensity. So commitment to collaboration is the process of working with others in such a way that there is a unity of one. The process of forming the United States and the resulting binding document--The Constitution--in 1776 is an example of commitment to collaboration.

On the other hand, the execution of that document in an equitable way, since its inception, is another question!

Yesterday I went to see the movie Dream Girls with my two daughters--ages 10 and 13. I personally experienced every emotion possible. I laughed, cried (unashamably), got angry, felt sorrow and regret, and in the end felt I had been treated to an event well worth the price of admission.

It was wonderful to view motion picture entertainment with a dominant Black cast that did not feature violence, sex, and all the stereotypes that reinforce how we are perceived--even to ourselves! Nor did it carry a theme of victimhood or reparations for past injustices. To me, it was a real-life story of the struggles that human beings face when driven to simultaneouly achieve success and happiness.

It also featured the attitude of success necessary to successfully compete on an uneven playing field. And the breakthroughs made by past entertainers in the music industry--which appears to be highly cut-throat. They were the Giants that paved the way for the opportunities many of us have today--sometimes without proper recognition and acknowledgement. (The Ray Charles movie was similar in this respect)

Most of all, it was a basic story about the human experience that we can all identify with irrespective of race, ethnicity, or national origin. After all, we all have "a story." And that story is filled with successes, failures, disappointments, regrets, and ultimately triumph of the human spirit. Think how boring the human experience would be without all of these! One thing I've always said is when I choose to die, this body will be completely used up. It will not still have the price tag on it!

Most all, the movie was not an updated form of "Amos and Andy." Where we were originally allow entre into the entertainment business in roles of "stereotypical humor." Like Martin Luther King said in one of his speeches, "I don't choose to scratch where I don't itch or laugh when something isn't funny!" I'm not sure how many of the majority population support us in this role of human beings having real life experiences (in terms of box-office attendance), but Eddie Murphy did win a Golden Globe Award for Supporting Actor.

Most of all, I could see my life flash by in almost every scene and acting role. I am also clear that the feelings and emotions I experienced were my own, not the actors on the screen. I told my girls it was a wonderful, powerful, and very cheap workshop.

Bill

Bill,yesterday in the afternoon I joined my friends going to the Old Opera in Frankfurt. My birthday surprise was a concert with the Funkbrothers. It was great and very unique. They had a special guest: He was German and he was white. But on the stage they've been just one. The same happened to us, the audience. Black and white people. Then one of the funkbrothers said: Now, times changed, didn't they? In our beginnings we took coffee breaks, years passed and we took alcohol-breaks, years passed and we took smoking breaks and now we have to take pill-breaks to go ahead. This was fun, we all laughed because we all knew what he was talking about. But putting his words into an other situation may be in a not so funny behavior, nobody would laugh and he would have been "the blamed". So, words and situations are what we're making them. It's up to each one of us if we laugh, cry or condemn.After a couple of time no one in the audience was able to sit anymore. Everyone was dancing. Because the people on the stage expressed their feelings and put that spell on us. They love what they do. The love the music. Giving that spell to us makes us loving the music, feeling the music.For me, thats why music is one of the fine arts. If I listen carefully, with all my senses, to music (no matter if I listen to Marvin Gaye, Tschaikowsky or Mozart), I can feel what they feel. Because musicians express their feelings through their music. And that is the point for me: They allow us to take a look inside. Did a politician ever let us look inside? No, because of his fear that we could see something. And sometimes there is nothing to see than profit. They don't love what they are doing. They're doing their jobs for: Profit and Power. And one result of profit and power is, and here I agree with Phil Davies, to be able to deal with fear and give your own fear to others while thinking: If I give my fear to others I will loose my own fear. But this is an error. By giving away your fear to others, you only enlarge it, nothing else, you never loose it. Putting people in fear is the absolute wrong way.

Ulla

Bill,
The first time I watched Apocalypto - the new Mel Gibson movie - I realized that the theme of the movie had something to do with fear, but it wasn't until I watched the movie a second time with you this afternoon that I discovered why Mel Gibson chose fear as the theme of his movie.

In the beginning of the movie, Jaguar Paw's father tells him not to bring his fear into the camp. Then, as the warriors are chasing Jaguar Paw through the jungle, the leader of the band tells the others that Jaguar Paw runs because he is afraid. But after Jaguar Paw emerges (is reborn) from the quicksand, he starts to run again and then stops. It is at that moment he decides to stop running, to stop being afraid and to fight.

But I discovered the "why" behind this theme of fear as I thought about the sacrifices being made for the banner of the sun people. It is clear that the king and his high priest use fear to control the population. Once I discovered this, I started thinking of how this theme applies to us today because I was pretty sure Mr. Gibson was trying to make a point.

I think it is fairly safe to say that most dictators keep their positions of power through fear. Saddam Hussein, Castro, etc. I think you can also find examples of religions using fear (stories about the Apocalypse - the end of the world - scared me when I was young. By the way, I think that might be why the movie is called Apocalypto - what's more fearful than the end of the world?) And believe it or not, but some people accuse President Bush of using the fear of Terrorism to erode our personal freedoms through his use of the Patriot Act.

And here's the connection between the movie and living spiritually and creatively. At the end of the movie when Jaguar Paw's wife looks at the Spanaird ships and asks if they should go to them, Jaguar Paw tells her that they should go to the forest. I think this, as the last dialogue of the movie, makes a profound statement. When we live without fear, we free ourselves to live creatively and spiritually.

What do you think? I'd love to hear what you - and anyone else who cares to comment - think about the movie. Phil Daviswww.sellingbooks.blogs.comwww.zdocs.biz801-897-2679

Bill,I just watched the movie "Crash." For anyone who hasn't seen this movie, it is about how the lives of some ordinary people "Crash" into each other while just going about their daily lives. The people crashing into each other are of many diverse ethnic backgrounds.As I sat there watching this movie, my first reaction was that the story was way over the top. People, even people living in dense urban areas, just don't interact with each other the way these characters were interacting. I mean, I've lived on this earth for over 40 years and I've never witnessed anything like what I was seeing in the moving.But then, while I sat there on my couch in my mostly White Suburbia neighborhood, I had a new thought. That thought was that maybe the director was trying to tell us something. I thought that maybe we don't generally act out violently against people of other races, but maybe we do internally.So I asked myself if I've ever felt uncomfortable when walking down a street and seeing two black youths coming toward me. The answer is yes. And have I ever looked suspiciously at muslims waiting to board the same airplane as I am. Again, yes. Then the movie Crash took on a deeper meaning for me. I thought about Katarina and how it seems we all become more violent during times of crisis. Does this mean that in times of crisis we let out all those dark thoughts we keep hidden inside ourselves? Unfortunately, I think the answer is - or can be for some people - yes.Bill, I think what you are doing is right on. Until the consciousness of all of us changes, the world will not live compatibly. Your blog site may be a small pebble in a vast ocean making almost imperceptible ripples, but someday those ripples may grow into waves.Thank you Bill. --Posted by Anonymous to Where to Now? at 12/17/2006 10:38:26 AM

I just finished reading your blog entry and scanning over previous ones, and it reminded me that about a year ago my brother started a blog about re-shaping politics (and other areas) with a group of people - all interested in "changing" the current state of affairs. Everyone was all fired up about one thing or another - the many, many things "wrong" in this country - lots of ranting and raving. My brother asked each of these individuals rather than continue to rant and rave - to come up with one or two possible actions that would address these issues and concerns. That's when the blogging stopped. Myself included. Today, I revisited the blog site and looked over the rantings and how everything just stopped, I came to a quote that had been posted on the blog home page - "You must be the change you wish to see in the world" by Mahatma Gandhi. It seems that most everyone around me (myself included) is always looking to someone else to change things or to come up with a plan. This quote reminded me that change really begins with me and if I live my life in with integrity and empowerment, the ripple effect does occur. Your blog reminded me that I really need to stay focused on keeping those principles alive in myself and not worrying about whether or not anyone else is doing the same - because the change I want to see, begins with me. Thank you.

At the turn of each new year, I always reflect on the past year. I try to determine what I have learned that I would like to take into the new year and what I would not like to take. In essence, I want to consciously create my own reality. Such an examination requires a great deal of discipline and wisdom since it is so easy to fool myself. After all, I tend to consult three entities, me, myself, and I, and we all tend to agree!

No, the type of examination I'm thinking of has to transcend the mind. It has to tap into the well of wisdom that is available to us all. Sometimes, this process can only be accomplished through facilitation by someone we not only trust to be honest, but also has the skill of wisdom--an in-depth understanding, empathy, and compassion for the human experience. If you have someone like that in your life, you are very fortunate. On the other hand, if you only have someone you can skillfully manipultae to only see your point of view, then you get what you get.

One of the things I have become very good at is determining how I spend my time. At this stage in my life, what I do with the hours I have each day has become of prime importance. The main criterion I use for this determination is based on relationship. A major part of this acitvity is spending time alone to read, play in my garden, clean my house, write, and simply reflect on the contributions I would like to make to the world before I choose to leave. I have gone beyond disappointing people because I do not want to accommodate their agendas of likes and dislikes.

I like to retire early and rise early when I feel very refreshed and creative. I am a morning person--5:00 to 6:00 am. I like to exercise to clear my mind. I have begun to eat healthy, which I paid little attention to for most of my life. I read labels of food content and attempt to eat sparingly. I know many, if not most, of you have been doing these things for years. I have reacquainted my self with my clarinet (with my daughter) and will resume my piano lessons.

The reason I telling you all of this is that you might make an accounting without me sounding righteous. I wanted to share about me first. In reviewing the two previous paragraphs, the invitation is for to consider how YOU would write them for yourself--if you so choose. When you write something it's like making a legally binding agreement with yourself as opposed to a loosely defind thought process.

Now for the "let-go's" or the learnings. I have learned to talk much, much less. I've discovered that most of the time people simply want to talk through their problems to find their own solutions. They just need a good listener. Even when there appears to be an openning for comments or advice, I assure you others dont't want any UNLESS they ask you several times for your non-binding thoughts. Then such comments might best be framed as "When I had a situation like that, this what I did and learned....." or "If I had a situation like that, this is what I would probably do......" And, I'm not sure if would work or not. Then I have learned to simply "shut-up!" and listen more.

I have learned that a relationship is an unconditional commitment to another person's health, happiness, and well-being. And learning how to behave appropriately to that commitment is a never-ending learning process. It is probably one that I won't master before I decide to leave. However, I am getting better. My major new realization is to simply "be more" and "do less." The more I "be" the more I learn. This is very hard for "doing-oriented" people like me. But it sures take a lot of stress out my life. Mastery of this skill is reflected by one's average blood pressure.

The last thing I'll share here in terms of transitioning into the new year is more consciously creating my own reality. Evaluating my skills, interests, and new areas of preferred learning and designing the script of my life to fit these criteria. This clarity allows me to relate my script and myself better to others so they will know "where I'm coming from." They might not be happy with my script, but at least, they won't be confused. If I am in a committed relationship--which may or may not be marriage--I will probably have to make some adjustments to my original script.

Again, the reason I have shared so much about myself here is credibility. To suggest what you might think about requires that I share those suggestions about myself. That's my way of thinking and may not be true for everyone.

Thanks,
Bill

P.S. "We all live such elaborate lives." Line from the Play Aida

The first step to creating sanity I previously wrote about was humility rather than arrogance. The second step in creating sanity is a willingness to learn rather than teach. The learning I am speaking of is experiential learning, not intellectual learning.

When I lived in Paris after earning my Ph.D., I was overwhelmed with the culture, the people, and most of all how they viewed the U.S. My reality had to quickly adjust if I was going to live there for my Postdoctoral Fellowship. The science was easy after Berkeley, but the cultural adjustment was challenging.

What I learned was if I kept my mouth shut and just listened, I would not only adjust, but also see the world in a completely different light. It was the first experience of expanding my reality to "walk in someone else's moccasians." The astounding point was what they were saying began to make sense! We are not the saviors of the world and most of what we do what is in our own best interests.

The previous statement is probably true of most, if not all, of the world governments. How do we get out of this cycle of self preserving behaviors, particularly when survival is not at stake? Transformation! And the most direct means of transformation is the authenthic experience of others. Particularly, those whose ideas and worldviews are significantly different than our own. What's so cool today is that such a relationship can take place on the internet, which is least threatening.

This is a neat way to create our nation in cyberspace. The point is to be willing to learn from others. Listen more and notice how we have an unconscious opinion about everything that occurs in our sensing reality. Learn to quiet the mind and all of it's conversation to allow experiencing what others might be "expressing" by using words. In other words, listen to their meaning, their emotion, and most of all their underlying request to be understood, accepted, and loved.

Ultimately, love is the only force that will bring transformationa and sanity to humans on this planet we call Earth. Make a commitment to learn something new for the next seven days by listening to peole you live and work with--regardless of age.

Love and Peace,
Bill

After a month off-line, I am resuming my blogging. Thanks to those of you who have acknowledged the value you have gotten from my ramblings so far. This year I want to up the ante with some outrageous ideas of what we might do to bring some sanity to the world. My key messages are the ones in my books Animal Kingdom and Spirituality in the Workplace.

In Animal Kingdom, the message is humility as a prerequisite for learning how to get along with others. Americans are generally perceived to be arrogant by most of the world. My observation of us in other countries confirms this perception. Our arrogance stems from our dominance in technology and business success. Both of which are quickly coming to an end. China, India, and the growing unification of Europe, economically, will eventually overcome our dominance.

Foreign students are choosing to stay home and go to school rather than coming here on the basis that we are still superior in science, technology, and engineering. Banning them over the past few years didn't help much either. Somehow, people find alternatives. They always do. Check out sometime how we rank in science, mathematics, and engineering worldwide when you get a chance. Also check out the quality of our high school system compared to the rest of the world.

Humility begins with the realization that we do not know what is best for the world. In fact, we haven't managed to find out how to solve our own problems here in the U.S. We are a divided country politically, economically, racially, and spiritually. We haven't discovered how to get along with each other, let alone imposing our way of thinking on the rest of the world! We are certainly not a role model.

Humility is recognizing that others are more impressed by what they see in terms of real results and are seldom fooled by slick marketing. Slick marketing is really designed to fool us not the rest of the world. Based upon what is observed, little marketing is necessay in terms of exporting our ideas, culture, or business acumen. It is also key to tell the truth to ourselves regardless of how embarrassing it might be. Remember, "the truth will set us free."

Humility is being open to the perceptions of the rest of the world of the U.S. As my mother used to say, "where there is smoke, there is fire!" Until we can be open and receptive to the overwhelming perceptions of the world, we are hopeless. Being more arrogant in the face of world opinion does not make us right. There is only one planet available to us all, for the foreseeable future. Unless we can learn how to get along with each other, then we are headed to a very predictable tragic future!

Hang on, since I predict we have no intention of changing at all. After all, we are right and anyone who disagrees with us is obviously wrong!

Welcome to 2007

I just had breakfast with my friend Phil. He came up with an absolutely great idea. Why don't we start a nation of people with no geographical location, no identical national heritage, no identical language, no identical backgrounds, no identical physically distinguishing characteristics, but all committed to creating a humanly compatible planet of human beings. This is the greatest gift we, the ordinary people, could give ourselves.

I would like to suggest a few principles for our Nation in Cyberspace for your consideration and feedback:

1) Treat others with dignity, respect, and love.

2) View human equality as a basis for ethical behavior.

3) Realize that everything that exists is interdependent and interconnected--nature, animals, and humans.

4) View our organizations, communities, nations, and world as one.

We don't need any prescribed behaviors. In truth, we all know "how to" do all of these principles. Primarily, because there is someone(s) in our lives that we have treated according to these four principles. The invitation is to begin doing these with a wider variety of people than those we are comfortable with.

The most important part of this invitation is that we do not need any "famous leader." We are all leaders in our own right. All we have to do is to take responsibility for beginning to live these principles at whatever rate is most appropriate.

I look forward to responses to this invitation from anywhere in the world since quite a few visitors to this site are in countries other than the U.S.

I just did a webcast in Minnesota on the subject of Spirituality in the Workplace. The major issue that came up for discussion was whether spirituality and religion are the same. As you are probably aware from other posts, I believe they are very different. Spirituality is one's inner consciousness and religion is an organized system of beliefs, rituals, guidelines for living from which people derive meaning and purpose in their lives. Spirituality is source and religion is form. Spirituality gives rise to all religions and compatibly embraces them as One.

Spirituality is inclusive of all phenomena that come from one's inner self--beyond programmed beliefs and values. Expressions of spirituality include creativity, meditation, respect, support, inspiration, patience, courage, vision, empathy, compassion, humility, and love. Examples include inclusion, religion, work-life balance, equality, service, empowerment, unconditional acceptance, and passion. You can easily see that a Spirituality Support Group is an experiment in creating a compatible microcosm of the the world.

We have not demonstrated the collective ability to create such humanly compatible living environments; particularly where differences are involved. We tend to stick with groups who are the same in interests, culture, religion, backgrounds, or life journeys. That is why diversity is the most important phenomenon in the first part of this century. It provides us the opportunity to discover the technology that can create human compatibility and continued existence on this planet we call Earth. So far, we have not done so well.

If we have the courage to pursue diversity in highly progressive organizations, we will find ourselves dealing with fundamental issues of what it truly means to be a human being. We have only assumed we are thus far. However, our "record of results" as a collective species over many eons has not indicated any measurable evolvement of human consciousness. Only impressive technological advancements.

So, at the end of the program I posed a question to the group:

Do you believe that a rigorous business case for diversity would "carry the day" in creating the cultural transformation necessary to create an inclusive culture?"

If the answer is no, then what would be necessary?

I am absolutely not suggesting that we should not have a business case. To not have one would be irresponsible. My question is "Would it carry the day" in transforming our ethnocentric beliefs and attitudes in creating the expressions and examples of spirituality I have cited above.

Let me know what you think!

The greatest for leadership in this decade is adapting to the new paradigm of Connectedness. Business and societal success is based upon cooperation, collaboration. and cross-functional networking. The days internal competition between divisions, functions, geographical locations is outdated.

The great challenge for the Western paradigm of thinking is "what about the power of individualism?" The traditional operation of everyone for herself or himself? The simple answer is "will it work to remain profitable in today's global market?" I think the answer is a resounding "NO!"

The shift to Connectedness does not mean the elimination of individualism since a chain is no stronger than its weakest link. Nor is it proposed to be an excuse for poor individual performance. But it is the realization that pitted competition is intrinsincally toxic. It breeds, separation, hoarding of information, and polarization. These elements ultimately undermine people, performance, and high-performance culture. All of which are the keys to success in today's business world.

The challenge is "how do we balance individualism and cooperation?" The answer is of course diversity in thinking. The creation of a culture that compatibly embraces both. Diversity in thinking involves the full range of human reality from culture and background to worldviews; all believed to be the truth, if not reality!

Obviously, the first major step in this challenge is a transformation of the culture from a survival-driven context (competition, scarcity, win/lose) to a creative-adaptive context (cooperation, abundance, and win/win). This is a battle within the human individual and collective Mind. This is where progressive leadership will focus its efforts. Rather than coming up with 2010 Leadership Models with characteristics derived from past dead leaders (primarily devoted to destruction and war) we need to focus on creating a "Context for Sanity and Preservation of the Human Species."

Up to this point, we have not demonstrated that we collectively have that capacity. Business dominates so much of what a society is like and the state of the world, I believe that segment of society is where the greatest responsibility lies. Not only in making extraordinary profits and then creating foundations to give back for tax breaks; giving the illusion of makinf a difference and caring for the world. The real test of today's leaders is to be a difference by becoming a "Transformer" not a "Change Agent!"

Spirituality is that which comes from within--beyond how we have been programmed to believe or value. Spirituality is the source of wisdom. The extent to which we live our lives from the standpoint of distinguising reality from illusion is also the extent to which we have accumulated a certain amount of wisdom.

I define health as a properly functioning body. Since body and mind are one, being healthy assumes a healthy mind. A mind that is free of belief structures that continually produce conflict in our lives. The discovery and resolution of such belief structures significantly influences our health.

I define wellness as a state integration between body, mind, and spirit. Wellness takes into account the holistic nature of being human. For example, if one has a propensity toward high blood pressure, then exercise, diet, and natural remedies (or even mild drugs) might be necessary to manage such a condition.

For those in Salt Lake City, I will be presenting a workshop for The Alternative Health Summit this Friday November 3, 2006 at the South Towne Exposition Center, 9575 South State Street, from 1:00 to 3:00 PM. The title of my presentation will be Spirituality, Health, and Wellness. The Summit will run November 3 and 4. You can go online for details at Alternative Health Summit.

No post. Check out the new Audio Download involving an advanced workshop dialogue on the subject of personal responsibility. This was a workshop I facilitated in Acapulco, Mexico a few years ago. In my opinion, personal responsibility and accountability are the most fundamental concepts to quality of life as well as understanding what is really going on, beyond all the news media, politics, and any other external source that attempt to interpret events for us!

Those who are really interested in advanced stuff rather than polite exchanges we think "makes a difference," this is intended for you!

Listen and enjoy.

Bill

As you might guess, this exercise generated a lot of dialogue, emotions, and energy; all the necessary ingredients for transformation. I have indicated below the "suggested diversity-supportive answers." I look forward to your comments.

Taking a Stand - Principles of Leadership

1.Disagree

In leadership roles, taking decisive action – based upon information, advice, and ultimately one’s own sense of ethical judgement – and owning the results and consequences of one’s actions is the essence of responsibility.

Success is not synonymous with responsibility! Taking a stand for what is “spiritually right”* and owning the results and consequences is responsibility from a spiritual perspective.

2.Disagree

If an organizational value violates one’s programmed personal values, it either sets the stage for an in-depth personal growth process or a decision to leave the organization for one where consistency is available.

A programmed personal value is one that has not been tested by a challenging life situation. Whereas, a spiritually soured value is one that has been confirmed or learned by a confronting life experience.

3.Disagree

The long-term best interest and success of an organization is establishing a values-based culture derived from spiritually-sourced principles and the willingness to take action to ensure that these values are practiced as part of everday business functioning.

The reality of today’s local/global world is diversity – from the workplace to customers to management systems.



* That which is “spiritually right” comes from one’s inner self - beyond what one is taught or programmed to believe; although, it does not exclude what we have been taught to believe if our belief has been confirmed by a spiritual life experience.

Read the Case Study Scenario below and answer the accompanying questions.

Taking A Stand

After receiving the results of a cultural survey indicating significant inequities experienced by cultural and ethnic minorities, and women, the president of a major corporation decides to aggressively address the identified issues. She authorizes her Vice-President of Diversity to develop a strategic plan to transform the organizational culture ASAP! When the plan is approved and implemented, resistance sets in from crucial vice-presidents and middle managers, who warn that aggressive action could tear the organization apart. After taking into account their advice, and struggling with her own values and ethics, the president aggressively proceeds to implement the strategic plan. A number of valued and productive employees leave the organization because the plan includes the open acceptance of lesbian and gay employees. After two years of non-profitable operation, the president is “let go” by the Board. She leaves the organization disappointed, but fully owning her actions and the stand she took. The new president immediately discontinues the diversity program and within a year, the organization becomes profitable again.


After reading “Taking a Stand,” indicate your choice of Agree (A) or Disagree (D) based upon your personal beliefs regarding the integration of ethics and sound business practices.


1. The original president was irresponsible from a business perspective, in attempting to change the culture too rapidly. Agree___ Disagree___

2. The vice-presidents and middle managers were justified in resisting the implementation of diversity if it included a violation of their personal values – such as the open acceptance of lesbians and gays. Agree___ Disagree___

3. The new president acted in the long-term best interest and success of the organization – considering today’s local/global business realities. Agree___ Disagree___

In order to get credit for this online course you must send in your answers. (smile)

As usual I welcome comments, but I know none of you will post any! Thanks,

Bill

1. Spirituality comes from within -- beyond our programmed beliefs.

2. High-Performance is driven by passion -- of the human spirit.

3. Alignment is the key to high performance -- oneness of purpose.

4. Trust is the interpersonal glue that creates alignment -- in human relationships.

5. Centeredness is the result of integrating body, mind, and spirit -- into one.

6. Creativity is your natural birthright and the key to adaptation to change -- in an ever changing world.

7. Wellness is the adoption of a holistic approach to health care -- where personal transformation is a way of life.

8. Wisdom is an in-depth understanding of the human experience -- expressed as empathy, compassion, humility, and love.

For those of you who are interested in spirituality and religion in the workplace I have attached below an article I have recently written. I realize it is a very long blog. Perhaps you might read it in sections if you have an interest. As usual, I look forward to your feedback.


Spirituality and Religion in the Workplace

Having a scientific background by formal training and practice, I usually begin the discussion of a subject by developing working definitions of critical terms; in this case, spirituality and religion. I tend to view spirituality as a way of being that transcends the mental predisposition of the mind; and religion as the practice of unique rituals, dogma, and directives for living. Therefore, spirituality is transcendent to all religions, and simultaneously embraces them all as One, with a diversity of human expressions.

Spirituality is sourced from our inner consciousness – beyond what we have been programmed to believe or value. There are no belief systems or prescribed behaviors in the spiritual realm. Religion is a form that spirituality takes, in practice. Spirituality is the driving force behind the expressed form.

Expressions of spirituality include, but are not limited to, creativity, meditation, support, compassion, humility, inspiration, Tai Chi, empathy, and love. From a diversity perspective, spiritual expressions include equality, respect, inclusion, and an unconditional commitment to personal and organizational transformation. For example, it is critical to understand that creating an inclusive culture is a spiritual movement. It involves invalidating fundamental ethnocentric beliefs, and even values, we have about others who are different and have a different worldview. Experiencing the realization that one is not superior to or inferior to another person is the experience of humility – and the absence of ego separation and judgment. Such a transformation requires spiritual leadership.

Spiritual leadership is the ability to inspire others to behave consistent with their highest moral and ethical values in the way they live and work with others. These driving values and ethics often include empathy, compassion, humility, and love. Throughout the diversity movement since the early 1990’s there have been spiritual leaders: David Kearns, former CEO of Xerox; Jerry Junkins, former CEO of Texas Instruments; Les Alberthal, former CEO of EDS; Bill Wood, former CEO of Pacific Enterprises; Kevin Sharer, President and CEO of Amgen; Jack Lowe, CEO of TD Industries; Steven Reinmund, CEO of PepsiCo; and, I emphasize, many, many others. The single characteristic which signals their “spiritual impact” is an irreversible transformation of the culture on the road to inclusion. The work done by Ted Childs at IBM is a perfect example. What I am describing here is a partial quote from Arnold G. Langbo, the former Chairman and CEO of the Kellogg company and fervently put into practice by Carlos Gutierrez; presently the Secretary of Commerce:

“Kellogg’s commitment to diversity is based upon something much deeper and compelling than the business case. Diversity stems from the respect of every member of the human family and, by our humanity, deserves the opportunity to fully participate.”

This spiritual statement ultimately drives the inclusion process through difficulties and resistances; aided of course, by the variety of business drivers, rewards, bonuses, and penalties. The key realization here is that moral, ethical, and values-based transformation is ultimately a personal choice and cannot be legislated, coerced, or threatened! In this sense, diversity is a spiritual movement with the ultimate objectives to provide everyone with equal opportunity to succeed, help the organization succeed, and to feel a sense of pride for the organization.

Therefore, spiritual expressions relating to high performance include empowerment (the inherent unlimited potential of the human spirit); quality (the inherent drive to achieve perfection); teamwork (the inherent relatedness of people); and customer focus (the inherent desire to serve others). These inherent expressions are spiritually sourced and driven by passion; which is obviously an inner-driven desire to fully express one’s potential in concert with one’s unique competencies, skills, and experiences.

Therefore, diversity – which is the creation of an inclusive and caring environment that fosters the highest level of human expression, individually and collectively – is a spiritual movement; and from a global perspective, the most important phenomenon of the 21st century.

Spirituality in the Workplace is the integration of spiritually-sourced (humanistic) principles, practices, and behaviors with sound business principles and practices. A Spirituality Support Group is one of the most powerful ways of not only transforming a culture in terms of mutual respect for the values, ethics, and core values of different cultures, but also ensuring the compatible incorporation of appropriate religious practices, dress, and behaviors in the workplace. Some of the features of a Spirituality Support Group are outlined below.

Spirituality Support Group

The purpose of a Spirituality Support Group is to foster respect, acceptance, and integration of the various spiritual expressions of employees that impact the success of the organization and their personal and professional well-being. Requirements for achieving this purpose are the following:

1. Influential representation of the major cultural and religious groups.

2. Transformation and integration of the Support Group from a collection of individual worldviews and religions to oneness of purpose and intention.

3. Establishment of activities for the success of the organization and employees impacted by spirituality, e.g. respect, equality, acceptance, equity of opportunity, performance, and ultimately an “inclusive environment.”

4. Creation of a passion for performance. Unleashing the true potential of individuals, teams, and the organization is driven by passion. Passion is spiritual in origin.

5. A focus on activities that promote the integration of religious differences that are “appropriate” for the workplace environment.

6. Collective agreement of individual cultural and religious practices that are “appropriate” for the workplace environment.

William A. Guillory, Ph.D.
CEO
Innovations International, Inc.
waguillory@qwest.net
www.innovint.com

I just visited the New York Metropolitan Museum of Art for the fourth time. My experience this time was perhaps the most profound I've had. In observing the recorded history of human beings, I came to the conclusion there were two dominant themes: Creation and Destruction. Much like Picasso's famous quote:

"The act of creation
is simultaneously
the act of
destruction."

The museum displayed some of the most creative expressions of the human spirit. I wondered why we, as human beings, could not be as creative in living together compatibly on a planet that has everything that is truly needed by everyone! I have previously suggested that the reason is we are not "collectively creative" in consciousness evolution. So most of what I was observing were the works of individuals.

The destructive part of our nature does not need to be recounted. It is obvious even to the present day; with no change in sight! Why? In spite of the fact that we declare that we want something different-- peace. The truth is we want exactly what we are producing and we all need to begin admitting that fact. The fundamental necessity for change is to begin telling the truth about our present motivations. And our present motivations are always tied to the results we are presently producing.

Who knows? Maybe it's our fundamental nature to live the dichotomy: Creation/Destruction. Maybe that's what the experience of the earth plane is all about. Oddly enough, even some of our most creative expressions are of our destructive nature. Which appears to be normal to most of us. I have a stupid idea that we might begin classifying our creative expressions in museums as Creative Constructive/Creative Destructive. Such a classification would certainly catch our attention; if not my condemnation!

I always conclude a blog with a "so what" response. So maybe if we all gave a little upward nudge to living "consciously creative" in our everyday relationships, work, play, and service, then who knows, we might collectively discover what it truly means to be Human Beings.

In concluding this online course, I would like to leave you with a few overall principles to think about and post questions if you wish.


The Study of Consciousness

What would a practical study be comprised of? What new skills would be necessary? How do the non-physical and physical dimensions of consciousness relate (connect)?

Example: How can we test the premise that all human life forms are interrelated expressions of consciousness—and have that experience on the human level?


(Spiritual) ---- (Behavior) ------ (Results)


Example: How can the meta-experience of spiritual interrelatedness result in personal transformation to the practical realization of equality?

New Skills:

• Telepathy
• Remote Viewing
• Translation between
physical-mental self
and spiritual self
(Channeling)


What is Consciousness?

That which transcends human or physical forms. And ultimately gives rise to human and physical forms, e.g. energy, etc.

It may also be described as "a field of intelligence"—where intelligence is defined as a system that is aware of itself.

Umbrella: Absolute Pure Consciousness

A "tear" in Absolute Pure Consciousness
gives rise to consciousness form—
in infinite varieties
•
•
•
•
•
•
•
•
— Energy —
the working material of this universe
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.

The co-created principles of organization for this universe, gives rise to the so-called "universal laws"—the various ways energy is organized to create intelligence—a system that is aware of itself manifests:

• interdependence
• interconnectedness
• propensity toward completion—forces of attraction
• etc.

human life forms, plants, animals, land mass, water, etc.
(fundamentally governed by the "laws" of co-creation)

— flow with the "laws" creates harmony
— flow in opposition to the "laws" creates conflict


The Science of Consciousness is the study of the non-material dimension(s) of (our) existence. It is basically the study of our inner, infinite self.
Science and technology are the study of the external dimensions of existence manifested in a multitude of energy forms which we are all familiar with.

Practical: Necessary for balance to sustain human existence—when a unit operates in opposition to the co-created universal laws. (not truths)


If you have a study group, discussions around this post should be most interesting. The practical value is that it helps to put the little things we have such energy about into proper perspective. You only sweat the things that are really important!

Listed below are a series of practices I have used over the years for integrating spirituality into my life on daily basis. See if any of these resonate with you.

1)First and foremost, embrace personal growth as life’s opportunity for acquiring greater wisdom.

2)When you experience personal (or workplace) conflict, reflect inwardly for the source of your reactive emotion(s)—discover your unmet expectation as the source.

3)Compare your personal values with your organization’s practiced values. If significantly out of alignment, attempt to change the organization or consider another organization.

4)Commit to one or two personal growth activities per month, e.g., self-help books or tapes, seminars or workshops, local support groups, etc.

5)Create a personal development program that enhances your career development plan, e.g. seminars on relationship, communication, leadership, teamwork, diversity, and creativity.

6)Adopt a personally appropriate spiritual practice that connects you to your inner wisdom, e.g., Yoga, meditation, prayer, Zen, visualization, dream journaling, etc.

7)Take 10 minutes each morning and afternoon to center yourself with respect to workplace or life's activities.

8)Become aware if you waste your personal or organization’s resources (without permission), e.g., food, water, electricity, pencils, paper, fax, copies, phone time, work time on personal matters—personal integrity.

9)Be more compassionate and non-judgemental of the short comings of others.

10)Practice ways of contributing to your work community with no expected recognition, reward, or profit.

If we assume that the present paradigm of Planet Earth could be measurably improved to serve the best interests of all of its inhabitants, what would YOU design as the five major operating principles?

For example, I would suggest:

1. Everyone should be properly fed, clothed, and sheltered; whether he or she chose to work or not.

2. Teaching, learning, and personal development related to non-survival-driven ways of global living would be common across all cultures, from birth.

3. Environmental preservation would be the responsonsibility of each individual, irrespective of laws or global agreements.

4. The Science of Consciousness would be the major new study of science to understand how to best govern the innovations of material science.

5. Religion, and all other systems for creating, understanding, and believing in "something" greater than one's self would be mutually supportive and spiritually compatible.

I know I'm a dreamer. But reality always starts with a dream! I sometimes wonder how many of you who read these blogs give thought to creating your own personal paradigm and proceed to live within it. I think we rarely understand the impact we, as individuals, have on the those around us. Not by any major pronouncements, but how we live our lives on a day-to-day basis. We truly make a difference in every encounter we have when we are authentic within ourselves and honest with others.

I invite you to do an experiment. Create your personal five statement paradigm and live it for only one week and see what happens. Then post it on this site. It won't take that much time! FYI, there are more than 3000 visits to this site monthly. I am confident a few of you would like to participate in this movement.

I look forward to your comments.

Bill

For those volunteering to take this course, please take time to examine the statements I have previously posted. If you are challenged by them, please post your challenge so we might have a dialogue among participants. You will also get the maximum value from the course by incdicating your feelings or beliefs about the posted material. (Like a classroom discussion)

I have posted below an Imagery Exercise. After reading it, you can guide yourself through the exercise or get someone to guide you through it. Either way works. After doing the exercise, I have posted questions for you to respond to in order to learn how you might integrate spirituality into your everyday life.

Your Sacred Mountain--An Imagery Exercise

Find a quiet, comfortable place. Create relaxation by allowing the thoughts in your mind to "appear" and "disappear." (About 3 minutes) Give yourself the freedom to explore your "Creative Consciousness."

Now, envision your sacred moutain. As you prepare to climb it, there will be obstacles along the way for you to resolve. The top represents your authentic spiritual self.

As you start out, what will you have to "let go of" physically to successfully climb your mountain? What unresolved issues do you have about your physicality?

Further on, what will you have to "let go of" emotionally? What issues still persist about your emotional life?

Still further up the mountain, what will you have to "let go of" mentally or intellectually? What unresolved mental issues still exist about your freedom to experience your authentic spiritual self?

What will you have to "let go of" spiritually in order to experience
who you are spiritually? What do feel is unfinished or unresolved?

Now, fully atop your sacred mountain, examine if there are any remaining barriers to the unlimited experience of who you are spiritually. Then examine if there are any unresolved issues to the unlimited integration of spirituality into your everyday life.

When you experience fully who you are spiritually, create a "major intention" for how you will live your life in service to others.

Now, descend your sacred mountain and become fully aware of where you are and the feelings in your body. Take a few minutes to record your experiences of the exercise in response to the posted statements below.


Your Sacred Mountain—Integrating Spirituality
(An Imagery Exercise)

What did you let go of physically? Do you feel complete about this (these) issue(s)?




What did you let go of emotionally? Do you feel complete about this (these) issue(s)?



What did you let go of mentally or intellectually? What issue(s) may still remain to resolve, if any?



What did you let go of spiritually? What issue(s) may still remain to resolve, if any?



Greatest barrier to the unlimited integration of spirituality:




What do you plan to do to transcend this barrier?




Any additional experiences of this exercise which you would like to note:

Breakfast with Bill

Bill and I go to breakfast about once a week. Today we were scheduled to have breakfast, but due to our busy schedules, we couldn’t make it. I had some things I wanted to say to Bill so I thought I’d send him an email and if you are reading this article then I guess Bill decided to post it on his Blog site.

If you are a constant reader of this blog site, you know that Bill is an expert in the field of leadership, diversity, creativity and spirituality. I have the advantage of being able to talk to Bill about these subjects each week at Breakfast. Sometimes the things Bill says seem to be miles above my head. I’m just a simple businessman running a small self-publishing company. I don’t consider myself to be an academic or an intellectual in any field.

But over the years, some of the things Bill has taught me have sunk in and they have helped transform me as a person and they have also helped transform my company. I wanted to share with Bill how his patient mentoring has paid off for me and ZDocs (my company) and I think I am now beginning to see how living spiritually and creatively can be implemented into specific business tactics.

The first experience I wanted to share is that during one of our first breakfasts, Bill told me that it is a vendor’s job to help its customers be successful AND it is the customer’s job to help its vendors be successful. I bought into that concept immediately and the specific business tactic I employed was to start developing strategic partnerships. Over the last couple of years, ZDocs has developed several mutually benefiting strategic partnerships.

About four months ago, we hit pay dirt. A customer with the potential to double our company overnight met with me and during the discussion it became clear that what this customer really wanted, besides a reliable printing company, was a company that would work with them to develop new accounts. I told them that we believe in strategic partnerships and that we would be happy to work with them. We closed the deal in less than two weeks!

One of the first things we did was build this customer a website and then show them how to effectively promote that site. This site just received a bid to produce 4 million books. Then last week we had the opportunity to meet with a publishing company that has the potential to triple ZDocs’ revenue. I realized we couldn’t close the sale without our customer’s expertise so I took my customer with me to the appointment. We are very close to closing this sale and if we do, the new account will be our customer’s account and then ZDocs will provide the supporting services.

Without mutual trust, two separate companies cannot work this closely together. And building mutual trust is a spiritual skill. I can’t think of any other way to explain it. This experience has taught me the value of spirituality in the workplace first hand.

The second experience I wanted to share is an internal experience. Some of my employees are Wal Mart haters. They seem to think that corporations should be more caring and supportive of their employees and the community. And on one level I agree. In fact, being a compassionate company is part of living spiritually in the workplace in my opinion. But a company can’t be compassionate unless it is profitable.

So one day during our Friday lunch meeting, I asked the question, “Should a company be compassionate?” I got mixed answers, but from the Wal Mart haters I got a resounding Yes! Then I asked the employees how a company could be compassionate if it wasn’t profitable. I got blank looks from those Wal Mart haters.

This discussion helped us all realize that for the most part we all shared a common value that a company should be compassionate to its employees and its community, but that in order to be compassionate, the company had to be a high-performing company. All concepts Bill taught me while eating scrambled eggs and toast.

My intent with this message today is not to just tell everyone how great Bill is. My goal is to relate some real life experiences about how the concepts Bill talks about can have a huge impact on a company’s bottom line and do so in a spiritually fulfilling way.

Thanks Bill for everything.

The Objectives

The objectives of the exploration of consciousness are to:

1)Create the significant integration of body, mind, and spirit necessary to discuss the preceding statements at an expanded level of wisdom.

2)Learn the human technology necessary to teach or facilitate the process of continually acquiring greater wisdom.

3)Institutionalize the process of true human evolution such that it keeps pace with the discoveries and creations of Newtonian-Cartesian science and technology to ensure the continued existence and well-being of humankind on this planet.

The Personal Challenge and Breakthrough

From an intrapersonal standpoint, the exploration of consciousness begins by identifying the major barrier(s) we personally experience in creating holistic integration of body, mind, and spirit.

Holistic integration is the result of creating a permanent channel between one’s bodymind consciousness and spiritual consciousness.

This process of intrapersonal exploration is aided measurably by the consideration of certain tenants relating science, consciousness, and reality and an introspective exercise to discover how to fully integrate the wisdom of spirituality into our day-to-day experiences.

Science, Consciousness, and Reality

1)There is no truth in science. There are only experiences of natural or designed phenomena for which we create a self-consistent body of explanations, e.g. theories, laws, premises, or explanations.

"What we observe is not nature itself,
but nature exposed to our
method of questioning."

Werner Heisenberg
Inventor of Quantum Mechanics

2)Science is not the study of reality. We can never “know” reality, only experience it; both five senses and spiritual meta-experiences.

3)In as much as science is the study of our ideas, concepts, and thoughts about reality, it is the study of consciousness.*

4)When viewed (or focused) externally, the value of science is to improve healthcare, develop technology, handle basic survival, etc.

5)When viewed (or focused) internally—within the individual and collective psyches of human beings—the value (or opportunity) of science is to constructively evolve as a species.

6)Science becomes a “spiritual pursuit” when the manipulation of external matter or materials becomes the conscious vehicle for “learning as wisdom”—beyond ego-achievement, e.g. the Einstein or Heisenberg quotes.

7)The conscious study of science, designed to transform the presently existing human paradigm, is what I call the “Science of Consciousness”—rather than studies that confirm existing premises of the human condition.

8)The prelude to the study of the “Science of Consciousness” is an expanded sphere of intelligence as wisdom.

9)Wisdom is a natural part of human existence when one opens a permanent channel to one’s spirituality to become an integrated person: The oneness of body, mind, and spirit.

10)The process of becoming integrated involves the conscious validation or invalidation of the blocks (or major block) to the creation of a permanent spiritual channel.
The Spiritual Domain
• Infinite • Intuition
• Metaphysical Laws • Creativity
• Multidimensional • Imagination
• Gestalt (whole) • Vision
• Wisdom • Inspiration
• Holistic Seeing
• Quantum Thinking



*Consciousness is a uniform field of potentiality without form, shape, consistency, or properties. It is only limited by the form it expresses through.

The next post will be an "inner exploration exercise" to discover your greatest barrier to spiritual exploration.

Exploring the Depths of Inner Consciousness: The Next Scientific Paradigm*

“Spirit is the infinite reservoir of wisdom. Each human
life is a channel through which that divine
wisdom is steadily flowing.”
Paramahansa Yogananda

Objectives

The objectives of this course are to:

1.Propose that the new daring frontier of study of human evolvement is the “Science of Consciousness.”

2.Show that such a study begins with a significant breakthrough in human intelligence as wisdom.

3.Participate in an imagery exercise designed to create the experiential integration of body, mind, and spirit.

4.Participate in an exercise to begin creating a new paradigm for the study of the Science of Consciousness and the continued existence of humankind on planet Earth.

The Science of Consciousness

The daring new frontier of science is the exploration of that realm of consciousness that cannot be directly measured by Newtonian-Cartesian instrumentation.
It involves the in-depth, experiential exploration of the individual and collective belief structures that characterize the intrapersonal and interpersonal relationships of humankind.

As discoveries and creations of Newtonian-Cartesian science and technology are applied toward the survival, conveniences, and desires of humankind, the explorations of our present belief structures are also directed toward questions of survival, in addition to wisdom and human evolution.

The Process

The process begins with an in-depth examination of whether our present individual and collective belief structures support:

1)The creation of a planetary ecosystem that threatens and will ultimately create an uninhabitable planet for human survival.

2)A consciousness that tends to resolve serious conflict through armed aggression or the threat of armed aggression.

3)A level of human evolvement that lacks the wisdom to responsibly govern our scientific and technological advancements to ensure the well-being and continued existence of humankind.

The Course will be continued in the coming days with experiential exercises. There will also be a final examination at the conclusion. (smile) The Course will be of particular value to science and technology based organizations.

As usual comments are valued.

Bill

Sometime in December and January we began the active promotion of empowerment. That is, the progressive process of adapting a mind-set of self-determination. We also began emphasizing that our ultimate objective was to go out of business, as a Support Group. We did not want to create dependency but support to integrate back into American society wherever that was appropriate. Whenever first-timers would come to our meetings this idea of self-sufficiency was foreign. It sounded like we had no empathy and compassion for what they had gone through. Quite the contrary. We felt that having people move to proactivity meant taking control of their lives. What better gift could we offer!

Many of the meetings turned into workshops. These workshops involved the mental transformation necessary for the displaced citizens' adaptation. Again, Ernest handled the day-to-day stuff during the week and Pastor Davis handled the spiritual stuff on Sundays. When many of those displaced learned that FEMA was planning to cut housing and food support, local Utah services stepped in. They attended our meetings. Listened to hours of frustration that had nothing to do with them. And handled these conversations with empathy, compassion, and love.

I have not heard a single complaint from any of those displaced about their treatment in Utah. On the contrary, they all stated how supportive the people of Utah have been. Most of them arrived here with the same prejudice (pre-judgement) I had when I first joined the faculty at the University of Utah. What's been even more surprising is that even after a year and all the publicity worn-off, the acceptance and support are still there.

My assessment is that the vast majority of those displaced here are rapidly moving toward a place of deciding "Where-to-Now." That is what we were attempting to accomplish with the Support Group. Next Monday (August 28th), there will be an anniversary celebration at Calvary Baptist Church at 6:30 P.M. Everyone is invited. Afterward, we will assess where we are and how do we go forward.

Next week I will be starting an online workshop for "adventurous spirits" who are interested in "going deep" with respect to inner exploration of your creative and spiritual consciousness. The workshop title is "Exploring the Depths of Inner Consciousness: The Next Scientific Paradigm." Be sure to tell your friends to tune in.

Bill

Creativity can be accessed just as easily when you are awake as when you are asleep. It depends on how much of an unconscious barrier you put up. We've already discussed why most of us are not as creative as we could possibly be by the "Picasso Statement" from previous blogs. I share with you below 10 easy and practical ways of breaking patterns of behavior that keep us stuck in doing the same old thing. It's amazing how open we become to creative ideas from our subconscious when we eliminate a totally patterned way of living.

How To Break Patterned Ways of Thinking — and Open Your Creativity

1.Do things with your left hand if you are naturally right-handed (and vice versa); brushing your teeth, combing your hair, shaving, showering, bathing, etc.

2.Drive to work by an alternative route.

3.Eat only when your body tells you it is hungry. Forget about the three meals a day at prescribed times. Learn to know the difference between “patterned behavior” and “body talk.”

4.Pretend you are a tourist in your own city and visit all the sites you would recommend to visitors.

5.Experiment eating foods you think you don’t like, but have never tried—therefore, there is no proof of an adverse reaction. You might extend this to anything you think you don’t like that does not injure the well-being of yourself and others.

6.Ask your kid(s) (or young relatives) what they would like to do for a Saturday or Sunday outing. You may be surprised. Just Do It!

7.Drive under the speed limit for one week. If you exceed the speed limit (“even by accident”), pay your kid(s) or a friend $10 for each infraction.

8.Create one day each week that is unplanned and unscheduled— then “create” that day “moment-by-moment” as it evolves.

9.Compose a piece of music; write a poem; paint a picture; create a story—you never know what you are capable of until you try.

10.Sleep on the opposite side of the bed.

Those of you who are interested in the furtherest reaches of creativity, check out the new Innovations course called "Quantum-Thinking."

Last night I saw the second part of Spike Lee's documentary on Katrina--When the Levees Broke. I don't see how anyone could watch that accounting and be satisfied with how that tragedy was "handled." Even if we argued that we were totally unprepared for an event of such proportions, what has not been done since is criminal.

I think the lack of urgency, care, and aggressive support for those impacted and the city itself is perhaps worse than that shown for countries devastated by war, The Marshall Plan for Germany after World War II, The Berlin Airlift, and presently the billions we are pouring into Iraq. In truth, what the Katrina tragedy represents is the deep chasm that exists along racial lines that we ignore or pretend away by highlighting successful African Americans. This chasm probably goes all the way back to slavery.

Perhaps, even more discouraging is the lack of a public outcry! It's easy to castigate our public officials, they only respond to something that threatens their seat in congress. Given the year that's passed, we have a measure of their sense of urgency, care, and commitment to the citizens of New Orleans and the city itself.

Given that situation, what is our alternative? I suggest a national movement to help ourselves, just as Ghandi rallied Indians during the early part of the last century. The realization is there is no help coming until we begin to help ourselves! We always invite others to join but we must take action first. Many of us, African Americans, have "made it" throughout the U.S.

I suggest we start by ensuring that those displaced in our local communities are supported to begin thinking about their futures in a proactive way. We have taken this action in Salt Lake City with Katrina Support Group. I suggest communities in every city where people are displaced take similar action. We need no great leader to take action in our own behalf. In truth, we decided here in Salt to take action. We are often surprised how "empowered" we can become in an action mode.

Then, we turn our attention to the people of the city itself. I don't have all the answers, but I do know from past experiences of starting organizations that if the time is right and it's a movement that is waiting to begin, it quickly takes on a life of its own! Again, this is done by average people like you and me. If this appeal makes sense to you, please forward this blog to all your friends and let's see what happens.

I am available for questions involving the mechanics of how we started the Salt Lake Karrina Support Group. Although, I have spoken most about New Orleans, this "Katrina Restoration Campaign" is certainly inclusive of the entire Gulf Coast. I just looked up the definition of campaign. It is "a plan of activities for a special purpose." And campaigning is "to take part in or lead a campaign." My vision is a grassroots movement.

Let's see where it leads!

As we continued to struggle with the necessities of life -- food, shelter, clothing, and identity -- more displaced citizens continued to show up to our meetings. They were all at different stages of adaptation. Some were ready to enter the mainstream world of work while others were still reliving that tragic week after the hurricane. Like they say, if the mind is not there, the body will not follow.

I told stories of having experienced hurricanes and how my family always came back, but I was clear it was nothing like what they had experienced. Then I would ask "How do we get past this one, which I don't have experience of?" The response was, "It wasn't the hurricane, it was the water!" Anger at the hurricane, the water, the system, the federal and state governments, the weakened levee, and FEMA all helped to bring us up from depression. In addition, there were those among the group who shared that they were ready to "get on with it."

So, back to basics. Like using bicycles to get around. Group transportation for errands. Contributed food, clothing, and personal items at every meeting were very helpful due the efforts of Rev. Davis. Ernest was on the telephone daily dispatching people for help, giving instructions for contacting FEMA, and just having a conversation of support. Others helped with refreshments and conversations at the end of each meeting. But most of all, I think the most healing element was the "family" we formed. No one ever left a meeting without being upbeat and taken care of for the following week. That was it. One week at a time.

Slowly but surely, we began the conversation of responsibility and empowerment. Responsibility for our direction in spite of the tragedy and empowerment to create self-sufficiency. I really think that much of this conversation went beyond the tragedy and for some it was hearing it for the first time. It took several months for this message to set in and become accepted by a majority of the group.

This transformation began the turning point. It was like recovering something deep within ourselves from past generations. Like using tragedy to remind ourselves of who we are at the core of our being. Realizing that rebuilding our lives in the aftermath of such a tragedy is what true heroism is about. But most of all, it is a story of the human spirit to survive and prosper.

More to come.......

Meanwhile, check out the new podcast between Phil and myself on audio downloads.

About one year ago, displaced U.S. citizens from New Orleans arrived in Salt Lake City to begin a new life. There were many people from the Salt Lake community who met the incoming citizens beginning the recovery process of an experience that many, if not most, of us could hardly begin to understand. When I learned of the process of moving them from a local military installation into various Utah communities, my immediate thought was to ask where I could contribute money. However, there was an immediate feeling of abandoning them and erasing the situation from my mind. So, I decided to call Reverend France Davis of Salt Lake and suggested we form a support group to help with the transition of those displaced. After all, New Orleans to Salt Lake is not like New Orleans to Baton Rouge, Louisiana!

The first meeting we had consisted of ten individuals. One was Ernest Timmons. Ernest later was hired by Reverend Davis to be the tactical day-to-day person in support of the new residents' needs. In this whole affair, Ernest is the "real hero!" I say this again, Ernest is the "real hero!" The individuals at the first meeting were, for the most part, highly positive, and empowered in their thinking. The word quickly spread about the group through tremendous assistance from the news media. In addition, Reverend Davis made announcements at his church. And ultimately, by word of mouth communication. Before we knew it, we were off and running.

My first thought was how to have those displaced go through the Kubler-Ross process of Denial, Anger, Bargaining, Guilt and Acceptance. I instantly learned that I was in a dream world. Our friends were dealing with establishing their identity, securing food, shelter, and clothing; and learning about our grid system of the city and transportation system. Can you imagine being "dropped into" the U.S. with only the clothes on your back and no identification or money! Then proceeding to look for a job or enrolling your kids in school with no recoverable records. Our identities and accomplishments are established by pieces of paper not by our personhood in physical appearance.

Our first efforts were devoted to sharing stories and providing resources for getting through the coming week. Who needs what, when, and how do we help you get it? What about special medications, not to mention the psychological adaptation. In retrospect, our team of Ernest, Bill, and Reverend Davis unknowingly brought a holistic approach to our group efforts: Body, Mind, and Spirit. Ernest handled the day-to-day food, shelter, and clothing, and FEMA stuff. I handled the inspirational stuff to transition from victimhood to empowerment. And Reverend Davis handled the spiritual stuff. This combination was probably the key to our success.

This blog is getting long, so I'll continue tomorrow with sequence.

I indicated a process in the previous blog for ordinary creativiy using the sleep state. There is a more powerful use of the sleep state for literally "creating your own reality!" (Keep in mind Picasso's statement from previous blogs!)

Sleep State Creativity – Dreams

For the most part, most of us are untrained in the use of this valuable personal source for literally transforming our ability to integrate our creativity as a natural part of everyday living.

Sleep state creativity is typically recalled through dreams. Dreams are the symbolic and metaphoric translation of experiences beyond the five senses and are transcendent to physical reality.

A remembered dream is a snapshot of a larger multidimensional event (or sequence of events) translated into physical reality by representations such as symbols, images, sounds, objects, metaphors, etc.

Dream Creativity Through Programming
Your Creative Consciousness

Creativity and dreaming are inextricably intertwined. Dreams from your creative consciousness can be a powerful catalyst for creative solutions. Creativity in its broadest sense includes the way we live our lives, make decisions, and handle our relationships and careers. These are done in a manner which is unique and appropriate for each of us through the conscious use of our dreams.

The step-wise process of dream programming and interpretation involves:

1.Making a specific request of your creative consciousness of a concisely and precisely stated question or problem.(This request should be written)

2.Request your creative consciousness to wake you at a given time or use your normal wake state trigger for the answer to come to conscious awareness.

3.The answer may be in the form of colors, sounds, a dream, or it may be explicit. You must use your power of symbolic association or dream interpretation to unravel the answer.

4.For a difficult problem, the answers may come in a sequence of dreams.

5.Systematically generate your dream symbol glossary that is unique to you and perform the dream translation.(Remember to explore symbol translations beyond literal meanings)

6.Relate the dream translation to your request (or to some other situation occurring in your life).

7.Practice makes perfect. This is an inherent ability available to anyone.

Create a "Dream Team" to share the results of your dreams in order to get feedback about your dream interpretation. Remember, only 5% to 10% of dreams are literal! No matter what you dream is probably symbolic. You have to use insight, intuition, and quantum-thinking to unravel the answers to your burning questions!

Have Fun!

Using the sleep state for creative insights is one of the most powerful techniques that exists. We use it anyway, mostly unconsciously. For those of us who are too busy to stop and be creative, this a "must-learn" skill. It's also easy and free. The challenge is Picasso's statement. (Refer to earlier blogs.) This will be a series on how to-do-it, from the basic stuff to advanced sleep state creativity. Let's begin!


Use of the Sleep State for Creativity, Problem-Solving,
and Learning

1. The first step is to learn to recall our dreams by programming our subconscious to remember what was dreamed. We dream, on the average, 4-5 dreams per night, whether we acknowledge and remember them or not.

2. In the initial stages of dream recall, fill in the gaps with “creative hallucinations” in your dream logs or notebooks (since they closely parallel your actual dream).

3. Solutions from dreams will come in the form of metaphors, symbols, or explicit courses of action. You must ultimately be the interpreter of your dreams. This is most effectively done by generating a personal dream symbol glossary.

Assistance from a close friend (or friends) in dream interpretation can also be extremely valuable. However, they cannot interpret your dream accurately!!!

4. Practice is the essential key along with intentionality. You will eventually develop the talent of following your hunches in terms of what your dreams mean. (Practice tonight as a homework assignment.)

All techniques simply require practice (like skiing) and they soon become an integral part of your conscious daily operation--a natural behavioral pattern.

5. a) Give yourself specific instructions to wake up or to remember your dream the next morning.

b) Keep a note pad or tape recorder near your bed.

c) Ask for specific solutions to problems. The more specific the request, the more specific the answer from your creative
consciousness.

d) Program your creative consciousness for solutions to a specifically stated problem in the simplest possible terms.

For example, imagine yourself making a presentation to a group of people where you have the greatest fear of not doing it right and discovering the source of your fear.

Or, imagine yourself observing a scene between you and someone else where you can objectively discover the underlying source of a difficulty that you experience with that person.

6. As you become proficient in the use of the sleep state, you can gain greater control and literally use your dreams for whatever you desire to know; every time you sleep.

7. Manipulation and control of the sleep state can become a powerful tool in consciousness exploration, creativity, and more effectively tuning into your intuition in the wake state, e.g., lucid dreaming.

8. Basic steps in sleep state creativity include:
• Programming or “input mode”
• Incubation or “process mode”
• Illumination or “output mode”


These are the basic steps in Sleep State Creativity 101. If you have questions, please use comments. To the last Commenter, I will have Kayla write a blog this weekend.

Check out the new podcast with Phil Davis.

The act of creation is a spiritual process. That is, it transcends the limitations of the mind and allows the playful exploration of your creative consciousness. Most of us are either creative "on demand" or in small increments. "On Demand" means when creativity is a necessity. Small increments means those creative touches we bring to cooking, sewing, hobbies, music, problem-solving, and any activity involving our day-to-day activities.

The sleep state is quite a different matter. That's the time our consciousness feels free to explore like a child visiting Never-Never Land. It easily moves from the mental state into the spiritual state and explores those aspects of our lives that serve us best when we are awake.

When I first began doing work in diversity. I noticed that some groups were easy while others were very challenging. I tried for several weeks to find the answer to this dilemma since the material content was the same, the exercises were the same, and my delivery was, for the most part, the same. I continued to look for the answer through the analysis process without success. One night I was simply so overwhelmed with this inconsistency that I seriously considered giving up the work since "very good" was not good enough for me. The next morning I awakened with absolute clarity. The answer: "I was just as prejudiced and biased as anyone else." My work was providing me the opportunity to look inside myself rather than outwardly at others struggling to find their own peace in a world of differences. Back to that old saying, "we teach what we most need to learn." I assume my sleep state exploration simply took over for me to take me out of my misery. I'm sure most of you can identify a situation that you were struggling with and awakened with "the answer," whether personal or professional. The key is to assume that "something happened." The opportunity is to discover the process of what happened and consciously reinforce it! Make it part of your day-to-day life--living creatively.

Next time I will discuss sleep-state programming.

Meanwhile, visit Razorpages.com, the site for marketing and selling independent authors.

Phil has become one of my most popular Guest Bloggers. Here are his most recent thoughts on living creatively.

Living Creatively – The Opposite of Living as a Victim

I attended a class the other day about relationships and during one part of the class the instructor discussed living as a victim. The basic characteristics of a victim, the instructor said are:

Depression
Blaming others
Reacting
Laziness
Self-pity
Self-loathing

The instructor had many more descriptors and once she got going the class chimed in with many of their own. But I think you get the picture. Then the instructor asked, “What is the opposite of living as a victim?” We all sat there with stupid, blank looks on our faces until she said, “Living creatively is the opposite of living as a victim.”

Then she asked us what it meant to live creatively. The answers were slow at coming so she helped us out.

Being proactive
Jumping out of bed in the morning
Confident
Problem-solving
Being accountable
Being empowered

Some people surely are victims. If a bomb were to fall in our neighborhood, there would be victims. But for those of us who aren’t subjected to this kind of catastrophe, why would we choose to live as a victim?

There’s another side to this discussion as well. For those of us who live creatively, we need to be careful not to victimize those around us. A friend of mine had great success in her career right out of college. She came from a family that was not too well off financially and so she felt compelled to provide financial assistance whenever needed. Once her parents and her siblings benefited from her help, they began to seek her assistance more often until my friend had to finally stop helping. Actually, what she did was to turn off the financial help and she started helping out emotionally by talking to her siblings and helping them solve their own problems. What she told me one day was that the less she helped out financially, the better off her brothers and sisters were.

Living an empowered life, an independent life, for those who can, is one of the greatest joys we can experience in this world. In conclusion I will ask,

What can you do today to live a more creative life?

Let's discuss a practical creativity tool--mind-mapping. Mind-mapping is the free association process of generating a big picture view of a subject. This creative technique can be used in an unlimited number of ways: a speech, a presentation, a proposal, self-improvement, a vision, strategic planning, planning a day, problem-solving, or figuring out what you want to do with your life!

The technique was originated by Tony Buzan and is practiced in a number of ways that differ from his original process. The objective is to generate a final figure which resembles the structure of a brain cell--a nucleus and several major axons (tentacles) with information strands from each axon relatiing to that particular axon. (Sorry I don't have a picture, it's something like an octopus) You will need colored pencils and paper to get maximum value from this description. Let's get started!

1. Get a sheet of paper and several colored pencils (five to ten, or more)

2. Begin by drawing a circle in the middle of the page and write in it the one-word subject you want to gain creative insight into. For example Spirituality.

3. Now, think of five or six major words that are personal to you relating to your subject that may assist, relate to, or block your access to your subject's success. For me, using Spirituality as my subject, these words would be: Exploration, Consciousness, Barriers, Meaning, Purpose, and Expression. These words should be evenly arranged around the center circle as tentacles or straight thick lines in different colors. Your six words should be written along these tentacle lines (axons). You are restriced to use only single words in constructing your mind-map. (Although I know you will do what you want! That's what's true about the creative process: There are no rules!)

4. Now, we begin construction of the mind-map. Starting with the spoke Exploration, I would write extension words (like branches on a tree) Sleep, Program, Request, Download, Answer, Interpretation. For the spoke Consciousness, I would write the words Open, Learning, Illusion, Reality, Empty, Meaningless, Oneness. For the spoke Barriers, I would write the words Fear, Change, Relationships, Truth, Honesty, Examination, Decision. For the spoke Meaning, I would write the words Let-Go, Seek, Invalidate, Seek, Invalidate, Nothingness, Being! For the spoke Purpose, I would write the words Explore, Within, Feel, Fear, Nothing, Empty, Love, Intuition, Aha!, Transformation, Global, Skills, Express. And for the last spoke Expression, I would write the words People, Non-Judgemental, Enemies, Acceptance, Love.

5. Obviously, each of the words in my mind-map sequence have personal meaning to me. I would gain greater insight by sharing these thoughts with someone I trusted and who I thought had the skill of insight. Then ask his or her feedback as to the specifics of each "Spoke" as well as the overall meaning of spirituality in my life, at present. As you might guess, these words and their meanings change as we grow, learn, and gain greater wisdom. My example above is only one extension from a "spoke word," you normally have several branches for each spoke.

6. You might practice constructing a mind-map using my example above, then apply this creative process to a subject of interest to you.

7. Remember, what is often missing in the use of this technique for business or commercial purposes is the insight and big picture perspective it can give to your personal and professonal life. For me that is usually the most valuable aspect, rather than simple organization, for therein lies the creativity, insight, and wisdom.

If you have any problem with this technique, write a comment or email me directly at waguillory@qwest.net.

Have fun! Please excuse the typos, I simply don't have the energy to correct them now! In addition, the content is where the value is.

Creativiy is the natural expression of our inner consciousness. How inner is inner? As inner as we choose to explore. Inner is infinite in dimension. However, the immediate inner is our spiritual consciousness. It gives rise to expressions of creativity we describe as intuition, inspiration, imagination, and genius. When Rosa Parks refused to give up her seat of that bus in Montgomery, Alabama, which ignited the Civil Rights Movement, I suspect her inner spiritual consciousness took over. Defying the presently existing tradition and law at that time was simultaneouly invalidating a myth in her own mind. Hence, Picasso's statement: "The act of creation is simultaneously the act of destruction." Destruction of a humanly-programmed myth of sitting behind a screen.

The point here is that whenever we live our lives in concert with our spiritual consciousness, we are living a creative life--moment by moment of existence. I have previously made a distinction between religion and spirituality. Religion is belief-driven and spirituality is wisdom-driven. Belief is of the mind and spirituality is of the Soul (for lack of a better word). The spiritual domain can never be accurately described by words because it is a wordless domain. It is characterized by a natural "way of being." We live normal lives most of the time. Being normal is living by the dictates of how we best conceive the world should operate to accommodate the "perceived" survival of human beings--arbitrarily balancing the the welfare of the individual versus the collective.

The most incredible aspect of creativity is that you can live a happy and fulfilling life almost regardsless of your circumstances. This process begins with creating a two-way street between your bodymind self and your inner spiritual self. That is, learning how to freely access it rather than have it access you in dire situations. Most of us are creative or spiritual when we are in crisis, rather than living that way day-to-day.

Even if you are at work right now, here's a quick starter exercise: Focus on a spot on your desk or the wall. Let the stream of thoughts flow through your mind of everything that is going on in life. (about 5 minutes) Then notice there are periods when you are not there! These are timeless moments where your consciousness is in a "mindless" state. Notice how you feel when you reenter: scared, exhilarated, changed, courageous, calm, confused, etc. These are all feelings that result from reentry because "something happened" when you were mindless. To discover what happened, recall Picasso's statement above. You've begun to create the two-way street. Practice it for a week and you will have free entry back and forth. After a while, it will feel like "going back home," the most natural place you could be.

When you have mastered your two-way street, you might begin having a conversation with your inner, spiritual self to discover your natural expression in the world that is of service and involves the well-being of others. I think what you might find is that serving others brings the greatest meaning to your own life. Therein lies your "life purpose." This is all creative stuff.

Next time we will move into creating an idea, concept, paradigm that translates into "some thing" through the innovation process.

A recent commenter asked my opinion of a "solution" to the Middle East crisis. Even though I don't have a practical "solution," I do have a few ideas that may shed some light on the situation.

First of all, I have no first-hand knowledge of the feelings and emotions that are central to the continuing conflict. I am aware that the differences involved span centuries. That means that the programmed mental states have been reinforced over and over again at least over that period of time. As such, who is right or wrong is immaterial where a solution is involved.

The first condition for a resolution will be forgetting the past. I know that's easy for me to say since I am removed from the situation. Questions that are associated with this condition are: "Are we headed toward complete mutual destruction"; "If so, is that scenario okay with everyone involved?" "Have we really accomplished any meaningful "net" change over the centuries of conflict." I guess what I'm getting at is an assessment of what continuing armed conflict has accomplished to the present. Including the acceptance of non-participating civilian casualties.

The second condition is to focus on the future. Questions here are: "What do we really want as a future for our families and children?" "How can we best provide the goods and services for the quality of living we desire?" "What kind of support would we need to become self-sustaining?" "Do we have a total system that can provide the needs, wants, and aspirations of our all of people?"

The third condition is a collective transformation in the justified belief of mutual hatred. Questions: "Is it okay for the past to predestine the future?" "Is anger and hatred an acceptable way of life?" "What could happen if we began a dialogue with each other who are the same but believe differently?" "What if we extended this dialogue to those who are different?"

I am thinking that these suggestions begin with individuals under the age of fifteen (generally most "adults" are hopelessly hard-wired) and dialogues primarily take place using the internet or other available communication modes. I am most of all suggesting that this be a "global dialogue," since most everyone on this planet has an opinion as though he or she lives in the Middle East. What is happening in the Middle East is a reflection of the consciousness of this entire planet of human beings!

These are my immediate thoughts. I look forward to other ideas from those of you who visit this site.

P.S. The alternative to the ideas above is continue what we are doing and see where it leads; which I'm sure is no mystery to anyone.

I repeat for emphasis, creativity is the inherent nature of all living things; including human beings. Adapting to change requires creativity to survive.
For most of us, that is the extent we choose to be creative. Only to the extent necessary to survive. Therefore, most human beings, individually and collectively, choose to change the least amount in the longest period of time necessary for continued physical existence.

Those of us with greater courage to have our realities radically changed or rearranged, access our creative consciousness with greater frequency. Therefore, there is greater variety, more varied experiences, and the opportunity for a richer life. In short, "diversity is the spice of life." Those of us who choose to remain within the "apparent" safety of group sameness tend to experience less of the variety available to the human experience.

The point I want to make here is living a creative life is about the continual exploration beyond the safety of our youth-oriented clan. It is also important to recognize that we are not giving-up the clan, just expanding beyond the base it has provided. Travel and immersion into other cultures is one of the most creative experiences available to most human beings. For immersion reshapes us and our reality. The definition of a rich life is to continually redefine "who we are" from a human perspective. I will talk more about creativity and spirituality in subsequent blogs.

For clarification, my model of the creative process is that creativity is sourced from one's creative consciousness; which is superimposed with the totality of everyone else's creative consciousness. (Somewhat like Jung's Collective Consciousness) They are indistinguishable in Consciousness! The act of creation is the same for an Einstein as it is for a kindergartener. However, the ability to express the act of creation varies widely for each indiviual based upon his or her receptivity to transformation and base of knowledge (not information memorization!). Remember, knowledge is the creative integration of information. It is an experiental process.

In conclusion for today, one of the simplest ways of living a creative life on a daily basis is to consciously experience the diversity available to you, e.g., people, food, music, religions, backgrounds, cultures (travel), ideas, movies, etc. The most powerful creative process on this planet is the courage to meet and be changed through the experience of divergently different human beings. The challenge is such experiences will require non-superficial relationships. You will have to make yourself available and vulnerable.

Go for it!

Again for all you independent authors or those of you with "books in your head," visit Razorpages.com.

For the next few weeks, I plan to write about creativity. Since the model I will be using naturally involves consciousness, I will also be discussing the connection between the two. I will also attempt to show practical applications for your life, but you will have to do most of the work of making applications to your day-to-day living. As in life, someone can only provide what and how we could do things for a menu, but the really powerful actions that serve you best always come from within. That appears to be a rule of human existence.

Creativity, in its broadest sense, is simply bringing into our personal awareness that which did not previously exist. Creativiy is our birthright. When we cease to be creative, we begin to die. Therefore, creativity is a necessity for continued human existence. Think about it for a moment, when faced with a crisis of a new product, idea, meal, babysitter, etc, we instantly go into action with consuming energy. That driving energy was also available before the crisis.

We are simply not aware of how our moment-to-moment living is consumed with an never-ending array of creative acts. If we did, we would validate the creativity involved and consciously practice this inherent nature within ourselves. Since being creative is natural, the question is not "How do I become more creative?" The question is "How do I unblock the limitations to being creative I have place on myself?"

Most people I know in my courses over the years claim they really want to be more creative than they presently are. I immediately challenge their statement with a quote from Pablo Picasso:


"The act of creation is simultaneously the act of destruction."

Which means, whenever we create something new to Our reality by coming up with a new idea or a solution, then we simultaneouly invalidate a belief that was previouly there; commonly in the form of an "I can't because......." The natual implication is, to be creative to extent of your potential, you have to be willing to have something very, very important to you invalidated!

For Einstein to come up with the Theory of Relativity, I would suggest he had to totally release his attachment to classical mechanics as total illusion to the subatomic world. At some level of consciousness, the mind knows this dynamic and without awareness on our part sets into motion defense mechanisms or blocks to anythnig which serves to irreversibly change our reality. In fact, anything which appears to change our reality is seen as a threat to our physical survival.

So, as we proceed through this series, you might want to ask yourself the question, "Do I really want to be creative to my full potential?" That feeling in your stomach will reveal the survival-based answer. However, that feeling in your heart is probably where truth resides. Listen to it also. The world of mixed messages, which one should we heed!

Assignment (if you decide to accept): Make a list of all the things your stomach tells you in response to the question, "Do I want to achieve unlimited creativity?" Then ask you heart the same question and see if they are on the same page. The first step to becoming more creative is being clear about your intentionality at an unconscious level because that is where most of our lives is directed from. Whether we believe it or not!

As always, comments about the ideas in the blog are welcome.

Visit Razorpages.com to learn about other authors with out-of-context ideas; which are also practical in your life.

The War In Iraq

How would you feel if a member of your family went off to war? I would feel terrible. The war in Iraq in my point of view is a terrible thing and a waste of time, effort, and money. Just think of young soldiers going to war and getting killed. They never get the chance to have a wife/husband or kids. It is a waste of time to fight for peace that will only last for a little while until something like this happens again and we go to war again.

It is a never ending cycle that will never end unless we do something about it. All the money that goes toward war weapons could be used in much more beneficial ways. We could put it towards AIDS in Africa, world hunger, or poverty. Instead we use money on killing machines.

The thing that we need to do is put ourselves in Iraq’s place. How do they feel? Why do they do the things they do? And how would you fell if you were a child in Iraq? I could tell you if an army came to Utah I would be scared, especially if they didn’t speak the same language as us. Even if they were trying to help us it would still be scary.

From my point of view we never hear about the positive things that happen in Iraq. We always hear about people getting killed and bombings. We never hear about what we have accomplished, if anything. So basically it seems that we are fighting for no reason. I have lost track of why we are fighting in Iraq in the first place.

There is not much a little voice in the world can do but it can give ideas to powerful people and who know what could happen. Every day think how lucky you are to wake up in a country that is not at war. I do.

Dear Anonymous #3:

Thanks for your comments about how you live your life on a daily basis. As you probably know there is an expression, "You get back from the universe what you put out." I have found this statement to be true 99% of the time.

The important thing I've learned is that living a fulfilling life always begins with me. And that means defining what's important to me; from my inner self. I sometimes refer to "what's important to me" as spiritual values because they originate spontaneously from a place that transcends my mental functioning; or even worse, those defined by society, such as money, possessions, power, control, and the like.

Living a spiritual is not some crusade to save the world. More often than not, those self-assigned to save the world too often resort to manipulation in order to move the world in their desired direction. It ususally never works because human consciousness has a collective mind of its own.

I think the first step to living a spiritual life is attempting to learn to live without fear. For example, the more security we require, the greater we are in state of fear. As we all know, fear drives defensive and offensive behaviors. Again, we are back to the opening statement, we get back what we put out.

If we can set fear aside most of the time, we are free to explore possibility. This freedom is not available when fear is dominant. Exploring possibility opens us to our inner or soul selves. You might try making contact with this aspect of yourself as a daily occurrence. Simply stop for five minutes what you are "doing," mentally. Then listen, beyond the outside noise, for that "small inner voice."

Ask questions that are important to you. Listen quietly for the answers. Ask several time to make sure you have the complete answer. Then evaluate the answer and possible consequences. Are the consequences acceptable or necesary? If so, devise a plan that fits you best. Then decide when and where you want to start; if at all. Remember, being spiritual does not require anything of you.

As you master listening to that inner voice, you also begin clarifying your most important spiritual values. There are as many ways of living a spiritual life as there are people on this planet. However, they appear to all have in common, "acts of kindness;" empathy, compassion, humility, and love. If we put these out into the world, these are what we most often get back in return.

There is a most important catch here. If you do things for others with the expectation of getting something in return, then this is a subtle form of manipulation. Acts of kindness are more about intent than about behavior; which is so easy to fake, even to one's self!

Here's a simple exercise to try this coming week. Think of three to five people you love. Then think of one inexpensive act of kindness you could provide that individual, without them ever knowing! Then "Just Do It!" Do it because it is an act of love and your significant contribution to transforming human consciousness to compatibility and love.

Anonymous #3 said he/she (why do I intuit #3 is a woman) simply smiles to others or let them get ahead in traffic. You can come up with your own. Let us hear from some other visitors to this site. Let us know one or two spiritual practices you have adopted. And spread the word to others who would like to make a contribution to this site from around the world. Let's get a "global conversation" going!

Dear Anonymous #2:

I personally believe everything you have written in your comment. However, I'm also clear that I "see" things from my own perspective. And therefore, those with other points of view might also "see" a perspective that is outside of my radar of perception. Together in conversation or dialogue we have the potential of creating a perspective or insight that goes way beyond our individual opinions.

I do believe that part of that dialogue is critically reviewing what we have accomplished. Using history to show that military inervention has never led a significantly temporary or lasting peace. Nor has it ridded the world of evil from everyone's personal perspective.

That's why I have continuously suggested in these blogs that making a difference will only come about when we common people have the courage to initiate and experience differences all around us. Without having to go to the Middle East, if we seriously begin to explore differences in our wotkplace and communities, we would not only make a huge difference, but also begin to transform the human consciousness of this planet.

It's equally important for each of us to realize that the extent to which we separate, divide, and find refuge only in similarities of any kind of group, we contribute to the "Consciousness of Divisions." Such a consciousness always, always leads to suspicion, perceived threat, and ultimately to conflict; armed conflict, in extreme situations. This is the circular history of mankind (notice, I didn't humankind) on Planet Earth. And we still, as a species, don't get it!

The definition of pure insanity is to keep doing the same thing, with predicitable results, and expecting a different result!

I look forward to the two of you (Anonymous #1 and #2) and others to join in this conversation or dialogue.

Again, check out Animal Kingdom on mp3 audio or the hard copy or ebook on Razorpages.com. The book captures this conversation. FYI: When we had the audio download free on this site there were more than 15,000 downloads in eight months.

Dear Anonymous:

Sorry for the delay in responding to your comment. I am simply excited to have someone respond to the blogs that brings out conversation about the subject matter. In response to your observations, I have the following comments.

I have heard of the condition called Anti-Social Behavior Syndrome. It is characterized by individuals who have no empathy, compassion, or remorse about injury done to another person. Many of these individuals are, of course, in prison. For example, an individual who is imprisoned was asked if he was sorry he committed murder. His response was, "Not at all, he came home when I was robbing his house. I had to kill him."

The question is to what degree is a lack of empathy or compassion prevalent in mainstream society; particularly, where nationalism or patriotism is involved. If we are wired to believe that we are always right and any disagreement with another country means they are automatically wrong, then there is little hope for continued human existence on this planet. That is simply the history of human existence on this planet.

I tend to believe that we are all spiritual beings having a human experience. However, all spiritual beings are not equal in their perception of wisdom. Therefore, the extent to which we are available to spiritual insight in governing this planet is variable.

If we do not have a critical mass of spiritually insightful individuals that can influence the global consciousness toward human compatibility, then the never-ending process of winning and losing wars is our fate. You can easily see that the ultimate destination is either destruction of ourselves or the creation of a planet not habitable for human existence.

I think we have a critical mass of such individuals at present. They have not learned how to align as a force for global transformation. Remember, we are all still struggling to set aside our ego drive to be acknowledged in preference to aligning with others. The earth plane is a very challenging arena to master beyond human ego recognition or attachments. Where do we go from here? I'm not sure, but I do know where we are headed.

For all you independent authors, check out Razorpages.com. There are some very, very interesting authors featured there.

I had the opportunity to watch a program on ABC titled "The State of the Union." The essence of the program was that we in the U.S. are not only a divided nation, but an extremely polarized one. The problem or challenge with polarization is that both sides think they are RIGHT. We tend to use any intellectual argument, value, reason, or most of all religious belief system to prove our point--even if it involves the destruction of us all!

The essence of our dilemma is the present phenomenon most corporations are struggling to master--Diversity. In a speech several years ago, I stated that diversity is the most important phenomenon for the continued existence of human beings on planet earth in the 21st century. I define diversity as an environment where differences are equally valued and respected, and compatibly integrated for the success, happiness, and well-being of us all. Being right, and righteous, about one's own point-of-view is the greatest barrier to moving toward achieving diversity.

Beneath our righteousness is an unwillingness and fear of change. Interestingly, most animal and biological systems appear to have no ego attachment to righteously "holding on" when change is necessary for survival. Human beings, on the other hand, appear to be willing to become extinct when change and "letting go" is a requirement for our continued existence.

If this reasoning makes sense, then I would conclude that we, as a species, don't have the "spiritual intelligence," not religious intelligence, to recognize the need to create a new paradigm of human existence on planet earth; consistent with how the world order has changed. The program on TV last night pointed out we only associate with those of a like mind and consciously avoid those with differing ideas, perspectives, beliefs, and values. When these are exactly the people we should be dialoguing with to find solutions to our dilemma!

So, what do I have as a contructive process to begin the journey of "compatible human adaptation?"

1) Recognize that the driving force for change and adaptation is survival. If survival is unimportant, then we can stop here and let the present drama play out to its predictable conclusion. If continued existence is sufficiently motivating to consider this process, then let's proceed.

2) Consider the possibility that both polarized points-of-view are are simply dimensions of a bigger picture; or pieces of a puzzle. Neither side is the complete puzzle. (I haven't even introduced the global perspective as yet; which is the whole planet earth puzzle). To ignore or resist this suggestion is called DENIAL; which is first step to transcend for change.

3) Notice first the anger to (2) above, then underneath the anger, notice the fear of possibly being wrong (to the ego); or just not being totally right. Engagement with someone brings these emotions out, front and center. The second step to change is EMOTIONAL REACTION.

4) If we hang in there with each other, then during the next calming period is bargaining or positioning our perspective to show that it is, in fact, best or right. At this point, we call upon all our skills as a litigator, evangelist, crusader, or the "voice of wisdom." This step, in Elisabth Kubler-Ross'model, is called BARGAINING. Actually, its a calming attempt to be right and righteous again.

5) This is the most difficult step of all--the inward journey to personal transformation. The realization that we are not right; only righteous. This is the inward journey where we make contact with our "inner spiritual self." It is the process of escaping the limitations of our mental programming (and brainwashing) that appears to be the illusion of "who we are." I would suggest that, spiritually, who we are is discovered only if we are willing or forced to let go of our strongly held beliefs of rightousness. (Many of you reading these blogs have experienced what I'm speaking of; commonly referred to as "the dark night of the soul." Where we come face-to-face with our inner demons that feed our need to be right. This step is called TRANSFORMATION.

6) Upon return to our mental state of functioning, we "see" everything differently. With some, we call it rebirth; and proceed to attribute our transformation to our belief system rather than a spiritual awakening. With others, this awakening results in a greater understanding, tolerance, and acceptance of the struggles and conflicts of others. Along with this transformation is the wisdom to be open to an entirely different paradigm of life; both personally and collectively.

This last step now prepares us to create something beyond the polarized points-of-view, which is not a trade-off of them both. I wonder if we can create a critical number of such individuals before we self-destruct. This is the essence of the race we are engaged in this century; whether we are conscious of it or not.

I would love your comments about this blog. I am sorry for any edit mistakes. I'll catch them later.

Keep in mind Razorpages for independent authors.

For those of you who are serious about putting spirituality into practice, you might adopt all 10 of the suggestions below. Take two weeks to try each until it works or it doesn't. But be sure to try them all or you'll be disappointed with the expanded quality of life you might expect.

Integrating Ethical Principles and Values Into Your Work-Life Activities – A Personal Perspective*

Check the suggestions below that are practical, realistic, and personally appropriate for you to implement:

1. Start off with taking care of yourself — alignment of body, mind, and spirit for personal stability, e.g. personal growth, exercise, meditation, etc.

2. Be less judgmental of others and more compassionate of the struggles we all experience.

3. Design your work/service to be personally meaningful — sourced from your inner values.

4. Consciously decide (re-decide) what’s most important to you (your innermost values), beyond the temporary or superficial — and realign your activities in congruence with these.

5. View conflict as a personal growth opportunity to learn about yourself and others; the result is wisdom, e.g., an angry person is a person in pain.

6. Recognize your attitude toward life is of your own design — and you are 100% responsible for the results you create!

7. Be kind to unkind people — you will transform their lives.

8. Consciously expand your sphere of associations to include others who are different, think different, and do things in a different way. Your reality will be reshaped and transformed and, most of all, you will experience greater harmony and peace of mind.

9. Adopt a personally appropriate stress reduction regimen, e.g. meditation, five-minute break, Zen practices, exercise, visualization, etc.

10. Create a personal development program that enhances your career development plan, e.g. seminars on relationship, communication, leadership, teamwork, diversity, and creativity.


*Adapted from “The Living Organization – Spirituality in the Workplace.”

Principle Six states:

When you totally focus in the present moment, you can permanantly transform your consciousness to a success state of mind.


This principle is the most subtle of all ten and is yet the most powerful. It begs the question, "How long does it take to change your life?" The answer: "As long as it takes to change your mind." Change, in this sense, is transformation; which is a permanent alteration in one's consciousness. This obviously makes sense when you reflect on the fact that Mind-Set drives Behavior drives Results. That is, your toolbox of skills is no more powerful than the mental energy and focus that drives it.

Examples of being totally in the present, beyond time, are a heart attack,
a car accident (where your whole life flashes before you), being in the zone, change resulting from extreme stress, or simply coming to the realization that your life is empty and meaningless with what you are presently doing. These expeiences tend to disappear the past and the future. You truly experience, "This is the first day of the rest of your life;" and all the coming days are firsts!

A popular book has recently been written about this state of being (notice I didn't say state of mind, because you are quite literally "out of your mind.")titled, "The Power of Now." Such a state has been wiritten about in eloquent detail by J. Krisnamurti in several of his books. Obviously, the present point of focus does not have to come about through crisis. For example, some years ago I decided to give up teaching and research as a university professor at the peak of my career because I asked myself a simple question in an instance of total detachment: "What are you doing here?" The spontaneous answer that erupted from my deep subconscious was "I don't know?" But what I did know was that somethnig has radically changed. I just had to wait for my subconscious to ship it up to me whenever it felt I was ready for the "good" news.

I remember going home and sitting on my back porch, realizing that my life had irrevocably changed. I didn't know where I was headed to next, but I could no longer continue to push molecules around with lasers and pretend this was still my passion. I describe it as sailing out to sea with no map or direction and no sight of land. In other words, all I had was the future and a blank canvass. I also had a feeling of certainty of success. There was absolutely no question of success at wherever my intuition led me next.

The point is this, when you focus totally in the present moment, you create the space for your life to instantly change. The realization that results is a humbing experience of who you really are at the core of your being (not your degrees, awards, accomplishments, earnings, or anything of a material nature.) It is also a humbling realization of the source of your passion. You then discover that everything you have learned and experienced up that point has been preparation for what you will do with your life; success is a given!

So, as I have stated previously, when your skills and abilities are driven by passion for what you are naturally led to do, then you are destined to succeed.

Principle five simply states:

You are inherently endowed with an ability to perform in an exceptional manner when you combine passion with your talents, abilities, and learning experiences.

One of the most important jobs in managing people is to determine what they are good at. So many people take jobs for which they are unsuited or have no interest. Then they wonder why they have no passion for their work or why it is so hard to go to work everyday. In truth, it is your responsibility to find your passion, not your boss. Remember, this series is about success and your role in it. Which is 100%, whether you accept it or not.

Soon someone at less than 100% begins complaining to others about their work situation, making mistakes, and finding everything about their work a problem or a burden; even showing up! If my message about responsiblity and accountability got through, then resolution begins by looking inside yourself rather than finding fault with the system you are in at present. Like my Mother used to say, "Birds of feather flock together." Meaning you are presently where you deserve to be with people who reflect your present state of mind!

Now I know this is hard to believe. I used to deny this to my mother until I took a hard look at the people I "hung out" with, what they talked about, and how accomplished they were. Not very impressive to say the least. Just being with them most of the time, listening to their insessant gossip, and blaming others for their demise, woke me up quicker than any seminar I could have attended. (Proving again, You can´t fool your mama!)

If I am speaking about you or someone you know then help is on the way. So where do you begin to get it together.

1. Write down all the things you really enjoy doing, computers, being with people, outdoors, working with your hands, creating new stuff, teaching, helping, etc. Write ten things from your heart, not your head.

2. Then write down all the skills you need or should know in order to maintain your "personal stock." Your personal stock is your value for employment based on what you know and can perform in an exceptional manner. Then get busy learning these regardless of your present situation, so you won´t have to fake your resume when you decide to move to another job!

3. Write ten skills, abilities, and learning experiences you have acquired or would be naturally-driven to learn. What are you good at, speaking, working with others, helping, creativity, software, writing, technical skills, etc. Don´t worry about writing a job description at this point.

4. Match what you enjoy with your skills, abilities, and experiences (1 and 3 above) and write a unique job description; whether that job presently exists or not.

5. Research where this job could be useful to an employer or start a new business. Use the internet to search or even market yourself! Be creative about promoting the truth about your abilities and skills.

6. Then go for it! Begin to market yourself while creating an honest job description. If you lie about what you can do, it will follow you and haunt you in your career; not to mention the guilt it might foster in you.

The bottom-line is you will never really be happy until you live your passion!

If you create your own reality, whether consciously or unconsciously, then you are not only responsible and accountable for every event that happens in your life, but also for creating the probability of that event, in advance! This statement is obviously the graduate course in self-mastery. Let's examine the implications of such a statement as a way to live your life. For it can be overwhelmingly powerful and insightful.

Several years ago, I facilitated an outdoors "Ropes Course." Individuals, in teams and alone, would attempt physically-demanding events on the ground and at great heights. One of the great-heights event involved climbing a shaved tree that was about 50 or 60 feet high which had a shaky platform on top. The objective was to climb to the top of the tree, somehow stand on the platform, and jump for a swinging trapeze significantly out of reach. Most of the team laughed when the instructions were first given. With a sober face I asked, "Are there any questions?" Then I simply said, "Okay, who needs to go first?"

They huddled for five minutes and made a decision. Among the team of five men and one woman, it was decided the woman would go first. She was obviously terrified from the start. She asked about the small size of the platform, which she didn't know was shaky at that point. I told her not to worry about the platform until she reached the top; if she reached the top! Then I took her aside and said, "I know you can do this. I saw how athletic you were on the other events."

She replied, "I'm afraid of heights." "Perfect," I said. "This is your chance to lose what is underneath that fear." "What do you mean?" she asked. I instructed her to ask herself a question everytime she felt she was about to fall or wanted to give up on the event and she would get her answer.

By the way, this is obviously a harnessed event!

She made it to the top and began crying. I told her crying was great. That she was experiencing "tears of joy." She mounted the shaky platform and informed me she was ready to come down. I asked her to think about this decision she was about to make. I asked, "Is this about where you stop in life, when winning the gold is within your each? You certainly have good reason to stop now, even though you know you can catch the trapeze." One of her team members blurted out, "Why don't you let her down, you can see she's done her best!" I ignored him, of course, since he was really projecting his own fear he would have to face if he got that far.

After three minutes of soul-searching, she asked me to help her get into a rhyhtm to jump for the trapeze. I told to think of something she had always wanted in her life, but could never reach. (Something always happened that wasn't her fault; which meant she wasn't responsible; but she was always there!) Then picture the success of that thing sitting on the trapeze swinging back and forth in front of you. The question at this point was not could she catch the trapeze, but if she chose to do so; and what would be the implications if she succeeded! Literally, her life's direction was swinging there before her captured in a single jump.

Obviously, this event had transcended a physically-challenging exercise. (mind-body stuff) So, then I told her, "It's time to make a decision, we have other people for this event, take responsibility for choosing to fail or succeed! Focus on your heart talking to you. The next time the trapeze comes within your reach, either follow your heart or the self-limiting conversations of your mind."

Before I could finish my statement, she jumped for the trapeze going beyond its reach, so charged was her energy and intention. So, she hung there holding on with one hand, crying and laughing simultaneouly. Then she clutched the bar with her other hand. She seemed to be swinging in slow motion. I told her to let go, that she was successful. She was in another world. She didn't even hear me. Nor would she ever hear those who supported her limitations in the future. Her reality about her capability was transformed forever!

The realization she shared that night at our debrief was that in that moment of indecision, she recounted a sequence of events in her life where she had stopped short in her academic performance, participation in sports, choice of a boyfriend she really wanted at the time, and her present career in life. She could clearly see now that she made those decisions without conscious awareness, but nevertheless, she made them and she was responsible and accountable for the limitations she placed upon herself.

Now she could consciously decide to live her life with full intention, with the freedom to decide, and the realization that she had the power to create her own reality.

Responsibility and accountability are the most fundamental concepts to mastering the human experience; no matter what your race, culture, circumstances, history, or whatever you might have been using to sell yourself short! This is the most important principle for success no matter how you uniquely define it.

The fundamental challenge we face as human beings is learning to compatibly resolve differences; and even more, learning a methodology for turning differences into strengths.

More specifically, we fear differences that appear to threaten our present way of thinking and believing and the corresponding change (or more precisely the transformation) implied by the challenge.

The most controversial example at present is the book and movie “The Da Vinci Code.” One of the major controversial points is the supposition that Jesus married Mary Magdeleine and fathered a child that carries his consciousness through women from generation to generation; to the present.

This supposition is, of course, in opposition to historical Christian doctrine. It appears to me that it is immaterial whether Jesus was, indeed, married or not. His impact on the last 2000 years of history is immense and can not be diminished, invalidated, or erased – both good and bad in terms of how his doctrines were implemented by various churches.

What is more important is the popularity of the book and movie. It is immense. This popularity tells more about the thirst of people, planet-wide, for a new paradigm of religious/spiritual experience. I would suggest that religion and spirituality are distinctly different; religion is form and spirituality is the “driving essence” that gives rise to form. As such, there are, in theory, an infinite number of religious forms – none superior to others from this perspective.

The message derived from the book's popularity is that many of us are seeking a spiritual experience. Spiritual experiences are transforming, for they go beyond the ego self. The change is from a survival-based mind set to one that is creative-adaptive. A creative-adaptive mind-set welcomes and anticipates the change necessary for human adaptation and compatibility. We sometimes forget that nothing lasts forever and progressive change is the key to survival and adaptation of any organism.

So, perhaps redefining our religious beliefs and practices could be more effective in facilitating spiritual transformation; thus, resulting in a more humanly compatible planet of people.

If we are personally free to consciously create whatever we truly desire and drive that desire with a strong intention, then we are, in essence, creating our own reality.

The second principle of success brings us face-to-face with our self-limiting beliefs (or fears) we discovered in the discussion on intentionality.

Today begins the first in a series of blogs from a book we have in our bookstore. The book title is "Destined to Succeed." This book provides a guideline for achieving success in your life; however, you might uniquely define success, e.g., having a certain income, a home, a happy family, achieving a goal, or simply being at peace with yourself and your life.

The Principle of Intentionality states that what occurs in your life is what you intend to happen. Quite simply, it means whatever is the present state of your life is what you are intending to have. This is a very difficult principle to accept. But it forces us to view the state of our lives from the standpoint of what is rather than what we say we want.

I remember early in my career I kept telling others that I wanted to write and publish a book. When I began to notice that no one really believed me, I had this realization that "seeing is believing." I simply had nothing to show for my statements about wiring. Which meant, I would have to get serious and begin to "put pen to paper," if I really meant to write.

It was only then I learned that had fears about writing. "Could I write so others could understand and enjoy my work?" "Did I have the discipline to stick with it to completion?" "What if no one was interested in my ideas?" I remember the saying, "It's better to keep your mouth shut and be thought a fool than to open it and remove all doubts." And on and on the list went as I began to explore my own self-limiting programming.

It was then I discovered why I had not written anything up to that time. I would have to face my hidden fears about myself. My real intention was not to write. My real intention was to protect myself from learning whether any or all of my beliefs above (fears) would come true! I realized then that I had the opportunity to change my intention. But it would involve risking. But it also involved learning. I chose to risk and learn.

So, if there is something you really want in your life and you have not begun to accomplish it, you might consider the following steps to change your intention and take action!

1) Write what it is you want to have as simple statement. (so someone else could understand it)

2) As you visualize yourself taking action to acomplish it, quickly begin to write the fears and the corresponding beliefs that are unique to you.

3) Examine the consequences if the fears were true. (worse case senario) They rarely are true.

4) Then begin behaving consistent with your goal. Even better, begin behaving as though the you have already achieved your goal!

When your fears surface, you will know you are engaging the process of overcoming them. Stick with the process. Your fears will gradually subside. Tust me! (smile)

Next: Principle Two

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I was elated and saddened Dr. Guillory to hear about your experience but glad that you are safe. I too was trapped in New Orleans,not in my home but the Superdome for 6 days. It was hell on earth. I experienced people at their best and worst. That's another story and we all have them. I am one of your former students from Dillard. So glad you are safe. I pray for your strength to " move on". I hope that your latter days will be greater than your former days. I think of you and Dr. Dan Thompson often. I enjoyed your classes. Your gift of teaching is a blessing that I was priviledged to experience. So I too move on here in Atlanta with my daughter, and I take the memories of my life there with me. All of them good and bad I cherish each day. God bless you and may he keep you in his care. --Posted by Mattie Stone-Williams to Where to Now? at 5/03/2006 06:39:29 AM

I, for one, am impressed and supportive of the efforts of Hispanic, Latino, and Chicano individuals to become a naturalized part of the United States. I believe we are a richer, more productive, and creative country in doing so. Biological and economic systems that focus on sameness have been shown historically to be highly subject to their own extinction. Diversity is not only an inescapable reality, but the key that has fueled the success of the U.S. over its entire existence. And here, I go beyond racial and ethnic diversity to include culture, religion, language, systems, styles, creativity & innovation, backgrounds, etc. Diversity is an inherent part of human existence.

These statements are not meant to ignore the logistics of large numbers of immigrants entering the U.S. because of the opportunities available to everyone. I certainly have no simplistic answers. But one economic factor that always prevails is when there are no jobs available for those here or entering the U.S., there will be no motivation for entering or remaining in a country that is not native to one's self. I know this is not a solution, but a factor in the overall equation.

As I have stated so often in my blogs, nothing substative will emerge in terms of a solution until we shift from survival-based thinking to creative-adaptive thinking. I often ask myself, "If I lived in an economically-limiting situation and was next door to a land of plenty, what woud I do?" As Animal Kingdom professes, resolution begins with seeing through the eyes of others; particularly, those who are less fortunate. Then following with an in-depth understanding of what someone less fortunate really experiences and wants. Not what I hear on the news or what I'm told, but what I can learn for myself from those who are honestly dealing with survival. This opportunity is available to each of us right where we are now! These are two ideas of a place to start with a situation that has centuries of history; from a personal perspective!

However, with respect to the present situation we are forced to resolve or "bandaid," I think Frederick Douglass has said it best for those wanting a change and acceptance:

For the most part, I would guess that the vast majority of us are not in fear because of physical survival. There are places in the world, like Iraq and Isreal, where physical survival is a real everyday part of life. For those of us not directly threatened by the fear of physical harm, why do we in large part behave as though differences in our worldviews are a threat to each other?

We have worldviews about religion and yet we are taught to believe that our particular worldview (a belief system created by human beings) is superior to others. I know that I was taught as a Catholic in catecism that ours was the only true religion. And unless the other poor souls of the planet could not be converted to our belief system, they were doomed to Hell for eternity. Although this description is simplistic in words, it appears to me that is how the world seems to operate today.

I guess the point I'm trying to make is that a major source of conflict and resulting fear is that many, if not most, of our strongly-held beliefs are presumed to be "truths." And that is where the problem of reinforcing fear by each of us begins. For example, the belief existed , as a truth, that the earth was flat. We laugh at such a "truth" today. Or that the center of the universe was the the earth, and unmoving! To challenge that truth was punishable by death. But then we come to some more modern-day beliefs, or truths.

Capitalism is the best economic system for everyone. We are the richest nation that ever existed, consume something like 30% of the world's resources, and have about 30% to 40% of our population health uninsured. And I could go on and on. Capitalism appears to fit best individually-oriented societies. But most of the world's population are group-oriented, by nature. In truth, I don't claim to know what is best for someone else or some other society. But I do know from teaching diversity for more than 20 years that "one size usually never fits all."

The point is that if we are going to come together as planet of people truly interested in peace and compatible existence, we are going to have to re-examine some of our most fundamental assumptions about others we live and work with. As I have stated before, I am not speaking of some policy led by world leaders, or even local leaders, because, in truth, they are accountable for where we find the state of the world, and indirectly our lives, today.

This transformation will led by each of us making a conscious decision to examine the patterns of our lives in terms of:

1) Information gathering about how others view and experience the world. Using the internet or through direct experience. "Be more interested than interesting." The only truth we really have is our direct experince of someone else, not what we are told about others through the interpretation of their experience! To realize this simple truth is a breakthrough.

2) Acceptance of how others interpret their experience without the necessity of feeling threatened because it is different or divergently different. Engagement within our our own minds of realizing that their interpretation is just as valid as our own provides the space for them to come to the same conclusion. Now we have the basis for exploring a totally new way of thinking that compatibly embraces both! Such a process is what human evolution is really about, not simply the revolutions we have made in technological developments we commonly cite as human evolution or of our limited ability influence nature. Not control It!

3) Experience of differences; people, foods, music, climate, religions, family structures, values, etc. Experience is the most powerful phenomenon on the planet for transformation. What we do not need is a new agreement or policy within our present way of thinking and believing, but a transformation from survival-based thinking to creative-adaptive thinking. Where we automatically view differences as an opportunity to learn and grow rather a fear-based reaction of how we think may be invalidated.

4) Transformation is the process of realizing that our perspective is not a universal truth. But the unique way we have programmed our experiences to fit our societal or personal belief system. In a fear-based way of thinking, the most threatening possibility is that we are wrong. Because everything is seen through the eyes of "Wrong or Right." Transformation helps us to see that there is a way of thinking that transcends "right and wrong," and validates our view as part of a greater whole, from which we learn that we each are a piece of a larger puzzle, not the whole thing! This again, is a breakthrough to human compatibility.

5) Adaptation and integration creating a new system of human existence based upon mutual respect, collaboration, and love. Yes, love, which I define as the unconditional acceptance and support of another's growth, happiness, and mental, physical, emotional, and spiritual well-being. These are nice words, and you are possibly saying that such a way of living is only possible in an idealistic world. I would probably say, "You're right, and it's very realistic for each of to live this way on an individual basis! Particularly, beginning with those we love. And then extending it to those whose beliefs we fear."

In conclusion, living without fear is the systematic process of constantly experiencing transformation about those ways of thinking that are different, sometime divergently different, than our own. Transformation is always freeing and unlimited and reorders our way of living to produce the quality we say we desire. However, freedom, quality, and living without fear are not free!

The Thread Through Our Lives


One lesson I remember clearly from my English classes in high school is that a good literary work will have a thread that flows through the story. This thread is the theme of the book; the message the author wants the reader to absorb.

When Bill started working on his book Animal Kingdom in early 2004, I had the privilege of reading his first few manuscripts. Around this time, the United States chosen to invade Iraq. Animal Kingdom was my first in-depth exposure to Diversity and the role it plays in all our lives, both personally and globally. I could clearly see how the actions of our leaders mirrored the actions of the Lion group in the book. I gained insight into our leaders’ thought process and their motivations; motivations that have deep cultural ties.

Experiencing Animal Kingdom helped me decide for myself that I disagreed with our Nation’s decision to invade Iraq years before the majority of our Nation would come to this same conclusion. With my conviction and prior to our invasion, I wrote my first email to my Senator asking him to do whatever he could to forestall the impending war. Of course, my email did nothing to stop the war, but I feel good about having my own conviction and then taking action on it.

In August 2005, Katrina ravaged New Orleans. Katrina opened our Nation’s eyes to many issues: emergency preparedness, FEMA’s mediocre response, the government’s failure to repair the levee system, race in America, and many others. Of all the issues Katrina raised, I was somewhat amazed to see that race was the primary issue and it seemed to underscore the entire experience. I’ve even heard rumors – and I believe them to only be rumors – that the levees were broken on purpose to direct the flood waters to the poorer 9th ward instead of risking the more upscale neighborhoods. Rumor though it may be, this theory eerily resembles the scene in Animal Kingdom when King breaks a part of the damn to destroy the animal herds trying to reach higher ground.

While the Animal Kingdom theme was clearly a thread running through these global events, it wasn’t until the recent immigrant demonstrations started that the thread became visible to me. My colleague at work told me he didn’t have a problem with the demonstrations, he just wanted to know why the demonstrators were waving Mexican flags instead of American flags. “Don’t they want to become Americans?” he asked me.

When I mentioned this conversation to Bill today at breakfast, he picked up my pen, took a piece of paper and started writing. Here’s what he wrote:

The U.S.

1) Britain “illegally” founded colonies on the now defined U.S. soil
2) The Land was occupied by Native Americans and not “discovered” - except from a European perspective.
3) This Land was not only occupied “illegally” but moved into ownership by the illegal colonies (immigrants).
4) Every group that has followed since was not necessarily welcomed except as they – the immigrating group – provided “cheap labor.” The immigrants, except in special cases, were not welcomed as “new citizens.”
5) The Point: We are all illegal immigrants to this Land we call America!

Animal Kingdom has been a part of my life for over three years now. The theme of living humbly and compatibly with the global community weaves its way through issues in my personal life and helps me see the underlying meaning of what is happening on a global scale. Understanding the concepts Animal Kingdom raises makes my interactions with people at work, at home, and in the community more meaningful.

In my opinion, Animal Kingdom is not a feel-good, self-help book. I believe Animal Kingdom has different meanings for different people. Because it is a fable, we can interpret the meanings in many ways. To me, that is the power of this little book. It doesn’t take long to read, but once the story is in your head, you are likely to see, as I have, its thread running through everything you experience.

Once transformation occurs, the world is suddenly different. So many things begin to make sense. Things that appeared to a jumble of unconnected circumstances, fall into place. The freedom that results from being free of someone or something, is an overwhelming sense of lightness--in the most physical sense. That's what transformation is all about.

Like the time I realized that I was just as biased and prejudiced as anyone on this planet, I was free to let go of my biases and prejudices. I realized how arrogant it was to play the game of superior/inferior. Because we tend to play both sides of the dicotomy, depending on the situation. If I can't get what I want, it's sooo easy to fall back on racist America. However, when I go back to my neighborhood where I grew up, I'm superior to the losers I grew up with. Having such a realization is both humbling and freeing, simulatneously! Remember, freeedom is synonymous with a lack of fear.

So, on the exit side of tranformation there is the humbling of the ego and a "nugget of wisdom," followed by the freedom to authentically be who you are. The necessity to hold desperately onto being right or righteous about my programmed beliefs about others who are different or see the world differently becomes incredibly ridiculous. So what about the nugget of wisdom? "That which I dislike in others is a mirror reflection of myself!"

This a powerful nugget. Particularly, if we decide to use it as a guideline for living our lives. The game of life where freedom and fearlessness are concerned is to acquire as many nuggets as possible. However, every nugget costs giving up something. The more impacting the nugget, the more important the belief structure that must be released. The process of acquiring nuggets is the following:

1) Everytime you encounter a conflict where your emotions are provoked, reflect inwardly to the place in your body where your feelings are aroused.

2) Ask that place in your body what you fear most losing in terms of your view of the matter, e.g., being wrong, not only about this situation, but a whole string of them as you relect retrospectively on your life; discovering what you believed as a truth, may only be "smoke and mirrors" to control your thinking, etc.

3) Put up or shut up time. You are now face-to-face with sometning you have escaped or avoided for some time now. But you can't run away from yourself. There you are in the mirror, thinking, "What do I do this time?" Truth or consequences.

4) Go for it! Jump for the trapeze. If you catch it, there is freedom and a life without fear. Not a life of apparent security and a threat lurking behind every bush, but one where you discover you control more of your destiny than you ever imagined.

There is a basic rule of life: The greater the need for security, the greater the fear!
Where this blog is concerned, it is the fear of realizing our beliefs, programmed as values, are in no way superior to anyone else's! They simply fit us best, not necessairly the world.

As the book title says, "Think on these things"

I have a new tab on this blog site called COMMUNITY. Anyone who resonates with the ideas and philosophy of this site is invited to become a link. Let me know if you "resonate" at waguillory@qwest.net

The most powerful aspect of experience is that it is undeniable. It is direct. And it is real. What follows is totally up to the person. We may interpret our experiences in some past context or we may actually be open to learn something new. For example, as a result of growing up in the South, I may interpret a comment by someone white as racist. Such as, "That's a stupid idea." If I have the insight to distinguish between my idea and myself as a person, I might also have the insight to discover that my idea might, in fact, not have been very bright.

The first address my past context wanted to go to was "You're stupid," and possibly "inferior." Following this line of "thinking," I'm off on tangent to confirm what I programmed about white people, as a group, from some early age. Group descriptions like these are what we call stereotypes. They're really used to protect ourselves and make us feel superior to others--albeit, a false sense of superiority. If we can get enough group agreement, it starts to feel like a truth--at least, within the group.

The question is what does all of this have to do with living without fear? The answer is we fear most what we do not understand or that which is in "apparent" opposition to our own individual or collective beliefs! I use the word understand to mean an insight that is the result of a transformational learning experience. Not some intellectual ability to self-confirm what we already believe. From my "southern" example above, I now understand that discovering who am as a person is a continual process of self exploration provoked by experiences that elicit an emotional reaction. Such exploration allows me to distinguish between a "stupid idea" and me being "a stupid person." I no longer fear the person saying it or the self exploration.

The conclusion I come to is that the more I apply this way of learning to anything I fear, that is not an obvious direct threat to my physical, mental, and spiritual well-being, the less fear drives and controls my life! The authentic experience of someone is the most powerful way of discovering one's self. The more we eliminate those ideas and beliefs we fear most, through direct experience and not by what others try to convince us of, the freer we will feel and be. True freedom is living without fear. And that comes from within, in addition to the external structures and beliefs we use to govern a democratic society.

For those of you who might have an interest in cultural adaptation to people you work with, live with, or have friendships with, you might be interested in a video webcast program I participated in last June 22, 2005. This program is obviously very closely related to the present series on "Living Without Fear." The web address is:

www.cdc.gov/arthritis/education/index.htm

The title of the program is Cross-Cultural Partnerships. Have fun with the program. It is well worth the time and learning for practical aspects of your life!

The most daring and courageous step in living without fear is to experience that which you fear, in terms of different belief systems. Experience is the most powerful process on the planet for either confirming or invalidating that which we fear. More precisely, confirming or invalidating our ingrained beliefs about others or their worldview.

For years I had the belief that I could not have an in-depth relationship with a white male. So, I moved to Utah. I formed a friendship with a white guy. The more he tried to help me adjust and reach out to me, the more I resisted. On the surface, I created all these conspiracy theories about him to protect my myself or more precisely, my belief adopted from growing up in New Orleans.

Then he confronted me. He asked, "What's your problem?" I explained to him that I didn't trust white guys. My experience was, in back-to-the wall situations, they would sell me out. That's when he shared with me that he was struggling with an alcoholism problem. He shared that I was the only person he felt safe with to talk about his problem or himself. And most of all, he asked if I was willing to be there for him when things got tough.

This was my moment of truth. To come to his aid would be crossing a line that would invalidate my beliefs about white guys (and white people, in gereral) I remember distinctly thinking of the consequences to me if I agreed. I would no longer have my crutch or blaming my shortcomings on whites. I would have take full responsibility for my life, regardless of the odds against me! I refer to these situations as "touchpoints."

Obviously, I crossed the line. The result: "Some of my best friends are white guys, and black guys, and Asian guys, and Hispanic guys, and etc., etc., etc., ...... The point is, this decision opened me to a world of people I had not only excluded in my life, but also people of the world that I would eventually meet and learn to embrace.

What I learned is that avoidance and separation creates polarization, suspicion, and a defensive attitude that feels like a physical threat. More often, the threat is the invalidation of our ethnocentric beliefs about others who have different religious persuasions, differnt cultural persuasions, and a different worldview of how a society should function.

The willingness to experience the humility that our beliefs may have no basis in reality as a threat is a transformational breakthrough! It is this type of breakthrough, on a mass scale, that will be necessary to create a world without fear. It is a transformation from a fear-based world to one where differences are used to find mutually compatable solutions that transcend both points-of-view.

The essential element in achieving this type of world is each of us having the courage to experience those who are different; the more the differences are pronounced, the greater the breakthrough to a humanly compatable world. This movement will not be led by any great leader. It will be the result of each of us willing to take responsiblity to transform the world that we influence.

The point here is that such a world will only be created by us, as individuals, having the courage to experience differences. So, let's go forth and begin the process:

1) Start at your place of employment, neighborhood, or community organization. Have a simple conversation with someone you have avoided because of a prejudice or a bias.

2) Extend yourself to learn what values others may have without the necessity of imposing yours on them.

3) Be in your experience by focusing inwardly to become aware of what you are feeling and thinking.

4) Make a distinction between your feeling and your thoughts. Allow your experience from "fear to neutrality" to take you through the process.

5) And notice that you didn't experience a physical threat to your survival; only the invalidation of your belief as, perhaps, being righteous.

Visit the free audio download of Rodney. If you resonate with the blogs on this site, visit the bookstore for publications you might enjoy purchasing.

The objective of education is to expand our thinking and courage to experience the world. Specifically, the world of differences. For when we experience differences, at a non-superficial level, it is impossible not to change--or transform as a person. Whether it is a personal relationship or the experience of others from different cultures.

Acceptance is the intellectual realization that what others choose for themselves is more likely to be appropriate than what we think is best for someone. It is really moving into a space of dealing with one's own ethnocentric ideas. For example, the more I worked with facilitating those estranged from New Orleans, the more I began to realize that many of them had the desire to return. Having visited there since the hurricane and flooding, my own opinion was that what was there was gone. However, I eventually learned that my opinion was irrelevent. And I came to accept the fact that my role was to support the choices that others decided for themselves.

So, what's the relationship between acceptance and living without fear? Fear that is based upon a transformation in our own beliefs is an illusion; and always was an illusion, whether we realized it or not! Moving to the acceptance that our beliefs serve us best and may or may not be best for someone else is a major step in humility. It is learning to make a distinction between a real physically threatening fear and one that ethnocentrically based. So the next time you feel threatened by an idea that does not "fit" your reality, try the following suggestions:

1) Have there been times in your life you behaved exactly like the idea you might be angered by? remember, beneath one's anger is fear.

2) Is your fear a true threat to your survival or a diametrically different way of viewing reality?

3) If you had that person's background and experiences of being taught, would you probably be equally like he or she is?

4) If you accepted their values as being equally valid as yours, what kind of loss would you experience?

As Lao Zhu is quoted to have said, "To gain a little everyday is knowledge. To lose a little everyday is wisdom."

Thanks to those of you who have visited our bookstore and made purchases. I hope many others will do the same.

On my March 27th blog, I began a discussion about living without fear. My approach was an individual perspective. Since that is the only person we have 100% control of. I tend to think of fear in two ways: 1) those events that may actually cause us physical harm and 2) those events that may threaten our strongly-held beliefs and cause us to change our preconceived peceptions about others, their way of thinking, and their way of living.

Of the the two, the second is the one that I believe is the greatest "threat" to most of us. The human tendency to believe that our way of believing and thinking is superior to others is called ethnocentrism. Ethnocentrism is the classic way we tend to protect ourselves from learning how others view the world and avoiding the possibility of realizing that their way of believing and thinking is just as vaild as ours.

So, the first step to living without fear is education. Specifically, learning about those we fear most. The challenge is to begin learning without judgement. Which is practically impossible. Therefore, it's important to realize that judgement is there while learning. Acknowledging it makes the process of learning move along easier. The objective is to gradually move to a place where we learn another's point-of-view without the fear of setting aside our own threatened notions.

I remember the first time I live in Paris, France. I couldn't believe the perceptions they held about the U.S. The more I listened and understood their perceptions from their point-of-view, the more it was easy to understand why they felt the way they did. I was no longer controlled by the U.S. media, which tends to propagate only our way of thinking. As my understanding increased, so did my global perspective of people. The result was, I learned thay no one country, culture, or system of thinking fits best for everyone in the world.

So, how do we begin the systematic process of education?

1) Read books, use the internet, or have direct experience of someone who is different.

2) Try to put yourself in the position of that "different person" and ask yourself this question: "If I had that person's background, upbringing, and experiences, could I possibly be as committed to their beliefs as I am to mine?"

3) Compare similarities and differences between the two and begin to ask, "What great wisdom do I possess that might make me know what is best for someone else?"

4) And lastly, think of someone in your neighborhood who believes and thinks significantly differently than you do. Do you feel you have the right to change them to fit your beliefs ( as you consider the functionality or disfunctionality of your own home) or do you conclude their beliefs are as valid as yours, IN PRACTICE!

So living without fear begins with learning about others, why they think the way they do, and considering their perceptions, in large part, as valid as yours. The second step is Acceptance, which I'll discuss in my next blog.

Meanwhile, check out the free audio book, Rodney, then visit our bookstore and order a few titles.

I agree totally with the comment to my last blog. If anyone desires to go back to New Orleans then they should. However, anyone should visit and check out what actually exists there and what opportunities exist for reestablishing what existed before.

It's all gone and there is no assurance that what existed before will be restored in the near future--5 to 10 years. I certainly hope that some major force will appear that will be dedicated to the restoration of New Orleans. However, I also hope that what is restored will be something that can be an example of the U.S. could be like, as advertised.

Where cooperation, harmony, and true equity of opportunity exists for everyone!

In response to one of my recent blogs, someone wrote it was time to let go of New Orleans, not rebuild, and move on. This story is my sister's recollection of the aftermath of the Hurricane Katrina and the levee breaking. It is also the story of her present decision to move on with her life by returning to Mississippi to live.

When I left my home of 30 years on Sunday, August 28, 2005, to wait out Hurricane Katrina at a friend's house, I had no idea that I would still be trying to make major house decisions exactly seven months later from my brother's house in Salt Lake City, Utah. I think back to the days following the hurricane, to the extensive flooding caused by at least two levee breaks that destroyed the contents of my house. I watched flood water completely fill the street in front of my friend's house. It looked like I was taking pictures from the middle of a lake surrounded by huge, beautiful Oak trees and large elegant houses. I was supposed to be touring the Greecian Isles and Turkey. I asked myself, how can I be taking pictures of boat loads of people on the way to rescue people trapped by flood waters and those returning with people and pets that had been rescued? Why were there so many helicopters buzzing overhead? How can I still be in New Orleans???????

To add to this drama -- I had no way to let my loved ones know that while I was trapped in the city, I was physically fine. We had sufficient food and water, but communication was apparently out of the question. The house phone was not working, my cell phone was not working. Seven days later I hit upon an idea -- Maybe, one of the members of the Coast Guard would allow me use his cell phone to contact my brother and he could let other loved ones know that while danger was all around me, my life was not in immediate danger. The problem: I had speed dialing at my house. I didn't know the telephone numbers by heart. Wait. The numbers were stored in my cell phone directory. I remembered that I had also packed the cell phone charger to be used in a car. Since my car was safely tucked away in my friend's partially flooded garage, if I could charge my cell phone from my car battery, I could get the telephone numbers of my loved ones. It worked.

My only contact with the outside world was the small battery-operated radio that I had brought along to listen to music on vacation. There was no way I could have imagined that what I was experiencing was an "international cause celebre" I could not have imagined so many of my relatives and friends were doing everything possible to find out about me --- calling my telephone numbers and those of my friends, leaving messages on my flooded computer, glued to television sets listening for my name or a picture of me, searching the internet, calling the University from which I had retired, and going to shelters in the States of Louisiana and Mississippi.

On the eighth day we were told by the Coast Guard and FEMA that we had had to leave our "oasis" because it was too dangerous to stay any longer with the nearby violence increasing daily. We were taken by boat to a high rise bridge that was above water. On the way there I continued to take pictures of submerged houses, cars, schools, churches, businesses, street signs. Surely this was a nightmare from which I would soon emerge. The scene before me was too unreal to be real. The City of my birth, childhood and adulthood was gone. The City that I loved and enjoyed was substituted for water in every direction. We walked up a ramp to wait for a bus to take us to the Dutch Morial Convention Center for registration and to determine if we needed medical care. I looked below to see more scenes of devastation. I looked ahead to wind-beaten expressway signs that had once proudly pointed to various sections of the City. I looked back and wondered "how far have I come and how far must I go to find a home." Food and cold water awaited us provided by volunteers from areas that we knew not where.

The next step was a Greyhound bus ride around the Eastern section of the City to pick up more people like ourselves, those without livable homes. There were three dogs on the bus; one was a seeing eye dog. From the air conditioned bus, I took a picture of the Superdome with half a roof. I think I knew then that my City would never be the same, but I was still hoping. At the Convention Center, people walked aimlessly unless told to get into a particular line to provide information or to be seen by medical personnel. It was not chaotic. We all seemed to be sleepwalking.

A helicopter ride to Louis Armstrong International Airport was the next step on the journey. I had never been on a helicopter before. Of course there were no seats like would be seen on a regular airplane. There was an ill man on a stretcher and his wife. It was a short, smooth flight -- I would guess about 30 to 45 minutes

Almost 24 hours were spent at the airport, wondering where I was going and if I had any relatives I could call to pick me up. We were given EME meals that could be heated, snacks, and water. Not long after my arrival, I thought of something else. Maybe, I can convince one of the guards to let me charge my cell phone. I saw that the airport had power. That idea allowed me to let my brother know that I was away from the flood waters and if things worked out well, I would soon be on my way out of watery New Orleans. I tried to sleep a little while waiting for the next set of instructions concerning where we were going. We were given warm blankets. I saw many people in wheelchairs and walking canes, many dogs, and two parakeets. I didn't see any cats.

My group was herded onto a Delta aircraft. After the doors were closed, the pilot announced "This plane is going Dulles Airport in Washington, D.C.." Several people called out that they did not want to go Washington, D.C. First, some had never been on an airplane before, Second, they didn't Know anybody in that area, Third, they didn't want to leave New Orleans, not knowing when they would ever be able to come back. I began to wonder, what relatives do I have in the Washington, D.C. area? I had my first cup of hot coffee in over a week. It would have been a good flight if the man directly behind me had not been drinking hard liquor from a strawberry crème soda bottle. He insisted upon sitting forward while leaning on my hair. The Delta personnel tried to make everyone comfortable. Three dogs and one parakeet were on the plane.


I refused to accept the idea that my house had not withstood the hurricane. In fact, it was not the hurricane that destroyed the contents of my house, it was the breaks in the levee. I could not believe that it was possible to leave my house one morning and six months later come back to find out that everything is gone and destroyed. Not one picture remained , not one of my husband's books that he had so thoroughly researched. our family history on the computer, beautiful art works from many parts of the world, the furniture that I had recently purchased, the wonderful letters from former students and when I retired from my University position after 42 years.

I thought about people like the saleslady from whom I had purchased my last pair of gold earrings that Saturday, the hairdresser, dressmaker, and countless others who I may never see again. They, and many of my friends, are in countless places across the United States. In all likelihood we will never be reunited. The point: we must move on if we are going to live at all.


Be sure to check out Rodney , chapter 6, and visit the bookstore and purchase those titles of interest to you.

Given all the daily reports about terrorism and the levels of threat that have become part of our daily lives, "How do we learn to live without fear?" We live in protected neighborhoods, arm ourselves with more guns per capita than most nations of the world, and have built the most sophisticated domestic intelligence-gathering networks that presently exist. Yet, instead of feeling more secure, we appear to be in greater fear!

Is fear an inherent part of living in the 21st century? Or is there any hope, at all, that we humans have the capacity to tuly resolve our differences? If we had knowledge of the solution would we be willing to implement it? We know, as a given, it will not be simplistic. We know it will be challenging. We know it will require us to begin rethinking our strongly-held beliefs about the solution to our fears.

From a personal perspective, what sphere of the world can we control? Ourselves! And only ourselves. So, I wonder what would occur if we, as individuals, began to live compatible, growth-producing lives based on adaptation to the divergently different people, cultures, and worldviews we experience. Would that make a difference? Suppose a majority of peoople in our neighborhood began doing the same thing through community-based groups, churches, and foundations. Would somethning of significant proportions begin to happen--without the formal declaration of any organization or movement?

How many of us are willing to try? I really don't know. I do know that most of my friends are frustrated about the condition of the world and how little impact they appear to have on creating something different. I guess what I'm suggesting is that we try "being a difference" rather than focusing so much on "making a difference." In fact, there's no reason why we can't do both!

However, being a difference requires us to first focus on our contributions to discord in the world--in our relationships with family, those with whom we work, and those we avoid at all costs, because we know they view, believe, and experience the world differently than we do. Here are three ideas of how WE might collectively begin being a difference:

1) Count the number of times during a day you did something that was uplifting to
someone and made a positive contribution to their lives--both family and others.

2) Count the number of differences you encountered that challanged your way of
thinking and doing--and you found a way to integrate both.

3) Reflect on the things that didn't go so well involving differences and consider a
different approach where wrong and right are not involved in the solution.

Try these ideas for a week and see what happens to life in terms of fear. These are really the lessons in Animal Kingdom. If you have found this blog site valuable in your life, then you might visit our bookstore and purchase some of the books and CDs there.

Another Blog from the consciousness of Gared.

'Where to Now?'

Is it the question asked by the breeze
as it shimmies through the leaves?
Or by the branches as they shudder and sway?
Or what about by the pigeons
tucked beneath the ledge or perched upon it?
I'm sure these raindrops have something to say.

If it were asked of this writer
within this palace portico
before these verdant gardens
sheltered from the storm,
My soul would long for an answer
that unsupposes the question
with such completeness
that whisper of first thought ten minutes ago
may rather have been...

'What freedom this is to shimmy.'
'What joy to shudder and sway.'
'... yep... here's these raindrops...'
'Whoopee. Ah yeah. Hurray!'

As I reread this now, I am clear that I can still hear only part of the way 'there'. However, it's been fun fooling around.

Love, Gared

I just spent last Thursday and Friday in New Orleans--at least what used to be New Orleans. The New Orleans that once existed when I grew up there and went through to college no longer exists! And , I doubt that it will ever exist again as it once was.

I drove throughout the city to get an overall sense of what the "recovery" looked like. Television and pictures do not even come close to what has happened there. The city was devastated and so was I. At times, I just pulled over to the curb--there was no traffic anyway--and just cried. I will be posting a picture gallery of what I was able to take with my instant Kodak camera.

It's not so much the effort of those there is lacking, it's just that the devastation is so immense. It's hard to believe--without seeing it--that a city with such a rich history and heritage can be reduced to its present state. I fear the Soul of what was once New Orleans is close to dying. The reason is, so much of its soul was its people. All of its people!

In retrospect, that's what was so impactful to me. Many, many neighborhoods are simply abandoned. No one is there to give them life. Large piles of everything are still present, in spite of the magnificent efforts so far. The people there are valiant in their efforts to keep the soul alive. But without massive and immediate help from the media, government, and those with vast resources, I fear their efforts will ultimately be in vain.

Where to now for New Orleans? Nothing short of a Marshall Plan is the only solution for the resurrection of New Orleans!! Preferably led by someone with the skills and talent
of a Marshall. This effort should be supported with federal, state, and private funds paid over centuries by the residents of New Orleans! This proposal could be viewed as symbolic of an effort to create a city in the U.S. where true harmony, integration, and equity of opportunity exist for every citizen of this country--regardless of race, color, ethnicity, culture, background, primary language spoken, religion, sexual orientation, or any other dimension of diversity that presently divides us. This tragedy can become the greatest opportunity in the history of this country to truly show the world what a true democracy is that values its people and their physical, mental, emotional, and spiritual well-being, first and foremost!

New Orleans Visit Pictures

Obviously, I will have more to say in subsequent posts. Buy and read the book Animal Kingdom to get a more in-depth view of what I am proposing here. (See the right hand column for free audio downloads and the bookstore.)

There is a popular illusion that more free time is the answer to greater work-life balance. Granted, the more one is a workaholic, the more there is an imbalance between work time and personal time. However, such an individual may be passionate about what he or she is doing called work. For such a person, the quality may be fine.

On the other hand, there are those who are between a rock and a hard place because their job demands and may feel their organization is insensitive to their personal obligations; especially where children are involved. Such situations eventually create hard choices. I have a friend whose marriage was seriously threatened by the time he spent at work and could (would) not be with his family. His children were literally growing up in his absence. His wife ultimately issued an ultimatum. "Come home at 5:00 p.m., or look for another family!" He got the message and discovered from his boss that there was no expectation of him to stay at work until 6:00 or 7:00 p.m.

The point I'm making is that work-life balance begins with defining what's important to you and your family; your core or spiritual values, beyond being a millionaire, having a vacation home on the ocean, and access to a private jet! I'm talking about those values in your life that without them, you would feel empty and meaningless. For most people, it usually starts with family; unless family is where you are experiencing the greatest difficulty. Then work may be an escape mechanism.

The next area involves those values around Self and one's personal well-being. Have you examined what's really important to you personally? What turns you on? Is it people, kids, technology, teaching, writing, outdoors, healthcare, helping, animals, or the physical well-being of people. Write it down, now!

If you were doing a series of activities associated with what's principally important to you, what would those acivities be? Don't worry about a profession or making money at this point.

Now, if you had to use your interest and activities to earn a living, how would you do it? Take a week or so to explore this question. Would this be an existing job or would you have to start your own business? Could you subcontract or be an independent contractor? Be inventive and creative. Come to a conclusion that minimizes the risk to you and your family.

The point is this. Balance and quality are based more on being clear about how you want to structure your life than it is about time alotments. More often than balance is a result of defining the quality you desire and are willing to achieve--in spite of a major difficulty you must resolve! I will have more to say about this major difficulty next time. Suffice it to say that until this difficulty is resolved, quality and balance are not possible. No matter what the organization does in your behalf. Time is not the answer!

Check out Chapter 5 of Rodney as a free audio download. Animal Kingdom and Spirituality on sale. Buy copies for you and your friends!

As Spring approaches, The Earth appears to be
awakening to a spiritual calling.
So is true of life.
We have also been hibernating, reflecting, and
growing in unconscious ways.

Then with an unexpected suddenness, a pre-Spring snow
falls, reminding the awakening Earth that
completion of hibernation has not
yet been fully achieved.

Vestiges of the past are not
forgotten, nor will they ever
disappear from consciousness.
At best, they become an integrated
part of the wisdom we accumulate
over a lifetime.

Like the Earth's response to
Spring. New beginnings are all
around us. A contented Earth
is one of never-ending
new beginnings.

Are you doing what you really want to in your life? Or is that not a choice? After all, we all have to put food on the table along with a little vino or distilled, mountain water! I've always thought that burning out had to do with doing something for which we no longer have (or never had) a passion.

In spite of the fact that work-life quality and balance continues to be the #1 issue on most Employee Satisfaction Surveys, organizations still expect their hot-shot employees to work excessive hours, travel whenever necessary, and pay the price for the big bucks. The problem is that these expectations equally apply to regular employees as the criteria for success.

I'm told that people who live their passion don't appear to get tired, exhausted, or low on energy. They appear to be cheerful and excited about life that spills over into their personal life. An interview with one of them might go like this: "Why are you so excited about the work you do?" "I don't work. I do what I like and comes natural to me. I know this answer doesn't make sense to most people, but when passion drives you, energy and creativity are natural feedback systems. Furthermore, passion is spiritually sourced, and in the spiritual realm, there are no whys!"

So burning out appears to be a process of working at that which is without passion and the energy which is expended is simply lost with no replenishing feedback. A good friend of mine loves to work with the transformation of people. To have them see the potential they have. And is passionate about lovingly pushing them into an expanded sense of themselves. He will not tolerate victimization. He is tolerant, understanding, and patient as his groups struggle through their loss of dependencies and self-imposed, righteous excuses.

Then, after all is said and done, he embraces wherever each of them might be. He leaves with a clear sense of having helped them take responsibility for the condition of their lives, what they are willing to do to change (or transform their lives), and accepts whatever decision they might make as best for each of them at that point in their lives. He obviously lives consistent with the definition of love: the unconditional acceptance of someone exactly as he or she is, without underlying, unstated expectations.

So, what's the message of this blog? Until you clarify what's important to you in terms of work-life quality and balance that is specific, definable, and measurable, then burnout is inevitable. Furthermore, until you know what quality and balance is for you, your organization is helpless to provide the support you truly need. The most common illusion that exists is that "more free, personal time will create quality and balance!" I'll have more to say about the previous statement in a subsequent blog.

Chapter Four of Rodney is avaible as a free audio download!

In researching the subject of maturing, or more precisely aging, it appears that several things begin to happen as we get older. This process probably starts at 40 but is fully into motion at 50+. The things that begin to happen are:

1) A reassessment of one's core (spiritual) values; beyond
what you've been taught to believe and value.

2) A decision to get off the fast track of working 14 hours
a day and/or long-term physical exhaustion.

3) An aversion to in-depth change and new learning (unless you
are forced to by life circumstances).

I have a good friend who spent most of her life trying to be like the predominant culture she grew up in. In retrospect, she knew, even as a young girl, that something was not quite right about her comfort with her culture; and even her family. In fact, I've had many friends over the years who have said "they were born into the wrong family!" At around 40 or so, the pressure to conform just becomes too great to fake it anymore. By this time, we typically have a family and other parental responsibilities that appear to keep us locked into our time-bomb. Because it's just a matter of time before things explode. Explode is unique for each person. But a crisis is usually necessary to begin the road to true discovery of one's self and freedom.

The second situation involves work-life quality, balance, and integration. Once our values are reassessed, we usually discover a "spiritual family" of people. Those individuals that we not only feel comfortable with, but also provide us the growth, nourishment, and unconditional acceptance of who we are. These individuals may include our biological family, but oftentimes go beyond them. For the most part our career objectives have been more or less defined and we begin to discover that life is about more than professional success. How we manage our time and activities is more consciously derived from our spiritual values and spiritual family.

The third situation involves change and new learning. The most difficult lesson many of us have to learn is that change, or more precisely transformation, is not a choice! It's either pay me now or pay me later, with usually much more severe consequences. I have a friend who asked me on an occasion some time ago, "If love is the unconditional acceptance of another person, then why do I have to change in my marriage." I responded, "You've actually asked me two separate questions."

"Unconditional acceptance does not dictate the form of your relationship," I responded. "Love is spiritual; notice I didn't say 'true love' or 'unconditional love.' Love has no human-created counterpart, such as hate. Though your husband may love you, continual human transformation is necessary to maintain an authentic human relationship."

With respect to situation #2 above, change and new learning appears to be particularly challenging for many of us who are 50+ in the workplace. This situation will be exacerbated with the rapid "graying of the work force" coupled with the subtle intolerance of many GEN Xers and Millennials of older workers. I'll have more to say about this situation in a subsequent blog.

Here are a few thoughts you might consider at this point in life, irrespective of age:


1) Begin to get clear about your spiritual (not religious) values.

2) Design your activities from your spiritual values.

3) Identify the most challenging situation you would have to resolve
in order to live true to your spiritual values.

4) Most of all, remember this challenging situation is within YOU!

For all frustrated self-publishers, read the previous blog about Razorpages! Also, the third chapter of the Rodney audio is posted, for children of all ages!

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I define humanistic values as those that are sourced from one's "inner self." That "space" within each of us that propels us to do what is ethically and morally supportive of the well-being of others. One of the most important humanistic values is love.

I define love as an unconditional acceptance of another, exactly asd she or he is--without the necessity to fit our expectations of how she or he should be. I had a very close friend who lived in Hawaii. She was very spiritual. Rarely have I encountered anyone with such an openness to see the value and good in others.

She unquestionably had great depth in terms of wisdom--an understanding, empathy, and compassion for the human experience. She had been fighting bouts of cancer for some years--all of which were contained or went into remission. Then, she contracted intestinal cancer. A very aggressive and deadly form. Most of her family and close friends were very, very frustrated (and even angry) when she refused to have surgery.

She declared that her ability to dissolve the cancerous growth through self-applied energy healing was the transformation she required to be prepared to spread the message of peace to planet Earth. What is love when faced with such a situation as a relative or loved one? Is it the unconditional acceptance of her decision? If so, frustration and anger are reflections of, at best, "conditional acceptance."

On the other hand, no one wants to lose a loved one who brought such joy to their lives. We all desperately want to hold on to her, even if she refuses to be "saved."

Well, ultimately she had surgery. It was, however, too late. She died. I was, and still am, devasted by her death. I am also aware that my present devastation is an incompletion within myself. Everytime I fly into Honolulu, I say a quiet prayer in her behalf. For I still feel her presence. Sometimes with greater force in death, than when she was alive--where I took for granted she would always be here!

What I did learn from her death is what it is to be unconditionally committed to another human being--in whatever way he or she chooses to create his or her reality.

I'm interested in your opinion of how you would have dealt with a situation like my friend, if she were a relative or loved one of yours.

The third audio chapter of Rodney this Wednesday!

The other day Bill asked me what I thought about humanistic values. I thought about kindness and service. I thought about the time when I was in college, very poor to say the least, and I took a homeless man to a hotel room because he was about to sleep in front of the store where I worked. It was a cold night and snow had started falling. I actually left him there at first, but when I got home I just couldn’t stop thinking about him sleeping out in the cold so I drove back to the store and asked him if he wanted to go to a hotel, which he said he would very much like to go to a hotel. I remember on the way to the hotel this man, who had a speech impediment so I could barely understand him, started asking me if I could do other things for him, like buy him clothes or food. I’m really not sure what he wanted as I couldn’t understand him, but I remember getting a little angry at him for not just appreciating the “incredible” act of kindness I was bestowing on him.

So the question is, was my act of kindness a humanistic value, or in other words, was it an altruistic act? I think the answer is both yes and no. If I am brutally honest with myself, I have to say that what motivated me was not so much compassion for the man, but a fear of how I would feel about myself if I didn’t act. I admit I did feel sorry for the man and I did want to help, but I think what really motivated me was the fear of how I would feel about myself. Remember, my first impulse was to leave him there and go home. However, I believe that by taking action on my motivation, an act of compassion did occur.

I lived many years in Japan. Japanese culture has set rules of conduct. One such cultural rule the Japanese follow is On and Giri. When someone performs a kind act to another, On – or personal debt – is created. Giri is the duty to repay that debt. Giri is defined as:

“an innate sense of duty, obligation, morality and the absolute need to return a favor. Everyone is bound by giri - giri toward ones parents (filial piety) and giri toward ones teachers and benefactors. giri is also expressed at the societal level by meeting ones obligations and responsibilities as best as possible. Meeting the demands of giri are synonymous with defending one's personal honor even under the most adverse circumstances. giri is taken so seriously that sometimes Japanese people have been known to commit suicide in an attempt to satisfy it. giri is a powerful force in Japanese society which promotes order, discipline and a general sense of societal well-being.

I once thought my Christian values of love and compassion were superior to the Japanese values of doing things out of “societal obligations.” But when I think of what motivates us in our acts of kindness towards each other, I think one of the most powerful forces at work is our desire to feel good about ourselves and to be a contributing member to the society we live in. And by living up to the standards of our society and the expectations of those around us, true humanistic acts of compassion are performed. While the internal motivations may not be altruistic, the external results of our acts are altruistic.

So many GEN-Xers and Sandwich Generationers are facing a very challenging situation. How to care for their parents in a loving and sensitive way and still have a life of their own. The Sandwich Generation is involved with caring for both parents and children! They have strong feelings about social security payments; especially as the fund "apparently" erodes. This is happening against a backgound of the significant "graying" of America. So, I thought Spirituality and the Elderly might be a great series to discuss for the next week or so.

Actually, Phil Davis started this discission with his Guest Blog on January 22, 2006. In his blog, he discussed the subject of Spirituality, and Death and Dying, as a real experience involving the death of his mother. He also received a very strong response to his blog, indicating, most of all, the emotional, social, economic, and political nature of this subject.

The first premise I would like to put forward is that unless we approach this subject from a spiritual perspective, then win/win all around is not possible. I have discussed previously on this site what I mean by spirituality. It is that which comes from within, beyond the belief structures we have adopted (mostly unconsciously) or have been taught. We begin by first examining our belief structures about what it means to be elderly.

The most common thoughts are useless, slow, burden, out-of-touch, expensive, time-consuming, wisdom, fun, and child care! There are also the feelings that the 50+ generation have about themselves. They are, for the most part, an overlay of the thoughts I mentioned above. However, they also involve much more overarching thoughts. Namely, the meaning of their lives, regrets, anger, and what lies beyond. Thoughts that are not on the radar screen of younger generations; thoughts which are spiritual in nature.

So the process of bridging relationships across generations begins with understanding where each is "coming from"; in essence, their context of thinking. Actually, any authentic relationship begins with this premise. So, I guess what I'm saying is that dealing with the elderly, however we uniquely define that term, begins with examining our own preconceived notions as well as how "in-depth" we really understand ourselves in relationship to anyone. If relationship is all about one's self, then there is still much learning ahead--whether it involves the elderly or anyone else.

Spirituality comes about when a breakthrough event allows us to truly experience what humility is. It reduces the ego to zero. And what is left is "empty and meaningless!" Think about this last statement before reacting to it. Because, unless we have had this experience, in our own unique way, spirituality might still be an intellectual concept. More to come and how-tos only after we have dealt with our mind-set.

Take advantage of the free audio download of Chapter Two of Rodney for kids of all ages!

Bill Guillory is in Mexico this week. There will be guest bloggers. Meanwhile, enjoy the free audio of Rodney.

Bill Guillory

Check out the free "vintage audio book" in the right-hand column of Rodney. It is the story of a young boy growing up in Kansas City, MO as he attempts to understand his relationships with family, relatives, and friends. This audio book is a fun listening experience for both parents and children.

I invite you to download the book and have fun listening to Rodney's experiences of growing up! A new chapter will be loaded on this site for the next ten weeks.

I recently had a chance to revisit the word friendship. A friend who I had not seen in fifteen years telephoned me--literally out of the blue. I was overjoyed to see her again. It was like I had just been with her last week. The reconnection was instantaneous.

The first thing that happened to me was the flood of memories that returned. I remembered the times when I cried on her shoulder about how the world was conspiring against me. The thing I remember most was her question: "How or why did you "create" the situation you are in?" This is a very disconcerting question when you're up to your knees in alligators and sinking rapidly!

Our conversations involved my early exposure to the concept of empowerment and the fact that if I create my own reality, then how could I possibly be a victim. That was very strange talk then and equally strange to many people today. What I tried to do was not struggle with concept but adopt that way of thinking. Then observe what my actions would be: empowering or victimizing!

I remember the first time I applied for a research grant and was rejected. It was like a personal rejection of me as a person. I couldn't make a distinction between my potential as a research scientist and my inherent value as a human being. My accomplishments were inseparable from me--at that time.

That's where my friend came in. These were the lessons she reminded me of at that time.

Lesson One: There are some things you can't control, no matter how self-determining you are. You can only do your best and rejoice or learn from the results you get.

Lesson Two: Life is a never-ending series of tests. Sometimes you pass "GO" and get a reward and sometimes you have to pay for something even though you have no money. Both situations are tests!

Lesson Three: Hanging in there by your fingernails in the midst of confusion and doubt will create a space for unforeseen miracles to come to your rescue. Your commitment to prevailing is mysteriously noticed by the world and the world, in turn, provides the support you need. (This is a leap of faith in something greater than yourself!)

Lesson Four: Continue to move forward by taking actions in your own behalf even though it will seem that you are making no forward progress.

Lesson Five: Maintain a positive attitude by visualizing your goal of success. (This difficult to do when the swamp is filled with alligators.)

And most amusingly of all, remember this is just a test. If it were the real thing, you would have been given instructions! These are the words of a true friend. Thanks

Tomorrow begins the free download of the vintage audio book Rodney--A Young Person's Story. Ten chapters, one posted each week. Each chapter is about 8-9 minutes in duration. This audio book is intended for "children of all ages!"

On one of my business trips to Philadelphia, I ended my consulting day early, so I ran out to the street and desperately began flagging a cab to catch an earlier flight back to Salt Lake City. None would stop; I wondered why. At which point I began repeating positive affirmations to myself. Just then, this "voice" from nowhere said, "Why are you mumblin' to yourself?" I turned to see a person sitting on a grate with steam floating all around him, like an apparition.

"Excuse me," I said, "Are you talking to me?" "Who else is standing there talking to the lamp post?" he replied. I chose not to reply, taking the high road. "I feel sorry for you," he said. "What?" I replied. "I feel sorry for you," he repeated. "You feel sorry for me?" I asked incredulously. "Yeah, I thought you were gonna get a heart attack, running up and down the street like a chicken with his head cut off!"

"We obviously operate on different time frames," I stated. "No we don't," he stated, "I don't have one!" And he fell out laughing. I asked myself, "Is this a cruel joke? Why me? A street person philosopher. That's all I need." By this time, people were passing by observing our conversation--a high level executive and a street person in consultation!

Then he said, "If you want a cab, I can get one for you." "Sure," I thought to myself, "A three-piece suit and a homeless philosopher." Just then a cab rounded the corner and stopped in front of us. The driver said, "Where to, sir?" I quickly said, "Airport and hurry!" "I was speaking to the other gentleman," the cab driver replied. Then the homeless philosopher told the cab driver, "He can have my cab." The cab driver said, "Are you sure?"

I humbly got into the cab with the prophet saying, "Slow down and smell the roses, I was once just like you! And by the way, you'll make your flight." I did and was upgraded to first-class! (True story)

Conclusion: Don't judge people by their appearance or the quality of their clothes. The quality of a person is deep beneath their skin.

Bill,
I could not agree with you more. I am also amazed (though shouldn't be) about the precient nature of your book, "Animal Kindgom." Though I had read it before the Hurricane and levy break, it was only in reading your web site that I realized how many details of the events depicted in the book, are mirrored in the events of Katrina and its aftermath. Hopefully we, as a species, can begin to learn what the characters in your book did -- to live in harmony. Calling attention to the need is a great place to start. Thank you.

This blog is a long time in coming because it's so personal. My sister, Dr. Barbara Guillory Thompson, was trapped for seven days by the flooding in New Orleans after Hurricane Katrina. She does not consider herself to be a victim, evacuee (because she's a U.S. citizen), or displaced. The "Fates" are her home and contents are destroyed and the insurance has paid about one-third its worth. She's now deciding "where to now."

Should she remain in Utah and be close to me, relocate to Mississippi where several of her long-time friends are located, or move back to New Orleans and rebuild? I think New Orleans is out. But the other two are still in the running. While here, she leaves a trail of unforgettable encounters with the dentist, drug store personnel, and people in the neighborhood. The question I'm commonly asked is "How did you get such a wonderful sister?"

Putting aside the facts that she was the first Black woman at LSU Baton Rouge (when Blacks were not so welcomed), among the first Black students who successfully sued to get into Tulane University (when Blacks were so welcomed as now and still managed to get a Ph.D. there), and taught at Dillard University for 40 years, I think she feels blessed to be alive and highly functional.

She was very active in New Orleans on city boards, nursing homes, promoting the careers of her many, many, former students. So what's the point I'm making? Empowerment is about contributing to the lives of others as well as one's self. As a result, there is little time left to complain about what we don't have. Notwithstanding the fact that many, many people left with just the clothes on their backs, empowerment is looking at our circumstances and seeking ways to better ourselves.

If there is any country on this planet where this mind-set and reality are not illusions, it is the U.S. Now I'm not one of these "pull yourself up by your boot straps" people, but I do know you can change your life by changing your mind-set. The mind-set I'm speaking of is one of "can do." Ultimately, FEMA and state supported programs will end, no matter what promises are made by whom! That's reality and one my sister realized from the beginning.

Her attitude is not surprising, since her entire life was about teaching empowerment. Holding students accountable for their responsibilities was an essential life lesson, in addition to a homework assignment. Breaking barriers in those times was not a pastime, but a dedicated effort to create change that many students enjoy today, and I hope appreciate. As a great Black American once said, "Today's privileges are built on the shoulders of giants." This quote is particularly true during Black History Month. (February)

Having grown up in New Orleans in the Lafitte Housing Projects, I know the stuff the people of New Orleans are made of. I humbly acknowledge their losses. And I also know "They, like my sister, will rise again.!" Those who are scattered around the U.S., there is value and opportunity wherever you find yourself. I encourage all of us to reach out to one another and begin to look for the opportunities this tragic event has provided.

If you haven't asked yet, I suggest you do so at this time, "Where to now?"

Click on image to enlarge.

Since this Blog site has discussed the term empowerment on several occasions, I thought I'd take this opportunity to expand on its meaning and application to your success in life. Discussion of ablity, capability, and empowerment and how they are connected is a little involved. So, you'll have to hang in there with me. I define personal empowerment as one's actual performance output--as influenced by interpersonal conflict. For example, no matter how competently we can perform, if we can't get along with the people we work with, then our ablity will never be fully realized.

Ability defines one's present potential to perform. If I'm seeking employment, then I have to prove that I can not only perform a job responsibility at a high level of proficieny (as reflected by my education, training, and experience), but that I also have the interpersonal skills to work well with others. As mentioned above, poor interpersonal skills can severely limit one's present performance potential. Unfortunately, interpersonal skills are not formally taught anywhere in life that I know of. Yet, we are all expected to have them.

When I use the word interpersonal, I am referring to the belief structures that determine how we have individually programmed our realities. The major problem with our individual reality is that we are so firmly convinced that it is right that any disagreement with it is wrong! This common situation sets the stage for limited performance of our abilitiy. The new learning necessary in this case is personal growth, not necessarily new technical learning. Expanded knowledge of new software programs will not measurably improve your performance. So often we use professional or technical learning as a mask for avoiding interpersonal growth.

Capability is your maximum ability to perform at a given stage in life. For example, at 17 years old, a track star's physical capability to run a mile might be 4.50 minutes. At 20, it might be 4.00 minutes. And at 23, it might be 3.50 minutes. So capability does expand as a function of experience and learning. Therefore, reaching your full ability (capability) at any point in your life requires, not only professional or technical excellence, but also a high level of interpersonal proficency to work with others. Common examples of a failure to reach one's full potential (capability) are exceptional athletes who turn professional at an early age and never reach personal maturity before their career is ended.

So, in summary: Ability refers to your present potential to perform.

Capability refers to fully performing to your maximum potential at a given stage in life.

Personal empowerment refers to your actual performance output (as influenced by the mastery or lack of interpersonal skills).

The steps to becoming more personally empowered are the following:

1) Assume your present performance review is for the most part true. Or have someone you work with honestly review your actual performance according to your responsibilities or job description. (Forget about excuses for the time being)

2) Determine if your lack of performance is due to a lack of interpersonal skills or a resistance to new professional learning. (These steps won't work if you are unwilling to tell the truth to yourself)

3) Make a list of people you find most difficult to work with. Write the characteristics that upset you most. Ask others if they observe these same characteristics in you also. If so, your work into interpersonal mastery begins with the only person you can change. YOU! (Others serve as a mirror of ourselves)

4) If you resist professional learning, your days are numbered before you become expendable. You will want to pretend to be a victim and use your present organization as a scapegoat. This is a formula for simultaneously winning and losing. You'll win that the organization was your problem and lose because wherever you go you'll have to learn new skills and competencies.

5) Upon reflection, write what you have learned in an empowered way about yourself without the necessity to feel victimized. Perhaps it was time to leave your old organization. Perhaps it is time to face up to what people have been saying for years about your personality. (We learn most from those who have no investment in our friendship)

Again, check out the free download of Animal Kingdom and the other audio downloads as well.

To a very dear friend, who passed on Thursday morning...

Heaven

Friday, January 20, 2006



I’ve had a conversation with a wise one

Across the great divide,

Within a place of bliss and celebration

And lightness of space and mind.



For when the wise ones head on their way

Their voice still rings within...

In that of the heart’s whisper... if you listen quiet and true

In the unexpected connection... blessed within a smile

In the sharing of a warm embrace... bound within her love.



Never have I known a life

Governed by such an ocean of love

Given without hesitation

In drop or drizzle or storm.



Rarely have I touched in person

A bounty of heaven not left behind,

Save for looking now in us

As this wise one has returned back home.



Listen closely and you will know her peace and joy.

Look around and you will know her love.

Grasp a hand, it’s now our turn.

It is this, my friends, that is heaven.

Since the beginning of our support group the ultimate objective has been to create a mind-set of self-sufficiency. At the last meeting we discussed the following exercise to drive this point home. You might use it either personally or with a group discussion. Have fun!

The Vacation of a Lifetime

Randall LaForche and his family were on a vacation when their home was demolished by a violent storm. When they returned, they were promised payment from their insurance company. They were told it would take some time to clear the paper work. In the meantime, they lived with relatives. As time passed, Randall complained and got angry at the insurance company. He did not secure a job because he was waiting for the money from the insurance company. His wife, Clara, didn't seek a job either since Randall told her everything would be fine. When his relatives asked Randall and his family to leave, the insurance company placed them in temporary housing.


1) The insurance company was responsible for Randall not getting a job.
Agree_____ Disagree_____

2) Randall was responsible and accountable for his family having to live in
temporary housing. Agree_____ Disagree ______

3) Clara bears no responsibility since Randall promised her that everything would
be fine. Agree_______ Disagree _______

4) Randall's relatives were responsible for his family having to live in
temporary housing. Agree ______ Disagree ______


Personal responsibility is the willingness to view yourself as the principal source of whatever happens in your life.

Personal accountability is the willingness to claim ownership for whatever happens in your life.

Personal empowerment is the willingness to take control of your life.

Although there are no wrong or right answers, there are consequences related to your choices. Your choices either create an empowered individual or one who is dependent on something or someone to make your life work. Try using this exercise with your support group or friends. As usual, I would love your feedback.

Bill