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Showing posts from July, 2011

And The Good News Is...: Obstacles are merely a point of view.

And The Good News Is...: Obstacles are merely a point of view. : "Obstacles are a part of life. They can drain us of our energy or ignite our imagination. When we view obstacles as challenges we can see the..."

Obstacles are merely a point of view.

Obstacles are a part of life. They can drain us of our energy or ignite our imagination. When we view obstacles as challenges we can see the opportunities to tap into the creative genius that lies in all of us.  We have been conditioned to avoid risk, to be safe - to control our lives. Yet we all know that we can’t predict nor prevent obstacles from falling in our path. Because of our point of view, obstacles often throw us into a state of fear – this is no way to live. Look at our institutions, organizations, laws and norms – most are built on negative assumptions. We are taught that people can’t be trusted; that we have limits on our growth and that we need to be dependent on the few in power at the top. Our media, especially TV and radio programming, flood us with stories, talk shows and “information” that fuel these negative assumptions. Most politicians capture our attention by fueling our fears. We have been taught to doubt and limit ourselves and to question the potential of o

And The Good News Is...: Can We Envision Peace & Community?

And The Good News Is...: Can We Envision Peace & Community? : "I remember a time when we knew almost everyone on our block; a time when a neighbor was in need a whole community rallied to help. Today it ..."

Can We Envision Peace & Community?

I remember a time when we knew almost everyone on our block; a time when a neighbor was in need a whole community rallied to help. Today it is not unusual for people to be isolated from one another. As I reflect on my recent past, I have been guilty of contributing to the deterioration of the places I have lived. While living in Washington, DC, I barely knew my neighbors on both sides of my house. Unfortunately, it often takes a shared catastrophe for us to discover community. I experienced discovering community living in New York City during 9/11. During this horrific event, the streets were full of people ready and willing to help one another. My daughter was missing for seven hours and I wandered the streets in despair. Complete strangers felt my pain and came to comfort me. Several stayed with me for the entire time. We all felt as one. “A powerful community shares a common vision  and shared values with their fellow citizens.” The manner in which we have responded to the