To all our highly valued clients and acquaintances:
Over 50 years ago, during the last part of the chaotic 1960s, we all probably remember that there was an attempt to get “Back to the Garden” at Woodstock. Billed as “an Aquarian Exposition: 3 Days of Peace & Music” and alternatively referred to as the Woodstock Rock Festival, it attracted an audience of more than 400,000. By definition, Aquarius people are advanced, self-reliant, clever, exceptional, and optimistic.
A lot of people that I speak with nowadays are reevaluating and rethinking what they are out to intentionally create? What is their own version of getting “Back to the Garden”?
Many people these days feel like they’re living in a head-spinning whirlwind. With all the changes happening these days on so many levels in so many people’s lives, it keeps reminding me of what Stephen R. Covey, author of the perennial best-seller “The 7 Habits of Highly Effective People” often said about ‘focusing on what we can control’:
“Instead of reacting to or worrying about conditions over which they have little or no control, proactive people focus their time and energy on things they can control…Proactive people focus their efforts on their Circle of Influence. They work on the things they can do something about: health, children, problems at work. Reactive people focus their efforts in the Circle of Concern – things over which they have little or no control: the national debt, terrorism, the weather. Gaining an awareness of the areas in which we expend our energies in is a giant step in becoming proactive.”
I have been working in recent years to develop and maintain an objective mindset of curiosity, fascination, discovery, and wonder, in the face of any and all of life’s circumstances, whether they were foreseeable or not. This slightly paraphrased quote is from one of my favorite and deeply compassionate, most respected, personal mentors:
“Life without spontaneity takes away the wonder of life to know all things from beginning to end is boring. It is the exploration of life within self and in the world at large that makes for a life that is exciting, that is an adventure, and that is filled with joy. During these times, these are the best of times and perhaps some will say the worst of times – the best of times for those who see it as an adventure, and I don’t in any way want to diminish the pain of human suffering.”
Knowing what we now know, now what? What can and will we do?
I want to offer you a few ideas, for both larger scale resources and personal resources.
Since 1984, TED, founded as a nonprofit devoted to spreading ideas, usually in the form of short, powerful talks (18 minutes or less). TED began conductingconferences where Technology, Entertainment and Design converged, and today covers almost all topics — from science to business to global issues — in more than 100 languages.
https://www.ted.com/about/our-organization
In early August 2021, in Monterey, CA, over 600 committed and creative thought leaders gathered for 4 days to discuss and work on The Case for Optimism.
https://tedmonterey2021.ted.com/ https://blog.ted.com/tag/tedmonterey/
In May 2021, the CONFERENCE FOR GLOBAL TRANSFORMATION conducted its 21st Event virtually to serve thousands of participants worldwide. For over 20 years, The Conference has provided numerous opportunities for attendees to investigate the nature of ongoing transformation, to connect with engaged leaders and change-makers, to learn from the experience of others, and to invent new ways for commitments to unfold.
2021 Theme was Registering Accomplishment. 2022 is Allowing Vision to Speak.
Here’s Buckminster Fuller’s vision, which inspires me to rethink and reconstitute myself.
https://www.huffpost.com/entry/buckminster-fullers-visio_b_8381918
I imagine that there are many other people and organizations now doing such activities.
While most of humanity are experiencing an un-precedented chaos, many others are also working to invest their best and brightest efforts to bring forth solutions that heal.
A coaching colleague recently suggested to me that “Compassion requires that I see myself with people as two connected humans helping each other walk to a better place.”
We all need to survive before we can thrive. (coping strategies?)
We can all certainly google this topic further to see works best for us. For example:
What are some common coping strategies?
- Lower your expectations.
- Ask others to help or assist you.
- Take responsibility for the situation.
- Engage in problem solving.
- Maintain emotionally supportive relationships.
- Maintain emotional composure or, alternatively, expressing distressing emotions.
Or
Relaxation. Engaging in relaxing activities, or practicing calming techniques, can help to manage stress and improve overall coping. Physical recreation. Regular exercise, such as running, or team sports, is a good way to handle the stress of given situation.
I also looked at recent, 2020 research findings on Stress in America.
https://www.apa.org/news/press/releases/stress/2020/report-october
In that light, I thought this brief article was timely and that you may like to see/read it.
I think it reinforces keys ideas/practices for us to keep in mind and to keep trying to do.
Chronic or long-term stress can contribute to depression, a mood disorder that can significantly interfere with most aspects of life. During the pandemic, cases of depression increased, and stress is believed to be a factor.
“lifestyle changes can help stave off the emotional tag team of depression and stress”
“In order to succeed, people need a sense of self-efficacy, to struggle together with resilience to meet the inevitable obstacles and inequities of life.” —Albert Bandura (considered as the “rock star of psychology”)
Lastly, while reading this article and then receiving positive feedback, I pass it on to you.
5 Surefire Ways to Become the Best and Greatest in Whatever You Do
“You are not just anybody, you are a very outstanding and resourceful person. As the special person you are, the only thing that is good enough for you, is being the best.”
“Whatever the mind of man can conceive and believe, it can achieve.”
NAPOLEON HILL
What are you inspired by? What are you committed to? With whom can you partner?
What are your top priorities that you need to consistently focus on, to finish 2021 well?
What are the main things that you need to keep as your main things?
Invest a few minutes to jot down your responses to this question, to serve yourself well.
Are you setting yourself up in ways that make great sense for you?
We surely hope so and will cheerlead you to be your best and highest. At your service.
Gratefully yours,
Don
