Each of us suffers in our own unique way. We may suffer because of how we are treated by other people, or how we see ourselves. Our suffering may be intimately personal, or shared through our family or culture or nation. Each of us searches for someone who will ease our suffering and pain. Suffering is not […]
Leadership Transforms Suffering into Justice Read More »
We live in a time which does not do anticipation well. We want our gratification, and we want it now. We mash everything together into “holiday” season. We do not want to wait the few weeks from the end of October to the end of December. We create new ways to “celebrate” immediately, like Black Friday and
Advent is About Anticipation Read More »
We are in the final month of the year. Work we have put off and procrastinated about looms in front of us. Holidays, travel, and other commitments squeeze the time and attention we can spend on work. We may feel pressured, stressed that we seem not to have accomplished what we set out to do this
Doing Work that Needs to be Done Read More »
Where I live, we are in the middle of leftover season. It began with leftover candy about a month ago, then hit full stride last week. We will be riding waves of party leftovers for the next few weeks, when the tide really hits. There are things I appreciate about leftovers, and things I do not. The leftovers I
Leadership with Leftovers Read More »
Spiritual life is a series of fresh starts, new beginnings. Some people think that spiritual life is about maintaining a perfect record, not making any mistakes. Spiritual life is, in fact, about starting new again and again and again. We learn from mistakes. One of the most important things we learn is to keep starting over, keep
Advent is About Making a Fresh Start Read More »
We tend not to think of humility having much to do with leadership. Leaders, after all, are people who seek opportunities to lead, which might be the opposite of humility. We see humility as being a little insecure. We believe that people with humility shy away from the spotlight, avoid becoming the center of attention. We see leaders
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Spiritual life makes eye contact. Spiritual life does not look away, and we see ourselves reflected in its gaze. We feel ourselves caught up in the embrace of spiritual life. Spiritual life can feel warm and protective, like a great hug. There are times when spiritual life can feel constraining, like we are being held whether
Spiritual Life Runs Deep Read More »
We will travel great distances, pay admission, and stand in line to experience works of art. We may have a favorite artist, sculptor, composter, musician, or dancer. We may be drawn to abstract expressionists or realists, pre-Raphaelites or muralists. We may prefer ancient artifacts or contemporary creations. Great works of art are reflections of the people who
No, not by strutting around while you let everyone else do all the real work. No, not by gobbling up all the credit or recognition within reach. Not even because Benjamin Franklin wanted to make the wild turkey the national bird rather than the eagle. Turkeys inspire our leadership a little later in their life stories. It is
Leading Like a Turkey Read More »
There have been times when spiritual life felt like holding my breath. We do not want to upset anyone, to make anyone feel uncomfortable. We know what people expect of us and are careful to give them the right impression. We know what they want us to do or say. We know the answers we are
Spiritual Life is a Breath of Fresh Air Read More »
