While driving home very late last night, I was listening to Jazz on a local radio station. I was in love with the music.

What’s been interesting, and this is the first time I’ve experienced this, is that I am noticing that simply thinking of the music is a bit emotional. In the past few minutes I’ve noticed that simply reflecting on the opera I was listening to during my drive over here or the jazz pieces I was listening to last night brings tears to my eyes. What the heck is this about! It certainly can’t be about the words. There were no words connected to the jazz pieces I listened to last night. And the opera is in Italian for heaven’s sake!

Another thought that came to me is how nice it is to share with others. It is particularly nice to share with someone who shares an appreciation for the same thing. On this thought I am present to an appreciation for the quite voice of nature and the eye that can see the love expressed in the details of our natural environment. And how much I enjoy sharing this appreciation with others.

I am here sitting alone. The music is not playing, and yet it is. And I am in love with the music.

Appreciate Your Life

Learning it is difficult because our society teaches us about good and bad, right and wrong. We are programmed to believe in good and bad. If we have the things we want we are happy. If we don’t have what we want we begrudge our lives.

There are several things that prevent us from being productive and joyful. Two of them are: A mistaken view of our life (we don’t know who we are), and second we place too much attachment on material things.

We embrace our mistaken identities so deeply that they become our reality. Appreciation does not refer to things outside us. Appreciate your own life first. Appreciate when you fail. Appreciate when you try and try again and still fail. Appreciate when you embarrass yourself.

When we were young no one taught us how to walk. We were true to our own nature and learned ourselves. But as we get older, people (parents, teachers, etc.) wanted to control us, and we got angry. Be like a tree. A tree stays a tree no matter if you kick it or curse at it. It is in harmony with itself. It doesn’t care what you do. It is just being a tree. But this is not the same with humans. We do not live in harmony with our true nature, and we are swayed by the opinions and thoughts of those outside of us.

Our life has unbelievable power and wisdom, but we don’t trust ourselves and let it come forth. We always look for validation outside, and we will never get it. If we validate ourselves, we will be able to influence everything around us.

Here’s a challenge for the next month: “No matter where my life is at, I will pray with the determination that I will turn this situation around within one month. I’ll take the responsibility to make it happen. And in this one month, I’ll create the biggest benefit of my life.”

To turn my life around in one month:

1. Perceive the truth of your life.
2. Take responsibility for creating the greatest benefit you’ve ever had.

Everything begins and ends with you.

Don’t pray to overcome an obstacle. Rather, pray to perceive your own truth.

What does it mean to appreciate another person? It means that we have no judgments about them. No matter what the conditions, we will do anything for that person’s happiness. Don’t use anger as a form of judgment. It is fine to get angry, but don’t judge another person’s life just because today we are feeling anger towards them.

Being enlightened does not mean we are perfect. It means we always turn the negative into a benefit.

We usually think of Appreciation as something outside of us. We appreciate our possessions or what someone does for us. But appreciation is for our own life. We strive to appreciate the essence of our life, whatever we are going through in the moment.

We are all programmed from a very early age—by our families and teachers and TV, etc.—to believe that we are a certain person. But we have an incorrect view of our life.

Our goal is to Develop A Correct View Of Our Life.

There is a saying, “He who perceives the greatness of his life is a Buddha. He who doesn’t is a fool.”

Pray to realize that you are enlightened just as you are.

When we perceive who we are, we will naturally impact our environment.

It is not easy to appreciate your life, because your life does not want to appreciate itself. Just try praying for fifteen minutes exclusively focusing on appreciating your life. Your mind will get distracted and you will think about everything but appreciation. But strive to stay focused on appreciation. Just as you are.

In our minds we judge our lives. We see part of our self as good and part as bad. We believe we have to push everything to the positive side to be happy. But you cannot do that. We are just who we are. There is no such thing as Good human being/Bad human being. There is only being human. Just as we are.

We are all just human beings. And sometimes we will do terrible things. Good and bad exists because we are human. The only thing our stupidity proves is that we are human. And there is nothing wrong with that. Being enlightened means that we take the negative and turn it into a benefit.

When we take a negative circumstance and use it to validate a negative belief about our self we are in misery. Because you haven’t got the job you’ve always wanted is not proof that you are a terrible and worthless person. It is an opportunity to prove how wonderful you are as a human being.

We are all dysfunctional somehow, and we believe it is the cause of all our suffering. We buy into this belief so that we have a reason to fail. We always have to have a reason to fail. Then negativity only perpetuates itself and gets deeper. Our enlightenment exists inside our dysfunction, too. If we manifest our enlightened state and appreciate our life, then our “dysfunction” will become our greatest benefit.

Everything about our character is unbelievably wonderful. We think we have to fix what we believe to be broken, but in reality nothing is broken.

We need to find out how wonderful and powerful our life is. It doesn’t have to take years. We can do it in one night if we really appreciate our self.

Appreciation does not mean that you accept the circumstances. Again, it is not about something outside of you. Appreciation has three qualities:

1. No Matter what happens you do not betray your dreams/goals/self.
2. No Matter what happens, you don’t make any judgments about yourself.
3. No matter what the situation in your life, you must turn it around.

If you are angry, make it the function of your enlightened state of life. Whatever quality is fundamental to your life, pray and take action to appreciate it and it will bring out unbelievable power.

1. (The private conversation) What is the courageous conversation I am refusing to have with myself, in my own heart and mind with regard to my work, and the present life threshold on which I find myself? What is the courageous conversation I am not having with my partner or spouse, my children or loved ones?
2. What is the courageous conversation I am not having in my immediate workgroup, or with my immediate superiors, associates and subordinates? What is the courageous conversation I can personally initiate to start things moving in this immediate circle?
3. What is the courageous conversation we are not having between the different divisions and international cultures within our organization? What prevents us from taking another step in working together?
4. What is the courageous conversation we are not having with our clients or the societies of which they are a part? This in effect is the future, now, as the currents of people and events flow around the organizational vessel and the endeavors of the individuals who make it up.
5. What is the courageous conversation we are not yet having with the unknown future, with the world that lies over the horizon, but has not yet been fully articulated?

The first question, though asked privately, is an essential foundation for all the other courageous conversations. It is very difficult to be passionate or authentic about the outer, more abstract questions, if a leader has neglected his or her own primary questions with regard to work and the part their work plays now in the particular drama of their own story.

Daisaku Ikeda discusses idea of a shared identity in his poem ‘Sun of Jiyu Over a New Land: “When neighbors distance themselves / from neighbors, continue your / uncompromising quest / for your truer roots / in the deepest regions of your lives…. Here is the home, the dwelling place / to which humankind traces / its original existence — / beyond all borders, / beyond all differences of gender and race. / Here is a world offering true proof of our humanity”

The Chinese character for “person” (ren) shows two people leaning on each other. Some consider it to be one of the most important words in Chinese thought. The character for the quality of “humanity” (ren) is made of the characters for “person” and “the number two,” meaning two people who face each other, two people communicating, two people who love each other. In other words, there is no such thing as an isolated individual.

Each of us is linked together into a single living entity, and those links are not limited to the human world. They extend to the natural world and the cosmos, and all existence as one organic whole.

The solution to a problem is found within the problem. Transforming issues of human rights and racism entails our having trust in the transformative power of life. For life is what we all share in common. When we develop and act upon this trust, the most difficult challenge can become an opportunity to transform issues of division into creative powers harmony and peace.

~ Vincent van Gogh

Most of us will greet the New Year with at least some degree of uncertainty. Predicting where we will be in 5-10 years is increasingly difficult. Many of today’s industries and careers will vanish, while new ones, yet unknown, will emerge – transforming our past into a new future. In such an age who will step into these uncertain waters?

A calm voice stirs in the heart of the entrepreneur. Few people will listen to this voice. Of the few who do, even fewer will continue in the face of adversity. Yet, this age more than ever calls for such a spirit and effort.

Yes, the waters may appear dangerous. In a society preoccupied with seeking comfort there are a few who choose to live the challenge. When we step into these unknown waters we place the innermost reaches of our life in public view. Our strengths become visible – along with our frailties. We would prefer to keep our weaknesses hidden for none to see. Yet, seeking to live fully requires the full expression of life – strengths and frailties.

As we look to the New Year, and this day, let courage lead us through these new waters. Realize that we are exploring new worlds of possibility as humanity has always done. As we face these new challenges, and opportunities, trust that our genuine efforts will contribute to our family and community.

I asked her, “do you like the work you do?”

She replied, “Oh, yes. I work for a wonderful company, but the work I do doesn’t make any difference. I want to do something that makes a difference in the world.”

Her timing could not have been better. Her remarks brought to mind an experience I had two weeks prior to this event.

I shared of a recent visit to company. I was waiting in the lobby for an appointment with the CEO. As I was waiting, the receptionist began to talk with me, and I recall her bright and enthusiastic voice.

She was preparing Christmas presents to send to clients. She mentioned that each year her company has a local artist create something that they can send to clients. She then shared the gift they had been sent the previous year. It was a collection of bookmarkers. Each one had a beautiful illustration from nature on one side that reflected a poem on the other side of the bookmark. She then gave one of the packets of bookmarks. I happily accepted the gift! Now, years later, I am still enjoying those beautiful bookmarks.

The receptionist then went on to share about the wonderful people she worked with.

The highlight of my appointment was the conversation with that receptionist. She really made a difference in my life that day. In fact, that receptionist continues to be an inspiring example of the difference a healthy conversation, and workplace, can make.

I shared this story at the lunch table and suggested to the women who wanted to do work that makes a difference that perhaps the real difference to make is in the interactions she has with people throughout the day at her present job.

Our lunch concluded and we all went back to our training program.

A year or two later I was in Portland Oregon attending a conference. To my surprise the same women who had been at that lunch table with me was at the conference! She saw me from a distance and came running toward me, “Chuck, I am so happy to see you. I want you to know that I didn’t leave my job. I realized that I love the work I am already doing and that I am already making a difference!”

I thanked her for sharing. As I left, the thought came to me “perhaps we are a little too focused on trying to make a difference. Perhaps we are already making a difference and that the real difference lies in our daily interactions with those close to us?

My thoughts of late have been on sustainable effort. Interestingly enough I find myself often working with people who have too much on their plate. People who tend to take on a huge amount of responsibility. I look for common themes in the work I do and the people I work with most frequently. They are not only busy and responsible people – they are people who take on significant responsibility because they care.

We live in a time of much uncertainty. Concerns for personal welfare are rampant and not surprising. Yet, in the midst of so much uncertainly, greed and fear of loss, it’s refreshing to be in the presence of people who have a genuine sense of service, responsibility and stewardship.

The world is thirsty for these qualities. It is just for this reason that we thirst for authenticity. It’s as if those who live authentically and courageously provide hope for all of us.

Essential to success and fulfillment in life is appreciation and gratitude. The qualities of appreciation and gratitude are often dismissed. “I want results not appreciation,” the business owner told me.

For several years I’ve conducted informal and formal interviews with people who I see as living fulfilling and successful lives. A consistent theme that shows in these interviews is that appreciation is one of the most important qualities to their success.

It may be relatively easy to appreciate our life or another’s when life is going well. We generally like sharing our appreciation with a close friend who is always there for us. It is much more difficult to be appreciative or share an appreciation when faced with a difficult issue or person.
Being appreciative in the midst of the storm takes courage.

Appreciation is a skill. One in which you can practice at any time.
Here’s a three-step practice for developing the skill of appreciation:

VOLUNTARY ATTENTION (NOTICE)
Pay attention to your immediate environment. What do you notice? Your attentiveness skill will increase as you practice being attentive.

INTEREST
Express interest in what you notice. Again, this is a skill that when practiced will grow.
APPRECIATION
State it as so. Share your appreciation of what you notice. This is the action piece of the appreciative practice.

LOVE
The practice of appreciation builds affinity. As you practice, you will experience an increase in love.

IMPORTANT POINTS
• Attention must be genuine
• All power begins with focus of attention
• It’s the Act not the thought
• Don’t limit discomfort
• Average people are discomforted
• Risk embarrassment

So many people are not attended to. We need to attend to one another.

You don’t have to wait until there is something to appreciate to practice. In fact, you can start with what’s right in front of you. I’ve practiced this process while driving in my car and noticing the discarded tire tread on the side of the road. I then expressed interest and appreciation for the fact that the tire was on the side of the road—not on my windshield!

Your sense of affinity and connection with others will grow as you step out and practice appreciation.

The Chinese character for “person” (ren) shows two people leaning on each other. Some consider it one of the most important words in Chinese thought. The character for the quality of “humanity” (ren) is made of the characters for “person” and “the number two,” meaning two people who face each other, two people communicating, two people who love each other. In other words, there is no such thing as an isolated individual.

Each of us is linked together into a single living entity, and those links are not limited to the human world. They extend to the natural world and the cosmos, and all existence as one organic whole.

Buddhism regards the relations and mutual interdependence of things and human beings as more important than the individual view of their existence. This view is linked to the teaching of dependent origination.

This perspective begins with treasuring our own life, then the individuals around us, finally extending outward to encompass all people. This is not to be viewed linearly, however. Treasuring ourselves exist simultaneously with treasuring the people and environment around us.

Developing fulfilling relationships begins with accepting full responsibility for our life and our role in developing relationships with other people and the natural world. To heal our life we engage in the world around us. We work for the happiness of others, with the awareness that supporting others contributes to our own happiness and well-being. When we forget this, our efforts to support others can have us begrudging our own life.

Sufferings can arise from “looking outside of oneself” for the cause or the solution to problems. Through our day-to-day efforts, we come to see that the relationships we have formed are a reflection of our own state of life.

Erroneous beliefs about our self and others, which lead to suffering, can often be traced to what Buddhism calls the three poisons of greed, anger and foolishness. In particular, anger, compounded of equal measures of arrogance and self-centeredness, is destructive to relationships. Anger can lead to strife and conflict—internally, among people, groups, nations, and the natural world.

It is important that when we look at the condition of anger and arrogance that we do not judge either our self or others for experiencing these thoughts.

We all have an innate desire to make a difference and end suffering in the world. Anger often arises from a sense of helplessness at our being able to do away with this suffering. Through our compassionate actions, we encourage hope in our self and others. Compassion suggests that we not judge anyone. Rather, we look to GIVING COURAGE to possibility and progress.

In the book “The Buddha in Your Mirror” the authors refer to three kinds of relationships:

Independent

The stand-alone self, we are in control. The strong, confident self, however, can easily become arrogant and isolated. The arrogant person will be unable to sustain fulfilling relationships.

Dependent

People give respect and love, but not freely; strings are attached. Your happiness is dependent upon another’s behavior—upon his or her validation or your worthiness of being loved. Depending upon another to validate that we are worthy of love gives that person control over our emotions and self-esteem. We have given up our power.

Contributive

We work to develop a strong self-identity and the ability to be happy inwardly. Standing upon the firm foundation of our own happiness, we can then nurture contributive, giving relationships, relationships in which we give our love freely without attachments and expectations. We are not needy of others. Nor are we addicted to the other.

It is not as though we first develop this strong self before contributing to others. We take on-going action to bring forth this life condition through engaging in compassionate practice—compassion for our self and others.

A five-year-old boy
suitcase in hand
departing.

While the family
stood with their camera
to capture the event.

All my life I listened to my friends
They said, “You were running away
something must have happened.”

And I believed all those stories
But I was not running away
No!
I was not running away!

This young boy was departing
The beginning of the quest
Traveling, exploring, discovering.

Eighteen years old
and a new departure
To South Carolina
where blacks and whites
met in anger and hate.

I searched beyond the color of our skin
and the anger in our voice
My eyes touched briefly
on the spirit within.

I traveled to the dirty beaches of New Jersey
and the noisy streets of New York City
The hurried voices and heavy accents.

Touching briefly
on the spirit within.

A new departure
Okinawa Japan
Where the warm waters met
Japanese, Chinese, Philippines,
Blacks, Whites, Hispanics.
And the many faces of children.

I looked to the heart of all these people
and touched briefly
the spirit within.

Exploring the depths of the Ocean
hoping I would find it there.

Discovering Buddhism
and the beginning
of a new departure.

Returning home to
College, books, philosophers,
and teachers.

Exploring the heights of mountains
and snowcapped peaks.

My heart led me
to culture festivals
The people of Los Angelus, San Diego,
Philadelphia, Washington DC.
New York, Chicago, and Hawaii.

Finally traveling to
where fifty countries gathered
and many cultures met.

Where ever I traveled
I heard the same voice
in the heart of people.

Thirty years old
and a new departure
A journey within
Into the deep unknown.

Someone warned me
“Don’t go in there
for you may never return.”

But the explorer knows
that you must travel
and take the risk.

And it was dark
darker than the blackest night

But beyond the journey of many years
and the fear of darkness
is a bright light
a radiant light
that cuts through all darkness.

And I had found it!
For it was always there.

An explorer
Seeking the possibilities
of sharing the life blood of the Universe
as it flows through my veins
into the vast pool of community.

Seeking the possibilities of sharing
nature, community, and spirit
in respectful interaction.

Seeking joy and laughter
in a world often troubled with fear.

Seeking the possibility
of the light of love
unfolding each moment.

Possibilities of a new departure
Each moment
a new beginning.

Remember the joy and love in our life as we take risks and continue to grow.
-Vern Ho

Vern Ho was a longtime friend, teacher and colleague. Vern was diagnosed with cancer in the spring of 1995. I interviewed Vern on October 28, 1995 regarding how his illness was affecting his personal life and work.

Vern passed away January 2, 1996.

Chuck: Can you share a little of what this illness has meant to you?

Vern: Such a dramatic event, it brought to my mind the full meaning of life and death, full meaning of purpose in life, the whole issue of family, relationships, and community.

My mother came to visit one day in the hospital while a friend was visiting. My mother was sitting there while I was in pain. A friend finally decided that while we were waiting for the nurse she’d take some towels and massage me.

I looked at my mother and it was as if she wished to be the one massaging me, but she didn’t know how. That moment symbolized for me the kind of family we had where there was a lot of love but not knowing how to express or communicate it.

Because of that, it was clear to me that I wanted to be much more open and clear about how I express my feelings to other people. I have learned through this illness how to be more congruent with how I feel and how I behave, although it’s not always easy.

Someone said that cancer patients typically are people who know how to give a lot and care for other people but they can’t care for themselves. I think there’s a lot of truth to that. It’s interesting that I would get this disease.

One of the lessons I’m learning at this point is how to care for myself and to love myself as well as other people.

Chuck: How has your outlook on life and work been affected?

Vern: I may not have a lot of time, and I need to be more congruent. I don’ have time to let things slide. If I believe something is important, I need to do it now, and if it’s not important, then don’t bother with it. Be more decisive

Another change is to focus on the present moment. Maybe that is why I can live with the pain and the disease. There is no point looking back and asking, “why didn’t you do this differently, why didn’t you take better care of yourself?”

I find myself saying, “That’s all irrelevant. The point is, where do we go from here? I do not want to spend whatever time I have left arguing about whether I should or shouldn’t have done certain things. I want to talk about what we’re doing now.

For the last year and a half—for a period before the operation, I sensed I was losing focus in my work. I had to do something different or re-focus my present work.

This has re-focused me for a couple of reasons.

The whole illness is symbolic in that if we don’t pay attention, whether it’s to our bodies, to our organizations, to our cities, to our nations, to our states, things get out of hand. And if we’re not deliberate about our purpose and what it takes to keep the system running, these things like cancer or like any disease take over, and at some point it stops the system, and then and only then do we pay attention.

This is one of the most personal reminders I could have. It’s given me a sense of clear purpose; that it is my responsibility, if I am working with an organization and I can see that where they’re headed is going to eventually cripple them or cause a problem, it’s clear that I do the best I can to help them look at the choices they can make. In the end, they can continue the way they are, they make moderate changes or make drastic changes.

The other learning is knowing that I may not have a long time to continue to do what I like to do. It’s pulled together how I work with everybody, I want to have done the correct thing so that if and when I’m not here they have something to build from.

Chuck: Businesses, institutions, society and our environment are going through dramatic changes. Are we acquiescing in our efforts to make these changes healthy ones? What’s the answer?

Vern: Everything is organic. Whether it’s rocks, which may move at a whole different rate, to people, everything is organic so, yes, everything is moving along in some way, and as a result of that, constant change is occurring.

What’s interesting is more common in Western thinking. We try to put on mental notions that we can control what’s going on. I don’t think tribal cultures did this as much.

We believe we have to keep control over the environment. Tribal societies tend to understand that we’re all part of this larger process and go with it.

So how do we deal with this problem? I think one way is we start to live in the moment, embrace, and appreciate what’s going on around us, instead of trying to control it or create mental constructs. Learn to listen to our heart and soul, because if we don’t we will be our own worst enemy.

Chuck: I met a woman recently who at 55 is working for a major airline. She dislikes her job, and she is burned out. She would like to do something else. In spite of her frustration, she decided to stay on until retirement—eight more years.

Vern: Five years, whatever it takes, ten years. But right there is the absurdity. If she really got it, she would live her life right now. The opportunities and the abundance that would come to her would be more then would be gained by hanging on to get her retirement.

Right there is the absurdity that we trick ourselves into. This is why the surgery was a wake-up call. Intellectually, we all go, oh, I’ll deal with it later. I will go see the doctor later when I have time. I’ll live my life after I retire.

And that’s all insanity. Instead of saying, wait a minute, it doesn’t feel good, and I’m going to do this; I’m going to make a change today, we don’t do that, so the only way we do it is wake up one morning and we have a terminal illness, and we go, Oh, now we have a choice. Or the worst-case scenario is we don’t wake up one morning.

We run, and then it’s too late. When do we finally acknowledge the feelings we have felt need to be acted upon and that they’re right instead of saying they’re not right?

So to me, we’ve created a society and we’ve created an environment where it’s wrong to act on your intuition. It’s wrong to be in common sense.

I think, for example, the accident that occurred where a school bus stopped at an intersection in the middle of the railroad tracks and was hit by a train (October 1995). Here was a situation where they’re waiting for the light to turn green, when common sense would have said it doesn’t matter. If you want to get out of the way, you have to move, and so now we’re arguing that the light only allowed two seconds for traffic to move.

And I’m going, you see, we still are doing the insanity. We’re arguing that the light was the problem versus the fact that no one of those individuals exercised common sense given what was happening, but that’s how we are.

Chuck: She is 55 and she’s in the middle of the intersection waiting for the light to turn green.

Vern: Right, and the kids are saying, “The train is coming. Move the bus.” But piled into that is all of her fears that if she does it she’s going to break a law, so far better to have seven children die than to go against the red light.

That is what we have created in ourselves, and that is the danger. That’s what is hurting this entire society. That’s the cancer.

Chuck: So what would you tell the women and the airlines?

Vern: She is an individual and has a choice.

It’s like me. I have a major crisis that occurred. I can try to piece back together my life the way it was before. Two, I can make moderate changes in my life and say, hmm, now that I have some physical restrictions, I need to be a little more thoughtful. Or, three, I can make some radical changes and totally change my thinking, my behavior, my outlook.

What she chooses is fine. That’s up to her.

The airline as an organization has a commitment to providing dependable and safe air service. I can challenge them as much as possible: Don’t lose sight of your mission of providing dependable and safe air service, but is there any way that you can lighten up on how you treat your employees and what you demand of them.

How do we create organizations that are vision-led, energy driven, where there’s a minimum amount of restrictions and regulations but where everybody is clear on what the purpose is and that they do the best they can?

The organization has to be willing to trust its people, and I think 90 percent of the organizations don’t. That’s no different to me from how we treat our bodies. Do we trust our bodies when our bodies say to us “you’re not taking care of me?”

We override that trust. We say no, the body is wrong, and then we take some drugs to override that symptom. That’s how we operate, and that’s what’s scary.

Chuck: We find ways to mask the pain in our bodies. Those pains are powerful messages, and if we don’t hear them, we are going to damage our body.

Vern: I would go farther and say we will feel it. It’s a matter of the intensity of the event that will cause us to feel it.

So if I keep masking the pain every time I have indigestion—at some point I have stomach cancer. Then I feel it, because suddenly it’s gotten to the point I can’t mask it anymore.

So yes, as a society, we will feel it. There is no question in my mind, and all we are doing now is putting off the inevitable, and every administration, every politician, every leader, in my mind, has taken the attitude of “not during my watch; if I can just get through my term.”

My sense is we will experience a major crisis within the next five to eight years, a major crisis that will dramatically reshape the way we live. There’s no way around it. But no one is going to say that.

The image I’ve always had in my consulting business is that we as consultants are geared to do the best we can to lay the foundation with those we work with for this change, to do a lot of assisting. We’re almost like a midwife.

That’s the image I’ve had, and that’s what compels me. To me, good consulting is somebody who is also congruent in their own lives and their own values and can clearly and honestly assist others.

Chuck: What can we do to make these changes?

Vern: We have to be honest every day. We have to be willing every day to live our values, to live our beliefs.

Again, for me, with what has happened in the past few months, is it is harder to let things slip by; because one of the things that occurs for me is I don’t know if I will be by this path again.

And so if I see something on the path, a piece of litter, something that just doesn’t fit, I need to attend to it now. I can’t just wait until I come back again someday.

Also, I don’t need to play it safe anymore. What more can happen to me? The only other thing is I could die, so there’s no need to be so safe.

I spent two hours in a meeting recently with quote/unquote, leaders of our community, and I watched these people play it safe. I watched these people go for the safe route, the expedient route, without thinking of the foundations they were laying, without thinking of how this going to play out, and without thinking of what they individually are going to take responsibility for in all this process.

They were simply looking at this as a nice idea; the safe thing to do is let these other people speak for it, even though it may or may not be the best way to go.

So what do we do on a day-to-day basis? If we, at least one time each day, said this is where I’m going to be on this issue, I think we would see some miracles occur.

Instead, I see people going, “how do I say the right thing to make sure I don’t create any controversy so I don’t damage my record?” And the cancer continues.

Chuck: Often in meetings, we find highly skilled communicators throwing communications skills around without any real substance. Rarely do people speak from their heart and soul. I find this concerning.

Vern: Shells, mere shells. There’s nobody home. So that’s what I think is the greatest opportunity people have, is to get out of those shells, to rip off those phony outfits and be honest in our communication.

Don’t hide behind layers and layers of all that protective stuff. To me, there’s nothing more frustrating than for an employee who may be expressing a crisis and they go to someone, and all they get is jargon.

That’s one of the frustrations I have serving in a public body, because when we make public policies we don’t talk about human beings anymore. We talk about entities.

Chuck: In some ways, we seem to be less productive when in a global market we are being asked to become more productive.

Vern: To me it’s part of the unwillingness of us in this country to get our hands dirty.

I’ll use family as an analogy. The first generation works hard and they barely get by. Then the next generation builds on that, and the next generation has more than they ever want.

And what happens is they don’t know how to work. In fact, they perceive it as dirty. But in order for them to keep the work going, they need a number of people who do the work, who know how to work and work well, and so they have to hire this incredible infrastructure.

The trick at that point is whether the descendants of this family know how to integrate and create a harmonious organizational routine. Or will they continue to have disdain for these people to where they’ll lose all their wealth or these people will rise up and destroy them.

This country has gained its influence on the backs of other people and it’s continuing to do so, and unless we step-up to being much more aware of this and learn to manage this relationship better, we will soon be out of favor; we will have lost our position.

I really think that is where we are going, and I think if we talk about crisis, that is another piece that’s going to make the crisis even more intense, and it’s coming, and anybody who looks at that has to realize there’s a whole wave out there that’s coming.

Chuck: Vern, what would you like to focus on in the future?

Vern: One of my dreams is to invite all citizens who currently serve on any board of any organization in the community—utility districts, school districts, transit districts, and cities—and invite them and see who will come to discuss the difficult issues we face. These people, whether they know it or not, are in positions to influence what’s going on.

Another vital area to focus on is developing leaders for the future. Far more important than seeking to fix systems and structures is the development of future leaders who genuinely care about people and society.

Chuck: Is there anything you would like to add before we conclude our discussion?

Vern: My work has been about relationships and community. That is what has been happening to me. It has been very sweet.

Vernon See Chong Ho passed away peacefully on January 2, 1996.

My vision of community is where people from all different walks of life come together for the common good. This is what’s been happening to me.
- Vern Ho

We know in our heart what is important. We recognize the necessity of leading from an ethical base, having vision and dealing with reality. Today it is imperative to put into practice what you already know. To move forward calls all of us to courage. How do you find courage in yourself and others?

Effective leaders recognize that their organizations and teams benefit from personal growth. Typically, only fear would inhibit that growth. You cannot have progress when there is apathy, or when people feel they don’t make a difference.

Bringing out the best in people, especially with the current environment of insecurity and possible loss, takes the kind of leadership that can reason through these changing times with the equanimity of intuition and self-control. To meet these challenges it is important to help people develop the skill to say “no” to unhelpful reactions and “yes” to learning responses that embody effective leadership qualities such as:

• Appreciating efforts and abilities
• Streamlining decision-making and following through on “tough decisions”
• Encouraging greater participation and initiative
• Reconnecting with talents, abilities and creativity
• Bringing the best out of people as a group
• Preparing the next generation of leaders

The answer to “how” is developing courage you can call on at any moment: the courage to say “yes” to those ideas and thoughts that you know to be right. Moving forward successfully arises from your leading with courage and actively nurturing that courage in everyone.

What surprised me most of all when riding was that my thoughts turned quickly to the people behind the bike. I could not help but reflect on my own experience at the home of Bike Friday.

I thought some more, and three words came to mind: love, initiative and perseverance. Love of a common vision - to see everyone riding more and driving less. Taking the initiative in spite of the FUD factor - Fear, Uncertainty and Doubt. And lastly, persevering and turning things around even after a setback. This is not a typical story of the graceful, often mythical high powered organizations lauded in management text books. Rather, it’s a simple story of how a local company can transform a dream into a sustainable reality.

Bike Friday customers “Cycling for Pleasure Club of Adelaide Australia”

My first experience with Bike Friday was in the early 1990’s. At that time I was working with a manufacturing company that supplied parts for Bike Friday. It was then that I first experienced the soul of Bike Friday. I will never forget a hot summer day when we were working in 90+ degree heat and, to our surprise, someone showed up with several cartons of ice cream for our workers. The ice cream was from Bike Friday. How often does a customer send the vendor a gift? I knew then, this was a unique company.

It was much later in 2001 that I found myself working with Bike Friday over a six month period. I was able to experience first hand the challenges of keeping a small business with a global customer base moving forward. A business led by a couple of visionary guys who admitted they had more experience with engineering than human relations. A highly intense and creative environment. I found the company a challenge to work with, like many cutting-edge companies. Yet, I also found big hearts.
Who do I remember? I remember the owners Hanz and Alan Scholz. I think of Lynette Chiang’s travels and sharing it through her writing. I think of the young Hanna Scholz growing with the family business and the good work ethic she learned in the process.

Since leaving Bike Friday I’ve stopped by many times to check-up on their progress. I am always amazed by their work ethic and the continuing evolution of the company.
Bike Friday is not necessarily the most aesthetically pleasing environment either; factories often aren’t. Yet, there is a beauty of a unified vision that hums within those tin walls.

For the many who have worked for Bike Friday, we know that it isn’t necessarily the easiest place to work … most labor of love isn’t. Doing anything out of the box takes commitment, effort and mutual understanding. Even though it’s been a few years since working with Bike Friday, I continue to reflect on valuable lessons learned there.

If you would like to know more about Bike Friday you can visit their web site at www.bikefriday.com

Not long ago I accepted an invitation to go rock-climbing with a friend, an experienced climber. This would be my first climb and something I had wanted to do for years. The experience turned out to be much more challenging than I had imagined.

My objective was simply to reach the top. I had barely begun when serious doubt crept in when I realized this was far more difficult than I had expected. But I was determined to proceed as far as I could. At the halfway point, my doubt only increased. Then I said to myself, “I can do this. I am doing it.” That affirmation lasted for another two feet.

My friend provided some good coaching and constant encouragement from below. I made it a few more feet only to be stopped, not seeing any way to go farther. I tried my friend’s suggestion of a route to the right. But it didn’t work. By then it was close to sundown, and it seemed that time was running out. I told myself, “I’ll return another day.” From below my friend shouted, “Just relax; let the harness and rope support you.” Automatically, I thought, “Think Chuck.” Then suddenly I thought, “No, don’t think. Just listen. There is nothing to figure out. Just listen and trust.”

With a calm and deep listening, I scanned the rock columns and repeated to myself, “How ever long it takes, I will stay here until I hear the way.” Then, off to the left—opposite the route my friend had suggested—it seemed as if the rocks were calling me. Trusting what I heard, I moved to the left across the rock columns. Slowly I ascended to the top. The new route worked!

My friend’s coaching and support was crucial. Yet, in the end, I had to listen and trust my own heart. There is nothing to figure out.

Listen to that still, quiet voice; trust; and turn insight into action.

ACTION STEP

In your mind, picture a flower. Reflect on its physical characteristics. Visualize its form, color, fragrance, texture, where you might find it.

Now imagine its spiritual substance rather than its physical substance. Consider its growth, its potential, its contribution, and what you appreciate about it.

Millennium Clothesline Exhibit, Eugene Oregon

We share a common desire to live meaningful lives and for our communities to prosper. Yet, the task can seem so daunting that many people resign to concerns only for their own or their family’s well-being.

Over time, we discover that such an intent focus on our personal welfare does not provide the happiness and fulfillment we seek. We come to realize that our-well being does not exist independent of the difficulties of our fellow human beings. We must find a way to contribute in spite of the uncertainty and challenges we face.

Several years ago, I began an inquiry to see how I could advance my life and realize happiness in the present moment while also contributing to society.

I have learned two important lessons. First, no matter what the situation or how little you have, there are always resources at hand that will serve to move your life forward. Second, I discovered appreciation and sharing to be the pathways for moving our life forward in a creative and fulfilling manner.

Supposedly, the answer to the following question tells us whether you are a pessimist or optimist: “is the glass half-full or half-empty?”

In reality the glass is both half-full and half-empty, and frankly, it does not matter. Even if the glass were empty you would still have a glass and that glass is worth something. A more appropriate question might be: “What treasures, gifts, talents or resources do I NOW have?” Once you find the answers, then share them with others—that’s the key.

An acquaintance shared with me how he had been in a deep depression for three years, unable to work. His depression was triggered by the tragic loss of a friend. He awoke one Sunday morning reflecting on his unemployment, living with his parents, and having only one dollar.

As he lay in bed and quietly listened to life a thought came to him that it was time to turn his life around—a thought that he actually could! While listening deeply he realized he still had his musical skills and recording equipment. An idea come to him that he could overcome his depression by composing a guided meditation with background music. He did exactly that, and later, he realized that his meditation and music could serve other people. He made copies of the tape and began offering them to others. He now has a successful business selling recorded meditations and music throughout the country. First, he listened for what talents and resources he now had. Then he looked at how he could share his gifts with other people.

We can not always alter our circumstances, but we can always make a difference. The power to make a difference lies in how we choose to view our current experience, how we choose to listen, and our willingness to trust and take action.

A friend shared an experience of dealing with the State Department of Revenue. The DOR had mistakenly taken money from his bank account. When he insisted they correct their mistake, the person on the other end of the phone replied that there was nothing she could do.

My friend felt trapped in a pile of bureaucracy. How can one fight such a bureaucratic monster? Then an interesting thought occurred in the still quite of his mind. He said to the state worker, “I have a question for you: As one human being to another, are you interested in assisting another human being?”

I could hear in my friend’s voice an authentic expression of wishing to work successfully with this other person. For a moment he stopped fighting the system and realized that he was speaking to a human being. The individual replied that she would like to assist him and asked him to wait a moment. She put phone on hold, and a minute later returned to inform my friend that they had resolved the problem.

As my friend demonstrated through his experience with the DOR, his happiness is not dependent upon the system or structure. It is possible to take action and make a difference in the present moment.

In fact, you are already making a difference; that’s a promise. Each interaction you have with another person is an opportunity to make a difference, thereby contributing to the whole community. And moving your life forward!

Regardless of your present situation or the business you are in, your best course of action for moving your life and work forward is through causing a victory in your heart right where you are. When you can authentically appreciate the wonders of life in this moment, you will be well on your way to establishing a fulfilling, productive and meaningful life.