article by Don Ginn

Today we live in challenging times. Yet when we live in constant gratitude and appreciation, our happiness is not dependent upon whether we live in a golden age or in a time of severe challenges.

No matter how tough it might get, joy and happiness will prevail within those who have discovered the miracle of gratitude.

In 1979 I visited a communist city in East Germany . Being in this city for just a few hours left an incredible impression upon me. Incredible, because no matter how hard I looked, there was no expression of joy or happiness on the faces of any of the people I saw that day. It appeared to be a city without smiles. I remember so clearly going over to one of the tennis courts to watch a match, and being amazed that there was no sense of joy in their playing.

I wondered what was missing. What was the main element that made their lives seem so lackluster? Was it their lack of freedom, their economic conditions or perhaps the poor quality of their food? More than likely, all of these were factors in their look of discontent. But there was something else. What was missing was the look of gratitude. For one justifiable reason or another, ingratitude was written all over their faces.

When times are the most difficult, sometimes gratitude is all we’ve got. It’s our life raft in what may appear to be a sea of misery. What so many people in this East German city didn’t appear to realize, was that a heart full of gratitude and appreciation could transform even their experience in this communist city, from a city of gloom and darkness, into a city of light. Gratitude can inspire and rejuvenate an entire nation.

Don Ginn is a professional success coach, business consultant, writer, keynote speaker and leader in the personal growth field. His coaching practice includes group tele-classes, corporate coaching, and one-on-one coaching sessions in person or by telephone.With over 20 years experience in both the business and personal growth fields, Don specializes in helping his coaching and consulting clients manifest their most cherished dreams and goals.

Contact Don at: don@listeningwell.com, www.listeningwell.com

article by Robert Rabbin

We all want to enrich our experience of work and to enhance our work environments with meaning and purpose, vision and values, creativity and inspiration, joy and deep human connection. How do we do this? Let’s look inside our own self, into our own soul, for guidance.

If we’re going to use the word “soul” in a business context, we’d better define it, we’d better understand it’s meaning clearly. Otherwise, this single word-so often thought of as abstract, esoteric, and impractical-will probably create much confusion, doubt, and maybe even cynicism. Let me tell you what I mean by soul, and how I think it relates to our work lives in very practical and useful ways.

I use the word soul as a poetic image that refers to a life of significant meaning born of deep inner exploration. The soul refers to a dimension of living which opens before us from time to time with such compelling force that we fall to our knees in silence and awe and gratitude. Soul refers to those gorgeous moments of self-transcendence, of love, of joy, of communion with the whole of existence in which our seeing becomes acute, and our knowing becomes wise.

When these disruptions to our conventional way of living occur, it’s as though we see another dimension of life about which we were ignorant. The mask of appearances falls away, and we see something profound about life. We experience something that is timeless. It’s beyond words, and the mind hardly grasps it. In these moments, the fortifications against the soul dissolve, and a new perspective appears.

Let’s go into this a bit deeper and see what this soul perspective implies for us. Take a moment to please remember a time when you experienced an awakening to the fuller and deeper meaning of being alive. Try to remember a time in which you were lifted by the hand of grace into a feeling of unconditional joy, abundance, and generosity. From this perspective and in this remembrance, what do we know about what I am calling the soul and its importance to our work lives?

The soul implies a real and living connection to others. Recognizing this connection with others means that we must treat others with respect, kindness, compassion, and dignity. Who would not like to be treated in this manner?

Soul implies beauty. This means that our actions must preserve the natural beauty of life in all its manifestations. Recognizing the natural beauty of life, we will not destroy, pollute, defile, or degrade anything. This is a sound principle to guide us in our business decisions, is it not?

Soul implies truth. This means we must speak the truth, we must be accountable for our actions, and we must be straightforward in our dealings with each other and with the communities of which we are a part. Recognizing this, we are bound to honesty and full disclosure of our actions. This would be a refreshing stance for business leaders to take, don’t you think?

Soul implies balance and harmony. This means we must keep our priorities in order and give equal time to our own personal growth, to our families, to our communities-to those pursuits and activities that enrich our whole life. Recognizing the need for balance, we will not be compulsive or greedy, we will not sacrifice the integrity of this moment for a future promise. This will keep us sane, healthy, and energetic.

Soul implies universality. This means that we are all shareholders in certain basic values. What do we all want? We all want to be appreciated, to be accepted, to make a positive contribution to others. We want to feel that our lives and our labors make a positive difference. We want to give, to serve, to be the reason for someone else’s happiness and well-being. I would like to think that we all are servants of other people’s happiness.

Soul implies inspiration, and deep passion. This means that we live and work from our hearts, from what we truly love. If we follow our hearts to work, we will not need to be motivated by some cheap management trick to give our best effort. Our heart will always ask us to give our best, for the sake of love and passion. We will not need to be bribed. Enthusiasm, cooperation, and commitment are the hallmarks of a heartfelt life. Is there anything we could not accomplish, together, working from and with our hearts?

Soul implies joy. This means that we work from joy, with joy, and towards joy. This is not a Pollyanna principle, because I think that everything we do in life is for the sake of joy. Let’s be honest about it: no one likes to work in an environment of tedium, depression, and sadness. Let joy be our standard: if joy is present, we are doing things right, and doing things well. If not, we are doing things wrong, and we should stop and figure out how to get back on track.

Soul implies going beyond conventional boundaries. This means we should always feel free to risk new ideas, new approaches to old problems. This means we should develop our minds and bodies and spirits so that they shine with creativity and innovation. Recognizing this, we welcome boldness, diversity, and initiative. We should be open to continuous learning and growth, not just in business strategies, but in living. I hope that we are all growing in self-awareness each day.

Soul implies clarity and awareness. This mean that we speak and act consciously, and conscientiously. Being conscious means being aware of those impulses, motives, and intentions that drive us. Conscious awareness is the moment-to-moment clarity of motive and intent. It is a balanced alignment among thought, word, and action. Awareness means to be deeply in touch with our thoughts and emotions every moment. Awareness means that we are able to see what is actually happening around us, and not just our own projected fantasies and ideas of what is happening. Being conscious is a commitment to an ongoing process of self-inquiry, of discovery, of illuminating the unlit aspects of our subconscious that often drive us without our knowing it.

This is what I mean by soul at work. I do not presume to be the authority in this; I do not want you to think I am laying down an exact formula. But if we continue this line of inquiry in our respective work places, I believe we will open up great and wonderful possibilities. I believe any organization that encourages such a dialogue will stand at the very forefront of meaningful change and progress. I believe that such organizations will be known as much for what they do as how they do it; such organizations will be known as much for their products and services as for their ethics, values, and principles.

Liberating and nourishing the human soul within the workplace is a gift the world sorely needs at this time. Please be generous in your giving.

© 2000/ Robert Rabbin/All rights reserved

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Robert Rabbin is a contemporary mystic and catalyst for clarity, freedom, and joy. He began practicing meditation and self-inquiry in 1969 and subsequently spent ten years studying with meditation master Swami Muktananda. Since 1985, Robert has been lecturing, leading meditative inquiry events, advising professionals and corporate executives, and designing spirit-based retreats for individuals, teams, and organizations. He has also written three books, co-authored three others, and published over fifty articles.

Robert’s new book, “Echoes of Silence,” is now available through bookstores and Amazon.

Voicemail: 415.705.0807
robrabbin@robrabbin.com
www.robrabbin.com

article by George Cappannelli

The Chinese character for crisis is also the symbol for opportunity. As men, I believe we have the crisis part down pat. We’ve demonstrated that for centuries. But I think we are on the verge of blowing one of the truly great opportunities in history. That’s why I believe it’s time for us to come out from behind the roles and rules that have encrusted and restricted us for so long. It’s time to step out from the shadows where our own indifference and about 40 years of criticism by members of the female tribe have driven us. It’s time to reclaim our rights, celebrate our unique gifts, and utilize our incredible skills to design and implement a new quality of life — one that does not seek to reverse the gains made by women, or to substitute new imbalances for some of the abuses and excesses that have arisen in this new politically correct “Era of the Dame.”

Yes, it’s time, for us to stand up again, not in arrogance but as human beings, and most particularly as the powerful, moral and spiritual force that we are. Time to demonstrate a sane, sustainable, humane way of living that is in harmony with the natural forces of the earth.

Not an easy task, is it? Perhaps some of you are not even convinced that it is necessary or desirable. And yet I can’t imagine that many of us really want to defend or extend the kind of insanity we call life in the modern world. Overstressed, overworked, obsessed with financial stability, awash in material comfort and toys—but confused about values, struggling to find meaning, and generally adrift in a sea of rapidly shifting gender paradigms. It’s no picnic, is it?

And who could have predicted it? When those first brave, strident women raised their voices and burned their bras, who could have imagined they’d turn the world upside down?

Apparently it was time to put an end to the somewhat lopsided deal we had been running for centuries. Of course, most revolutions go too far, and that’s true in this case as well. Not all of the changes set in motion have turned out for the best. Nor was the whole story told. Yes, we were guilty — as charged — of repression and unjustified cruelty, of ignorance and insensitivity. We were responsible for creating and maintaining systems that subjugated women; denied them the right to vote and own property, refused them education, and banished their voices from the counsels of governance. Yes, we treated them as property and in some cases still do. So clearly change was long overdue.

Still, it is also true that some of the changes have gone too far. The blaming of men for everything has become endemic and destructive. The stereotyping has been reversed and is equally demeaning. The political correctness is often restrictive, retarding and soulless. And some of the laws passed to redress abuses are sometimes equally abusive.

So what’s my point? That we have to speak up and show up! Before the game becomes just another version of Pin The Tail On The Donkey. We have to get back into active, heartfelt and honest conversation about what life is supposed to be, even if that means dragging some of those politically incorrect questions about roles, rules and responsibilities for both genders, out of the closet and into the light. We have to learn how to model a new kind of behavior that celebrates what it is to be a man, honors what it is to be a woman, and challenges the foundations of both definitions.

It’s time for us to lead the way in reducing and eliminating injustice, inequality and limitation, not only on both sides of the gender divide, but wherever it is found in our world. Time to build bridges of understanding, empathy, and respect between all members of the “human tribe,” and then to create new socio-economic and political structures that sustain this harmony. Yes, it’s time, Brother, long overdue time, for us to remember what is truly possible to accomplish in this intricate and absolutely miraculous experience called life.
It’s time. Brother! Is it ever time!

George Cappannelli is one of the county’s top business consultants and executive coaches. He is the CEO of The Information & Training Company, a business consulting and training organization he founded 15 years ago. His clients include a number of Fortune 500 companies, government agencies and national associations. George is also a writer, whose new book “Say Yes To Change,” which he co-wrote with his wife, Sedena, is part of a new empowerment series. Visit: www.sayyestochange.com He is a working on a new novel entitled “Old Stones & Promises,” and a play, “Coxman, A Celebration of Being Male.” He is also an award winning sculptor whose works in stone, wood, and bronze, are in a number of public and private collections, and an Emmy Award winning director of television, film and theater. To contact him email: infoco1@aol.com

article by Matthew E. Mitchell

California- About 14 years ago I became aware that there were parts of myself that were incomplete. I was raised with four sisters and two mothers. Growing up, my best friends were mostly women. Although I had men friends, I didn’t feel comfortable with them in the same way I did with my women friends. Something inwardly told me that I needed to explore that, and heal it. I decided to form a Men’s Group.

I chose four men that I had come to know through my spiritual practice. It was helpful that we knew each other, and that we had similar values and beliefs. The issues we wanted to address ranged from our mistrust of other men to un-healed “wounds” around the relationships with our fathers. Even though we came together as friends, none of us could have predicted the bond of respect and love that would develop.

We decided that there would be no permanent leader. Each meeting two members of the group would set the agenda, research the topics, come up with the exercises, and facilitate the group. It worked out very well because everyone took his duties seriously. All of the men had experienced some kind of therapy or seminar work. The techniques and exercises that were offered for our exploration were powerful and insightful. As the years went by, the group began to grow. It reached thirteen members by the time I left two years later. The group continued on for another three years.

The benefits I received from being in that men’s group were vast. My mistrust and fear of other men was replaced with respect, compassion and a genuine bond. I came to embrace other men and, and wanted to know their dreams, and their goals. My relationships with men deepened and multiplied. I came to a new level of love, and acceptance with my father. Our relationship is strong and affectionate to this day.

My experience with that group was one of the most transforming experiences of my life. Yet, if you are looking to join a group so that it will bring you some of the gifts mentioned above, consider this: Like everything else in life, you will only be served if you are willing to bring everything YOU are to the group.

**Matthew Mitchell speaks to companies and organizations about being more effective in what they do by working in harmony with “higher principals”. He has a consulting practice, teaching negotiation skills to the fortune 100. As someone who believes in the power of integrating seemingly diverse schools of thought, he has been invited to speak at national and international business and spiritual events.

Matthew resides in Santa Fe, New Mexico with his wife, Deborah and dog, Bodhi.

To contact him call: (505) 988-9595.

To learn more about his background, visit: www.matthewmitchell.com