Conversation, Part 2: The Cancer in the System
On organizations, fear, leadership, and the loss of human presence Part 2 of my conversation with Vern Ho on Life, Leadership, and the Courage to Be Human As our conversation continued, Vern began speaking less about his illness directly and more about the deeper patterns he believed were affecting organizations, communities, and society itself. Again […]
Departure
I first wrote Departure nearly 30 years ago and have recently returned to refine it. I’m sharing it again here as the opening piece of a new series, The Work of Being Human. For me, it remains a living reflection on what it means to keep crossing into life. Departure A five-year-old boy, suitcase in […]
Confluence
Decay,and the insistence of growth. Roots crossing,not asking permission—only time. This ground holds what has been,and waits for what I am becoming. I stand here briefly,borrowed. What will take me backis already at work. A confluence—where I belong,because I will not remain. — Soft ground underfoot—what holds me, holds my ending.Roots do not resist. ~Charles […]
How Do We Create Courage in the Face of Distressing Circumstances?
“When we are no longer able to change a situation, we are challenged to change ourselves.” — Viktor Frankl How can you cultivate and maintain courage in the face of overwhelming circumstances? This is not just a theoretical question for me; it’s something I’ve experienced firsthand. In January 2013, after completing graduate school, I found […]
Creating New Life
Outside of Blue River, Oregon, where the community was devastated by the Holiday Farm Fire less than two years ago. Nature is coming back, giving birth to new life. May we find new life through these disruptive, sometimes devastating, times.