Changing Others - Changing Oneself

“When I was young and free and my imagination had no limits, I dreamed of changing the world; as I grew older and wiser I discovered the world would not change, so I shortened my sights somewhat and decided to change my country, but it too seemed immovable. As I grew into my twilight years, in one last desperate attempt, I settled for changing only my family, those close to me. But alas, they would have none of it!

And now I realize as I lie on my death bed, if I had only changed myself, then, by example, I might have changed my family. From their aspirations and encouragement I would have been able to better my country, and who knows, I might have even changed the world.”

-A message inscribed at the tomb of an Anglican Bishop in Westminster Abbey. Quote from Simple Living in a Complex World by David Irvine

I realize now that something similar may have been written at my tomb if I had I continued concentrating only on the outside world. For many years, I was busy finding ways to change the world. Now, I’m busy changing myself. So simple, and yet, not easy to commit too on a daily basis.

Marquis Bureau

www.genuinecontactway.blogspot.com

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Everything is Always Changing

According to Bernard Glassman, what prevents us from seeing things and ourselves clearly is the clutter of our conditioning.

Conditioning, of course, is very natural, just as the ripples and waves on the lake are natural. Conditioning is due to previous events. When things happen a certain number of times, we form the habit of expecting things to continue happening that way. And so we act as we have in the past. But in actuality everything is always changing. No two moments are the same.

It’s important to realize that we don’t have to forget our past. We only have to le go of our attachments to the past. Let’s say, for example, that I’ve done business with someone who has taken advantage of me five or six times. I shouldn’t forget that. But at the same time, I don’t have to be so attached to what happened in the past that it overwhelms what I think of that person now.

There is a saying in Zen that if you haven’t seen somebody for two minutes, don’t assume he or she is the same person. Maybe that person has changed, or maybe conditions have changed. The important thing is to see what I can do now. If you and I are not bound by our past conditioning, we can see things a fresh. Then every moment contains a new opportunity.

Notre-Dame-de-la-Salette (Québec)

Canada

(819) 766-2873

http://mbureau.blogspot.com

http://gcfrancophonie.ning.com

http://genuinecontactway.blogspot.com

www.mbureau.com

Holistic Leadership Development: September 21-24, 2009, Virginia Beach, Virginia, U.S.A. (pilot workshop offered in English only)

Holistic Leadership Development: October 26-30, 2009, White Point Beach Resort, NS, Canada (workshop offered in English only)

Les pratiques de résolution de conflits (Module 3 du programme Genuine Contact) : 22 au 23 octobre à Gatineau, QC, Canada.  L'atelier est offert en français

Travailler avec la techonologie du Forum ouvert- Working with Open Space Technology (Module 1 du programme Genuine Contact) : 20 au 23 novembre 2009 à Val-David, QC, Canada.  L'atelier est offert en français - Workshop offered in English

L'organisation ouverte et consciente – Conscious Open Space Organization (Module 4 du programme Genuine Contact) : 24 au 27 novembre 2009 à Val-David, QC, Canada.  L'atelier est offert en français - Workshop offered in English

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Our Relationship with Change

Lama Surya Das questions why is it so hard to let go of even superficial attachments? Impossible even? The fact is that most of us have a love-hate relationship with change. We like change, and we don’t like change. We like new and different things, and yet we are attached to the familiar. Comfort food and comforting habits are examples of the way we cling to familiar routines and ruts. Often we cling to habits that aren’t even comforting or satisfying simply because we are unable to let go or explore new ways to do things. Think of all the people who hang on to their addictions because they are resistant to change. Individual change and transformation can be difficult. It takes guts. And sometimes, it requires outside help.

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Social Media Programs in Recession Time

As organizations invest in social media programs, incorporating this shift into the plans should be considered a high priority. Skeptics might say that a more customer-centric approach is natural in a recession when business is scarce. But a recession is not just a time of slow sales. More significantly, it is also a time when the pace of change accelerates, and the competitive landscape of industries is reshaped.

Source: EMarketer
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