I woke up on the first day of 2017 feeling energetic and excited. I’d set my intention for the year and I felt eager to start…
Now is the Time
In times of crisis, much becomes possible. Structures and patterns that once held a livable, or at least stable, status quo suddenly do not serve.…
The Fragility of Too Much Strength
Reading Carl Jung introduced me to a word that I love: enantiodroma – the tendency of things to change into their opposites. I find references to…
Are You a Person?
I’m writing this post primarily for US citizens who think of themselves as white. In the past several weeks I’ve learned a lot of white citizens are…
Calm and Depth
The following meditation arose during a book group I and a colleague led discussing Brené Brown’s The Gifts of Imperfection. In her chapter on cultivating calm…
Social Diplomacy, Part 8: Vulnerability and Venting
Find places to be vulnerable and vent safely When we’re really trying to step up and be our brightest and most powerful, we’re going to…
Social Diplomacy, Part 7: Find a Position of Strength
Find a position of strength Without strength, diplomacy is not much different than being a doormat. We end up placating people for the sake of…
Social Diplomacy, Part 6: Curiosity, Dignity, and Respect
Treating people with curiosity, dignity, and respect On the Internet, some folks behave as though acting tough, forceful, snarky, and condescending is an effective tactic…
Social Diplomacy, Part 5: Difference and Commonality
Respecting differences, and identifying underlying shared values One interesting way to examine polarization—people defining themselves as enemies to each other—is to look at the underlying…
Social Diplomacy, Part 4: Identifying What Matters
Identifying what matters Diplomacy requires we know what we value, what I am trying to bring about in the world: deep values like Justice, Equality,…