“Have Death at All Times Before Your Eyes”
— From the 1,500-year-old Rule of Saint Benedict
Fare Thee Well Senator John McCain A True American Hero, and Playwright Neil Simon A True American Treasure:
Powerful Farewell Statement from Senator John McCain
Phoenix, Arizona – Rick Davis, Senator John McCain’s former presidential campaign manager and a family spokesman, read the following farewell statement from Senator McCain at a press conference at the Arizona State Capitol in Phoenix, Arizona this week:
“My fellow Americans, whom I have gratefully served for sixty years, and especially my fellow Arizonans,
“Thank you for the privilege of serving you and for the rewarding life that service in uniform and in public office has allowed me to lead. I have tried to serve our country honorably. I have made mistakes, but I hope my love for America will be weighed favorably against them.
“I have often observed that I am the luckiest person on earth. I feel that way even now as I prepare for the end of my life. I have loved my life, all of it. I have had experiences, adventures and friendships enough for ten satisfying lives, and I am so thankful. Like most people, I have regrets. But I would not trade a day of my life, in good or bad times, for the best day of anyone else’s.
“I owe that satisfaction to the love of my family. No man ever had a more loving wife or children he was prouder of than I am of mine. And I owe it to America. To be connected to America’s causes – liberty, equal justice, respect for the dignity of all people – brings happiness more sublime than life’s fleeting pleasures. Our identities and sense of worth are not circumscribed but enlarged by serving good causes bigger than ourselves.
“‘Fellow Americans’ – that association has meant more to me than any other. I lived and died a proud American. We are citizens of the world’s greatest republic, a nation of ideals, not blood and soil. We are blessed and are a blessing to humanity when we uphold and advance those ideals at home and in the world. We have helped liberate more people from tyranny and poverty than ever before in history. We have acquired great wealth and power in the process.
“We weaken our greatness when we confuse our patriotism with tribal rivalries that have sown resentment and hatred and violence in all the corners of the globe. We weaken it when we hide behind walls, rather than tear them down, when we doubt the power of our ideals, rather than trust them to be the great force for change they have always been.”
“We are three-hundred-and-twenty-five million opinionated, vociferous individuals. We argue and compete and sometimes even vilify each other in our raucous public debates. But we have always had so much more in common with each other than in disagreement. If only we remember that and give each other the benefit of the presumption that we all love our country we will get through these challenging times. We will come through them stronger than before. We always do.
“Ten years ago, I had the privilege to concede defeat in the election for president. I want to end my farewell to you with the heartfelt faith in Americans that I felt so powerfully that evening.
I feel it powerfully still.”
“Do not despair of our present difficulties but believe always in the promise and greatness of America, because nothing is inevitable here. Americans never quit. We never surrender. We never hide from history. We make history.”
“Farewell, fellow Americans. God bless you, and God bless America.”
“I love living. I have some problems with my life, but living is the best thing they’ve come up with so far.”—Neil Simon
To the Editor:
Re “Neil Simon, 1927-2018: A Broadway Master Who Paved the Way for a Sitcom Explosion” (front page, Aug. 27):
In the midst of my unhappy childhood, Neil Simon’s work beckoned me into another world. The little summer theater near where I grew up would present various works each year, and Mr. Simon’s plays featured prominently.
His characters were serious, struggling and, above all to me — so desperate for another experience — so very funny. Mr. Simon once stated: “I love living. I have some problems with my life, but living is the best thing they’ve come up with so far.”
Thank you, Neil Simon. You will always have a place in my heart.
Catherine Grey
Langley, British Columbia
What We Can Learn From History When Two Continents and Three Religions Could Operate Harmoniously in a Spirit of Tolerance and Acceptance:
Some moons ago on a trip to Spain and visiting the city of Cordoba, I was moved to tears in a tiny museum at Torre de la Calahorra by an exhibit called The Meaning of Life in Al-Andalus, when Cordoba was the leading cultural and economic center and the major educational center of Europe.
Here was a time when two continents- Europe and Africa, three major religious/cultural groups- Judaism, Islam and Catholicism operated harmoniously and collaboratively in a spirit of tolerance and acceptance of each other’s beliefs and faiths while arduously practicing their own.
This little booklet captures this spirit from the great leaders of the time; Maimonides Averroes, Alfonso X. & Ibn Arabi and takes about 10 minutes or less to digest
May we learn from history and manifest our own destiny with a weighted scale for equity, a rich tapestry of diversity, all creating a pride of place and belonging for all who are part of the UC San Diego experience where all are presented but none are under-represented.
If you are local…
Several Opportunities to grow your Conscious Leadership, Purpose Practice and Civic Engagement
Must be present to win!
Conscious Leadership Workshop with my friend and colleague Dr. Danny Friedland on Sept 11th in the Golden Triangle
Purpose-Driven Philanthropy at the North County Philanthropic Council with me on Sept 14th in North County
Power in Purpose: 20th Anniversary Cause Conference Early Bird Tickets Close Today- for October 11th (Pre-Conference) and 12th (All Day Event) Sign Up and Bring a Partner!
Join us on Tuesday, September 11th from 5:30 – 8:00p.m. for a Conscious Leadership Workshop.
Hosted by Conscious Capitalism San Diego and Purpose San Diego at Corporate Alliance
Catalyzing Conscious Leadership By Leading Well from Within With Daniel Friedland, MD CEO of SuperSmartHealth
Leadership is an act of influence. Conscious Leadership elevates your influence to lead from your highest self—where you are more self-aware, present, compassionate, confident, decisive and effective—so you can more fully connect with all stakeholders and cultivate conscious actively engaged cultures that thrive in achieving purpose driven results.
Join us for a dynamic and interactive event in which Dr. Daniel Friedland will share a neuroscience and mindfulness-based framework outlining the new science, skills and practices to better navigate stress and optimize your conscious leadership mindset— as well as coach others to do the same—so you can be most influential and fulfilled in creating a meaningful difference for the benefit of all.
Dr. Daniel Friedland, is an expert on the science and practice of Conscious Leadership and author or Leading Well from Within: A Neuroscience and Mindfulness-Based Framework for Conscious Leadership.
“Dr. Danny” helps leaders and their organizations leverage neuroscience and mindfulness-based skills and practices to better navigate stress, clarify vision and purpose, and create high performing teams and thriving cultures to multiply their positive impact in the world. His expertise from publishing one of the early textbooks on Evidence-Based Medicine has enabled him to apply science-based solutions to do so.
WATCH A SAMPLE OF THE TALK HERE
Tuesday, September 11th
5:30-6:00pm Networking, Light Appetizers & Drinks
6:00-8:00pm Presentation & Workshop
Pricing:
- CCSD Members – $15
- Friends of CCSD – $25 (promo code required)
- Purpose San Diego Members – $15 (PURPOSESD)
- Non-Members – $30
New Members – $100 (Become a new member today and get this event for FREE!)
Address/Parking Info:
Corporate Alliance
9540 Towne Centre Dr, Ste 150, San Diego, CA 92121
Parking is free in the main parking lot by the building.
NCPC presents
Keynote Speaker Neville Billimoria
Join keynote speaker Neville Billimoria to explore ways we can think and act differently in our work together. Neville will lead an engaging luncheon discussion on purpose-driven philanthropy to complement our morning workshop.
Neville is an effective communications and values leader, growing organizations through external marketing, media, and sales effectiveness, as well as internal organizational alignment, corporate communications and leadership development.
Mission Federal Credit Union where he has accountability for a strategic array of crucial outward facing functions including marketing, community relations, corporate giving as well as promoting Mission Fed’s public image and brand.
Neville serves on several boards including; 2018 National Philanthropy Day Honorary Committee Chair, AMA Cause Conference 2018 Co-Chair, Conscious Leaders Collective & Conscious Capitalism Roundtable member, Real World Scholars Board member, Alliance 4 Empowerment Board member, Ackermann Foundation Board member as well as Oceanside Promise and Leadership Board/Advisor.
After graduating from UC San Diego, Neville remains involved on the UCSD Alumni Board Executive Committee, and teaching martial arts, yoga and meditation on campus for over 36 years. He is a frequent speaker on topics including brand as culture, purpose-driven leadership, social capital optimization and civic engagement.
Join Neville and NCPC to experience ways we can
keep purpose at the heart of our work!
Friday,
September 14, 2018
Morning Registration: 9:30 a.m.
Workshop: 10:00 -11:30 a.m.
Luncheon Registration: 11:30 a.m.
Luncheon: 12:00 Noon – 1:30 p.m.
Morning Workshop:
$25 for members
$35 non-members
Luncheon:
$35 for members
$45 for non-members
Attend both sessions at a discounted rate!
$55 for members
$75 for non-members
Please note space is limited for Workshop – REGISTER EARLY!
Contact
Sandra@ncphilanthropy.org or 760-729-6711 with any questions.
Location
Westin Carlsbad Resort & Spa
(formerly Sheraton)
5480 Grand Pacific Dr., Carlsbad 92008
Join Chamber of Purpose and other Purpose Leaders at the 20th Annual Cause Conference
$50 OFF EARLY BIRD DISCOUNT EXPIRES AUGUST 31.
USE PROMO CODE “CoPFriends” AT CHECKOUT!
Dear Chamber of Purpose Community,
I’m energized to journey with you on this quest to bring more purpose practices to the people and organizations in San Diego and the region! This summer has flown by, but we’ve been working diligently behind the scenes on a host of set-up efforts.
I’m most pleased to announce that the Chamber of Purpose is co-sponsoring the 20th San Diego Cause Conference along with AMA San Diego. I am honored and excited to co-chair the CauseCon with my friend and colleague, Neville Billimoria. This is the largest conference of its kind on the West Coast and offers remarkable opportunities to connect with purpose-minded leaders in a setting of inspired learning.
Our theme is Power in Purpose: Advancing the New World of Cause + Commerce. We need your continued involvement and engagement in this work to define a new metric for what it means to be HUMAN-KIND in San Diego and beyond! I hope to see you there!
Please register today to take advantage of the Early Bird Discount* and join us to meet and collaborate with leaders from across the for-profit, nonprofit, civic and education business sectors. During CauseCon, we will hold a special Chamber of Purpose update session for you and other colleagues that have been involved over the past year.
And stay tuned for a video update email from Neville and me regarding the latest exciting developments with San Diego Chamber of Purpose.
With much appreciation,
Eric Kaufmann
Executive Director
Chamber of Purpose San Diego
Thanks this week go to those that model the way; past, present and future…
Pay It Forward!
Love,
Neville
Follow me on Twitter: https://twitter.com/NevilleB108
Follow me on Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/nbillimoria
“Have Death at All Times Before Your Eyes”
— From the 1,500-year-old Rule of Saint Benedict
Happy Soul Food Friday! 