Happy Soul Food Friday!
This week:
- Killing My Ego
- Embracing What Is Unfolding As a Sign of Spiritual Growth
- Focusing on the Wrong $#!+
- NPR Readers share wishes for 2025
- Leading From Where You Are At
“An individual has not started living
until he can rise above the narrow confines of his individualistic concerns
to the broader concerns of all humanity.”
-Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr.
Embracing What Is Unfolding As a Sign of Spiritual Growth with Mehrad N:
Three Reminders
As we enter this new year, we find ourselves in an era marked by a heightened level of societal division and significant change. It’s no longer just about policy differences; fundamental social principles like truth, ethics, morality, and respect don’t seem to hold the same value as before.
The following three reminders can help us maintain our footing and let our spirit shine in this new year.
1
By Pierre Teilhard de Chardin
“We are not human beings having a spiritual experience; we are spiritual beings having a human experience.”
This reminds us that, at our core, nothing has changed. The essence of who we are remains intact. It is our humanness—the challenges of navigating social norms—that raises questions, leading us to the second reminder.
2
A Quote Often Attributed to Mother Teresa
“People are often unreasonable, illogical, and self-centered; forgive them anyway.
If you are kind, people may accuse you of selfish, ulterior motives; be kind anyway.
If you are successful, you will win some false friends and some true enemies; succeed anyway.
If you are honest and frank, people may cheat you; be honest and frank anyway.
What you spend years building, someone could destroy overnight; build anyway.
If you find serenity and happiness, they may be jealous; be happy anyway.
The good you do today, people will often forget tomorrow; do good anyway.
Give the world the best you have, and it may never be enough; give the world the best you’ve got anyway.
You see, in the final analysis, it is between you and God; it was never between you and them anyway.”
3
A Story from Swami Veda Bharati’s Book: Wholehearted
A Virbal Story
Let me share a story about the Mughal Emperor Akbar and his wise minister, Virbal. All the courtiers were jealous of Virbal because he was clearly the emperor’s favorite. They asked the emperor, “What does Virbal have that we do not?” The emperor promised to answer on another day.
One morning, as his courtiers gathered, the emperor presented a challenge. He drew a line on the board and asked them to “make the line shorter.” It seemed easy! One courtier rushed to erase part of the line.
The emperor stopped him, saying, “No, no. Shorten the line, but do not touch it!”
That was a real puzzle. Nobody could solve it. Finally, the emperor called on Virbal. Virbal got up, took a piece of chalk, and drew a longer, parallel line beneath the emperor’s line:
_________________ the emperor’s line
_______________________Virbal’s line
“Your line is shorter now, Your Majesty,” Virbal declared.
In doing this, there was no need to diminish the work of another or to compete. Virbal went deep within (this is meditation!) and focused on the task at hand. Whoever remains calm, centered, and self-controlled can act constructively and with humility. Whoever learns from the wise will surely achieve “success without competing.”
My fellow travelers,
remember who you truly are,
remember why you do what you do.
remember how to succeed without competing.
Love · Serve · Remember
NPR Readers share wishes for 2025: Be kind to each other and Earth! Learn from birds!
We asked our readers to make a wish for 2025. If even one of these wishes comes true, the world will definitely be a better place!
Readers share wishes for 2025: Be kind to each other and Earth. Watch birds! : Goats and Soda : NPR
Leading From Where You Are At:
As of January of 2025, I just became President of NCPC San Diego.
The North County Philanthropy Council brings nonprofit professionals, volunteers, donors, and businesses together for one purpose – to uplift our community. We know there is power in working together and by connecting and sharing knowledge, we strengthen our nonprofit leaders and professionals. These connections are valuable and vital to enhancing philanthropic impact in our community.
Home – North County Philanthropy Council
We are fostering authentic connections, committed to growing emerging leaders and providing quality programs that drive value to our community.
Here are a few upcoming events if you are looking to upskill, connect and work collaboratively to make a difference in our region. Please join us if you feel inspired!
- NCPC Oceanside Chamber of Commerce Networking Connector: Get to know fellow nonprofit peers, learn about what we can provide together, and promote your cause in a casual and fun environment:
- Tuesday, January 28, 5:00-7:00pm
- $10.00
- Register: https://web.oceansidechamber.com/events/NonProfitMixer-8410/details
- NCPC Mentorship Program Info Session Webinar: If you are interested in a coaching and mentorship program, lead by some of the most experienced leaders in the sector that is focused on emerging leaders, so our ecosystem is more reflective and representative of our demography please join us.
- Thursday, January 30, 12:00-1:00pm
- Free
- Register: https://secure.ncphilanthropy.org/event.jsp?event=128&
- NCPC Meet The Funders Panel Program: Join us as we hear from the Rancho Santa Fe Foundation, the Lucky Duck Foundation and the Jewish Community Foundation about the state of philanthropy locally. Gain valuable insights about the San Diego ecosystem and your part in it.
- Wednesday, February 28, 9:00-11:00am
- San Marcos Civic Center
- $45 Members | $65 Nonmembers
- Register: https://secure.ncphilanthropy.org/event.jsp?event=127&
Grow baby grow!
Thanks this week go to Mehrad N, Eric K and all the Conscious Brothers, the NCPC board, staff and members and all of you standing up for others!
Love,
Neville
Linked-In: https://www.linkedin.com/in/nevillebillimoria
X: https://twitter.com/NevilleB108
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/nbillimoria
“Everybody can be great…because anybody can serve…
You only need a heart full of grace. A soul generated by love.”
– Dr. Martin Luther King
