This week:

Extending Valentine’s Day attention, affirmation and action beyond just one day per year
Couples Who Stay Together Do This Small Thing for Each Other 86 Percent of the Time
What makes a marriage or long-term relationship work? You may think it’s all about romance such as giving great gifts or planning wonderful celebrations on birthdays and anniversaries. Or you may think it’s about great sex and keeping the passion alive. Not so much…
https://www.inc.com/minda-zetlin/marriage-relationships-attention-turn-toward-gottman.html

 

Fostering Inclusiveness
You Can’t Say You Can’t Play with Seth Godin:
Lenny Levine was a great kindergarten teacher. And he ran his class by this one rule.
It’s a bit like giving every kid in the class a valentine’s day card…
https://seths.blog/2020/02/you-cant-say-you-cant-play/

 

Getting Real On The Climate Emergency
Where are We Metaphorically On the Scoville Scale?

 

Nature Doesn’t Lie
Satellite images show iceberg bigger than Seattle break away from Antarctic glacier:
Satellite images from the European Space Agency show when a massive iceberg split from a glacier in Antarctica on Tuesday.
Combined, the images demonstrate how icebergs — the size of major cities and small countries — are breaking off into the ocean at a faster rate due to the earth’s changing climate.
https://www.cbsnews.com/news/satellite-images-show-iceberg-bigger-than-seattle-break-away-from-antarctic-glacier/?ftag=CNM-00-10aac3a

 

The Man Who Called the Financial Crisis Has Another Warning for Investors
The Financial Implications Of the Climate Emergency Are Dire…
An interview with GMO founder Jeremy Grantham
https://www.barrons.com/articles/jeremy-grantham-called-the-financial-crisis-he-has-another-warning-for-investors-51581532462

 

Meet The Man Who Thinks Humans Should Go Extinct
It’s not new information that global warming is slowly but surely destroying our planet. However, as most of us frantically start recycling everything in sight, one person thinks he knows the best way to potentially fix the problem.
That person is American substitute teacher, Les Knight.
https://www.unilad.co.uk/featured/meet-the-man-who-thinks-humans-should-go-extinct/

 

Stay informed and stay active.
Thanks this week go to Cathy J, Moshe E, and all you lovers of humanity that are willing to confront the brutal facts while always maintaining hope!

Please Pay It Forward and Happy Birthday AYSHA!
Love,
Neville

Follow me on Twitter: https://twitter.com/NevilleB108
Follow me on Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/nbillimoria

“The greatest threat to our planet is the belief that someone else will save it.”

This week:
“This World Does Not Want To Be Saved. It Wants To Be LOVED. That’s How You Save IT.”
So, Get Real, Counterprogram Your Reality with Delight, Build Trust and Enjoy the Process Palooza!

Let’s Get Real!
We are only as sick as our secrets and sometimes victims of our own ignorance.
Minimizing trauma of any kind doesn’t allow us to authentically understand and effectively address challenges that so many individuals, families and communities face in our world today.
This story is both deeply person-centered and data-driven and will open your heart.
Kate Kemplin studied military resilience for years – long before her husband experienced a traumatic brain injury in Iraq, and later killed himself. Now, Kemplin is using her expertise to dispel the “myth” that TBIs are “just headaches.”

https://www.pri.org/file/2020-02-11/traumatic-brain-injury-expert-describes-her-personal-loss

 

In these dark, combative times, in the spirit of Valentine’s Day and expressing love, enjoy the most radical counterprogramming you could imagine: a show made up entirely of stories about delight.

Choose Delight in This American Life!

• Understanding delight through American pop culture
• The discipline and rigor of seeking and holding onto delight
• Doing something delightful for the very first time- getting to ride the school bus
• Discovering delight late in life
• Follow the night zookeeper at the Denver Zoo as she doles out snacks and tucks the animals in

https://www.thisamericanlife.org/692/the-show-of-delights

 

11 WAYS TO BUILD TRUST:

Here are some thoughts about how we can build the trust that is essential for great relationships. Many of the suggestions you are already know. Many ideas I share are common sense. However, I’ve found that so often amidst the chaos of life and work we forget the simple and powerful truths that matter most. So here are 11 thoughts about trust. Feel free to share these simple reminders with your leaders, colleagues and team.

1. Say what you are going to do and then do what you say!

2. Communicate, communicate, communicate. Frequent, honest communication builds trust. Poor communication is one of the key reasons marriages and work relationships fall apart.

3. Trust is built one day, one interaction at a time, and yet it can be lost in a moment because of one poor decision. Make the right decision.

4. Value long term relationships more than short term success.

5. Sell without selling out. Focus more on your core principles and customer loyalty than short term commissions and profits.

6. Trust generates commitment; commitment fosters teamwork; and teamwork delivers results. When people trust their team members they not only work harder, but they work harder for the good of the team.

7. Be honest! My mother always told me to tell the truth. She would say, “If you lie to me then we can’t be a strong family. So don’t ever lie to me even if the news isn’t good.”

8. Become a coach. Coach your customers. Coach your team at work. Guide people, help them be better and you will earn their trust.

9. Show people you care about them. When people know you care about their interests as much as your own they will trust you. If they know you are out for yourself, their internal alarm sounds and they will say to themselves “watch out for that person.”

10. Always do the right thing. We trust those who live, walk and work with integrity.

11. When you don’t do the right thing, admit it. Be transparent, authentic and willing to share your mistakes and faults. When you are vulnerable and have nothing to hide you radiate trust.

 

If you are local…

Complimentary Passes for the 3^rd Annual Process Palooza at UC San Diego where I am Keynoting on March 25^th 2020:
The Process Palooza returns to UC San Diego!
Join us on March 25 for a high-energy, day-long conference that celebrates a commitment to business excellence, operational efficiency and continuous improvement.
Process Palooza features engaging keynotes and workshops, an expo area with awesome prizes and the opportunity to network with change leaders from UC San Diego, other universities and the local business community. UCSD executives and our keynote speaker, Neville Billimoria, will kick off the day.
Workshops topics cover Lean Six Sigma basics; continuous improvement success stories from campus, health and local industry; the student experience and more…

Interested?
You’re invited!
Visit processpalooza.ucsd.edu to learn more, and contact angelamiller@ucsd.edu to request a complimentary pass for local non-profits. Space is Limited.

 

Thanks Mission Fed!
This week I celebrated my 18^th year at Mission Fed.
Thanks for the opportunity to serve and transform lives both in our community and through the power of education!

Thanks this week go to Larry H, Rex H, Team UC San Diego and Team Mission Fed!
Please pay it forward…
Love,
Neville

Follow me on Twitter: https://twitter.com/NevilleB108
Follow me on Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/nbillimoria

“Love is misunderstood to be an emotion;
actually, it is a state of awareness,
a way of being in the world,
a way of seeing oneself and others.”
–Dr. David Hawkins

This week:

• Remember Who YOU Are
• An Open Letter To The Comfortable CEO
• Women Now Outnumber Men On U.S. Payrolls
• Where Do Good Ideas Come From?
• Can Slowing Down Help You Be More Creative?

REMEMBER WHO YOU ARE with Jon G:

I live in the Jacksonville, FL area, which has the distinction of being the largest city in terms of geographic area in the United States. We are also home to the St. Johns River, one of the few rivers in the world that flows north. While much of the world’s rivers flow south the St. Johns River flows north.

I believe our identity works the same way.

Most people live from the outside in.

They allow their circumstances, job, role, money, and uniform to define them. They believe they are who society says they are. They believe their identity comes from what they do, not who they are.

They believe that what people on social media say about them defines them.

Unfortunately, this couldn’t be farther from the truth.

Your identity doesn’t flow outside in. It flows in a different direction. It flows from the inside out.

Your identity comes from who you truly are, not what society says you are. The world shares one message but your true identity doesn’t come from the world. It comes from the truth that you know in your heart and soul. It comes from who you are on the inside. It comes from God who put greatness and love and purpose inside you.

While much of the world will continue to flow one way, my hope is that you will flow in the opposite direction. Never let the opinion of others define you. Critics write words but they don’t write the future. You do with your optimism, belief and actions.

Gandhi said, “I will not let anyone walk through my mind with their dirty feet” and when it comes to social media don’t let anyone walk through your mind with their dirty Tweet.

When Superman took off his superman outfit who was he? Many say he was Clark Kent but the truth is he was still Superman. It wasn’t his uniform or cape that defined him and made him powerful. It was the power that existed inside him.

It was his identity that no one could take away.

Remember who you are and remind yourself that no one was the power to take away your identity and define you unless you let them.

When you remember who you are, you will be your most powerful and positive you.

And who are you?

You are a child of God and you are loved.

It’s not politically correct to say it. But I’m saying it because it’s true and I care about you. I know that when you know this you will flow north and flow more powerfully in the direction of your dreams to create the life you were meant to live.

-Jon

 

An Open Letter To The Comfortable CEO with Shannon McCrary:

Dear CEO, as we head toward the middle of the 21st century, I write this letter to shed some light on some blind spots within your company, that may ultimately prevent a successful transition towards a brighter future. While the foundation of your company may appear in safe standing, the reality is that you could be slow dancing in a burning room with your employees and the wider community severely affected. This letter is intended to inform, and hopefully disrupt, the status quo of your organization with a few key points:
https://real-leaders.com/an-open-letter-to-the-comfortable-ceo/

 

Where Do Good Ideas Come From?
Earlier this year, Tesla Motors CEO Elon Musk decided to give away his company’s patents for free. It might seem like a strange business move, but Musk said he wanted to inspire creativity and accelerate innovation.
Writer Steven Johnson says this is the way great ideas have been born throughout history.
https://www.npr.org/2014/06/27/322920914/where-do-good-ideas-come-from

 

Women Now Outnumber Men On U.S. Payrolls:

“It reminds us to take a moment and think about the kind of strides women have made in the labor market,” Stevenson says.
“But also, the future of the labor force is going to involve greater women’s equality.”
https://www.npr.org/2020/01/10/795293539/women-now-outnumber-men-on-u-s-payrolls

 

Can Slowing Down Help You Be More Creative with Adam Grant:
Despite being a self-described ‘pre-crastinator, psychologist Adam Grant says those who slow down — even procrastinate — tend to be more creative, original thinkers.
https://www.npr.org/2016/08/26/490625260/can-slowing-down-help-you-be-more-creative

 

 

If you are local…

Mission Fed Members…

We are showing our appreciation by rewarding lucky winners weekly. All year, we will choose winners each week at random and award $1 Million by year end.

You could win in 2020!

Thank you for choosing Mission Fed! We are showing our appreciation by rewarding lucky winners weekly. All year, we will choose winners each week at random and award $1 Million by year end.

Weekly Drawings:

First Prize
$2,500 1 winner

Second Prize
$1,000 1 winner

Third Prize
$100 160 winners

We make it easy

No need to enter—you automatically get one entry each time you make a purchase with your Mission Fed Debit or Credit card and each time you make a qualifying direct deposit or loan payment. We will choose weekly winners at random. This could be one of your Mission Fed moments!

Please visit MissionFed.com/MoneyMatchPlus for Official Rules. No purchase necessary. See Official Rules for eligibility and alternative method of entry.

 

Thanks this week go to Larry H, Shannon Mc and all of you challenging orthodoxies and making our world better!
Love,
Neville

Follow me on Twitter: https://twitter.com/NevilleB108
Follow me on Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/nbillimoria

“Communication is the real work of leadership.”– Nitin Nohria

This week:

“Blessings for a New Position,” To Bless the Space Between Us: A Book of Blessings

May your new work excite your heart,
Kindle in your mind creativity
To journey beyond the old limits
Of all that has become wearisome.

May this work challenge you toward
New frontiers that will emerge
As you begin to approach them,
Calling forth from you the full force
And depth of your undiscovered gifts.

May the work fit the rhythms of your soul,
Enabling you to draw from the invisible
New ideas and a vision that will inspire.

Remember to be kind
To those who work for you,
Endeavor to remain aware
Of the quiet world
That lives behind each face.

Be fair in your expectations,
Compassionate in your criticism.
May you have the grace of encouragement
To awaken the gift in the other’s heart,
Building in them the confidence
To follow the call of the gift.

May you come to know that work
Which emerges from the mind of love
Will have beauty and form.

May this new work be worthy
Of the energy of your heart
And the light of your thought.

May your work assume
A proper space in your life;
Instead of owning or using you,
May it challenge and refine you,
Bringing you every day further
Into the wonder of your heart.

– John O’Donohue, “Blessings for a New Position,” To Bless the Space Between Us: A Book of Blessings (2008)

 

TOMORROW ISN’T GUARANTEED:

My mom answered the phone and all you could hear was a woman’s voice yelling “Get up here. Get up here!” After the woman calmed down my Mom found out my Grandfather had a heart attack while sitting on the porch of their country cottage in upstate NY.

I watched as my Mom and Dad raced upstairs to get some things and ran to the car and took off in a panic for upstate NY from Long Island. My Dad was a former NYC cop so he turned a usually 2-3 hour trip into 90 minutes by driving 100mph.

When my Dad called that night I asked how Grandpa was doing and he just said in a soft scratchy voice, I’ll tell you everything tomorrow. I was in 8th grade at the time and went to school the next day thinking everything was going to be fine.

Just after lunch I got called to the Principal’s office and was told my Dad was waiting for me in his car outside. When I got in the car I saw tears in my Dad’s eyes. I don’t think I ever saw him cry before so I knew the news wasn’t good. “How’s Grandpa,” I asked?

“Grandpa didn’t make it,” he said choking on his words. “He died last night.” Those words still bring me to tears even now as I write this 36 years later. I just broke down and cried and cried and cried.

When I walked in the front door my Mom was there waiting for me. We hugged and just cried together.

I never had anyone close to me die before. It didn’t seem real. My mind couldn’t accept it. Each day I woke up thinking it was just a bad dream… but it wasn’t. He had a massive heart attack while my Grandmother was cooking in the kitchen and he died instantly.

I learned that day about the fragility of life. One minute you are here and the next you are gone. Tomorrow isn’t guaranteed.

Yet over time you forget. You forget about the temporary nature of life. You forget about your own mortality. You forget that life can be lost and your world can change in a moment… until a day like yesterday when the world learned that Kobe Bryant was killed in a helicopter crash along with his daughter and several of their friends.

When I heard the news I felt once again like that 8th grade kid… shocked, sad, heartbroken and hoping and praying it wasn’t true. I hate when we’re reminded of the fragility of life. I always think people are going to live forever until they don’t. Even after my Grandparents passed away I never thought my parents would die until I saw them go. I hate it even more when it’s so sudden. I never got to say goodbye to my Grandfather and my heart breaks for Kobe’s family and friends that didn’t get to say goodbye to him and his daughter.

Life is fragile. We don’t know when our time is up. Tomorrow isn’t guaranteed for any of us. So let’s not go through the motions. Let’s care more and put our heart and soul into our life and our relationships today.

NOW is the time to create our masterpiece.

-Jon

 

Letting Music Speak, When We Have No Words…

Here is a set list that might allow you to feel what words cannot say.

Filled with both rebellion and surrender, emotional honesty and spiritual release, heartbreak and loss as well as hope for a better tomorrow and a better self and from a variety of genres to appeal to many palettes, I hope something speaks to your heart, mood and deepest of feelings…

https://open.spotify.com/playlist/739DCRruBbOCj7bQVrMdvE?si=53Z2PxpmScuOmuzozJBGOg

Don’t have/use Spotify?
Here are direct links to the set list:

• We are not gonna take this – The Who https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ZqmC1T9rukk
• Why Me? – Kris Kristofferson and others  https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=f38gW5Jm-Hs
• If I needed you – John Williams and Emmylou Harris https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=QHoAg-LlVVM
• If this is goodbye – Mark Knofler and Emmylou Harris   https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jK_9ppta_M0
• Wildflowers by Tom Petty https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=AldoDm2bV04
• Wild Montana Skies – John Denver  https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wztUGHnSmAM
• Hallelujah – Leonard Cohen   https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=YrLk4vdY28Q
• My Sweet Lord – George Harrison   https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8qJTJNfzvr8
• Give me Love, give me Peace on Earth – George Harrison https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=s-KAvPbO8JY

 

Why in this Modern Age do we Venerate Action and Vilify Reflection?
We can learn a thing or two from the animal kingdom…

 

Stay Healthy!

CORONA VIRUS UPDATE (2019-nCoV)

Risk Assessment
Outbreaks of virus infections among people are always of public health concern. The risk from these outbreaks depends on characteristics of the virus, including whether and how well it spreads between people, the severity of resulting illness, and the medical or other measures available to control the impact of the virus (for example, vaccine or treatment meds). Investigations are ongoing to learn more, but person-to-person spread of 2019-nCoV is occurring. Chinese officials report that sustained person-to-person spread in the community is occurring in China. Person-to-person spread in the United States has not yet been detected, but it’s likely to occur to some extent. While CDC considers this is a very serious public health threat, based on current information, the immediate health risk from 2019-nCoV to the general American public is considered low at this time. CDC is taking proactive preparedness precautions.

There is currently no vaccine to prevent 2019-nCoV infection. The best way to prevent infection is to avoid being exposed to this virus. Right now, 2019-nCoV has not been found to be spreading in the United States, so there are no additional precautions recommended for the general public to take. However, as a reminder, CDC always recommends everyday preventive actions to help prevent the spread of respiratory viruses, including:

• Wash your hands often with soap and water for at least 20 seconds. If soap and water are not available, use an alcohol-based hand sanitizer.
• Avoid touching your eyes, nose, and mouth with unwashed hands.
• Avoid close contact with people who are sick.
• Stay home when you are sick.
• Cover your cough or sneeze with a tissue, then throw the tissue in the trash.
• Clean and disinfect frequently touched objects and surfaces.
• All maintenance and cleaning staff should wear appropriate PPEs while cleaning or servicing public areas.

CDC Recommends

While the immediate risk of this new virus to the American public is believed to be low at this time, everyone can do their part to help us respond to this emerging public health threat:

• For everyone: It’s currently flu and respiratory disease season and CDC recommends getting vaccinated, taking everyday preventive actions to stop the spread of germs, and taking flu antivirals if prescribed.

Safety and HR are monitoring bulletins and information from CDC and the World Health Organization. We will update the situation and advise as appropriate.

 

Thanks this week go to John O c/o Danny F, Jon G c/o Larry H, Eric K, & Bob C
What can you do today to pay it forward?
Love,
Neville

Follow me on Twitter: https://twitter.com/NevilleB108
Follow me on Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/nbillimoria

“If you have to ask what Jazz is you will never know” –Louis Armstrong

This week: Don’t Believe Everything You Think!

Celebrating MLK:

Was Martin Luther King, Jr., a Republican or a Democrat?

Political parties are always looking for endorsements from community leaders and other influencers. Having support from prominent figures can make or break a candidate or party. It’s no surprise that sometimes political groups will also try to claim affiliation with historical figures of note.

https://www.britannica.com/story/was-martin-luther-king-jr-a-republican-or-a-democrat

 

‘A Nation Unsettled and on the Brink’ by Dr. Ken D:
Relationships are built on trust.
Families and nations falter or thrive depending on the willingness and ability of members and citizens to learn how to live with their differences, find common ground and trust one another.
https://thehill.com/opinion/campaign/478930-a-nation-unsettled-and-on-the-brink

 

Forget What You Believe!
Inspiration for Conscious Leadership with Eric K:

When I started reading Krishnamurti’s teachings, it wasn’t just my mind that caught fire, my heart lit up, too. Krishnamurti in the early 1900’s, you see, was groomed from childhood by the Theosophical Society to be the world’s next great Spiritual Prophet.

But by his mid-20’s he awoke to Truth and rejected this role. Instead, he called for a revolution in the psyche of every human. He taught that the revolution of consciousness wasn’t affiliated with any outside entity – with any religious, political, or social sect. He taught that meditation, inquiry, and relationships lead to an experience of Truth. For me, he’s the granddaddy of Conscious Leadership – he was a passionate advocate for the need for a radical change in society.

This radical change, I believe, isn’t possible from governments – they’re concerned with holding power, protecting their people, and tending to a massive bureaucracy. This radical change isn’t possible from religious bodies – they’re focused on being right, maintaining control, and advancing a singular ideology.

The radical change that humanity is aching for is available – surprisingly and even shockingly – from leaders of companies. You, business leader, have become the shaper of society. You, business leader, have become the de facto influencer of ideas, ideals, norms, and culture.

So you, my dear leader, are now carrying a mantle of responsibility for your team and organization, and also for the future of mankind. Are you ready for this? Are you ready to see your role in the unfolding human story? Are you ready to upgrade your consciousness to be a better steward of this responsibility?

Krishnamurti has powerful advice for upgrading our consciousness. “Any conclusion or hypothesis – Individualism or Collectivism, Capitalism or Socialism or Communism, Reincarnation, etc. – is a belief. By accepting a belief, you exclude all other forms of thinking. Belief in God does not mean understanding God. A mind tethered to a belief, hypothesis or conclusion – whether based on its own experience or the experience of others – cannot go far; it is not free but conditioned. Therefore, belief is a hindrance to understanding.”

Krishnamurti’s suggestion – question your beliefs – is a terrifying idea. What am I if not my beliefs?
Or as Stan, an experienced COO, put it, “My beliefs are right, they’re not random. If I doubt myself then the world is just mad and chaotic!”

But the conscious leader journey passes through the gates of doubt, travels the path of uncertainty, and enters the arena of Truth. You might begin your conscious leadership practices with recycling, fair trade, and diversity and inclusion, but you have to continue into the practice of Truth.

And I ain’t talking about some highly personal version of truth. In fact, I’m really concerned about a prevalent sickness that’s on display when a leader insists that their truth is “the Only Way.”  It’s a sickness called PSYCHOSCLEROSIS. It’s a hardening of the mind. It’s a stiff, brittle, and rigid mind hardened by too much certainty and too little curiosity.

This condition excludes new and conflicting ideas. And when we exclude ideas, we also exclude people. Leaders and executives with this sickness inevitably generate groupthink, restriction, discomfort, and, ultimately, decline.

Don’t get me wrong, you’ve got to have core values. And guiding principles, of course, are critical. And, you and I blossom with clear purpose and ideals.

No, you don’t need to walk around all day denying every belief every moment.
This could make the simple task of buying a cup of coffee quite maddening.
But refusing to budge from your position isn’t powerful, it’s childish, based in fear, and unconscious.

There’s more power in questioning than in fixed answers.
There’s more power in examining your precious ideas than in killing other’s ideas.
There’s more power in including dissenting voices than in homogeneity.

Einstein, Martin Luther, Martin Luther King, Bill Gates, Marie Curie, Pablo Picasso, Steve Jobs, Buddha, Jesus, Moses, Andy Warhol, Amerigo Vespucci.
These are beacons of genius that shine because of breakout discovery and achievement.
Breakout.
They dissented from the normal, familiar patterns of others around them.
They questioned their tradition, culture, and beliefs.
Their enlightenment came at the cost of their compliance and conformity.

I say, REBELLION IS THE SEED OF ENLIGHTENMENT.
Enlightenment is understanding the non-personal truth.
Rebellion is rejecting the norm.
If the Truth were obvious, we’d all agree.
But we don’t.
Truth isn’t obvious.
If the truth isn’t obvious then we have to seek it away from the norm.

In Zen we call this Beginner Mind. This state is one of curiosity and inquiry. This is a practice of gently and consistently noting our cherished beliefs, opinions, and notions, and setting them aside.

This willing questioning, this suspension of our certainty, this opening to possibility, this mature rebellion, is departing from your comfort zone.
Beyond the comfort zone is innovation, possibility, growth, understanding, and perspective.
Beyond the comfort zone is access to deeper truth.

Beyond the comfort zone is expansive contact with Life.

And “expansive contact” is fancy words for LOVE.
Love is connection. Love is inclusion. Love is endless and holds everything within it.
When we love we don’t judge, we receive.
When we love we don’t push away, we pull closer.
When we love we don’t hurt, we nurture.
When we love we don’t belittle, we value the other.

Love is the most powerful of all the gifts of Beginner Mind.
Love is the most powerful of all leadership principles.
Love and curiosity are the sparks of conscious leadership.

The power you seek in certainty and fixed ideas isn’t sustainable.
The power you seek lies in questioning.
The power you seek lies in Truth.
The power your seek lies in loving.

There’s a trick to being a breakout and conscious leader and person – express your beliefs passionately, but hold them quite lightly.

The path Krishnamurti illuminates for us is the path to a radical and positive change for mankind.
Take his guidance, question your beliefs and reach further with love.
This is the ticket to sustainable power, creative expression, and a thriving society.

In the spirit of leading and learning.
Eric

This Bud’s For 3 and Dwyane Wade:
While a commercial (and this is only made evident at the end), this spot speaks to not just the professional role we play in life, but the personal role and impact we can have that transcends that professional capacity, however we choose to define ourselves…
https://biggeekdad.com/2020/01/bigger-than-basketball/

 

Thanks this week go to HHDL, Dr. Ken D, Eric K, Stan S, Larry H and MLK!
Please pay it forward, choose love and redefine yourself!
Love,
Neville

Follow me on Twitter: https://twitter.com/NevilleB108
Follow me on Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/nbillimoria

“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.

This week: Be Like Basho

“Do not seek to follow in the footsteps of the wise, seek what they sought”— Basho

The Master Student- Life Lessons from the Mind of the Dragon:
At the end of last year, I picked up a magazine as part of an impulse buy at a local grocery store featuring Bruce Lee- cover to cover.
https://www.amazon.com/BRUCE-LEE-OFFICIAL-COLLECTORS-VOL/dp/B082BWZJCD/ref=pd_sbs_14_t_2/142-9993011-2490252?_encoding=UTF8&pd_rd_i=B082BWZJCD&pd_rd_r=26d4290d-81fc-451f-b023-c2f059a33c89&pd_rd_w=2DhKi&pd_rd_wg=igMxv&pf_rd_p=5cfcfe89-300f-47d2-b1ad-a4e27203a02a&pf_rd_r=7340DYGF15NXXBGNSZ2D&psc=1&refRID=7340DYGF15NXXBGNSZ2D

As many of you know, I have been practicing traditional martial arts for over 40 years and still feel like a beginner.

Anyway, some of the articles were really good and the concept that stuck with me most, and that resonated most deeply was the idea of the Master Student.

This is in lieu of striving to become a “Master”, which invariably comes with all its ego-driven elements- regardless of your field of interest from martial arts to music or from science to spirituality.

Last week, with the untimely passing of Neil Peart the virtuoso from the rock band RUSH who was nicknamed “The Professor” for his genius as a percussionist and wordsmith, both artistic worlds that I enjoy deeply, in the last few days, a lot of articles about him are revealing other aspects of his life experience.

Clearly, there are no accidents and it was very validating and serendipitous to see this quote on his home page: https://www.rush.com/band/neil-peart/

“What is a master but a master student? And if that’s true, then there’s a responsibility on you to keep getting better and to explore avenues of your profession.”

This approach explained a lot about Peart’s path to greatness, founded on the same lifelong learning orientation that Bruce Lee’s life and success was built on.

His band mates used to tease Peart about his insistence on doing a month of solo preparation before group practices begun, telling him he’s the only man on Earth who “rehearses to rehearse”.

Neil Peart liked to ask himself a couple of key questions.
One is “What is the most excellent thing I can do today?”
The other query, posed in the face of any moral dilemma, is “What would my 16-year-old self do?”
Ultimately, Peart wanted the freaky, purist kid he once was to be proud of him. “It’s about being your own hero,” he says. “I set out to never betray the values that 16-year-old had, to never sell out, to never bow to the man. A compromise is what I can never accept.”

Instead of Moving like Jagger (no disrespect intended Maroon 5) , maybe for this new decade we can “Be like Basho”

 

Finding Secular Spirituality Through Literature:

This week, Here and Now host Robin Young has been exploring secular spirituality, defined as being concerned with the human spirit or soul as opposed to material things. Unless, of course, those things are books. People often turn to them to answer life’s big questions: How can I be a better person? How can I find joy? How can I process grief? Here is a great interview and some amazing book selections to kick off the new decade.

https://www.wbur.org/hereandnow/2020/01/14/secular-spirituality-books

If you are local:

Preparations have begun for Remake Learning San Diego with exciting family events across the county highlighting innovations in education.
The goal is to highlight the great work already happening here in San Diego.

We Need Your Help!
We encourage you to check out and then post your event information on the Remake Learning San Diego website by Sunday, February 2. Events posted by early February will be included in the Remake Learning national marketing strategy. Please help build the excitement of ReMake Learning by including your events in this inaugural initiative. Our goal is to have 35 – 50 San Diego events populated into our database by the time our website goes live. Please let us know if you would like assistance posting your event; we would be happy to help. Remember, advertising on our website is not only wonderful for our families, it is also great publicity for your organization.

Micro-Awards
Micro-awards, to help defer the costs of events, are still available for up to $500. Applications are available on the Remake Learning website.

We are sending a follow-up newsletter later on this week, so stay tuned! Please feel free to contact us if you have any questions.

Warmest regards,

The San Diego ReMake Learning Initiative Team

Erin English, Ed.D.
Executive Director of Innovation
San Diego County Office of Education
erin.english@sdcoe.net

Lisa Dawley, Ph.D.
Executive Director
Jacobs Institute for Innovation in Education, University of San Diego
ldawley@sandiego.edu

Alina Mitchell, M.A.
Learning Experience Specialist
Jacobs Institute for Innovation in Education, University of San Diego
alinamitchell@sandiego.edu

Katie Martin, Ph.D.
Educator, Author of Learner-Centered Innovation
Vice President of Professional Learning, Altitude Learning
katie@altitudelearning.com

Remake Learning Days in San Diego County is an initiative facilitated by the Innovation Division of the San Diego Office of Education, the Jacob’s Institute for Innovation in Education of the University of San Diego and Altitude Learning.

 

Thanks to all the aspiring master students out there!

Please pay it forward…
Love ALL!
Neville

Follow me on Twitter: https://twitter.com/NevilleB108
Follow me on Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/nbillimoria

“Do not seek to follow in the footsteps of the wise, seek what they sought”— Basho

This week:

With so much craziness in the world, sometimes we just need to go back to basics…

Staying Childlike
A Good Laugh and A Long Sleep Are The Two Best Cures for Anything!

THE KEY TO AN EXCITING LIFE:

I believe I have found the key to happiness and success and it can be observed first hand in millions of homes and children’s hearts during the holiday season. The key is to be like a kid on Christmas morning – Thankful for the gifts you have received and optimistic and excited about the new gifts that are coming your way.

It starts with being grateful. When you are grateful for the gifts in your life, big and small, you always seem to find more things to be grateful about. That’s why abundance will flow into our life when gratitude flows out of our heart.

We become a gratitude magnet and experience more joy, love, peace, and happiness. (Note: I’m not talking about material gifts. I’m talking about the gifts of the heart.)

But what about my desire for a promotion, a better job, more money, more friends, better health, more success you might ask? Isn’t it important to strive for more? Doesn’t gratitude breed contentment and stagnation? How can I be thankful when I know my life can be so much better?

That’s why it’s important to also be optimistic and excited about the new gifts that are coming your way.

Sure you are thankful for what you have but you also look forward to more gifts in the future. You believe that your best days are ahead of you, not behind you. When people ask you how things are going you say, “Getting better every day.”

This was something I learned a number of years ago. At the peak of my misery, struggles and failures I realized I had to stop being disappointed about where I was and needed to start looking forward to where I was going. Once I started being thankful for the simple gifts in my life and became excited about the road ahead I experienced a completely different journey.

When you change your heart and mind you change the direction of your life. 

So what are you thankful for? What is right about your life? Be sincerely grateful. Then think about what your brighter and better future looks like. What do you hope for? Trust it is possible. Get excited.

We often think that we’ll get excited about life when we have a life that is exciting but actually it works just the opposite.

When we get excited about life, we get a life that is exciting. 

In this spirit may you experience amazing gifts this year and may 2020 bring you even greater gifts than you could imagine…

 

Peanuts!
It was October 3, 1950 when “Peanuts” first debuted in seven newspapers under the United Features Syndicate.

Developed by Charles M. Schulz, who was raised Lutheran in Minneapolis and Saint Paul, Minnesota, “Peanuts” ran for nearly 50 years and was published in 2,600 newspapers, 75 countries and 21 languages.
Take the time to look at these gems of wisdom from good old Charles Schultz.
Wishing you a terrific week filled with peace & love.

May You Laugh Like This!
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=IYjCY6qVHCY

 

Thanks this week to Larry H for some of these submissions, and all of you who choose virtue over selfishness, inclusion over division and love over fear!
Please pay it forward this week…
Love,
Neville

Follow me on Twitter: https://twitter.com/NevilleB108
Follow me on Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/nbillimoria

“If the youth are not initiated into the village, they will burn it down just to feel its warmth.”
—African Proverb

This week:

 Ancient wisdom dating back thousands of years gave us the truth about gratitude.
Every single religion (and wisdom tradition) speaks of giving thanks.
All the sages and saviors of the world demonstrated the use of gratitude in all their teachings.
The greatest human beings that have ever lived showed us the way with gratitude, and by their example became shining lights in our history.
Surely this is why Einstein said, “Thank You” hundreds of times every single day!

Hello,
Welcome to Flight ✈️#2020 😀.
We are prepared to take off into the New Year 🎉!
Please make sure your Attitude and Blessings 🙏🏼 are secured and locked 🔐 in an upright ⬆️ position.
All self-destructive 💣devices should be turned off at this time.
All negativity👎🏼, hurt 😢 and discouragement 🤫 should be put away.
Should we lose Attitude under pressure 🤯, during the flight, reach up 🙋‍♀️and pull down a Prayer🙇🏼‍♀️.
Prayers 🙇🏼‍♀️will automatically be activated by Faith🙏🏼.
Once your Faith is activated, you can assist other passengers👨‍👩‍👦‍👦.
There will be NO 🚫❌BAGGAGE 🧰📦allowed on this flight !!!.
The Captain 👨‍✈️ has cleared us for takeoff🛫.
Destination GREATNESS 😤💪🏼.

 

Sport-
This One Minute Video is a Hell of a Good “Kick” Start for the New Year:
Nothing is Impossible…
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1VRzYDQX_iw&feature=youtu.be

 

Health-
The Biggest Wellness Trends of 2020:
Here is to your wellbeing in the new year. Foresight is 2020
https://www.instyle.com/beauty/health-fitness/how-to-start-working-out

 

Science-
The Biggest Scientific Breakthroughs of 2019:

• Capturing a Black Hole
• Fighting Ebola
• The new CRISPR
• Mind-reading Robo-suit
• A Blood Test for Alzheimer’s

https://theweek.com/articles/885357/biggest-scientific-breakthroughs-2019

 

Practical-
28 Things to Help Make 2020 The Cleanest Year of Your Life:
https://www.buzzfeed.com/racheldunkel/things-that-may-make-2020-the-cleanest-year-of-your-life

 

Entertainment-
NPR’s Favorite Movies Of 2019:
(I thought Parasite was mind-bending!)
https://www.npr.org/2019/12/19/788660770/nprs-favorite-movies-of-2019

 

Power Tools-
The 9 Subscriptions You Should Bring With You Into 2020:
https://medium.com/swlh/the-9-subscriptions-you-should-bring-with-you-into-2020-7562c4778bb

 

Remembrance-
Remembering Ram Dass, Psychedelic Pioneer and New Age Guru:
“Soul doesn’t have a fear of dying, ego has a very pronounced fear of dying. The ego, this incarnation is life and dying. The soul is infinite”
Be Here Now!
https://www.cnn.com/2019/12/23/us/baba-ram-dass-death-trnd/index.html

 

Thanks this week go to Moshe E, Mehrad N, &Conscious Leaders & Psychonauts of All Stripes that are leading the way to a better tomorrow
Please Pay it Forward!
Love,
Neville

Follow me on Twitter: https://twitter.com/NevilleB108
Follow me on Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/nbillimoria

“When you are inspired by some great purpose, some extraordinary project, all your thoughts break their bonds.

Your mind transcends limitations, your consciousness expands in every direction, and you find yourself in a new, great, and wonderful world.

Dormant forces, faculties and talents become alive, and you discover yourself to be a greater person by far than you ever dreamed yourself to be.”   

— Patanjali

This week:

Winter Solstice Reflections with Billy S:

The winter solstice was this past Saturday and this begins the winter season. It is a pivot point from which the light will grow stronger and brighter. The longest night and shortest day of the year are followed by a renewal of the sun as days get longer. On this day the sun takes its lowest arc across the sky. On this day the sun sets farthest south on the horizon. Creating a meaningful winter solstice celebration can help us cultivate a deeper connection with nature, family, friends and community.

The winter solstice can be a beautiful reminder that our lives are part of a larger order that’s always changing and renewing. A way to bring warmth, light and cheerfulness into the dark time of the year.

For many millennia humans have marked this sacred time in the yearly cycle of life. The winter solstice can serve as a touchstone to help us cultivate an attitude of receptiveness and appreciation that will carry us through the holiday season.

Reflect on the stillness of the day by cultivating stillness in yourself. Spend more time listening, watching and honoring the slower, quieter rhythm of the season.

Darkness and night are times of rest, dreaming, healing and growth. Seeds must be put into the dark earth in order to send out roots and push up new shoots. Native plants bloom now so that their seeds will be formed and fall to the ground early enough in spring to take advantage of the rains. Plant a seed for a more intuitive, simpler and natural holiday season.

If you want to change something in your life or something about yourself the winter solstice is a good time to work on it.

This longest night can be a time of journeying deep into our inner dreamtime to bring forth a dream that can help us in the new year. A new year with fresh possibilities reborn in us all.

The Winter Solstice is:
A chance to clean house, both inner and outer.
A time for reflection, rest and renewal.
A time for feeding the spirit and nurturing the soul.

Stay in tune with nature!

 

My Christmas Eve:
There are some stories that truly speak to the heart and retired Ohio State Trooper Bob Welsh’s touching poem, “My Christmas Eve”, is certainly one of them…
https://nam10.safelinks.protection.outlook.com/?url=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.youtube.com%2Fwatch%3Fv%3DYt83CS1DxGI&data=02%7C01%7C%7C91653cbc03cb43cbd20008d7834b490e%7C84df9e7fe9f640afb435aaaaaaaaaaaa%7C1%7C0%7C637122231669539388&sdata=Inw7MVG6p%2B02lgtsV58e567sY%2B8vRl5Lu38hTkEmZxo%3D&reserved=0

 

Christmas Trees From Around The World:

The Capitol Christmas tree in Washington , D.C. is decorated with 3,000
ornaments that are the handiwork of U.S. schoolchildren. Encircling
evergreens in the ‘Pathway of Peace’ represent the 50 U.S. states.

The world’s largest Christmas tree display rises up the slopes
of Monte Ingino outside of Gubbio, in Italy ‘s Umbria region.
Composed of about 500 lights connected by 40,000 feet of wire,
the ‘tree’ is a modern marvel for an ancient city.

A Christmas tree befitting Tokyo ‘s nighttime neon display is
projected onto the exterior of the Grand Prince Hotel Akasaka.

Illuminating the Gothic facades of Prague ‘s Old Town Square,
and casting its glow over the manger display of the famous
Christmas market, is a grand tree cut in the Sumava mountains
in the southern Czech Republic.

Venice ‘s Murano Island renowned throughout the world
for its quality glasswork is home to the tallest glass tree
in the world. Sculpted by master glass blower Simone
Cenedese, the artistic Christmas tree is a modern
reflection of the holiday season.

Moscow celebrates Christmas according to the Russian Orthodox
calendar on Jan. 7. For weeks beforehand, the city is alive with
festivities in anticipation of Father Frost’s arrival on his magical
troika with the Snow Maiden.
He and his helper deliver gifts under the New Year tree, or yolka, which is traditionally a fir.

The largest Christmas tree in Europe (more than 230 feet tall)
can be found in the Praça do Comércio in Lisbon , Portugal .
Thousands of lights adorn the tree, adding to the special
enchantment of the city during the holiday season.

‘Oh Christmas tree, oh Christmas tree’: Even in its humblest attire,
aglow beside a tiny chapel in Germany ‘s Karwendel mountains,
a Christmas tree is a wondrous sight.

Ooh la la Galeries Lafayette! In Paris , even the Christmas trees are chic.
With its monumental, baroque dome, plus 10 stories of lights and
high fashion, it’s no surprise this show-stopping department store draws
more visitors than the Louvre and the Eiffel Tower.

In addition to the Vatican ‘s heavenly evergreen, St. Peter’s Square
in Rome hosts a larger-than-life nativity scene in front of the obelisk.

The Christmas tree that greets revelers at the Puerta del Sol
is dressed for a party. Madrid ‘s two-week celebration makes
millionaires along with merrymakers. On Dec. 22, a lucky citizen
will win El Gordo (the fat one), the world’s biggest lottery.

A token of gratitude for Britain ‘s aid during World War II,
the Christmas tree in London ‘s Trafalgar Square has been
the annual gift of the people of Norway since 1947.

Drink a glass of gluhwein from the holiday market at the Romer
Frankfurt’s city hall since 1405 and enjoy a taste of Christmas past.

Against a backdrop of tall, shadowy firs, a rainbow trio of
Christmas trees lights up the night (location unknown).

There is one Christmas Carol that has always baffled me…
What in the world do leaping lords, French hens,
swimming swans, and especially the partridge who won’t come out of the pear tree have to do with Christmas?
This week, I found out.
From 1558 until 1829, Roman Catholics in England were not permitted to practice their faith openly. Someone during that era wrote this carol as a catechism song for young Catholics.
It has two levels of meaning: the surface meaning plus a hidden meaning known only to members of their church. Each element in the carol has a code word for a religious reality which the children could remember.
-The partridge in a pear tree was Jesus Christ.
-Two turtle doves were the Old and New Testaments.
-Three French hens stood for faith, hope and love.
-The four calling birds were the four gospels of Matthew, Mark, Luke & John.
-The five golden rings recalled the Torah or Law, the first five books of the Old Testament.
-The six geese a-laying stood for the six days of creation.
-Seven swans a-swimming represented the sevenfold gifts of the Holy Spirit–Prophesy, Serving, Teaching,  Exhortation, Contribution, Leadership, and Mercy.
-The eight maids a-milking were the eight beatitudes.
-Nine ladies dancing were the nine fruits of the Holy Spirit–Love, Joy, Peace, Patience, Kindness, Goodness,  Faithfulness, Gentleness, and Self Control.
-The ten lords a-leaping were the ten commandments.
-The eleven pipers piping stood for the eleven faithful disciples.
-The twelve drummers drumming symbolized the twelve points of belief in the Apostles’ Creed.
So there is your history for today. This knowledge was shared with me and I found it interesting and enlightening and now I know how that strange song became a Christmas Carol…so pass it on if you wish.’
Merry (Twelve Days of) Christmas Everyone – and, remember, the Twelve Days of Christmas are the 12 days following December 25th.  The Christmas Season runs until Epiphany, January 6.

CHRISTMAS AT ARLINGTON CEMETERY
Arlington National Cemetery

Rest easy, sleep well my brothers.
Know the line has held, your job is done.
Rest easy, sleep well.
Others have taken up where you fell, the line has held.
Peace, peace, and farewell…

These wreaths — some 5,000 — are donated by the Worcester Wreath Co. of Harrington, Maine . The owner, Merrill Worcester, not only provides the wreaths, but covers the trucking expense as well. He’s done this since 1992. A wonderful guy. Also, most years, groups of Maine school kids combine an educational trip to DC with this event to help out. Making this even more remarkable is the fact that Harrington is in one the poorest parts of the state.

 

Happy Holidays Everyone!

Thanks this week go to Billy S, Larry H and everyone sharing the holiday spirit!
What Could We Do Today To Pay It Forward?
Love,
Neville

Follow me on Twitter: https://twitter.com/NevilleB108
Follow me on Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/nbillimoria

“Love your enemies and you won’t have any…”

This week:
As we celebrate the solstice, may we keep our true north in focus even if we can’t see the stars for the clouds…

Especially when faced with brief bouts of evidence to the contrary, do know that the universe is conspiring to support you.

Sew a thought, reap an action
Sew an action, reap a habit
Sew a habit, reap a character
Sew a character, reap a destiny…

THE #1 PREDICTOR AND FACTOR OF SUCCESS

Angela Duckworth, professor at the University of Pennsylvania, identifies grit as the number-one predictor and factor of success. It’s not talent, title, wealth, or appearance. It’s grit, the ability to work hard for a long period of time towards a goal; to persevere, overcome, and keep moving forward in the face of adversity, failure, rejection, and obstacles. Success doesn’t happen overnight. Along the way a leader and team will face countless challenges and will need Grit to find a way forward! And this begs the question. If Grit is so important and individuals and teams really need Grit, then what is it? And if Grit drives us, what drives Grit? I believe Grit is:

DRIVEN BY LOVE…

If you don’t love it, you’ll never be great at it. If you don’t love it, you won’t work to overcome all the challenges to keep doing it. If you love what you do, you won’t quit when the world says you should. You will continue to show up every day, do the work, and discover that success created by the love you have inside you.

INSPIRED BY VISION AND PURPOSE…

If you have a vision for what you want and you know why you want it, you will work hard and persevere in order to achieve it. Your vision and purpose are greater than your circumstances and challenges. When you know your why and you know the way you won’t let obstacles get in the way.

FUELED BY OPTIMISM AND BELIEF…

Research shows that when you believe in a brighter and better future you will continue to take the actions necessary to create it. It becomes a self fulfilling prophecy. What you believe determines what you create.  If you believe it’s possible, you will continue to work to make it happen.

POWERED BY FAITH AND HOPE…

There will be times when your failures and challenges bring you down.  There will be moments you want to give up. It’s during these discouraging times that you need more than positive thinking. You need faith and hope to keep you going. Faith keeps you focused on possibilities instead of problems. Hope keeps you moving towards the future instead of living in the past.

REVIVED BY RESILIENCE…

When you get knocked down your resilience will move you to get back up. You will keep fighting for what you love, what you believe in, what you hope for and what you want. Even when your dream is killed a thousand times, you will keep reviving it and try one more time.

KEPT ALIVE BY STUBBORNNESS…

You just won’t give up. When your dream is revived, your stubbornness keeps it alive. You won’t let your circumstances define you. You are determined to define your circumstances.

AND IF WE’RE HONEST INCLUDES SOME FEAR OF FAILURE AND DESIRE TO PROVE YOURSELF…

The fear of failure I’m talking about is not a paralyzing kind of fear but a healthy dose of fear that causes you to work harder and practice and prepare more. Combine this with a desire to prove yourself that you have what it takes; that you can do it and you’ll keep working to improve in order to reach your goal. All the great ones, no matter how much success they have, still have a healthy dose of fear of failure and desire to prove oneself. It’s what keeps you humble and keeps you working to be great.

 

 

 

Always Look At The Bright Side of Life!

We can All use a Hug at this Time of Year:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=XeNvtECQmxc

Enjoy some Lab Puppy Zaniness and Feel the Stress Melt Away!
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=BOK-2G9GLfY

 

Thanks this week go to Larry H, Bob C and others that dutifully contribute the joy of animals content to our Soul Food additions, keeping them both profound and playful as we are hard on the issues but gentle on the people
Stay Playful, Purposeful and Pay it Forward!

Love,
Neville

Follow me on Twitter: https://twitter.com/NevilleB108
Follow me on Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/nbillimoria