Visionary Leadership, Social Change and You

Visionary Leadership, Social Change and You

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Powerful Women Make a Difference

You could have heard a pin drop as the women shared their stories and their hearts.

Over 100 powerful women gathered last night to hear Marianne Williamson speak about her upcoming workshop in LA.  What impressed me most is the commitment of the the group to whom Marianne was speaking, the Los Angeles Chapter of First Tuesday. Spearheaded by Marcy Cole, Ph.D, First Tuesday USA has an intention to create and expand a vibrant and diverse community for extraordinary women. Inspired by an Oprah challenge, Marcy, a Los Angeles based psychotherapist, also founded The First Tuesday Circle of Giving. Coming together monthly for dinner and speakers, the women of First Tuesday unite networking with heartfelt service to those less fortunate.

Women-power was palpable as several members rose to share their goals for helping others.  Tasia, a young mother of three, is committed to adopting 100 orphaned children.  To date she has adopted 22, as a result of her connection to SOS Children’s Villages.  Thirty dollars a month is all it takes to help a child find a mother, siblings a home, and a village.  To learn more or to adopt a child, go to:  www.sos-usa.org/inspired

SOS was founded in 1949, and they now have almost 500 villages in 132 countries, including the United States. More than 73,000 children are being raised in their villages. Through their programs of education, family strengthening, medical care and outreach programs, the lives of over 1 million people are being impacted each year. What impresses me the most about SOS is their commitment to the family structure. The orphans get a mother, all siblings stay together, so that family ties are sustained and strengthened.

Once a year the First Tuesday Circle of Giving selects a financially challenged or homeless family  as part of a service project. To see videos of their projects, go to  http://snipurl.com/u9z9n. In addition, First Tuesday also donated to A Window Between Worlds (www.awbw.or) an organization dedicated to using the creative arts to help battered women and children end the cycle of domestic violence.  Last year their generous donation benefited a domestic violence shelter in Tulare County.

I’m especially grateful to First Tuesday for their gift, as I’m currently board president for AWBW.  During the last 10 years as a volunteer for AWBW, I have experienced first hand the power of art to end the cycle of domestic violence. What a joy to be in connection with those who choose to give back and help make this world a better place for us all.  Regardless of who or how you choose to serve, just do it.  Your life will never be the same.

Never underestimate a group of determined women to help others!

Why not take the service challenge?  It has been said that service is the highest form of loving.  The way to open up to more abundance is to expand and give your gifts away. They can only return to sender.

Spirituality & the Business of Life

Do what you love and the Spirit will follow! In today’s world there is a growing trend toward applying spiritual principles in everyday life. That includes not only your personal life, but your business life as well.

Millions of individuals are no longer willing to compromise their ethics for their paycheck.  Large portions of corporate Americans are leaving, either by choice or lay off.  Many are choosing to simplify their lifestyle, oftentimes choosing to follow a dream and become entrepreneurs. Greed and corruption have broken the backs of many corporations.

There is a countering ground swell of people who practice applied spirituality. They care, take appropriate action, and actively work to make this world a better place. They have always been there. Now, however, the are becoming more visible.

What is practical spirituality? I refer to spiritual as that which expresses the highest part of our nature, and religion as a container through which we express this nature. Spirituality can be expressed apart from religion, although religion is not really separate from spirituality.

Practical spirituality is the application of spiritual principles to life. Love, faith, integrity, trust, gratitude, acceptance, cooperation, curiosity, joy, service, and creativity represent facets in the fabric of spiritual expression. When these attributes are applied in the business world they foster good will, loyalty, and a host of other benefits to employees and customers alike.

In the four years between 1994 and 1998, the Gallup organization found that the number of people who said they needed spiritual growth jumped from 56 to 82 percent. Today, workshops and books integrating spirituality and business are common. 

Fifteen years ago, the separation between spiritual practice and business was distinct. Boundary crossing was an illicit journey.  As a national karate champion, I had the luxury of sharing my spiritual perspectives with the language of the martial arts. The paradox is that the martial arts are spiritual arts.

Commitment to something you love will eventually blossom into the language of spirituality.  To love life is to live fullyTo live fully requires discipline, or discipleship towards something. Martial arts, a business, a loved hobby, service to others, caring for those you love, and commitment to a cause are all aspects of a spiritual life in action.

Retired Americans  are looking for second or third careers. While some do so out of necessity, others express a heartfelt desire to make a difference in the world – spirituality in action.

Young people have embraced social entrepreneurship and social media as avenues to create change.  It’s not uncommon for entrepreneurs to donate 10% of their income to charities of their choice. Young and old alike are actively reaching out to build bridges of opportunity for those they have chosen to serve.  The gifts they bring gives me hope that, “The best is yet to come.”

If you would like more information about integrating practical spirituality in the business world, register now in the box below for a complimentary tele-seminar on June 18th, 2009, at 6:00 p.m. PST.  The call will be hosted byTom Martin of Martin Media.  Learn how to build your bottom line while lifting your Spirit.

Your confirmation will go directly to your inbox. Please hit the respond button to insure your registration.  Thanks for investng in your own future.

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