A new breed of social change activists has emerged that wants us to become comfortable with complexity, chaos, uncertainty and ambiguity. They contend, and I agree, that we no longer live in a world where we know exactly where we … Read More
Archives
Salt, Seed and Taking Care
Ghandhi’s first act of civil disobedience was aimed at the British Salt Tax. Salt was deeply symbolic to Ghandhi. “Next to air and water, salt is perhaps the greatest necessity of life,” he said. He understood that an item of … Read More
Caring Makes the World go Round
There is a direct link between caring for each other and caring for our planet. Caring is that invisible but indispensable force that connects us to each other and to all forms of life. Caring reminds us that we belong, … Read More
Thinking Like a Voyageur – Prévoyance
Prévoyance is the ability to prepare for the unexpected in a world of uncertainty while maintaining your principles. It is a concept introduced to Canada by the great explorer Champlain. There is no English equivalent. Pity. We could use more … Read More
Angels in the Architecture
I woke up the other day to a radio report that one of the parties in the election campaign will now be ‘turning its guns’ on the leader of another party. I was filled with sadness. Election campaigns are not … Read More
The Truth About Vulnerable
Our culture is inexhaustible in its capacity to ignore the fact of our vulnerability. As a result, we are all becoming more fragile. The fashion, advertising and sports industries ‘sell’ perfection of the body as something we should all strive for. … Read More
Glory Days
August 28th is the 50th anniversary of my near association with glory. I caught a perfect game for the Hearst Lumberkings. The game launched the Lumberkings on a magic season that led to the all-Ontario finals, a unique feat for … Read More
Without a Vision People Perish; Without a Vehicle Vision Languishes
Vickie and I had a short essay about vision rejected recently. It took us a while to understand why. They wanted vision as ‘content.’ We imagined vision as ‘vehicle.’ Vickie and I agree about the importance of describing the details … Read More
Play the Field with Concepts but Stay Faithful to Your Ethics
By all means get to know the latest concept. Date it for a while. Allow yourself to become infatuated with its appearance of perfect possibility. I do! But don’t get too enraptured. Another concept is just around the corner. If … Read More
A River Runs Through John
I wrote the following review of a new book by a new friend, Cormac Russell, about an old friend, John McKnight. For those who don’t know John, he is the man who taught community organizing to Obama. And helped get … Read More