There are only so many ways to discuss two simple principles: loving people and knowing that they are powerful capable and able. No matter what is said, it comes down to a matter of words. I am not sure there are any original ideas or thoughts. If we truly believe that we share the history and experience of humankind, and I do, then it is likely that everything is simply another way of saying the same thing. So what difference does saying something another way make? I’m not convinced it matters at all.

What seems to make a huge difference, however, is the sharing of experience. Quite frankly, I have a hunch that you, our readers, have probably had about enough of me looking at the same issue from yet another perspective. When we began “Connecting in the Center,” the concept was that we would have a wide variety of articles that reflected the experience of our participants and readers. What’s happened in your life? What’s going on with an old case study? How has an organization made use of things you have shared or programs we might have delivered, not from a testimonial perspective, but rather in learning by doing?

The most fun and exciting articles for me to write have been ones where an idea or a principle has been challenged, creating the opportunity for me to look at things newly. It was my intention that there be many voices speaking here, I want to extend an invitation to all of you to look and see what experiences you’ve had that would be useful to share with others.

One of the things that has been pointed out to me is that a great deal of the learning we achieve is quite personal in nature. Certainly, the origins of this work involve intensely personal experiences from our family, not just at the outset but at every step along the way, and that people may be reluctant to discuss these things. I think one of the greatest tragedies of our times is that we do not recognize that we all suffer greatly from the damage in the world. The child of an Islamic family dies and suffers with the same intensity as of Christian or Jewish origin.

How are we going to learn unless we share what becomes part of our experience? Twenty years ago, I was foolish enough to think that because 2,500 teachers had been through the “Motivation, What Works” course that public education in Maine and around the country would have been handled. Inspired teachers would rise up; students would know that they were loved and honored and choose to create lives of value, purpose, joy and contribution. I have come to believe there are two reasons that did not happen besides that obvious, my naivety. It is often easier to return to behavior that does not produce results than it is to do what we know works because it is comfortable and does not require that we give up our story about not being able. The other is that we are surrounded by the agreement that things don’t change easily and there is little agreement for courage under fire.

The difference between what we do

and what we are capable of doing

would suffice to solve most of the world’s problems.

– Mohandas Gandhi

The difference to which Gandhi refers is encouraged in an environment where others can learn from your experience.

It is with this in mind that I invite you into the arena, to engage in the conversation about workability on the planet through the sharing of your experience. What we decide to do with “Connecting in the Center” going forward will have a great deal to do with your response. Also, if you believe we have missed the point, you want something completely different from what has been presented over the past three and a half years, this would be a great time to let us know.

With much love and many blessings!

Namaste!

Bill