In What Moves You? I noted that “I know what moves me… for LIFE, because I have felt the movement; at my core… and unmistakably so throughout my life.” Character, Purpose and Unity… have long and deeply mattered to me. Accountability too. But it is not about being perfect. Perfect as a noun is myth. As a verb, it is our best reality. As Queen Ramotsehoa says, role models and direction are important. But watch the video link again. Consider Accountability, and to whom, and for what? Consider its importance in forging Zeal. Therein lies the path to Accountability. What do you want written on your tombstone?
For me, I am thinking… “Here lies the earthly remainder of Barry Lewis Green. Blessed and happy is he that ariseth to promote the best interests of the peoples and kindreds of the earth. – Baha’u’llah. Humans together, strong.”
And for my life, I wish to strive at Service, work, play and life thusly. LP Jacks said “The master in the art of living makes little distinction between his work and his play, his labor and his leisure, his mind and his body, his information and his recreation, his love and his religion. He hardly knows which is which. He simply pursues his vision of excellence at whatever he does, leaving others to decide whether he is working or playing. To him he’s always doing both.” My own working and evolving version of such is that epitaph above.
Yes, for me… I am meditating on that notion of “Here lies the earthly remainder of Barry Lewis Green. Blessed and happy is he that ariseth to promote the best interests of the peoples and kindreds of the earth. – Baha’u’llah. Humans together, strong.” I am imagining what that looks like living in the now, and moving forward. If that is the truly desired and intended arc of my life, how might it guide my Discernment, Decisiveness and Daring? How does it define my own sense of Accountability and Zeal? How does it impact my approach to teaching and enterprise… and health, home, education and faith? Figuring out what my best “deal” (nay, promise) is, helps forge and fasten my own best sense of Accountability and Zeal, in practice. It Zeals the Deal, lol, ugh. I am going to meditate and reflect some more on this thing. I feel drawn to it, palpably so. So, how about you? What is your “Deal”, your soulful promise, your intended epitaph? What is your Zealing of the Deal? If it helps and you are interested in thoughts and ideas and resources for exploring Purpose, click HERE. Wishing you PEACE…
Barry Lewis Green, The Unity Guy with Epic Engage.
Developing Leadership Character – Ivey Business Journal
“Intelligence plus character—that is the goal of true education.” ― Martin Luther King Jr.
Human greatness does not lie in wealth or power, but in character and goodness. People are just people, and all people have faults and shortcomings, but all of us are born with a basic goodness. ― Anne Frank
Character is like a tree and reputation like a shadow. The shadow is what we think of it; the tree is the real thing. ― Abraham Lincoln
Character cannot be developed in ease and quiet. Only through experience of trial and suffering can the soul be strengthened, ambition inspired, and success achieved. ― Helen Keller
Knowledge will give you power, but character respect. ― Bruce Lee
Sports teaches you character, it teaches you to play by the rules, it teaches you to know what it feels like to win and lose-it teaches you about life. ― Billie Jean King
Our ability to handle life’s challenges is a measure of our strength of character. ― Les Brown
People grow through experience if they meet life honestly and courageously. This is how character is built. ― Eleanor Roosevelt