From a crusader against big tech allowing the exploitation and sex trafficking of children to the Dalai Lama’s argument for mindfulness compassion and selflessness – here are 5 things to listen to and read this week that will open your heart and your eyes to what is, and to what is possible:
1. Annie McAdams is waging a legal battle against Facebook, Instagram, Craig’s List, and other tech companies, for allowing the sex trafficking of minors utilizing their digital platforms to lure and exploit children. She is a crusader with a noble soul and courage like no one I have ever met.
The new episode of Potential to Powerhouse, hosted by the incomparable Tracy Holland features her journey and her mission. It is eye-opening and inspiring. Listen to this story, understand what is going on, and be inspired by what a big difference ONE person can make.
To me, this is the heart of what being a powerhouse is about: it is the ability to rise in and for the service to others.
Favorite Annie quote: “A change in the law is only a case away.”
2. One of my favorite podcasts, STORK’D just came back for Season 2.
In the first episode, we revisit Julia’s family building journey and learn more about what has transpired and in the second, you enjoy the real life story of a multiple-time surrogate, with each episode exploring the many different ways in which people build and define family.
I really hope you enjoy the episode and the season. Favorite Julia quote: “Everyone deserves a family.”
Listen here: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/storkd/id1533849644
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3. What is servant leadership?
By now, many may have heard of the term. Few know how to implement it.
On today’s episode of Coached, Larry Perkins and Erica Franko, MHA help break it down, talk about their own experience and learnings, and give actionable tips you can use to create a more cohesive culture around you right away including the most important action of all: opening your heart.
Listen here and reflect on YOUR ideal form of leadership: https://coachedpodcast.libsyn.com/what-is-servant-leadership
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4. A great hero of mine, this week in the Harvard Business Review his holiness, the Dalai Lama, says that our “strong focus on material development and accumulating wealth has led us to neglect our basic human need for kindness and care.”
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This forms the basis of his argument for mindfulness, compassion, and selflessness to overcome this focus and to reap far greater rewards in terms of our happiness and our results as leaders. First, he recommends slowing down, being objective, and learning to be mindful. Second, he walks us through the idea of selflessness, the anchoring of our perspectives in the desire for the good of all, and in trust in the greater good. Third, he compellingly advocates for compassion. He says: “When the mind is compassionate, it is calm and we’re able to use our sense of reason practically, realistically, and with determination.
I love this article, and hope it serves you:
5. Lastly, looking for a spiritual tune-up? You should, regularly.
Everyone requires a tune-up or some form of continuous maintenance. Like our cars, computers, appliances, just about any and everything we use on a daily basis – wear and tear can be expected, and we all get tired, weary and disconnected from time to time. This is no different when it comes to our spiritual life. In order for us to have a productive and fruitful spiritual life, we have to routinely check in with ourselves and get back to the basic tenets – reading, meditation, and reflection in order to connect with the values and focus that DO have substance (inner life, love, peace, family), as opposed to the nonsense that does NOT have substance (Instagram, shopping, getting ahead).
In particular, sometimes, I get anxious and worried. I worry that showing up at my fullest is “too much,” that I should pipe down a bit. Classic impostor syndrome stuff.
A great place I go for this tune-up is Marianne Williamson’s passage from “A Return to Love,” called: “Our Deepest Fear.” I have it printed out and tacked to my office wall, but here it is for you:
“Our deepest fear is not that we are inadequate. Our deepest fear is that we are powerful beyond measure. It is our light, not our darkness that most frightens us. We ask ourselves, Who am I to be brilliant, gorgeous, talented, fabulous? Actually, who are you not to be? You are a child of God. Your playing small does not serve the world. There is nothing enlightened about shrinking so that other people won’t feel insecure around you. We are all meant to shine, as children do. We were born to make manifest the glory of God that is within us. It’s not just in some of us; it’s in everyone. And as we let our own light shine, we unconsciously give other people permission to do the same. As we are liberated from our own fear, our presence automatically liberates others.”
Read more/ buy the book: http://skdesigns.com/internet/articles/quotes/williamson/our_deepest_fear/
This passage is a wonderful thing to read and upon which to reflect when you feel disconnected, or like the pace of life has gotten the best of you, or when you feel like you may want to just throw all these dreams away and shrink into a corner.
If that’s you, maybe this is what you needed for your tune-up. If it isn’t -there are many more passages out there that WILL assuage your soul. All you have to do is look for them and STAY IN THE SPIRITUAL GYM.