Harvesting your Vision

October 23rd, 2008

   PRESIDENT'S WELCOME

   A Harvest Moon

It is a heady time outside.  Even here in Oakland, the season is shifting.  My lips are a little chapped by the winds and the leaves on the trees are turning crimson and gold.  The moon is full tonight, and I am reminded that even amidst all of the transformation there is a constancy, a steady heartbeat that undergirds us all.

I've come to understand that our work in social transformation does not change with the seasons of the sun or the pulse of the political season.  Our work is not dependent on who sits in the Oval Office - our strategies may shift, but the work remains the same.  I sometimes forget this in the midst of all the media bombast and political posturing.  Every new poll has me on tenterhooks until I remember that the last of my tomatoes are still ripening on the vine and the corn in my neighbor's yard will soon be ready to pick.  There is a greater intention, a vision that transcends this moment in time.

I find it helps to remain mindful of my place in all of this movement - a place of collaboration and partnership - I am not the orchestrator of our vast dance of social transformation.   When I remember that my job is to wake up in the morning and say "YES!" to the world, I am less easily distracted by the "News Story of the Minute", and I can gracefully respond to what is going on rather than simply react because I am afraid or out of balance.

If you can, take a moment and look out your window.  Or go outside and walk around whatever you might call a block.  Are your leaves changing?  How is the air?  How are your neighbors?  

Now, having connected with the real world, what might you best be doing today?  This week? This month?

I know that many of you have been doing a lot of heavy lifting this year, and that given our current political and economic situations, your hard work won't lessen anytime soon.  It will be necessary to have a strong vision for your work - a vision that not only will get you up in the morning, but will sustain you for awhile.  Reflect on what will happen when you are successful in manifesting your vision for the world, your organization, or communities.  Remember that there are legions of us with strong and compelling visions - you are not alone.

Arundhati Roy reminds us that "Another world is not only possible, she is on her way. On a quiet day, I can hear her breathing."   I am almost ready to say that this world is already here, and that her breath is our breath.  We are, indeed, the ones...

Our collective visions are greater than any single administration or empire. So take a deep breath, maybe howl at the moon, notice the autumn changes - it's all connected, we're all connected.  

Warmly,

Akaya Windwood

Rockwood Leadership Institute, President & CEO

LEADERSHIP INSIGHT

Resourcefulness

In this time of change and upheaval, we often are pushed to explore whether we have enough, are doing enough, or are enough to meet the challenges we face.

Learn how the stories we tell ourselves impact our ability to create a difference in our own lives and others'.

Some of these perspectives are inherently empowering, life-affirming, helping us achieve our dreams and vision.

Other stories are de-powering, taking away our motivation and energy, limiting our effectiveness and feelings of fulfillment.

For this issue's Rockwood practice, we explore a powerful practice to guide you to more immediate access to acknowledging our opportunities from a perspective of "There's enough" -- a necessary skill for today's leaders.

Learn More >

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