True Confessions

photo by Jaime Kowal

Quick, tell me, are you fully in charge of your own thoughts and emotions? Are you clear-headed and fair-minded, and do you always live true to your values?

Or are you often angry, fear-driven, and irrational, with self-destructive habits that steer much of your behaviour—meaning you can be a real brat (there are less generous terms) to your co-workers, employees, partner, kids, or generally anyone who dares cross your path?

Actually, most of us at any given time are probably zigzagging between these mental states with certain things triggering our nasty—or shadow—side. For instance, I got very irritated while we were preparing this issue as Deepak Chopra’s people were not cooperating the way I thought they should. I was fuming with thoughts of reprisal (“Maybe we’ll have to yank the story!”). Our editor Kathy Sinclair and writer Pamela Post, equally invested in the interview, reminded me to go with the flow. In fact, it all turned out fine; Deepak was splendid and we got a great story (see page 10). However, I was left struck by my lack of “self-mastery” in that moment.

In her new book Megatrends 2010:The Rise of Conscious Capitalism, author Patricia Aburdene talks about “self-mastery.” Aburdene, as you’ll recall, is the best-selling author of Megatrends 2000 and Reinventing the Corporation. She asks, “How can you control your environment if you can’t even manage your own thoughts and emotions? In other words, how do you rule the world without first mastering yourself?” She’s talking to business leaders, but obviously this is a question for all of us. Personal growth cultivates wisdom and consciousness and is the linchpin to creating an external climate of social and global change. What have you done lately to pursue self-mastery?

We Want Your Simple Solution
With this issue we’ve kicked off a new feature that asks you to share your favourite ideas for reusing, recycling, and reclaiming. Send your blurb and picture to simplesolutions@shared-vision.com. See page 23 for starters. We’ll reward you handsomely.

Do You Know a Visionary Kid?
We’re preparing a showcase of Visionaries who are under 18 years old. If you have a young candidate whom you believe has made a difference in their community, we want to hear about it. Send your nomination to visionaries@shared-vision.com.

You’re Invited to the Green BBQ
The Vancouver Skyline and Green BBQ Celebration is the next generation of socializing among people who value the environment and are interested in taking care of it. One of the organizers is Green Drinks, a social group that’s had steady growth in its monthly Vancouver gatherings of “anyone who’s interested in green.” The Green BBQ is the super-sized version of this, with more than 500 people expected at Jericho Park on July 24.

This is Green BBQ’s third year, and it’s the first time organizers have publicized it—with SharedVISION as the media sponsor. Ethical Funds Company stepped forward to underwrite the event as Presenting Sponsor, and Choices Markets is supplying food. People who turn out for these events are an intriguing mix of all ages, backgrounds, and groups—small business, big business, not-for-profits, academia, government, self-employed, volunteers, students, concerned citizens... and everything in between. (For more info, see our inside back cover and the Calendar section.) See you there.
It’s all good. It’s all a SharedVISION.

In gratitude,
Rebecca