The Service of Solitude

I was recently granted a most unique opportunity. Two weeks in California, near the beach. By my self. The original plan altered, as they often do, and the end result, was an exploration of the service of solitude. I didn’t do a silent retreat, I saw old friends and met new ones, but in the end I was alone.

I’ve always been an independent person; I’ve traveled solo extensively, I actively seek quiet time without the delightful distraction of others. The idea of solitude doesn’t scare me or make me sad and lonely. I recognize, not everyone is comfortable with solo, and I get that to a certain extent. However, with the constant ‘connection’ available and the normalization of the cell phone tether, it is easier than ever to avoid being alone. With all the connecting, we hardly get a chance to connect with ourselves. As Ester Buchholz, psychoanalyst, clinical psychologist, celebrated author, and gifted scholar shares, “meaningful alone time, it turns out, is a powerful need and a necessary tonic in today’s rapid-fire world. Indeed, solitude actually allows us to connect to others in a far richer way.[1]”

Over the course of the last decade, I have led several trips of volunteers on international projects for various organizations-from Guatemala to India to Indonesia, Kenya and beyond. Getting to be with volunteers is a truly unique experience. It’s full on from the minute they get on their flight. With all the logistics-transportation, hotel accommodations, meals, sleep (or lack thereof), sickness, accidents—and managing expectations of time, value and impact, leading these types of trips is non-stop. It’s remarkable to meet enthusiastic volunteers ready to make a difference, have an adventure and get stretched outside their comfort zone. I learned early on that in order to be fully present and ready, I require at least 30 minutes to run alone in the mornings before heading out for the day. It clears my mind, allows time for reflection and thoughts for improvement while sparking the endorphins that keep me solid during the inevitable changes throughout the day. There is nothing that refreshes me like running through varied landscapes. I have learned city patterns across this miraculous globe by running up and down streets, roads and trails. This practice has solidified the importance of solitude for me. In my normal day-to-day, it’s not always running first thing, sometimes it’s a walk, time in wilderness, a quiet coffee, time with a great book, a bath, whatever calls. The activity itself matters little, as long as it gives time to reconcile thoughts, process emotions and cultivate energy.

In talking and thinking about aloneness or solitude, I often find that we don’t make the time for enriching solo time. Solitude is not valued in our culture and in fact, there is often a negative connotation, either indicating a lack of community or even selfishness. This does not serve us as individuals, or our ability to serve others.

I find the evolution of our language remarkable. Aloneness for example, which is now primarily utilized to describe the absence of others, used to signify the wholeness of one’s being. “In the past century, the way we have handled aloneness has changed dramatically. ‘Alone’ did not always mean an absence of others. The word was coined in medieval times, and originally signified a completeness in one's singular being. In religious terminology, ‘solitude’ typically meant the experience of oneness with God. Yet all current meanings of ‘alone’ imply a lack of something. Invariably, solitude meets with social questioning, if not censure. Even worse, people associate going it alone with antisocial pursuits and unnecessary risk taking. Perhaps most striking, solitude conjures up pangs of loneliness[2].”

In our technologically connected world, we often seek answers for loneliness at the computer screen. Social media provides ‘community’, and the Internet provides stimulation through news, information, relationships, and even sexual imagery. Being connected often provides the illusion of alone time without the benefits of reconnecting with ourselves. According to psychological research, “when an experience is altering our consciousness and we do not discriminate either how or why, then the experience is regulating us[3].”

We have so many important choices throughout each day. Choices that build us up or threaten to lull us into apathy. Choosing to disconnect from technology and reconnect with ourselves is an ultimate service to who we can become. It becomes challenging to hear our own voice, and identify our direction and purpose when the noise is otherwise our constant. But the challenge is worthwhile. Many traditions include solitary journeys to learn, stretch and grow.

What does that look like for you today?

How will you engage in aloneness and cultivate your strength in knowing and service?

[1] Buchholz, Ester. “The Call of Solitude” PsycologyToday.com. 1 January 1998. https://www.psychologytoday.com/articles/199801/the-call-solitude

[2] Buchholz, Ester. Alonetime In A World of Attachment. 1999.  

[3] Buchholz, Ester. “The Call of Solitude” PsycologyToday.com. 1 January 1998. https://www.psychologytoday.com/articles/199801/the-call-solitude

Service of Nature

“Wonder is the beginning of wisdom.”

-Socrates

Nature has always been a source of wonder and awe for me. Growing up in the Rocky Mountains, I got to be immersed in nature almost anytime I wanted. Taking a hike, skiing, heading out on a bike ride, wandering, just taking a simple walk really do wonders for my peace of mind and stress relief. There is majesty in the mountains, no doubt. But the powerful delight I find in the mountains can be found across this great planet. I find solace at the ocean, in old growth forests, in the desert, in the wilderness. Each of these have the power to remind me that I am small, I am only a tiny fraction of what is going on in the complex and buzzing eco symphony of our planet and beyond. And that, right there, that feeling of awe is now shown to be healing!

This past weekend, my adventure partner and I headed out on the last backpack of the year—one last sleep under the stars before the frosts get too intense, the snow too deep, and winter activities begin. Hiking through Indian Peaks Wilderness in autumn is a striking experience, expansive vistas, wooden bridges over cascading creeks, and the last vestige of fall foliage. The feeling of being out, away from the dings and alerts, with the creatures and flora, is an extraordinary experience. It is awe. According to psychologist, Dacher Keltner who heads Berkeley’s Social Interaction Lab, “awe is the feeling of being in the presence of something vast or beyond human scale, that transcends our current understanding of things[1].” Awe is now being studied as a necessary component of happiness and even basic human need.

Keltner’s research suggests that awe connects us and it is likely that we are wired to feel awe in order to act in more collaborative ways, ensuring survival. When we are faced with the majesty of awe—in the midst of wildflower fields, or in a surge of ocean waves, often our me mindset turns to a we mindset as we are reminded we are a part of larger systems.

In a recent article written by Paula Spencer Scott, University of Toronto’s Jennifer Stellar’s research has shown that awe actually alters our bodies. “Awe is the positive emotion that most strongly predicts reduced levels of cytokines, a marker of inflammation that’s linked to depression[2]”. So in case you weren’t tempted by the great outdoors for any other reason, it’s now proving to be a key to health—mental, emotional and physical. And it is my strong opinion that without vital health, our service to others is severely diminished.

I’ve been reading more and more about the increase in what is now being called Nature Deficit Disorder[3]. There is evidence that not having regular access to nature, not experiencing awe, can add to stress and health issues - especially in low-income and urban areas that often have little to no greenery.  Early studies completed by researcher Craig Anderson exhibit the power and service of nature. Anderson’s studies include taking veterans and underserved adolescents white-water rafting, after which, the participants showed marked improvements in “psychological well-being, social functioning and life outlook. Veterans’ stress dropped 30 percent. It’s a compelling pattern,” says Anderson.

These studies are encouraging and show tangible results for what some of us known from experience—being in nature, feeling awe, and being overwhelmed by the beauty on this planet makes us feel better. And when we feel better, less stressed, more available, we are able to be of service in ways in which we may otherwise be too self-consumed. I have a dear friend who used to look at pictures of galaxy when she was feeling overwhelmed or stressed, the hugeness of the universe brought her back to realize that she was so small, that her worries, although real and valid, were not going to be the end of the world. And don’t we all need that reminder sometimes? Doesn’t that help us act more magnanimously? We are not the center; we are pieces of a whole that is utterly complex!

We don’t all live in easy access to wilderness areas, national forests or oceans, but many of us can make the effort to get to a park, hang out in our yards or community gardens, go for a walk along a creek instead of a coffee to catch up with friends and let the service of nature feed us to serve others more wholly.

Where do you find your delight? How is nature serving you to serve others better? I would love to hear your stories, see your pictures and try something new. Hope your weekend is filled with awe!

 “Look deep into nature and then you will understand everything better.”

-Albert Einstein

Deep in the forests of Kosovo

[1] http://parade.com/513786/paulaspencer/feeling-awe-may-be-the-secret-to-health-and-happiness/

[2] http://parade.com/513786/paulaspencer/feeling-awe-may-be-the-secret-to-health-and-happiness/

[3] http://www.npr.org/templates/story/story.php?storyId=4665933

http://news.nationalgeographic.com/news/2013/06/130628-richard-louv-nature-deficit-disorder-health-environment/

Service of Compassion

Happy Friday everyone!

I have been thinking a great deal about the future. While I don’t intend for this blog to be a place for political debate, the current US election cycle has me wondering where we are going and how and why voices will be heard.

Thankfully, there are voices that are speaking up in ways that are hopeful, informed and solution-oriented. One of my most favorite combinations!

I had the pleasure of meeting Sahana Dharmapuri at an event a few months ago, and she is a powerhouse. She is currently the Senior Advisor for the Our Secure Future, a new initiative of the One Earth Future Foundation, which works to strengthen the Women, Peace and Security movement for a more just, and peaceful future transformed by women’s full participation. As such, she is committed to amplifying women’s voices and creating solution-oriented frameworks. Before her time with Our Secure Future, Sahana was an independent gender advisor providing policy advice and training on gender, peace, and security issues to USAID, NATO, The Swedish Armed Forces, the United States Institute for Peace, International Peace Institute, Chemonics, DevTech, and other international development organizations. She has lectured and led trainings on gender and security issues at a variety of institutions including, The Swedish Armed Forces International Training Center for work in Peace Support Operations in Stockholm, USAID Missions, Harvard University, Tufts University, the United States Institute for Peace, the State Department’s Foreign Service Institute, and at three of the major U.S. combat and command centers.              

In 2011, she was appointed a Fellow at the Carr Center for Human Rights Policy at the Harvard Kennedy School of Government. She conceived of and facilitated the First India-Pakistan Dialogue Conference sponsored by His Holiness the Dalai Lama’s Foundation for Universal Responsibility and the Women in Conflict Management and Peace in New Delhi, India in 2001. 

See…a powerhouse.

I am filled with gratitude that she decided to sit down and discuss the role of service in her life and work. As I would have expected, the desire to develop compassion for others has played heavily in her decisions and I am hopeful the following will inspire thoughtful action in each of us!    

1. What does Service mean to you?

I think everyone is of “service”—Just think about your personal relationships. Children and parents serve each other. Mothers and fathers serve each other and their families. Students and teacher serve each other and their communities. Colleagues at work serve one another. Even strangers can help other strangers in the briefest instance. We all have the potential to serve each other through our compassion, our ability to listen, and in offering our unique talents, skills and loves to the world.

Second, my understanding of service is guided by three principles that my mentor has repeatedly shared with me. 

1.     Everything is determined by our hearts.

How do we develop our hearts so that we understand ourselves and others better?  It’s a paradox in life that suffering brings understanding, and helps us develop compassion.  This means that we can take whatever life throws at us and turn it into something positive not only for ourselves, but for others. Compassion for others, respect for human rights, and the dignity of life—this is how we develop our hearts and understand where we can put our energies to best serve others.

2.     Never waste an opportunity.

Sometimes obstacles seem like they rise up to stop us from being the people we want to be in the world. But my mentor has shown me that obstacles are actually our opportunities to challenge ourselves.  Striving for self-mastery, trying to fulfill our potential as human beings—these are important aspects of service. If we don’t aim to improve ourselves, how can we improve the world around us? Self-reflection, self-improvement—these are doorways into being able to help others to your fullest capacity.  So, try and try again. Surprise yourself!

3.     Foster capable people—especially young people.

Being of service means you are putting yourself on the frontlines of life. It doesn’t necessarily mean you have to volunteer in a refugee camp, or a humanitarian crisis. Instead, the frontlines of humanity are exactly where you stand.  You can serve those in your immediate community by offering the best of yourself on a regular basis. Continually asking how can I contribute, in my own way? What am I interested in? And then taking small steps towards doing those things helps everyone. When you are living in integrity with yourself, with your talents, values, and abilities, you have no choice BUT to serve others. Young people especially need guidance and support to strengthen their character.  I firmly believe that we should strive to foster young people to exceed our own abilities. The greatest test of whether or not we have fostered capable young people is when young people surpass us in what they can envision and accomplish to create a better world.

2.    How has a desire to be of service led you to where you are and/or influenced your life decisions

I remember when I was 12-years old my father pointed out an article in the New York Times about Mary Robinson at the United Nations. When I read it, I knew working on peace, human rights and women’s equality was what I was going to do. However, when I was growing up there weren’t many established career paths to do this kind of work.  So, the idea of “being of service” helped to focus my search for opportunities to work on peace, to learn about human rights and international affairs. Being of service is both a right and responsibility. I felt I needed to learn certain things in order to help others.

3.    How the ethic of service has manifested in your work.

I honestly do not think of the word “service” much. Instead, I am compelled by the desire to develop compassion for others, by the desire for self-mastery, and by the absolute conviction that we can, each of us, change the world for the better. I am convinced that everyone on the planet has a tremendous power inside them; the potential to create a more beautiful world that benefits all—men, women, girls and boys.  I am constantly inspired by the women who work on Women, Peace and Security around the world. These women live and work in conflict zones around the world. Extremist violence, climate change disasters, and the oppression of women are only a few of the challenges they face on a daily basis. These women, and the men who support them, sacrifice so much of their personal lives and security to improve the lives and security of countless others.  These are the real revolutionaries and leaders of our time—and I am so thankful to learn so much from their willingness to serve all of us.

Thank you, Sahana, for sharing your perspective and for your commitment to being your best for the service of others. I am inspired by you, by your work and by your conviction to amplify the voices of those who may not otherwise be heard. I agree wholeheartedly that we each have tremendous potential! Are we each utilizing our skills for the utmost benefit,--the benefit of our families, our neighborhood, and our global community? If you’re like me, hearing from Sahana will catalyze that reflection and encourage considerate action.

Interested in learning more? Connect with me and check out Our Secure Future, a semi-autonomous program of One Earth Future. 

Our Secure Future (OSF) is a one of OEF’s semi-autonomous programs, and therefore upholds the OEF vision to achieve peace through governance. Our Secure Future believes that women make the crucial difference to achieving more effective governance and lasting peace.

Three key areas of opportunity to strengthen the global Women, Peace and Security agenda are: 

1   Amplifying women’s voices,

2   Strengthening the global network of women peacebuilders,

3   Promoting committed action by multiple stakeholders to turn policy into practice

Some of the partners and organizations that we work with include: Women’s Alliance for Security Leadership, Empower Peace, the US Civil Society Working Group on Women, Peace and Security, Urgent Action Fund, Global Green Grants, and the United Nations Association.

https://oneearthfuture.org/program/our-secure-future

The Service of Hope

“Isn’t it wonderful that nobody need to waste a single moment before starting to improve the world”

-Anne Frank

Hope is my cornerstone.

I am an eternal optimist. Inherited from my father, bolstered by an enduring light and cemented by trust, hope is my guidepost. When darkness threatens to overcome, and the world seems destined for disaster, I remain hopeful, in large part because of the incredible people I am honored to know.

I had the privilege of attending an event this week, held in a private home in Superior, Colorado entitled, Women at the Crossroads: Human Rights, Security and Climate Change. This unique and thought provoking event highlighted the work of three organizations doing work at the intersection of gender, environment and peace and security: Global Green Grants, Urgent Action Fund and Our Secure Future, a new initiative of the One Earth Future Foundation.

This complex nexus is getting more and more attention with research underscoring the impact of environmental degradation and disaster on security and women, specifically. Primarily responsible throughout the world for sourcing water, fuel for cooking and heating, and food for their families, women have a tremendous challenge and need to create more sustainable solutions.

According to UNWomenWatch[1]

“In many contexts, women are more vulnerable to the effects of climate change than men-primarily as they constitute the majority of the world’s poor and are more dependent for their livelihood on natural resources that are threatened by climate change…Furthermore, they face social, economic and political barriers that limit their coping capacity…when coupled with unequal access to resources and to decision-making processes, limited mobility places women in rural areas in a position where they are disproportionately affected by climate change.

It is important to remember, however, that women are not only vulnerable to climate change but they are also effective actors or agents of change in relation to both mitigation and adaptation.”

While Global Green Grants, Urgent Action Fund and Our Secure Future approach this intersection differently, they each find commonality in messages from their local partners around the world. Over the past few years, all three organizations have received feedback that little progress on issues of climate change or conflict can be made without greater equality and without the engagement of women’s voices and leadership. In response to this need, they gathered at Women at the Crossroads  and have committed to collaborate to better understand the intersection of these issues and develop real, lasting solutions. A short synopsis of each:

Global Green Grants is the leading environmental fund that supports global grassroots action. We believe local people know best how to address the environmental issues impacting their own lives, so we support communities to protect, restore and transform their environments for a sustainable future.

Urgent Action Fund for Women’s Human Rights is a rapid response fund that supports women’s human rights defenders as they create a culture of justice, equality, and peace.

Our Secure Future is a new initiative of the One Earth Future Foundation, which works to strengthen the Women, Peace and Security movement for a more just, and peaceful future transformed by women’s full participation.

Each of these organizations is united by hope; hope in helping build a more empathetic culture, hope for their beneficiaries, hope for change and hope that their work is supporting and empowering.

Kate Kroeger, the Executive Director of Urgent Action Fund shared stories of grantees imbued with grit and tenacity through which she is inspired to continue the, at times toilsome, work of rapid response grant making.   

Ursula Miniszewski, the Program and Development Officer of Gender and Environment at Global Green Grants supports indigenous women in their work to protect land and communities from impending threats, bolstered by their strength, she holds hope that transformation is possible.

The Senior Advisor for Women, Peace and Security for Our Secure Future, Sahana Dharmapuri, is committed to amplifying women’s voices and creating solution-oriented frameworks. As such, she gathered ideas generated at the event to present to the US Civil Society Working Group.

In this particularly nuanced conversation, it gives me tremendous hope to learn about and connect with organizations on the forefront of research and practical application. Despite the challenges, the concerns for personal safety and the tumult, each of these organizations and their partners are committed to making their lives, the lives of their children and their community more secure. That is the service and the light of hope. As Desmond Tutu put it, “hope is being able to see that there is light despite all of the darkness”.

What is your source of hope and how does it serve you and those around you?

Interest in exploring these topics more deeply? Comment or message me directly. To learn more about Global Green Grants and to continue this conversation, check out an event co-hosted by Global Green Grants and The Global Fund for Women on Thursday October 6th at the Posner Center in Denver featuring Mexican indigenous rights activist, Bettina Cruz, on The Fight Against Climate Change and Land Rights in Latin America.

[1] http://www.un.org/womenwatch/feature/climate_change/downloads/Women_and_Climate_Change_Factsheet.pdf

Chief Servant

Hope Shines Here

What a concept. To be a beacon of hope for others is one of the most potent acts of service. Hope brings light, hope shines through the darkness and hope catalyzes community.

"As far as we can discern, the sole purpose of human existence is to kindle a light of meaning in the darkness of mere being."

- Carl Gustav Jung

Over the last several years, I have had the pleasure of getting to know the organization at the center of the Hope Shines Here mantra. Buckner International has a truly global vision of ‘maximizing resources and leadership to serve vulnerable children, seniors and families’. They work to transform the lives of vulnerable children, enrich the lives of senior adults and build strong families. Deeply rooted in Christ-centered tenets, Buckner International is defined by three organizational values:

·      Christ-like

·      Servant Spirit

·      Passion-Driven

Through foster-care and adoption, retirement services, hope centers and family pathways, Buckner International is dedicated to serving the most vulnerable from the beginning of life to the ending of life. Buckner is committed to domestic projects as well as international projects based in Mexico, Guatemala, Peru, Honduras, Kenya, and the Dominican Republic.

There are exceptional people working with Buckner International. I am elated that the President and CEO, Albert L. Reyes, DMin, PhD describes himself as Chief Servant. He is the sixth president to lead Buckner International since the founding in 1879. He is a member of the trustees of the Joint Council for International Children’s Services, the National Hispanic Christian Leadership Conference and the T.B. Mason Institute.

Despite his tremendously busy schedule, Albert agreed to sit down and share his thoughts on service with the W3 Blog community today:  

It would be impossible to count the number of times I have said or written these words: “Let me know how I can be of service to you.” What I mean is that I would really like to know how I can serve you. To be of service means to serve my neighbor. To treat other people the way I would like to be treated. It means I set aside my needs and wants and look to the interests of other people around me.

I learned this lesson early in life, as a nine year old, while working in the family businesses. We owned grocery stores, laundromats, and a candy wholesale distribution company. Our business was service in retail and wholesale markets. My mother impressed up us the value of a customer and what it meant to serve them. My parents would lecture us and teach us “if the customer is not happy, we don’t have a business.” Our goal was to be sure the customer had what they needed and more. I learned about serving in our businesses but I also learned about serving in church. My parents took us every Sunday, Wednesday, and during special events. We had service roles and assignments and we valued the idea of serving others. We were of service to members in the church and to the community at large.

My father and my older brother both served in the U.S. Marine Corps. They were in the “service.” I served in the U.S. Army Reserve under the motto “Pro Deo et Patria,” For God and Country. The calling to serve one’s country was something to be desired; that is, to lay one’s life down for God and country.

This early and life-long orientation to being “of service” has shaped most, if not all, of my vocational decisions. The concept of being “of service” to others is a basic requirement for success and an honorable experience. Bill Hybels, in his book Descending into Greatness, uses the example of Jesus of Nazareth, who descended into greatness by following the leadership of his father to serve. He, being God, came to earth in human form and became a servant, obedient to death, becoming nothing for us. Hybels says that Jesus taught “the way up is down.” This framework has led me to a number of “divine demotions” in vocational roles. Those decisions have led me to where I serve today.

While my title is President and CEO of Buckner International, I view myself as the Chief Servant. My role is to serve those on my team with guidance, counsel, direction, protection, and support so they can be successful in their assignments. I believe that if I serve my leaders well, they will, in turn serve our clients well, with excellence and passion. The greatest privilege I have is to kneel down in front of a child to wash his or her feet, to dry their feet, put brand new socks on and then brand new tennis shoes and ask for the privilege of praying a blessing over them. In the end, the one who serves tends to receive the greater blessing. At the core of Jesus’ inaugural sermon is the concept of serving others. No greater love has anyone that to lay down his life for a friend.

If this strikes you, please check out Albert’s book, The Jesus Agenda: Becoming an agent of redemption. You can learn about it at www.jesusagendabook.com

Thank you, Albert for your demonstration of servant leadership! I am humbled by your grace in supporting and serving those around you. I hope we can all explore the concepts of shining hope and becoming Chief Servants in our own lives, organizations and companies. 

Please connect with me if you are interested in learning more about Buckner International, Albert or any of the messages discussed today. You can also follow Albert on his blog BucknerPrez and on Twitter @BucknerPrez. 

Gratitude and Guests

Greetings!

I hope those Americans reading were able to enjoy and celebrate the 4th of July yesterday. We have a lot to work on as a nation, but there is also a great deal for which to be grateful. I was nearly brought to tears yesterday watching a parade! A parade I have watched countless times over the years. But this year, when the veterans from World War II and the Korean War passed, filled to the brim with pride, despite the heat, I felt it. I was nearly overwhelmed by their sacrifice. I was led to question my own patriotism, would I serve my country? So many have selflessly served countries over the years. And whether you believe in war or a particular war or not...that act of service is filled with courage. So to those who have fought for freedom, thank you.  

Today I am thrilled to begin a guest interview series! I have been blessed to meet and know some truly rad individuals over the years. It’s exhilarating to get to highlight them here, to share the goodness and continue to learn from them. I hope this series brings joy in insight and perspective.

Today's inaugural guest is a man I am honored to call friend. Jamie Van Leeuwen knows a few things about service. He has a jam-packed resume, which I suggest you check out…seriously, it’s rigorous. I will share a few highlights! Jamie is incredibly engaged in the community of Denver and beyond. He serves on several boards, has received countless awards and is often asked to speak at events. Prior to his work in public service, he spearheaded development and public affairs for Urban Peak, a non-profit servicing homeless youth in Denver, after which he was appointed to lead Denver's Road Home. Jamie currently works as the Senior Advisor to Governor Hickenlooper after almost four years as Deputy Chief of Staff and Director of Community Partnerships.

In 2009, after traveling to Uganda and Rwanda as part of the Livingston Fellowship, Jamie founded of the Global Livingston Institute. GLI is a non-governmental organization in East Africa designed to engage students and community leaders, with an aim to develop innovative solutions to poverty. Needless to say, he is high energy, hard working and committed to making an impact! 

I am thrilled he is willing to be my first guest! I have endless questions, but have managed to whittle them to a manageable three questions. I look forward to hearing your feedback and hope you enjoy!

What does 'being of service' mean to you?

Being of service for me has always meant serving the poor and underserved.  It has since I began my work in New Orleans with inner city heroin addicts as part of a study for the Center for Disease Control guided by my graduate work at Tulane.  Connecting young people with access to resources that that they need to be able to live life off the streets and enjoy a quality of life that includes access to food and housing and a social network, became a core value of the work that I have done over the past two decades. 

Over time it has manifested itself in my roles both with the public sector and internationally.  At the end of the day, service for me has meant identifying resources in the community through government and philanthropy and connecting them with those who need them the most

How has a desire to 'be of service' led you to where you are and/or influenced your life decisions?

For me, the desire to serve has influenced most of my life decisions.  My mother was a first grade teacher and my father was a social worker for 30 years.  And they were really good at what they did.  It was a core value in our family that we had an obligation to serve.  As my career developed at Urban Peak and I was invited by the Bonfils Stanton Foundation to receive an inaugural fellowship from John Livingston, my entire program focused on growing my work with the poor.  The Livingston Fellowship allowed me to expand my service outside the Denver community and it took on a more international lens as we began to develop the early phases of the Global Livingston Institute.

I expect that the next phase of my career will continue to focus on service.  Over time you learn a lot in terms of what works and how to deliver services more effectively and with more humanity.  You learn that service is not just about connecting people with resources but treating them with the same respect and kindness that we extend to the people in our own social circles.

How does the ethic of service manifested through your work at GLI or the State of Colorado?

Listen. Think. Act.  The ethic of service defines the GLI.  Our goal is to engage scholars in the art of understanding community and building relationships before we try to fix or change things.  Service does not mean providing charity to someone or enabling or “fixing”.  You learn when doing this work that service takes time.  There are no quick fixes here and helping folks move into housing or go back to work happens when you listen and think before you act.  Our complex social issues from education to affordable housing are solvable, but they take an enormous amount of time and resources if we want the service that we do to be lasting. 

Thank you, Jamie for sharing your well earned lessons! Your wisdom that change is complex and takes time is a much-needed reminder, may we all be diligent in Listening, Thinking and then Acting!

Please let me know if you would like to learn more about Jamie, GLI or are interested in being or nominating a guest for the series. 

The Makings of a Bridge

I have been grappling with writing this post for several days. As I shared last week, I have been in Kosovo attending a most engaging gathering. It has sparked many thoughts, calls for prayers and hope for the future.

A central theme of the gathering was exploring leadership and reconciliation. The co-hosts model these ideals by overcoming years of hatred and hostility through discovery of common ground. As a Serbian and a Kosovar, they have experienced years of division and opposition, yet have chosen to come together in hopes of creating a new standard for stability and peace in the Balkan region. 

I am struck by many of those who gathered to learn how to serve their communities, their leaders and each other in a spirit of reconciliation. It is impossible for me to truly understand the volatility of war, the violence and the decimation that so many have experienced. Over the years, I have had the honor to sit with and hear stories from child soldiers, from survivors of sexual brutality, from children of parents who were victims of ethnic cleansing and from those who violently fought against neighbors in the name of righteousness.

The spirit of the survivor is one of the most tremendous wonders I know.

What is it that allows some not only to survive, but also to seek peace and reconciliation in the face of seemingly insurmountable pain? We all experience some level of divisiveness, pain and trauma - some schism that gives us the opportunity to choose. Do we find the fault line and dig in, or look to explore the makings of a bridge? The list of factions can be made infinite, whether it is Kosovar or Serb, Christian or Muslim, Conservative or Liberal. Finding the differences is the easy part, but where do the foundations of bridges and common ground begin? A starting place is a willingness to be in relationship with someone or a group we don’t understand. What would happen through knowing, perhaps trusting, dare I say even loving a representation of that which we don’t understand? This seems to me to be a brilliant start.

I often find myself internally and at times externally struggling to understand what Christianity has come to represent in the West. I was raised in a church-going home, but feel a deep judgment and rigidity from many of the ‘Christians’ I know. This has formed an ever calcifying perception in my mind of how we have interpreted Christianity and the expectations therein. I have experienced this firsthand, and know it would be much easier for me to settle in my verdict, and whenever I meet a self proclaimed Christian to have a set of prejudices coloring my lens. I can find others who agree and we can rail against them, why the Church has ruined faith, why the Christian right has gone off the deep end, and on and on. We can feel supported in our proclamations and even grow our judgment among one another. I have been in such conversations and am not proud to say it was a rather gratifying experience.

What is much more challenging than coalescing around bias is to acknowledge this judgment I am holding and to walk the talk of reconciliation. I believe shifting the energy from finding the differences to seeking common ground can seismically shift our human experience. 

I feel a deep responsibility as a global citizen to speak the truth I see in the world, to break down the deeply held prejudices I keep and to open dialogue to explore those I don’t even realize. This is a team effort, if there ever was one. I would love to hear from you. What does recognizing and overcoming judgment and prejudice mean to you? What does reconciliation mean to you? And how can you or do you seek it in service of a more peaceful global community?

An iconic monument in Prishtina, Kosovo representing the newness of the formation of the nation

Kosovo and other unraveling mysteries

Map for reference: kosovo-info.com

Today I travel to Pristina, Kosovo to attend a conference, meet new friends and learn as much I can about this beautiful, resilient and constantly evolving nation. The conference is called the International Leadership Conference. Throughout the next several days, people from around the globe will gather to share, learn and foster accountability around integrity-filled leadership. During this time I will be exploring what service leadership means to the participants and will share those insights here with you. I am honored to have the opportunity to glean wisdom from others and create a space for dialogue in which we can all grow in the process.

Travel days for me are days for reflection. Travel presents many unique opportunities—for observation, for quiet, for practicing patience and consideration. I’m often amazed observing how travel causes stress and uncertainty that can lead to quick tempers and boorish behaviors. However, today I was struck by compassion and empathy. Flying to Frankfurt, an elderly couple sat a row ahead and across the isle from me. The husband required a wheelchair and the wife, with pure care and love, gently tended to him the entire flight. Upon landing, two complete strangers eagerly volunteered to assist with their bags and help them towards the exit and down the stairs to the bus to the terminal. All too often, we rush past those who may need an extra hand, concerned about connecting flights, or that pressing email, or getting through customs. I know I can get airport tunnel vision and today was reminded that service can be exhibited especially in the spaces I overlook. The seemingly small act of kindness nearly brought the wife to tears. Service can be as simple as noticing those around us and extended a hand.  

"The fruit of silence is prayer, the fruit of prayer is faith, the fruit of faith is love, the fruit of love is service, and the fruit of service is peace." –Mother Theresa

This quote from Mother Theresa strikes me as particularly relevant today and in preparation for the week ahead. I wonder if small acts of kindness, of service are actually deep acts of faith and love that can lead to healing and towards peace. And if peace is built with bricks of kindness, can’t we all actively build a sustainable peace?