2020- A year of FOCUS - with NO fear

We are approaching another collective milestone - the end of the second decade of the 21st century.  2020 is just around the corner and as is custom this is a time for reflection. We treasure a moment to pause and reflect on all aspects of our lives, our families, our communities, the societies we live in and and the world at large.  

With a cursory review of the last year and the last 20 years, some of us may feel despondent and hopeless in light of the persistent challenges we face as individuals trying to make our way in the world. There are many troubling conditions that assail from all sides - global disunity, partisan political unrest, rise of populism and nationalism, rise of fanatical religious extremism, technological changes, loneliness, petty prejudices infecting our daily lives, economic instability, global refugee crisis, climate change, family breakup, financial stresses to name but a few. Much of what should be private and respectful discourse between ourselves often rapidly descend into public social forums of bitterness and animosity. To what end? With the tools of social-media at our fingertips we often forget the bounty of mature public debate grounded in principles of respect, reciprocity, logic and kind heartedness. I have also fallen for this trap and ask forgiveness for those whom I have offended.

Throughout my life, I have met and continue to meet very generous and incredibly talented people around the world who are genuinely concerned with the well-being of the human race and seeking solutions for our future.  Incredible progress is underway with EV technology, renewables, energy storage, reforestation, biodiversity, supply chain equity and transparency, circular economies, regenerative agriculture ... We all are beginning to experience the impact of a new generation of Millennials and GenYs who are working endlessly to heal our planet. These enlightened souls cause me to reflect in awe at the work they do to advance, however modest, a vision of a global-society. For that I am thankful.

Let’s step confidently into this next decade with a commitment to engage in respectful dialogue around all these issues impacting our hearts and families. I believe it is our spiritual nature that will guide our deliberations as we devise solutions, implement actions, evaluate progress and revise and plan yet again. 

Humanity has evolved from our earliest ancestors- finding unity only in their tribe - through to clans, city-states, kingdoms, nations, commonwealths, global institutions… many steps forward a few steps back. I believe we will, however daunting, continue to experience an ever advancing civilization - but to do so -we need to sustain our planet. We need to accept and embrace the reality of our ‘oneness’ as a human species. This is not an issue of ‘left’ vs ‘right’ or ‘progressive’ vs. “conservative’ or some divisive partisan political talking point. It is an issue of unity - collective action.

So, my humble request is that we support one another, our families, our children, our communities and our fellow human beings to reflect on our environment and the immediate crisis of climate change. To implement solutions we need to focus and accept this looming risk. This is a time of transition and disruption and my generation must act. We need to act collectively.

Please, set aside an hour - only an hour - and consider this engaging initiative by TED Talks.  Countdown is a framework for action, a global initiative to cut greenhouse gas emissions. The year ahead is exciting and I'm optimistic and excited to engage in some very difficult conversations and ACT. Our children expect no less of us.