Claim Your Cause

Simon Sinek speaks of a Just Cause... as inclusive, Service-oriented, born of genuine Idealism, and resilient. A Just Cause is bigger than us, infinite beyond us ... but something around which our personhood, home, school, work, business and/or community can consistently commit. Indeed, it is ultimate Commitment. It is not "kumbaya" nor "passion". It is sustaining and sustainable fuel ... to and for our wholehearted Commitment ... to what we do and for whom; and in the longest of runs.

For me, I keep coming home to Humans Together Strong. This is less a mission or position statement, and more a claim of Commitment... my consciously and unconsciously chosen Just Cause. I unapologetically believe in the power of the human spirit, and in the capacity of Humanity. From my Love of Star Trek, to my robust Curiosity around Stoicism, to my Bahai Faith, I believe in Humanity and its best future. And, I will for Life (regardless of circumstance), choose to contribute to resolutely, relentlessly and resourcefully...

... building Humans Together Strong at home, school, work, business, play, community and commonwealth. That in mind and heart, these words below deeply resonate for me.

ON UNITY

• "'Star Trek' was an attempt to say humanity will reach maturity and Wisdom on the day that it begins not just to tolerate but take a special delight in differences in ideas and differences in lifeforms." --- Gene Roddenberry
• "That which is not good for the bee-hive cannot be good for the bees." --- Marcus Aurelius
• "The well-being of mankind, its peace and security, are unattainable unless and until its Unity is firmly established." --- Bahá’u’lláh

ON CHARACTER and HUMANITY

• "The human race is a remarkable creature, one with great potential, and I hope that 'Star Trek' has helped to show us what we can be if we believe in ourselves and our abilities." --- Gene Roddenberry
• "Waste no more time arguing about what a good man should be. Be one." --- Marcus Aurelius
• “The betterment of the world can be accomplished through pure and goodly deeds, through commendable and seemly conduct.” --- Bahá’u’lláh.

Yes, these words inspire me, engage me, and challenge me; for the long run... in my own choice to help forge Humans Together Strong. I may not be around to see it to fruition, but these words above (and my core belief in Humans Together Strong) fiercely and foundationally fuel my work and Service.

In that chosen work and Service... I explore and advance on Character and Purpose and high functioning Unity. And, my content creation is grounded in it; in exploring and advancing those three fundamental forces. TUGtv is founded on and around it. It is my belief and contention that we need ever more so to consider the well-being, peace and security of our diverse and collective bee-hive. We need ever increasingly consider creating, being and doing that "good" ... for an ever better world and future… for us all.

In Seize What Flees... I noted that "I have long thought that I will not change the world, but I will be the 900 pound gorilla who has the backs of those who will". That said, and following on my 65th Birthday (and World Day of Social Justice) this past Thursday, and about a month ahead of Naw Ruz for this Baha'i with The Fast fast approaching... I am taking some 4 Weeks to dive even deeper inward to imagine what that Just Cause fueled work looks like for this Boy.

What does that work look like in helping to generate "Peace, Purpose, Prosperity" for all. To prosper is to flourish and grow strong and healthy. Humans Together Strong is about that locally and globally and glocally. Justice and high functioning Unity... at home, school, work, business and community. Now, I will meditate some more. I will ever further imagine. I will sketch and draw it out. This will most assuredly evolve through Life (Insh'allah), but I take this time to more deeply discern and decide.

That said...

... my thought today (for us all) is that it is one of Life's Gifts to have the opportunity to take the time and put in the work to discern and decide on Purpose and Just Cause. When we name it, we get to claim it. My encouragement this Day is for you to explore yours.

• Find a 2 or 3 word Statement of Just Cause.
• Maybe it is grounded in one or more of the Global Goals.
• If for business, maybe it is Environmental Excellence Everywhere or Just Economic Growth.... or whatever calls to your soulful sense of Service.
• If personally, maybe it is Peace and Prosperity or Building Connection Everywhere... or Optimism Ready... or whatever calls to your personal sense of Service.

Indeed and in deed, I will be "sharpening the blades" on same. In the meantime, I will periodically and regularly re-circulate this post with its links I think worthy of Consideration.

We each get to discern and decide. Let us get curious. Your Just Cause; make it fun and fierce... and fueling. Maybe start with that WHY thing that does not replace HOW, but strengthens it. Maybe further explore Purpose. In doing so, it will help us find our Strength forward. May the Noblellion continue.

Peace, Purpose, Justice and Unity...

Barry Lewis Green, aka The Unity Guy with Epic Engage

• I am an Educator, Speaker, Coach, Author and Creator helping Educators, Entrepreneurs and Emerging Leaders lead for a better world with Character, Purpose and Unity. I help advance Character, Purpose and Unity as forces for that better world. In so doing, I bring my work as Master Facilitator with the Virtues Project? ... my experience as a Certified Facilitator with Personality Dimensions? ... and my Service as a Facilitator with the Ruhi Institute and as Practitioner of the work of What Color is Your Parachute? since 1982.
• I invite you to check out Character, Leadership and Education...
• ... and 6 Strategies for building Character Leadership
• ... and The Humanity Map
• ... and TUGtv...
• ... and The #hUmaNITY Podcast ... officially launching in March 2025...

• "I had the distinct pleasure of being in an audience in Montreal with Barry Lewis Green on the stage. Quite simply, Barry absolutely captivated us with his talent, his message, and his heart. The feeling of Unity that Barry created in the room that day was extraordinary. I absolutely recommend him for your meeting or event." --- Joe Calloway

• "The Mount Pearl Paradise Chamber of Commerce were fortunate enough to have Barry Lewis Green as a presenter for a Webinar Series we recently offered. He was so engaged with his audience and made everyone feel valued. He brought excitement and energy to our session and certainly shared his passion and knowledge with us. We will certainly be having Barry back for another series. Thanks Barry for being so professional." --- Wanda Palmer

• "I had the privilege of collaborating with Barry on one of our projects, Her Own Boss. His skill in value-based facilitation is nothing short of transformative. With a warm, inclusive teaching style, he connected deeply with our participants, helping them uncover their core values and guiding them in applying these principles to their businesses. I heard great things about him from our previous cohort and I witnessed that firsthand when I attended some of his sessions. If you're looking for someone who can train you/your team in values-driven facilitation, look no further than Barry." --- Serah Gazali

• "The most learned or experienced person is not always the one who helps us grow and thrive. We all grow and thrive with those who ask the important questions in a loving and Noble manner - with the patience to allow our thinking to unfold, our feelings to emerge and our spirits to soar. This is what being in the same space with Barry is like. Working with Barry on #hUmaNITY is such a joy. I feel the excitement of standing before a blank canvas at the beginning of every gathering, exploring the depths of our creative energies throughout the conversations shared, and emerging at the end with a piece that I could not have painted singularly even on my best days. That is what conversations with Barry feels like. He is organized and efficient. Fearless and Bold. Lives with arms wide open.... and has the best questions (which begin with "I wonder....") asked in a most inclusive manner within a safe space that I often forget we are recording and that others will be witnessing our responses." --- Russell Zehtab

• "Barry is compassionately honest. He has the talent to say what needs to be said in a way that people "get" it. His honesty and intelligence come through whether he is presenting on stage or just hanging out with friends. And...have you heard him sing? Man... he has a set of lungs that can wail a tune. Talented, smart and funny, when he takes the stage, he commands the stage." --- Lea Brovedani

• "It takes immense strength of character to insistently amplify the goodness of every individual whose destiny crosses path with one’s own, no matter how briefly. This is who Barry is. The precious gift of Barry’s faith in you compels an irrepressible desire to show up as the best version of yourself. And in a world aching for radical hope and pragmatic wisdom, Barry is the gentle torch bearer whose light is constant amidst the maelstrom of fads. Should you then find your path intersecting with Barry’s, pause for a while in his companionship, and make space for the gift of his life-changing attention. I know because I paused. Barry, my heart continues to expand with immense gratitude for your indescribable presence. And this gift of an expanding heart, is priceless ??" --- Dr. Roslina Chai

• "Working with Barry Lewis Green is a lovely silver lining to navigating through Covid times. We connected for thoughtful monthly Digital Coffees. Barry’s ease with the art of meaningful conversation and asking questions that inspire me to dig deeper always result in a joy-filled journey through many topics. I am one of many colleagues Barry engages with regularly for TUG TV - so many topics, something truly for everyone! Barry’s charismatic personality and zeal for life makes it an absolute joy to work on any project with him. And just wait until Barry launches his BOXSA project!" --- Elaine Dunphy

• "Barry has a presence...I have known of Barry’s work for many years but have gotten to know him as a friend and colleague within the past five. Whether it be in person or during a presentation, he has the uncanny ability to pull on all of your emotions while driving home key messages that provide personal clarity. Barry’s presentation skills can be explained as ‘heavy metal hits’ meets ‘folk tunes’ meets ‘sounds of nature’. He has an arsenal of skills that is quite eclectic. As a Master Facilitator for The Virtues Project and several other impactful programs, he combines a wealth of knowledge with his own extensive library of content creations. He is highly respected and well-connected within the speaking and social action communities. Barry is a true champion of character leadership. He ‘talks the talk’ and ‘walks the walk’. He approaches each and every interaction with passion and ZEAL! I highly recommend reaching out to Barry for collaboration opportunities." --- Trent Langdon

• Barry is a skilled interviewer with insatiable curiosity, and a well practiced initiative virtue that guides him in pursuing the development of character in his teaching, coaching and interviewing endeavors. He bills himself as TUG (The Unity Guy) and EPIC Engage; very accurate monikers for what he does with such excellence. --- Christine Ayling

• "Barry is one of those too-good-to-be true humans who strives to help and inspire other people above all else. He is continuously focused on enhancing the collective good. I really enjoyed collaborating with Barry and look forward to seeing all of his content in the future." --- Elizabeth Burt

• I consider Barry not only an educator, but a true leader. He teaches in the moment- providing the reality of our evolving business world and passes along his insight and perspective that helps people to think outside the box and to value adaptability and flexibility as forms of succession. He is bold, courageous and fun! He puts his ALL in and goes above and beyond to help another! It was an honor having him as a HR Instructor and Business Planning Coach for two years and will continue to be an honor as I pursue my career and maintain a meaningful and beneficial relationship as a CNA Alumni and friend to Barry. --- Jess Jones

• "I've had the pleasure of knowing Barry for over twenty years as a leader, group facilitator, engaging speaker and inspiring educator. I participated in a transformative corporate team building day that Barry designed and delivered to my Skills Canada colleagues from across the country; all participants felt it was an impactful and motivating PD session that inspired trust and action. Barry has volunteered with Skills Canada for over twenty years as the emcee for the most important and cumulative event of the year - our Annual Awards Ceremony. Barry skillfully and humorously keeps the crowd engaged and entertained while maintaining flow and procedure. Barry is also a mentor to our Entrepreneurial program, and as a well-respected educator has inspired several highly-skilled graduates to seek employment with our organization and amplify his impact. Barry is unique, talented, authentic and leads with passion." --- Carole Ann Ryan