"THE OASIS WITHIN" - BOOK CLUB OF ALL-TIME

Tom Morris , Morehead-Cain Philosopher, and in my mind - one of the most profound modern day Philosophers, had a dream, many dreams as a matter of fact. In these dreams ran an ongoing and adventurous "coming of age" story based in the year of 1934, in Cairo, Egypt.

Now imagine...you are able to physically dream, like what actually and physically/spiritually/metaphysically happened to Tom, an ongoing adventure storyline that produces an 8-book novel series! AND...you personally invite various "leaders" from all around the world to join a monthly, online book club to read and discuss the intricacies of each books' content, theories, and most importantly, philosophy - of people, places, experiences, and more!

It is reality, and really is happening as I type this blog, the book club, that began with the prologue "The Oasis Within" book, and has continued with a book a month from the novel series:

• The Oasis Within (Prologue)

1. The Golden Palace
2. The Stone of Giza
3. The Viper and the Storm (As of August 2022, we are discussing this book)
4. The King & Prince
5. The Mysterious Village
6. The Magic Ring
7. The Ancient Scroll

The "Tom Morris Oasis Within Book Club" (which there is no real official name - I gave it this name to write, with permission, about the book club) is virtual. We, all the invited participants, who live and work all around the world, meet once a month at a set time. Prior to each meeting we, at our own pace and space, read the assigned book. The dialogue is deep, it is profound, it holds powerful (Generative, "Power-To" kind of power) meaning, and the correlations from the stories and adventures relate to our lives today, and the hopes for tomorrow.

We are at the half-way point and I feel compelled to share the power of reading and hold space and energy for sharing your thoughts and holding open, vulnerable, honest, and diverse/inclusive dialogue about the books' content, characters, setting, plot, and the conflict and resolutions.

I am a scholarly person, highly degreed, deeply researched and studied, accredited, and certified, and to-date and in all the programs, courses, classes, and trainings I have completed, I have never had the depth and wealth of learning that I am experiencing with Tom's book club. And because of this particular experience (which I have participated in other book clubs), I am deeply inspired and motivated by this approach to continuous learning and growth for leaders and people seeking truth and real prosperity in love and life.

I write about this because recently I inquired to many few of my clients, peers, colleagues and friends about what book club they were in. Only 3 of the 50, or so, I spoke to stated they were currently in a book club, and those that had participated in a book club some time back stated "I should do this again, but it takes time that I currently don't seem to have time for." As a Human Resource - Talent Management and Organizational Effectiveness Consultant, this broke my heart!

It got me thinking about why leaders should join a book club. I found this Harvard Business Review article written by John Coleman, author of HBR Guide to Crafting Your Purpose, Why Business People Should Join Book Clubs. He states, "These groups can help you become a better reader, commit to reading, grow relationships, learn from diverse perspectives, and become a better conversationalist. They can be good for the mind, good for leadership, and good for business." YES!!! And then some!

In my book club we are half-way through and it feels like Christmas each time! Call me silly, it's okay and I am comfortable in that vulnerability, because what I am really experiencing is the authentic and natural LOVE of learning and growing personally and professionally, and the joy of sharing my experience outwardly to inspire and motivate others. The insights and thought-provoking scenarios and situations make me reflect, energize me for my present state, and fuels my hopes, desires, and yes, my own dreams for future state. For such a time as this to be having this experience of continuous learning, fellowship, and creativity. I am not the first to say that our world, its nations, and the leaders within and throughout are in great need of nobility and honor that drives a vision and strategy for creating value, growth, sustainability, satisfaction, and opportunity for ALL stakeholders. (Lori's Economics 101)

In my titling of this blog post, The Oasis Within - Book Club of All-Time, my enthusiasm is not from a branding or boasting position, it stems from a innate sense of gratitude and a deep desire to motivate leaders to align themselves to the abundance of learning opportunities; to make a commitment to owning and engaging in a growth mindset and continuous learning experiences; being responsible and accountable to be present with each experience and sharing their leadership experience outwardly through their work and with their voices for all; and to do so with a sense of nobility, credibility, courage, humility, and discipline. That is why it is "All-Time."

In one of Tom's recent online posts, he shared a picture of the ocean shoreline lined with the foamy froth of the salty water and he wrote: "On the Way We Tend to Live: We act as if the entire ocean is nothing but the inch deep froth on the edge of the sand. And I responded in comments to his post with, "Oh but the froth is the inspiration to taste the salt, feel the waves rush over our being, to absorb the depths of the ocean, and always desire the hope of the horizon, sunrises and sunsets…Like a VIP invitation." Which lead to me posting this note about learning and leadership.

I hope this blog inspires you to realize there is abundance in continuous learning. It may take re-thinking, challenging your current belief systems, re-prioritizing, and apply energy into those things that align your values, philosophies, and strategies - alignment of your strengths, skills, and motivations that afford optimization of your talents where you are better able to collaborate cohesively to execute strategies for collective results and personal joy and achievement.

JOIN A BOOK CLUB! And for me - As Katy Perry might say, I joined a book club, and I liked it!

I would be remiss to not show Gratitude and Appreciation to my friend and one of my life's "Ali's," Tom Morris. :)

AND - Buy Tom's books and read them! It is my recommendation and you will love them! Guaranteed growth if you so choose.

Lori Harris, Managing Partner, Harris Whitesell Consulting. Check out our blog post on our website for further thought leadership, leadership tips and tools, and learn more about the company, its leaders, and our services.