A PEACE of WORK: July '23

A PEACE of WORK is my newsletter with a focus on building Peace, one thought and conversation at a time. Peace, the sustainable and sustaining kind, requires work... at home, school, work, business and community. Each month, here (and you can check out the June '23 Edition), we offer up TUGtv conversations and thought that can help get us thinking and talking in healthy dialogue. Me thinks we need more of that.

I am a Strength Coach, Speaker and Educator. I teach, coach, mentor, train, facilitate, entertain, sing, dance, cartoon, write, blog, vlog, box and create to advance Character, Purpose and Unity driven leadership. I serve Leaducators, Communitrepreneurs and Emergents looking to build a better world at home, school, work, business and community... locally, globally and glocally. That is my thing. As a Baha'i, I soulfully believe that this is foundational to building a better world and future. You need not be Baha'i, but I hope that these thoughts and conversations will be of value in your life, work and play.

The COOL KNOWledge

For the last two months, I have been exploring COOLness and KNOWledge as strengths of Character. And that has launched me into an exploration of Stoicism in Aim High, starting this month. I also noted that I will be digging into the Virtue that is Adoration this month.

All that said, and for now, I simply encourage you to reflect on Adoration as a Strength of Character. Consider its meaning for you, where it might apply, and what it might look like.

With that in mind and heart, I just completed reading The Obstacle is The Way by Ryan Holiday.... as part of my foray into Stoicism and following my reading of and reflecting on Soul Boom by Rainn Wilson. And, I am adoring it.

Before I move onto Stillness is the Key and Discipline is Destiny also by Ryan Holiday... I thought to share some thoughts on The Obstacle is The Way.

Those Thoughts on the Obstacle and The Way

First, the book caught my attention due to my interest in Stoicism and the testimonial of one Stephen Pressfield, whose work I very much admire.

Second, Holiday explores Perception, Action and Will as three forces in approaching, facing and dealing with "obstacles". The thoughts are very much grounded in Stoicism and draw attention to the need for Forbearance as Strength. He notes the notion of "sangfroid"; the capacity for imperturbability and composure amidst change, challenge and chaos.

Ultimately, what I am taking from the read, for now, is the importance of how we observe and perceive and its impact on our approach to obstacles, plus the need for both action and will ... to stay the course. In ways, it reminds me of the technical definition of Motivation (as I teach it in Organizational Behaviour) and its three-fold requirement of energy, direction and follow through... or the Virtues of Enthusiasm and Purposefulness and Steadfastness. That in mind and heart, here is a Summary of the Book from Ryan Holiday himself.

That all said, I resist sharing any more as I prefer you to draw your own value... but I did find it a well constructed and valuable read... and recommend your own encounter with the material. It speaks to the idea of Will in a way that goes somehow beyond our often flippant use of the term "will power". Now, I ever more look forward to Stillness is The Key as the second of three books from Ryan Holiday... and I will share later this month. I will, indeed.

#hUmaNITY and The Future of Work

Russell Zhetab and Zheng Li and I had a refreshingly cool convo with Suzanne Murdock of the The Hub Newry... around remote working and the future of work. Suzanne brings much to this conversation. You can check it out here. It was balanced and nuanced and engaging. Again, I adored it.

Talk Reel on Care and "Shituations"

Tammy Joy and Christine Ayling and Elaine Dunphy and I held a fun, cool, engaging (and adorable) conversation around Care, self care, and "shituations". 30 minutes of conversation right here ... that you pull a comfy chair up to, get a comforting beverage, and listen in on. Engage and enjoy!

So that is it for this Edition. We hope you do engage, enjoy and find value... and we wish you a wonderful July. Aim High.?

Humans. Together. Strong.

Justice, Peace and Unity...

Barry Lewis Green, aka The Unity Guy with Epic Engage

And maybe check out...

• Explore your Code of Character
• TUGtv Conversations; episodes of engaging dialogue around ideas that matter.