Simple and Excellent
Barry Lewis Green
Educator, Speaker, Coach, Writer, Creator ... advancing Character Leadership and Education ... to move forward together, stronger ... engaging change.
Henry Wadsworth Longfellow said, "In character, in manner, in style, in all things, the supreme excellence is simplicity."
5 Weeks left in 2023. Wow. At this stage and age of my life, I should not be surprised at the "speed of life", but there it is. That said, I am reminded of the advice of a mentor decades ago in saying that our unconscious and conscious practice of "looking forward to" causes us far too often to miss the journey along the way. This Week I shared on The Noble Reset... and I am on same. Indeed, other than the next issues of Aim High and A PEACE of WORK... this will be the last blog post for these coming 5 Weeks. That said, and with that somewhat dastardly "looking forward to" thing in heart and mind, I offer up on:
I simply offer up on Simplicity. My own reset has such a focus going into 2024. What would be my best and truest version of being my own simple man? I consider Simplicity...
... read and reflect on the Card above. I suggest the same for us all. What might it look like for each of us heading into 2024? Essentialism speaks to this question. But, what would being content with what we have look like? I offer that it is not about "settling", but accepting where we are, when we are, how we are... knowing that there is journey ahead.
That speaks to amor fati too... in facing life as it arrives. Meeting life at life's speed, and a Pace of Grace, as Linda Kavelin-Popov puts it, if you will. And, what does knowing what we care about look like to each of us? That is Caring Management, in practice. What do we care most about right now? The clearing of clutter and excess... what would that look like for each of us.. that practice of Essentialism? And what of being true to Purpose... and Just Cause? What matters most moving forward? What most has meaning? And appreciating the little things? What does that indeed look like, enjoying our living?
As I reset through the balance of this Year, I am reflecting, praying and meditating on same. I am practicing Candor with myself...
... in doing so. I simply suggest we each reflect on Simplicity and the card above. In a world of change and challenge, Simplicity can sharpen our focus. If DRAMA is about "distractions resisting all meaningful action", Simplicity can be the tool to cut down those distractions. That in mind, here is a five minute talk on Simplicity and Complexity that might be of value. And 6 rules to simplify... via Cooperation...
... and reminding me a bit of the Wisdom of Tom Peters on Excellence.
Simplicity and Excellence, hmmmmm. Read and reflect on both Cards above. What might they look like in practice, in countenance and gait, both this Season and forward? What might simply excellent living look like to you? What would that next 15 minutes of such (as Tom Peters noted) look like?
I wish you a simple and excellent Season, however you Honor it. For me, I am adding to my library of books on Stoicism and Character, evolving my healthy Boxing routine, ever deeper sharpening the blades on what matters most in my work forward, and listening to some Seasonal and other new music I adore. Oh, and check out this one by Chris Rea; beautiful.
For us all, let us Keep It Simple as Joe Calloway might suggest, and keep in mind and heart...
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Justice, Peace and Unity...
And here are some other offerings to possibly consider...
Plus...
And some resources...
And Music...