The Six Schools

I just saw a post from Joe Calloway with a message that I needed to "hear" again. Joe said...

• From the book, Keep It Simple: If you’ve ever felt that you should be smarter or more talented, you’re not alone. To one degree or another, we’re all making it up as we go along. You’re in good company. The late, great poet Maya Angelou once said, “Each time I write a book, every time I face that yellow pad, the challenge is so great. I have written eleven books, but each time I think “Uh-oh, they’re going to find me out. I’ve run a game on everybody, and they’re going to find me out.” Here’s a woman who was absolutely brilliant, successful, and universally respected, and she had the same insecurities as you and me. The trick is to figure out what you’re all about and run with it. Forget about who you think you’re “supposed” to be. Who ARE you? Stop trying to be some idealized version of somebody else. If you’re trying to be Taylor Swift, Jeff Bezos, or LeBron James, give it up. It’s already been done by the originals; we have already seen what they can do. Be you. We haven’t seen that.

Thank you Joe. Sincerely. I needed that reminder.

So, Here I Go Again on my Own, Lol

With Joe's admonition in mind and heart, I am also reminded that the Universal House of Justice has offered a definition of "community," in which it characterizes same as "more than the sum of its membership":

it is a comprehensive unit of civilization composed of individuals, families and institutions that are originators and encouragers of systems, agencies and organizations working together with a common purpose for the welfare of people both within and beyond its own borders; it is a composition of diverse, interacting participants that are achieving unity in an unremitting quest for spiritual and social progress.

• "Originators and encouragers of systems, agencies and organizations working together... achieving Unity in an unremitting quest for spiritual and social progress."

Originators, indeed and in deed. For me, I sense that Joe is speaking to that, and encouraging us to be so, I interpret, believe and humbly contend. When Joe writes, "Be you. We haven’t seen that." ... I am reminded of the need to be an originator, and the need to encourage same in myself and others.

Now, imagine such originators and encouragers at home, school, work, business, play and community. Imagine them as "diverse, interacting participants that are achieving Unity in an unremitting quest for spiritual and social progress". This is not kumbaya. This is high functioning Unity where we each "find our best fit" rather than simply "fitting in".

Truth is, I soulfully suggest that Nobility, Strength of Character, Purpose and Unity are ideas we need ever increasingly explore in a world walking through change and challenge... and moving forward together, stronger. That said, I offer up that Nobility, Strength of Character, Purpose and Unity are what can ground and strengthen us as originators and encouragers... and they are not nebulous concepts ideas but necessary practices.

They are not only helpful in advancing our joyful Strength to walk through the trails, trials and triumphs of Life ... but as those originators and encouragers ... we can find them helpful for us building an ever better world and future… for us all. That noted... they are part of my study and practice and work and Service indeed and thus far, in November, I have written on:

• Soulful Detachment ... digging a little into the Stoicism-inspired Strength that is soulful Detachment manifested in the world.
• Determination and the Noblellion ... introducing the new blog series Noblellion (pronounced no-bell-eon) and the Virtue that is Nobility in practice.
• Rock Your Joyful Strength ... exploring the idea of joyful Strength as countenance and gait in a world of change and challenge.
• 3 Foundations to Cool, Constructive Change... offering up on Character, Purpose and Unity as fundamental forces for change, forward.

All of this is to say that, again for me, Joe's message hits home in terms of what it might look like in my own ever increasingly doing of the me not so much seen yet.

That all noted and with that reminder from Joe considered, my thought in this issue of A PEACE of WORK centers around a notion born into a childhood imagination so very many years ago. Without getting too much into the story, in the late 60's and early to mid 70's, I had two recurring imaginative streams... (a) an imaginary rock-metal-folk-jazz inspired band I "formed" of 8 musicians originating from around the world called Kanata who rocked out on a message of Unity, through music.... and (b) two Galaxies of worlds, one guided by a Character driven and noble assemblage of warriors organized by what I called the Six Schools. Little did I know that those imagined streams would guide both my love of music and my work, consciously and unconsciously. But I digress.

The memory is not so grainy as the pic of me swinging for the home run, lol... those aforementioned Six Schools have travelled with me. They are Schools of Character and Temperament. My longstanding work with The Virtues Project and around Temperament have both fueled and been fueled by these Six Schools. They incorporate Wisdom too from the Science of Character and Stoicism... and it all is now constituted in The Humanity Map.

The Six Schools include Thinkers, Builders, Dreamers, Connectors, Movers and Protectors.

• The Thinkers hold Wisdom close to the heart (one of the 4 Cardinal Virtues of Stoicism).

• The Builders hold most closely to Justice; doing the right thing, another Cardinal Virtue.

• The Dreamers are guided by Transcendence, a core Virtue from Peterson and Seligman.

• The Connectors are about that connection thing with Caring, Compassion and more.
• The Movers are moved by Courage (another Stoic Cardinal Virtue) to try, do ... and change.
• and the Protectors are the guardians, guided by Temperance as the 4th Cardinal Virtue.

I will not dive more deeply into same for now, as I will choose to focus on each of the Six in the next 6 monthly issues of both A PEACE of WORK and AIM HIGH.

That said, I will say that:

• My childhood understanding carried up to today tells me that we have all Six Schools in each of us to varying degrees.
• Some of us are predominantly one or two or three.
• Some of us are more scattered across the Six.
• But, each of the Six have a role in a better world and future.
• And, each of the Six we have access to in practicing any and all Virtues, in practice.

Ultimately, the Six Schools speak to how we are different and the same. We have our own universally diverse core Virtues, we have our own mix of strengths and challenges across the Virtues, and we universally have access to all the Virtues in their practice, as we walk this thing called Character Leadership. And, practice makes permanent.

For now, and as originators and encouragers... you are invited to curiously engage Aim High ... and A PEACE of WORK as monthly newsletters... and TUGtv monthly... and the Noblellion weekly... included in and beyond my leadership training and development work through Epic Engage. Explore, if you like. And that said, with the Noblellion in mind and heart, following up on Determination as the 30th Virtue to address, we are up to the 31st Virtue of...

Devotion

Discerning on Purpose, fullness of heart in our work, doing what we Love and loving what we do, faithful to our Commitment, being true to what calls us, willing to give our all...

... this is Devotion in practice. To forge it, we discern and decide on that to which we will truly commit... decidedly so. And, Commitment is doing the thing we said we would do when we felt committed, long after we no longer feel committed... as a humble and wise mentor long ago suggested to me.

It is the follow through. That said, we first must needs discern and decide on that and whom to which we are truly devoted. And, to put a bow on it for this issue of A PEACE of WORK, I am devoted to Humans Together Strong in my personal and professional Life. That is my Just Cause and The Humanity Map above is a tool to advance same. To what and whom will you undyingly devote?

Over the last 6 Weeks, I have embarked on sharing around a Virtue a Week, offering up Virtues Cards plus memes, messages, music and video along the way on LinkedIn and more. To date, I have shared these 6 short form videos. Engage and enjoy!

• Acceptance
• Accountability
• Appreciation
• Assertiveness
• Awe
• Beauty

Professionally, you can find me here on LinkedIn... and now newly on Blue Sky Social... and other notable platforms forward.

Until next time...

Peace, 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 The Humanity Map...
• ... and TUGtv...
• ... and The #hUmaNITY Podcast ... officially launching in October 2024...
• ... and The Epic Entrepreneurial Assessment...
• ... and The Epic Engage Onesheet...
• ... and my services forward. I and we serve...

• "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

• "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

• "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

• 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

• 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