The Unity Guy™ Blog

As a follow up to my post earlier today, I thought it timely and appropriate to put myself on the line.  I was psyching myself up for Championship Sunday in the NFL (0ne earthly version and vision of Heaven).  One of the teams for whom I am rooting is the Baltimore Ravens and one of the reasons for that is Ray Lewis.  This is a player that plays with a singular passion and a love for the honor of the game.  I found a remix on You Tube set to moments with Ray Lewis (see below) and he was saying “What time is it?” with his “brothers in arms” shouting back “Game time!”  It got me thinking that, at this time in January of 2012, it is game time.

Remembering and realizing that “commitment is doing the thing you said you’d do when you felt committed, long after you no longer feel committed”, here are my contemplated commitments for 2012, in brief.

• Commitment #1. Deepen myself in my hard earned faith, through prayer, reading, thoughts and deeds.
• Commitment #2.  Realize my optimal weight and health for quality and quantity of life.
• Commitment #3.  Strengthen two wondrous and loving homes in Newfoundland and New York with my “C”.
• Commitment #4.  Build a family business that is a service to the world, locally and globally.
• Commitment #5.  Build our “armies” and “Camelots” of like minded and hearted souls wanting to serve and rock the world.
• Commitment #6.  Sing and play with others who want to bring joy through soulful, meaningful music, rocking it out.
• Commitment#7.  Teach dance again, as a way to foster unity and chemistry, joy and health.
• Commitment #8.  Return to my love of cartooning and create a “cartoonumn” for thought and smiles.
• Commitment #9.  Write to live and live to write.
• Commitment #10.  Live a life of love and zeal, engaging youth and the young at heart, ever increasingly to reach Idealism 2.0!
• Commitment #11.  Holding a promised “Mayan Picnic” on December 23, 2012 to celebrate whatever transformation is to come. 
• Commitment #12.  Hear the still, small voice inside, detaching me from distractions attempting to knock me off course.

These are but 12, but they are my Rocking 12 in ’12.  As I thought on them, I could feel my pulse.  I could feel that it was my game time, my Game Day.  Now, they are out there and I am glad.  Now, I must realize the sense of commitment expressed earlier; and, in times of challenge, hang on to it.

How about you?

How will you commit to changing the world and your corner of it this year?

Be real, get real, stay real.

Peace.

Barry Lewis Green, aka The Unity Guy™

And here’s a message from Ray Ray. 

..

The Educators’ Deck of Virtues Cards (https://virtuesshop.com) has some 52 virtues contained therein. After assertiveness, there are no less than 10 virtues beginning with the letter “C”. Quite the contribution, indeed. That being said, we have covered three virtues so far in 2012 and I think it important to quickly review. We have addressed the importance of assertiveness in finding our true and best voice, the importance of caring as a way to find our best path, and the importance of cleanliness in clearing the way in mind, body and spirit to be our best.

Now, we speak to commitment.

Over the week, and on my Twitter and Facebook pages at Barry Lewis Green, I will be offering thoughts and musings on commitment.  Still, here, I wish to do one simple thing and that is offer you a quote I heard so many years ago. I do not even know its author.  Yet, I love it. My only request is that you ponder it and ask yourself one question after doing so.

First, the quote: Commitment is doing the thing you said you’d do when you felt committed, long after you no longer feel committed. Ponder this. And the question? To what do you need to commit at this time in your life? As we proceed through the week, with the thoughts, ideas, musings and challenges, focus on what is so important to you that you need to commit; truly commit.

Have a committed week and beyond.

Barry Lewis Green, aka The Unity Guy™

Week Three on the Virtues Train for 2012.

Cleanliness.  This virtue often gets an oversimplified rap, deeming it specifically about personal hygiene and/or the upkeep of our property.  Still, it is so much more.  As 2012, unfolds, I have a question.  Where do you need to make a fresh start?

We will be exploring various facets of the virtue of cleanliness on my Facebook and Twitter posts, but for here, we concentrate on the following excerpt from the Virtues Educators’ Card from The Virtues Project™.

CLEANLINESS is “… cleaning up mistakes and making a fresh start.”

Where and how does that apply to you, personally and/or professionally?  Are there matters lingering with relationships at home, at work, or in the community?  Are there miscues that need addressing?  Are there dramas or misunderstandings in need of clearing up to best advance moving forward?  What needs to be cleaned up?  In what area of life do you need less physical or psychological clutter?  Where do you need to clean things up to see the path forward?

Cleanliness has many faces and we will explore them this week.  For today, and to keep this blog post “clean”, I leave you with five powerful questions for this week, moving forward.

• In what area of my life do I need to do some cleaning?
• What needs to be cleaned up?
• How will I do that?
• What will it mean when it is cleaned up?
• What is my first action to start this “cleaning ball” rolling?

I once heard that it is easier to clean up than catch up.  Cleaning and the clarity from it can make our path forward so much more tread friendly.

Keep it clean folks.

Barry Lewis Green, aka The Unity Guy™

Of course you do. 

A short but important post this week, me thinks.  This morning, I started the second week of a 52 week project examining 52 virtues noted from The Virtues Project™.  Here is what I wrote on my status at Barry Lewis Green:

CARING as referred to on the virtues card from the Virtues Project states it is about “… giving love and attention to people and things that matter to you.” It can apply to friends and strangers alike; to animals, plants, material objects and more. Sometimes, maybe often times, we forget it can apply to ourselves to take care of ourselves so that we have something to continue to offer to others. This week, we examine the virtue of caring. Hope you enjoy.

Those who care so much often care so little of their own welfare at times.  Often, they will receive advice around taking time and care for themselves “for a change” and it can sound like “instead” of caring for others for a change.  This is difficult.

I suggest it is not either/or… it is “and”.  In order to take best care of others, we must take care of ourselves.  By taking care of ourselves, we actually enable our own power to take care of others.  On a plane, we are expected to apply our own oxygen mask first so that we can then take care of others.  This may seem so clear and obvious; and yet, for many, it is not the path of our care.

I posed the question on Facebook last night… “Do you care?”  The responses were interesting indeed; but one was quite powerful.  The response was simply “about?”

Caring is something we all have as a virtue, but like any virtue, a big question is where we direct it.  That often defines who we are.  Asking ourselves “for what do I care?” and “Why?” are two wonderful questions in determining our passion, and even questioning it.

So, as this week unfolds, I invite you to join me on Facebook and explore caring.  I invite you to care for yourself as you care for others.  I invite you to ask those two powerful questions.

As for me, I strained a recurring back muscle tear from years ago and it is my body’s way of saying time to take care of myself physically.  Over the next few months, I will be caring physically in terms of eating and exercise, sleep and relaxation.  As Stephen Covey might put it… sometimes we are too busy to stop for gas.  I am stopping for gas and more.  It is about the caring.

Take care. 

Barry Lewis Green, aka The Unity Guy™

This week, I am commencing a yearlong exploration of 52 virtues through the work of The Virtues Project™… in alphabetical order … and giving one week to explore each through Facebook, Twitter and this Blog.  The first virtue chosen was assertiveness and we have taken 3 days already to explore thoughts, ideas and music around this virtue.  It has been enjoyable and enlightening for me thus far.

Then, it happened.  It happened on the way home from my first day back at College of the North Atlantic.  It happened upon stopping at Subway to order a healthy choice sub as part of my health resolution for 2012.  Yes, it happened.

Upon entering the store, I noticed one young woman in her twenties serving, a gentleman seemingly in his sixties “up to bat”, and another young woman in her twenties behind him.  Then it happened. 

He opened his mouth.

Apparently, he had a note with him and was ordering “2 subs”.  When the server asked what kind, he responded in a somewhat agitated manner with “2 subs”.  She needed clarification and asked again of what type he wanted.  Increasingly agitated, he said, “2 subs, 2 subs, you sell subs don’t you?” and he added some under the breath comments indicating he considered the server somewhat daft.

I was about to clarify to him that there were some 18 forms of subs from which to choose, when the young woman just behind him, in a voice firm but gentle, did so and my comment became an echo.  Upon hearing this, he remained flustered but said “oh” and proceeded to examine his note, whereupon he started using more specific descriptions.  Apparently, he had not read the note in detail.

Still, there was no apology but you could sense he knew that he had misspoken earlier.  Still, there was no apology.  Upon his departure and our own selves being served, I acknowledged the server’s patience.  My one regret is that I did not take the time to approach the other customer to recognize her assertiveness and sense of gentleness and justice.

So, why do I offer this?

Sometimes, we live under some impression that the “older” generations have some corner on courtesy.  Clearly, they do not.  What I witnessed was a man of some pain and irritation treat a young woman with great disrespect.  I witnessed that same young woman handle it with poise and patience and, yes, assertiveness.  She did stand her ground and hold herself high.  Yet, in the other young woman, I saw a wonderful combination of assertiveness, gentleness and justice.

That man probably realizes the “scene” he created while he may not have apologized.  Certainly his treatment of the server was not about her but him.  His state of being could have used some work.

On the other hand, both young women handled this situation with a nobility of spirit and a large dose of assertiveness.  We need to take and make our stands for respect and justice and we can do it with gentleness and poise.  These two women were shining examples of the same.

Aggression knows no age; nor does assertiveness.  Access to the virtue of assertiveness is our birthright… all our birthrights, at whatever age.   We simply need practice them.  My deepest wish is that that gentleman is letting the scene sink in; whether or not though, I am enriched by the strength of two women in a Subway shop today.

To them, I say “thank you.”  I appreciate your choices.

Barry Lewis Green, The Unity Guy™

Within hours, the most easterly point in North America (the new world) will witness, first amongst the continent, the Year 2012.  Living here, I get to experience that firstness, and feel blessed.  Still, for many, particularly aware of the “Mayan Calendar” and the current shared news of the world, this New Year brings about questions. 

The Mayans themselves do not believe in “the end of the world” but the end of the world as we know it; and a new age.  I feel fine.  Do you feel fine?

A new age?  And what does that mean?

I do not know how much I place in the Mayan Calendar.  I do know, I do sense, great change in the world… on many levels.  Much good is afoot, though not necessarily reported.

2011 was a remarkable year for me. Hot on the spiritual heels of a Baha’i Pilgrimage to Haifa in December of 2010 and engagement on New Year’s Eve last year, my work at the College of the North Atlantic flourished with new and old courses alike, enjoyed… with the birth of my new company The Unity Guy™ Inc., with a major training initiative to help youth in St. John’s, with a book and 3 eBooklets written (the book Human Being Being Human is to launch January 1 of 2012 and I am so humbly excited)… and with a wedding day and summer in Olean NY with my “C”… under the Potter Tree… it was a remarkable year indeed.  I was introduced to Harry Potter by my “C”.  I participated in an intensive chorale workshop this summer.  I discovered Once Upon a Time, my new favourite TV entertainment.  I watched plenty of movies, started playing volleyball, and opened up a new life in so many ways.

Still, 2012 holds such promise.

I am rediscovering intention and I suggest the end of the world as we know it means that we can awaken to not only possibility but intention.  I have written that “apathy is a form of self oppression”.  So is a sense of futility or an overwhelming and distracting sense of “comfort”.  On my own journey from apathy to action, I intend to love, learn, teach, speak, write, sing, dance, cartoon and create more in 2012.  The world should be warned. 

So, on this New Year’s Eve, I propose a toast.

Here’s to a life well and intentionally lived with goals acted upon for oneself and others.  Here is to a year and life of love and service and work, school, community and play.  Here’s to a year and life of being the change we want to see in the world.

• I want to see a healthier world; therefore I intend to live healthier.
• I want to see a world of peace and prosperity, so I will enact that in my life.
• I want to see a world that believes in real magic and wonder, so I will choose that path myself.

I could go on.  Instead, I offer the words of Marianne Williamson… one of my favourite writings…  I hope you enjoy, and I wish you a 2012 where the old world of fear and lack is replaced in deeds and words by a new world of  love, courage and abundance.

Our deepest fear is not that we are inadequate. Our deepest fear is that we are powerful beyond measure. It is our light, not our darkness that most frightens us. We ask ourselves, Who am I to be brilliant, gorgeous, talented, fabulous? Actually, who are you not to be? You are a child of God. Your playing small does not serve the world. There is nothing enlightened about shrinking so that other people won’t feel insecure around you. We are all meant to shine, as children do. We were born to make manifest the glory of God that is within us. It’s not just in some of us; it’s in everyone. And as we let our own light shine, we unconsciously give other people permission to do the same. As we are liberated from our own fear, our presence automatically liberates others.

We have power beyond even our imagination.  In the words of Abdu’l Baha, “as ye have faith, show shall your powers and blessings be…”

Much love in 2012.

Barry Lewis Green, aka The Unity Guy™

My musical gift to all Wayfarers out there… from Smith and Dragoman… enjoy…. I will think of you all as we watch the sunrise at Cape Spear in the morn…. Happy New Year one and all….

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hCTzXCDwqaU&feature=share

Upon a Time

Once upon a time, on a day like this; amidst

the trappings of daily life… the  joy, the risks

… something special happened.

A short poem inspired on Christmas Day 2011.

Something special happened.  The birth of a Child.  The Christ?  Moses?  Mohammed?  The Buddha? Krishna?  Zoroaster?  Or a myriad of Others, countless and unrecorded.  Once upon a time, indeed… in deed and word; myth to some, truth to others, mystery to all… Once upon a time, something special happened…. in the mists of time.  Each time, a greater unity unfolded, for that space and time.  What was once fractious grew united.  Each time, an evolution.

When we look at the world now, we see the birth pains of an emerging new world.  The emergence from tribal, to regional, to national, to global.  Our history is replete with examples of growth from the family to the tribe, to the city state, to the country, the region, and more.  Yet, we see so much strife.  Where will that peace happen?

Could it happen today?

Did it happen today?

When we meditate upon the ultimate message of this time, the message for all time… once upon a time can be any time.  Our time.  This time.  Your time.  My time.  All time.  Peace on earth, good will to all… judge not, lest ye be judged… forgive… love your enemy… radical ideas, revolutionary even… in a world of an eye for an eye, and tit for tat.  Once upon a time… each time the dawning of a new chapter in faith… we are drawn back to ultimate truth.  We are one.  When we hurt another, we hurt ourselves.  We are connected, whether we admit it, know it, or not.

Once upon a time, on a day like this, something special happened.  It has happened.  It does happen.  It will happen.  Once upon a time is now, between your ears, within your mind, amidst your heart.  Once upon a time is about that space unknown.  Today is about the place unmapped.  The heart.  The Kingdom Within, us all.  Today has that potential to be that time where it started; that it that calls to you from another mystical space, devoid of space and time, and yet deeply real.  Today has the potential of being that day where you hear the call… within… to add your voice to a better world. emerging, one soul at a time.

All faiths have scripture attesting to such a day coming.  The Mayan Calendar is really about a new world unfolding.  The Holy Writings of all faiths proclaim it, while many who say they adhere, fight against it.  The best fight is within.  Let this be your day, your once upon a time, to hear the call, your call, and to bring your best to your work, your business, your community, your school, your friends, your family, and your life.  Panacea?  No.  Utopia?  No.  A promise made?  Yes.  Your decision?  Yes! 

Yours.  Mine.  Ours.

Once upon a time, something special happened.  It did once; and it is doing so today. 

Once upon a time, now and forever… peace. 

Barry Lewis Green, The Unity Guy™

Steve Earle, Once Upon a Child….

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2IpckS2ZiXw

Once Upon a Time, my new fave show… believe in happy endings…. work for them

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Rga4rp4j5TY

Today’s blog post is short, sweet and one of my most personal ever.

On December 23, 1924, Malcolm George Green came into this world to live a life; and live it he did.

My father was not perfect.  No one is… but he did love to perfect.  There is a difference… one is a myth; the other is our best reality.  Mac Green knew how to work hard through trial and triumph.  You probably knew someone just like him.  I certainly hope so.

He grew up amongst a generation that had to work hard.  There were no give-aways.  Even in times of difficulty, he knew work was the way out.  He loved us, through his hard work and his commitment.

I think the best I can share is a simple story told to me by a participant in one of my seminars some years back.  Upon finishing my session with a story about Dad, this gentleman came up to me and said “Your father was Mac Green?”  Upon saying “yes”, this man told me of a time just a year back when he was at a Tim Horton’s on Kenmount Road.  He was sitting at a 2-seat table whereupon this elderly gentleman came up to his table and said “Young man, you are sitting at my table but if you are open to having a chat, I would welcome you staying.”… that was my father; Malcolm George Green.

He wasn’t perfect; but he lived. 

My father built stuff; buildings mostly.  I never inherited that love.  Still, he taught us that you must find what you love to do and do it with your best heart and effort.  In my work in education, collective leadership and unity building, I bring that same passion.  It was taught to me in deeds, not words.

My father left this world on March 24, 2004 after a 3 year walk with Alzheimer Disease.  I have written a story of that and you can download it here http://www.theunityconnection.com/shop.html for free.  That being said, one of my dad’s favourite songs and artists was The Rose by Bette Midler (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=oR6okRuOLc8&feature=share) and I think it speaks to me this evening … of his spirit.

At this Christmas Season, however and wherever you celebrate it… my wish is that you hear the words of this song and remember what it is to dare, to chance, and to live.  In these days of great change and challenge, we must continue to work hard at building a better world.

I know that my dad still lives, beyond this realm, and I can hear him saying “live”.

I will Dad… and Happy Birthday. 

Peace.

Barry Lewis Green, aka The Unity Guy™

Disturbing is the first sensation experienced when I first saw this piece of “news”…

http://usnews.msnbc.msn.com/_news/2011/12/16/9501014-teacher-disciplined-after-writing-stupid-on-students-forehead

And yet, it is important to read.

These days, we hear so much about bullying in our schools.  I might suggest that, while this article indicates that it is not just with our kids but our teachers, it is truly societal.  We show such righteous indignation with respect to “the bullies” in our schools and yet we subtly and not so subtly celebrate them in sports, politics, music, and entertainment.  We somehow unconsciously contend that the kids who practice bullying never really learned it from somewhere else.  Presumably, they were “born bad”.  Really?

Now, I am not here to suggest any form of arbitrary censorship. 

Still, I am here to provoke thought around that which we find “entertaining”.  Commercials that glorify ridiculing our friends over a beer, and “reality” television that somehow proposes that “alliances” and backstabbing are how you get ahead… I contend we need to question what the message is here; and I have heard the arguments that it is entertainment.  I guess I question what is entertaining about it.  I guess I wonder on what is amusing about the message?  

I believe in functional competition, the kind that breeds excellence by striving to be our best.  Still, when we strive to be the best by tearing others down, we are not truly excelling… in professional sports, politics, entertainment, business or school.  There is honor in winning a game, or a business contract, by being the best.  There is no honor in questionable behaviors that aim to destroy psyche and esteem.

I am a Master Facilitator for The Virtues Project™ www.virtuesproject.com and the actions of this particular teacher are an example of shaming.  I have seen it in school, as a student in middle school (with kids and teachers) and as a college educator.  The behavior of bullying can be insidious and even seductive… like gossip.  We see the apparent examples in schools where kids are being brutalized but it manifests itself in other ways in workplaces and communities the world over.

If we want truly stronger schools, workplaces and communities, we need to move to a sense of unity that moves us forward together.  In these times of challenge, even more than ever, we need to close ranks and understand that we are in this together.  It is not about everyone liking and loving everyone.  It is not about agreeing on all things.  It is about honoring each, listening to one another and, yes, learning from others.

Some would contend that bullying and aggression are part of our nature.  I do not.  I suggest it is living down to some reputation or belief that we get ahead by hurting others.  I suggest that we need to question our unconscious and conscious model of competition.  Compete, yes!  Still, let us compete with talent and not terror.  Let us strive to be our best while honoring those around us.  Let our workplaces and communities be places where excellence is encouraged, and honor is paramount.  This requires work and it requires us working together.  First, it requires that we recognize it is not simply an issue with our kids.

I am not here to crucify this teacher.  My hope is that he now understands a better path.  What I am here to say is we can do better, in all the arenas of human engagement and interaction.

So my question is this. 

How will you stand for talent over terror, excellence over intimidation… in your business, your school, your legislature or community?

Peace.

Barry Lewis Green, aka The Unity Guy™

PS

Download The Traig’hen Code©, my personal and professional ”take” on bullying… http://www.theunityconnection.com/shop.html