Shades of Grey: Government, Religion, People

Some think that everything is black and white. I'm beginning to see everything as different shades of grey.

Having worked with people in an increasing variety of ways the past 10 years, in a variety of occupational and volunteer scenarios, I've been exposed to many, many different ways of being, seeing, believing, working, and living. Is one way worse than the other? Is one person's beliefs worse than another? Is one person's ethics worse than another?

For many of us, we will make judgements about others over these little things. We will close our eyes, our minds, and our hearts very easily over such trivial matters. We are raised in a family with a set of values and beliefs. We are schooled in a culture with a particular perspective on history, business, values, and beliefs. We are indoctrinated in our upbringing, or culture, or peers, and our heart, influenced to lean to certain truths that works for us. It can be steeped in peer pressure, family pressure, or simply having known no other truth we find it acceptable. When confronted with something vastly different or in opposition, we will tend towards defensiveness and even close-mindedness.

I've been guilty of the same but I've really challenged myself time and again over the years to keep my mind open and to explore the other side of the tracks. I seek to understand and to experience for deeper understanding why other splinter groups live the way they do live; or work, play, worship, etc. While some things do work or resonate for me, others haven't. While some things expanded my horizons, others have caused other collapses in health or well-being. All have been worthy experiences, although possibly, at times, poor choices for my life.

The worth that comes from this expansion of my mind and horizons has allowed me to witness one fundamental truth. As much as we are all different, with continued exposure to these varying influences of life and lifestyles, I have seen beyond the labels, beyond the stereotypes, beyond the religious beliefs, beyond the social status. I can look into the eyes and heart of my fellow-man and see another who is the same as me. The rest of it, is mere shades of grey.

Each human being engages in a life-path, within a given set of life circumstances dictated by family, social status, and the rest of these external influences. As they progress down their path in life, they're doing the best that they can. They're looking for the things that will find them a sense of validation, satisfaction, being known, and being loved. They make decisions with these same influences dictating some of their choices; both right and wrong. We've all been there. And yet, instead of seeing our brothers and sisters in life, we still tend to see the differences.

Yes, crimes are committed, hate is expressed, terror persists, and politics corrupt or engage in questionalbe practices. We perpetuate the classes, the differences, the hate, and the war. Judgement: why engage when you can disengage? Why argue when you can build bridges of understanding? Why declare war over differences when we can celebrate diversity? Why insist our way is the only way? I particularly declare this last questioning statement.

We can celebrate freedom, responsible freedom. We can honor differences, diversity, by setting our own best example of tolerance, honor, respect, and in doing so, create peace.

Love is

Spirit is Love. Love for God. Love for Creation. Love for Self. Love for Others. Love and Spirit are inseparable, clumsy in this material world; clumsy in thought, word, and action, but powerful beyond measure. Love is authentic and truthful; it is not an emotion alone. It is far more: It is a connection to the everlasting source of life. It creates an energetic force that courses through our spiritual being causing a sensation of bursting us wide-open. This divine force, so unknown and untapped in our lifetime overwhelms us with love, blinding us to the intention of the gift. Rather than openly sharing, we wish to hoard the gift and sensation, sharing with no one. The gift of love is to be given, not taken, nor to be solely shared with one single individual. It is a life-giving energy that transcends all situations, elevating the life experience of our spiritual selves.

How do we as simple human-beings, so untrained and under-developed in the spiritual realms, learn to let this powerful force flow? It catches in my being, in my breath, in my heart. I wish to hang onto it, to someone else’s, hoping for it to never change. Other times, it brings such pain. The opening chasm aches for all the pain and hurt being experienced in the world all around me. And yet, I know, and have experienced, the truth of its undying source; it’s ever-flowing ability. If only I could sustain that peak. The paradox of being human and spirit; of wanting more and wanting less; of wanting it all and of wanting nothing; of needing companionship and needing to be alone; of wanting love and yet, to still taste hate.

One Man Can Human Capital Development

Challenging thoughts about Spirituality

My experience of spirituality goes beyond what the church suggests. You might want to check out the author Caroline Myss, Invisible Acts of Power as a good read. Years ago, around 1995, I really opened up spiritually with the reading of The Celestine Prophecies. After that, I began exploring other spiritual and new age stuff like the Medicine Wheel and Spirit Animals/Guides until one day after a huge personal crisis I really began to worry about choosing the "right" religion. I had picked up the bible for the first time in 1997 and began reading the new testament.

I loved Jesus as a teacher. I don't think He and I are all that different on the heart level and in many respects, the belief level. His advantage being that His level of "connection" is far deeper than my own. With all the crap the world throws at us and the lack of real teaching of our spiritual nature in our society today, we're at a HUGE disadvantage. But I do believe that will all change and you may be struggling with a lot of the same issues I have been dealing with for years. This past year or so has been a huge shift for me personally and I've really begun to tap into the source (for lack of a better term).

About four years ago I wandered away from the christian church to regain my balance and perspective. I had become so disillusioned with the church and their double-standards, one-upmanship, and lack of compassion and forgiveness. As I continue on my own road now, I truly believe that I have really begun to see a dynamic that still fits with what Jesus taught but goes beyond how the church portrays His teachings. Again, we have to take into context the time he lived and the fact that the bible and christian religion really took shape a couple of hundred years after he died. And again, the religion became a means of controlling a population in collaboration with politicians.

There are a number of things in the bible that contradict the stance that many religious leaders try to hold us hostage with... for example: Jesus talked to the Samarian woman at the well when she came to fetch water. He knew she wasn't married but was living with a man. He didn't condemn her, didn't tell her that it was wrong, didn't tell her to sin no more, instead, he told her to spread the news. The news she was to spread had to do with the son of god and their ability to worship God wherever they were; they didn't have to be in a place of worship to worship God. If you're a parent, you know more about God's relationship to us is as similar to the relationship you have with your children. Full of love, forgiveness, opportunity, chances, and so on.

In truth, you are spirit already. Our soul is not the spirit, it is another dimension that embodies the "feelings" of our memories, body, mind, and emotions. The spirit is that part of us that is much stronger, full of goodness, love, and inspiration for our own future and what we came here to manifest. Our goal is to get in touch with that and manifest what we came here to create. If you are a parent, you may have already fulfilled some of those goals through having children. You are not your body and emotions; they are tools through which you can experience and facilitate your time here on this physical plane. Does it make sense to you when I say we are multi-dimensional beings? Body, Mind, Soul, and Spirit.

Body - the body is the feeling machine and action machine. Emotions are felt and expressed through the body. It also has a memory of emotion. It functions in cooperation with the power of the mind or spirit - whichever we give more control.

Mind - is a tool by which we can learn, interpret, analyze, and retain data. It also connects us to spirit as we exercise that muscle. If we don't, the soul memory takes place, combining the mind's memories and the body's memories (emotions) to dictate our life experience.

Soul - as above... mind, body, experiences combined and this retains the melancholy of life and other physical world memories. It has a function and purpose as well and I daresay, it likely is the storage of information that the spirit world can access after leaving the physical world.

Spirit - this is the universal part of ourselves that chose to be born, where to be born, to whom to be born, and with a mission to live out. We forget it and are programmed throughout life by the systems of this world and are challenged to break out of the molds put around us to fully explore who we are spiritually.

I have studied myself, others and spiritual texts for a long time around this subject and the deciding force is the fact that so many people suffering depression, anxiety, etc. are people who are stressed beyond belief trying to live lives that are not their own. They need to access those Spirit values that are unique to them and to live them out fully in order to be optimally healthy. It is even shown that when this doesn't happen that the emotional pain will in turn become physical pain; dis-ease.

As you can see, these are theoretical concepts that I have developed as I've gone through my struggles. This seems to be a part of my life path anyway and I've always been an investigator of Truth. Are they absolute? No, I wouldn't say so but I would say that I am on the right track and that there is a great deal of opportunity to be explored for individuals should they choose to consider the possibilities. Learning about the spirit within, we begin to gain access to an inner knowing self that can help us to navigate through this troubled life with a little more faith and detachment to outcomes.

I'm still learning and working on these theories and I do expect to write about it at some point. I hope that you find it helpful. "Learned patterns of behavior" are also very difficult to overcome.

Please do let me know what you think of these outrageous thoughts. I hope you have an open mind to what I've suggested.

Your life is to be a life of joy! It's in your power to create that.

Being with you in Love.

Lee Down
One Man Can (make a difference)
One Man Can Human Capital Development

copyright 2005

Affordable Web Solutions Causing a Ruckus

Below is what I ended up dealing with this morning where I belong to a couple of online coaching communities. I simply posted an amazing alternative before - lightly said, trying to save some people from making a real bad choice with a cheesy alternative that would've looked like a 6th-grader website (actually, I don't doubt 6th graders are doing more amazing things than that themselves now too) - and I got stomped by so many people for the weirdest reasons. Finally, I think something good came up that supported what I was saying and I posted the following to those groups.

Note: Any designers and such out there, don't take any offense please, this is in relation to specific target groups and price-range clients that you wouldn't necessarily waste your time on unless you were giving away services to build up a portfolio for the big fish you're after.

==========================================

Many people are looking for websites. Having been involved on an employment services level in the tech community these past 7 years, and having worked in the tech industry directly for 10 years before that when back east, I have a good head on my shoulders about the trends and what is available, smart, affordable, and so on.

You ask any web-designer, they'll quote you and court you on their services and they'll have all the reasons to justify their fees. But as with everything in technology, technology advances and more affordable solutions become available. Just look at the fact that you now have a computer on your desktop so much more powerful than was available 10 years ago at a fraction of the cost.

So this brings me to the point of this post. I've seen some shady practices and poor products made available and being marketed to coaches. It irks me to see this. I'm not finger-pointing at anyone here - I'm simply responding to my desire to bring forward what I've learned and to do so without being jumped for what is available.

I looked into a solution earlier in the year after being approached by a few coaches in my community and after much thought and deliberation was ready to facilitate establishing websites for new coaches for about $500-$700 and teaching them how to then manage, maintain, and update their content. It would barely pay for my time as I would be paying the majority of that fee to the web-designer I'd work with. Nonetheless, I had received fantastic support from the tech community when I got started and felt it worth giving some back.

Of course, dealing with many in the industry, trying to secure some tech-assistance to make it happen, more of the same salesmanship mired the process. That being said, I was very fortunate to stumble upon a friend I'd made in the business a few years back who was now involved with a new company called WebAlive Canada. WebAlive is also part of an international organization offering the same service in a number of international cities - this is not a fly-by-night operation, nor a cheaply made product - just affordable and catching on quickly.

I've been trying to promote their service to coaches and have even received some serious flak from other coach/web designers in the process. Yes, I have an opportunity to make a few dollars (about $70) as a one time fee - but I might as well add I've volunteered enormous time to date doing these things out of the goodness of my heart, not just the vacancy in my wallet. ;)

Listening to arguments there have been some lengthy responses about why templates and cookiecutters are not the way to go. I assure you, this is flak. Shop and choose for yourself. This is a fantastic tool. I was wonderfully surprised this morning as well when I came upon an article in a recent ezine that supports the trend - the product type I've been recommending. Here it is, from DevWebProCanada for Canadian Developers.

Best wishes, Lee

--------------

6 Reasons Why Web Templates Are Today's Trend

By John Teh
Contributing Writer
Article Date: 2005-07-01

As the Internet blooms at an alarming rate, so as the number of websites out there. Appearance, layout, presentation and loading times are just a few of the main essential characteristics of a successful website.

It would seem that it is generally manageable if you own a wide level of knowledge on web / graphics design. But the main question of today's online trend, is how you can eliminate the need of going through the traditional web designing processes and timeframe.

Have you ever own the burning desire to have not only one but a number of websites out there to send your messages out, but only to know in the end that you don't have the knowledge or tools of getting them done?

Fear Not! As today's technology improves, so as the simplicity of getting certain things done, without even sacrificing the overall quality and your personal time.

Getting a website done has never been easier nowadays, and it is extremely and highly affordable. Here's why ...

Reason #1 : Variety

Nothing beats the selection power you have out of huge variety of web templates, covering various industries you are in, and not to mention, level of variety which is expanding daily even as you are reading this article. Having options right in front of your eyes to help you to make your decisions are always better than having multiple consultation sessions with a hired web designer for customized solutions.

Reason #2 : High Quality

People tend to say that the quality is frequently mediocre when it comes to the emphasization of quantity. In the world of web design, quality has never been more emphasized on. The long term survival of a website depends solely on the first time impression it gives out, thus why quality is extremely essential. With such attention given to such area, the only problem anybody will face is choosing one, as everything you see within a web template database just simply looks too good.

Web templates are mostly designed by seasoned and experienced web designers themselves, catering various industries, from baby products to golf website templates. The concept and theme of these templates are well designed to give the impression it should have.

The range of templates do not only cater for static page-to- page websites, but also templates with multimedia elements such as the usage of flash. Internet users have generally mix opinions on animation & audio on websites, but given the point that it is implemented correctly within the right theme, the level of interactivity could contribute to a more enjoyable online experience.

Reason #3 : Customization

Web templates are also designed specially for easy and straight to the point customization to take place. Customize your links, pictures, logo, content, etc. anyway, anywhere you prefer. In addition to that, in most cases, free images, logo templates & cliparts are also provided with your purchase.

With the availability of free web editor softwares nowadays, customizing web templates should be a walk in the park. For graphical related customizations, getting a free trial of Macromedia Fireworks (http://www.macromedia.com/) or Adobe Photoshop (http://www.adobe.com/) would help greatly for your overall graphical customization needs. A rough estimate of 95% of the web templates are provided within a Photoshop sourcefile template, and the remaining 5% usually drops in the Fireworks category. You still be able to open Adobe Photoshop source file from Macromedia Fireworks, but the editing capabilities will be rather limited.

You might need certain additional software like Macromedia Flash if you intend to customize any flash files. As complex as it may sounds to certain group of people, customization services are usually offered on top of the purchase of any web templates, if you don't have the editing knowledge. Customization is usually highly affordable as the work is relatively minimal and usually can be done within a 24 hour period.

The only drawback for an overall customization perspective is that you need a programmer to have programming elements installed within your web templates should you need one. Programming issues usually can be considered as the next step of implementation.

Reason #4 : Speed

Large variety and availability of quality templates. There's no reason to doubt and totally safe to say that in most cases, considering that your list of requirements are not too long, you can have a high quality and presentable website as fast as within a 48 to 72 hour period.

Reason #5 : Affordable

Whether it's on the long run or short run, the price range for web templates are generally affordable. With the availability of large varitey ot templates, anyone can spend their money more effectively, selecting the ones which suites their idea the best.

Reason #6 : Additional Resources

Web templates are not complete if there are no additional resourcess that come together with them. It is common for Web templates enthusiasts to acquire additional resources such as images, fonts, logo templates, buttons, cliparts, etc for their customization efforts. Not to mention extra resources on how you can market your newly acquired website to the World Wide Web. Most of the time, web templates provider will provide such materials free of charge.

As automated as the world has become today, areas such as web design can't afford to be left out altogether. Automation such as this, if taken advantage of, will surely yield great results both on the level of productivity as well as being time efficient.

All the best in your online endeavors.

=====================

Visit WebAlive Canada and check out the product. Their website is also built with their own tool. Give them a call - ask for a live demo - they offer free training too. Ask for Rob Gradley or Jarod and if you feel generous, please do mention my name, Lee Down or One Man Can.

Best wishes, Lee

He Said, She Said

The Relationship Triangle

Most people get involved in a relationship for the right reasons and leave a relationship for the wrong reasons. In fact, most of us have been guilty of it at one time or another and of being a complete spaz demanding we get our way in the relationship. Remember the movie He Said, She Said? A constant power struggle ensues when you make the relationship all about you. So why do we do it?

I believe the reason this happens is that we make unhealthy relationship choices. In our deepest inner desires, we naturally long for companionship and love in our lives. In our haste, we choose unwisely and compromise for that "next person" that comes along to satisfy that longing. In this context, it's easy to bend and flex because in the beginning we still don't know that person. Then as we do get to know them, we find ourselves making more compromises because we don't have the guts to fess up to our mistakes and all sorts of other irrational reasons rambling through our head to avoid hurting someone else. Bad move, fess up.

In our relationship goals, we need to be much more aware of ourselves, our habits, our desires, our likes and dislikes. The focus should not be on the person, the focus should be on the relationship. Even in the dating context - it could lead to something serious - we should focus on the relationship goals. What is it you want in a relationship? Who are you in a relationship? What do you need from the relationship? And, and, and... take stock and stay open to change, improvements, discovery and more.

When you can answer these questions more clearly and you find yourself able to understand what you can give to the relationship, you choose your partners more wisely. You also communicate more openly and honestly because it is less about you and more about the relationship. The other person can listen better because it is more about the relationship and less about them. And adjustments can be made so much more smoothly from both sides when we communicate on the relationship.

So look at it like a triangle. You on one side, your partner on the other. Instead of eyeballing and measuring each other, look to the peak - the Relationship. That's your goal, that's your partners goal, and you look only at yourself in comparison to the relationship goals. You're teammates, you see the goal, and now you can work more effectively together.

It's not about me, it's about the relationship. Can I give that to achieve this in the relationship? Do I want that? Yes, then let's do it.

Your Mediocre Mind

Great spirits have always encountered violent opposition from mediocre minds. ~ A. Einstein

I've always had a love affair with that particular quote. Today, while doing some organizing I came across my favorite quote again. As I looked at it, a higher level of awareness sang out a deeper meaning than I'd ever recognized in the past.

Realizing we are spiritual beings, we each have a Great Spirit within us crying out for a well-lived life without fear, without compromise, without limitation. You recognize that deep inner desire, don't you? It's greatness is specific to you, your desires, mine is specific to me, my desires. Initially, our spirit is always battling opposition from the opinions of others, media, peer pressure, and family obligations. Then I realized that there is more.

Just like that, a flash of insight revealed something I had never seen before. My Great Spirit has encountered violent opposition from my own mediocre mind! I was stunned with the insight. Our mind is a tool for the body and for the spirit. Identifying ourselves with the mind we entrap ourselves and the spirit becomes enmeshed in a battle for freedom! Wow! What a revelation I realized as I became aware of the mediocrity of my choices based upon my mistakes, my lame-brained thoughts of defeatism, poor self-esteem, bad-hair days, and so on.

All of a sudden, I see that I won't rely solely on the thoughts and opinions of others. I won't rely on the intellectual capacity of my mind, the same mind and intellect that can offer up rational excuses to not achieve just as easily as it can offer up excellent reasons to go for the gold. This is also the same mind that can perpetuate the emotional state of despair so the emotions will further feed the negativity of the mind. It is such a trap. The mind, in all of its intellectual prowress is mediocre on its own.

Here on in, I will engage in spiritual awareness, having command over the mind and the emotions. The spiritual awareness will harness these tools, the mind and emotions, and the Great Spirit within will inspire action and achievement like never before!

What about you?

How's your eyesight?

Remember that each person and event may possess a precious gem hidden inside. Make a conscious effort to find it. Challenge yourself and discover what is good about every relationship. Practice looking at the world through the eyes of the Divine. Allow your imagination to perceive the spiritual or evolutionary potential in every person and experience.

Look with the eye of a loving parent or companion upon the people and things you come into contact with. Make a conscious decision to approve of and delight in even the quirky developments that make the world turn. No one can be perfect at such unconditional acceptance. Still the practice will sweeten your day to day life. Your magnetism will increase and more loving people may enter your life. The whole world will benefit as this becomes second nature to you.

Procrastinator's Expertise

The Habitual Procrastinator is Always an Expert Creator of Alibis.

If you are so inclined, you can always find dozens of reasons why something can’t or shouldn’t be done-and precious few why it should or could. It is far easier to rationalize that it’s too difficult, too expensive, or too time-consuming than to accept the idea that if we are willing to work hard enough, smart enough, and long enough we can accomplish anything. Instead of making a commitment, we make up an alibi. If you find that you frequently invent excuses for why you didn’t do something or have a million reasons why something didn’t work out as planned, it’s time for a reality check. Stop explaining and start doing!

I get these emails daily with awesome messages. Some work, some don't. This one was significant. Naturally, procrastination prevents a lot from occurring and our forward momentum slides down the slippery slope of dissatisfaction. What this does say is that we can accomplish anything if we "strive" hard enough. I hesitate to agree wholeheartedly.

We certainly have the power to achieve a great many things without much limitation if we apply ourselves. However, you may not be satisfied, you may not be adequate, you may suck entirely. The reality is, we each have unique gifts to explore and discover, so go out and discover. This is where what is said above is relevant and true: Taking action will yield results. What you won't know is the result.

In taking action we begin a cosmic interaction with the creative source in the universe that begins to return energy back to us. Whether the outcome is positive or negative isn't the issue, it's what we learn and grow and discover about ourselves that further informs us intelligently. This is not just intellectual, it is the bodily intuition and emotions, the spiritual assessment of our "sense of calling" and learning what resonates and what does not. Continuing on in this fashion we improve our choices and increase the positive outcomes in our lives.

So what are you waiting for?

For All Women

One man can make a difference. I've been saying this and writing around this subject matter for over a decade now. It is not to the exclusion of women as I originally used the phrase in reference to mankind or society if you prefer. A decade ago, my pursuit of the quest to make a difference, to be involved, to inspire ended up taking a back seat. Survival in the moment and dealing with family and health issues took the front seat. Now, most of that is behind me and to a large degree it has been women who have made the difference in my growth and healing; unique powerful, loving, nurturing women.

This post serves as a reminder, an acknowledgement, a song of praise, if you will, for women. It's important you realize just how powerful and wonderful you are as a woman, as a female, as someone who has a unique blueprint different from the male of our species. Your gift is priceless when used well with integrity and you conduct yourself from this seat of female power. It's not the media's and popular culture's representation of female wiles, cunning, and manipulation. No, it's the power of the nurturer and spiritual values.

I speak partly from my own experience that has a depth and richness that is so hard to explain. It also includes influence from historical perspectives and the recognition that almost every great man in history has attributed a large part of their success to the great woman in their life. I attribute it to the call in my heart and the need in my soul for that connection and healing balm that only the company of a woman can provide. How can words possibly express such complexity and yet such simplicity so that it is understood and owned by all women.

It is my desire to empower each of you to be the greatest woman you can be. If I had any advice for your day-to-day living, I'd say look to women who are mature in experience and who have a healthy perspective on love, life, and relationships. Women who are successful in their relationships and careers without compromising the highest values that ring so true in our hearts.

I can also say that I have much to offer in one-on-one coaching as a result of my own life experience with women and my perspective on the unique power of women. I do this with female clients in my coaching business already and it is a huge honor for me. It pains my heart to see women limiting themselves due to poor self image and beliefs developed from family, peers, society, media and boys or men who have caused pain.

Don't hold back, be all that you are made to be.

Yes, one man can make a difference, but the truth is, Women make all the difference!

Peace, love, harmony - it is power.

Be divinely beautiful; it radiates from within.

Challenging Times

You've been moving through life for years now in much the same way. The problem is, now the things that did work are no longer working. What are you going to do? You are looking for change, you know you're uncomfortable, you even have an idea of what it is you're wanting to change and how. So why does it become so hard to change?

Maybe you're afraid of the change, the new reality that is in store for you. Or maybe you realize that giving up some of those old limiting beliefs are going to cause some good-byes in your life that you hate to see end. Maybe you are just plain tired or saddened about letting go of some of your past. I know it can happen to me and has happened to me.

So what do I do when this happens now? These days, when I feel something happen that has me locked in my seat not wanting to move forward with the change, I call someone. I call my coach. You see, coaches need coaches. I know myself better and better all the time. I have become more aware and continue to become more aware of my emotions and what is important to me. When something blocks me from making that move forward when I know what I want to do, I get on the phone and explore what is happening with some of the coaching methods with which we're familiar.

I can't speak highly enough of the experience. A conversation can mean so much to sorting through the mental, emotional, and physical debris that is floating around in our lives. What a difference. Maybe you'd benefit from it yourself. I offer a complimentary session for those who want to give it a try. Email me and we can organize a time for a complimentary session phone-call.

I took an interesting online quiz testing how knowledgable I am about Canada. There are a couple of things that surprised me.

• Quebec is more likely than BC to support decriminalization of marijuana - who would have guessed?
• Canadians feel like their jobs cause them more stress than anything else in their lives.

It's because of the second bullet that I'm writing this. I'm not surprised. I've been observing our work culture over the past 10 years with shock and dismay. It's about how we manage ourselves, our relationships, and expectations. Why are we so programmed into believing that "our work" has to be the way it is?

I recommend change. I propose change. I lead change. I champion change. What about you?

Get your life back, call a coach and start having conversations that will lead you to a new and fulfilling life. It really bothers me to see people feeling and living this way.

Emotional well-being and mental well-being are on the decline. Mental Health Canada has released stats from studies indicating the costs to business and insurance are enormous. More and more people are suffering from mental disorders. Is it any wonder?

This isn't just about a person changing their life. This is also about a business can change its culture and how they manage relationships with their staff.

To that end, I am committed to making a difference. I'm available for workshops and talks as well.

Let's make work a better place to be!

Call me and let's make a plan to improve your company culture. Pooling resources in the community can make this easily affordable.

Sincerely, Lee Lee Down

One Man Can (make a difference)

Working Stiffs

Sleepy people on the bus
Eyes foggy with lazy lids
Sullen eyes on serious faces
As they are awakened
By the mundane tasks
Of another day at the office



I wrote that poem about 10 years ago. Has anything changed. Not according to articles in the media and health statistics in our countries. It prompted me to write a related article recently titled The Working Malaise.