What Price Terror...$700+ Billion Maybe?

Has Al-Quaida already won?

What was the goal of the 9/11 attacks on the United States? From the terrorists’ perspective the goal seemed to have had a part 1 and part 2. Part 1 was to physically strike the symbols of US economic, military and political power. The terrorists more than achieved their goal regarding the strike on the symbol of economic power (the twin towers certainly are gone). As for the symbol of military power, they only got a chunk of the Pentagon. And as for the symbol of political power, well we got to them before they got to the Capitol. But, regardless of what their motivation was, and what one might believe the US’ role may have been in nurturing that motivation, achieving part 1 of the terrorists’ goal required no action on our part. Meaning, simply, that one can not control another’s behavior; the actions another chooses to take. We can put certain things in place to mitigate the choices another might make and increase the likelihood that they might take one action over another. But, in the end, a person’s decision to do anything; to take a particular action, is their own.

Truly the only thing one can control is one’s own behavior. The choices we make; the actions we take (however justified or not) are our own. At the point of decision-making, we are alone in determining what we will do next and what impact, if any, we will allow the actions of others to have on us. Therein lies the rub regarding what was likely part 2 of the terrorists’ goal.

While only the terrorists’ can tell what their complete goal was for the attacks, given the scale of the attacks, I can’t help but wonder if they wanted something more beyond part 1. What about after the attacks? It seems to me that they would have wanted the attacks to subsequently have some longer-term, painful, negative impact on the functioning of the US in the areas of economic, military and/or political power. It seems to me that would be the completion of the goal – the final act of such brazen attacks (I don’t have a terrorist mind so that’s the best my imagination can do). But in order for this hypothetical part 2 to occur, the terrorists’ actions (even the full completion of part 1) are insufficient. It is not enough for someone to take action against you in order for their intended impact of that action to result. For the intended impact to result, your response to that action is required. And not just any response, but a specific response – one that is complicit in the result of the intended impact. Thus, in order for a part 2 of the goal of the 9/11 attacks to occur, whether we knew it or not, it required that we respond to the attacks in such a way as to lead us to experience exactly what the terrorists’ may have wanted: some longer-term, painful, negative impact on our economy, military and/or political power.

So, what was that response? What choices did we make?

• We gave broad powers, and seemingly a blank check, to the president to wage war on our behalf


• The president used that power to start a war in Afghanistan to go after those who attacked us


• He then used that power to leave the war in Afghanistan undone in order to start an unnecessary, unjust and illegal war in Iraq that had nothing to do with the 9/11 attacks


• During this time that we are fighting two wars abroad, losing precious lives on all sides, and spending amounts of taxpayer money that are so large at times it makes me believe the government is dealing in Monopoly money – it seems nobody was ‘minding the store’ at home


• While we were hanging on by our fingernails to the very last of a fraying thread of morality we once had as a nation in our response to the attacks, it seems morality and ethics had long since left those who run the institutions that form our economy here at home


• A blind eye was turned and financial institutions and Wall Street, it seems, were allowed to run-a-muck and create a complex, global web of economic disaster primarily through questionable (and maybe we will find someday, illegal) subprime mortgage lending practices


• The reality of these mortgage-backed securities that are now worth little has resulted in an economic crisis worldwide, to which the US Congress has responded (with more taxpayer money) by bailing out 3 institutions (in the billions of dollars) and the White House calling for an additional $700 billion bailout plan for all the financial institutions involved


• And we are still fighting two wars…did Parker Brothers even create that much Monopoly money?

These were our choices in response to the 9/11 attacks. Where we are today, is the result - not of the attacks, but of the choices we made in our response to them.

We didn’t have a choice in being attacked. We had all the choices in how we decided to respond. Has Al-Quaida already won? Economically, one must wonder. But how much more they will win and how complete their achievement of a part 2 of their goal depends solely on us and the choices we continue to make – including the choices we make not only in our leadership (those elected to represent us) but also in how we hold our leadership accountable to ensure that the choices they make on our behalf are in our own best interests. It isn’t just our leaders’ job to ‘mind the store’ and to determine the choices made on our behalf. In this "government of the people, by the people and for the people," that job belongs to us all. While we are in this process of taking our country back…let’s be sure to take our control back…over the one thing we do have control…the choices we make!!

Own your choices. Take control of you & what you create from your choices. Allow others to do the same. BE ILLUMINED!

Investment Advice for Troubled Times

In reading the Sunday New York Times this past weekend (all sections, from first to last page – a weekend ritual I thoroughly enjoy), I came across a book review that spoke to me and I thought, “Wow! This would be a perfect post for the blog.” Then Monday came, and as I managed through the day with my own feelings of bewilderment, wonder, shock, deep concern, worry, anger, frustration, compassion (particularly for the workers of Lehman Brothers as they walked out of their Wall Street offices with boxes in hand and no job to return to) and, yes, admittedly, some fear, I thought to myself, “I need a word;” something to reconnect me to the truth of who we really are and the infinite resources we have access to – the true nature of our universe.

I needed something to remind me that the limitations of human action in this life do not define the truth of who we are, nor do they define the value of all that we truly possess. An unhealthy identification with the current financial crisis only serves to separate us from the infinite resources that exist for us and invite more of the same into our lives: “I am poor;” “I have no resources;” “My resources are tanking;” “I have no money;” “I don’t have enough;” “I am not enough;” “I am afraid,” etc. And we neither need nor want nor can we afford any more of the same (to paraphrase President Obama – yes, I said President!!). So, I figured if I needed a word, maybe someone else out there needed one to. Thus, I will save the book review post for another day. For today, I think some ‘investment advice’ may be in order.

A. Maintain a balanced & diversified portfolio…of joy

Matthew 6:21 of the New Testament says that “For where your treasure is, there will be your heart also.” Your treasure is that which you hold dear and that which you hold dear will be your joy. Do you know what brings you joy? Is it success? How do you define success? Is it by how many things you have; how big your house is; whether or not you have a house; how much money you have? If success is what brings you joy, and that success is based primarily on material possession (and, therefore, by extension, based on the money that allows you to possess that material), what happens to your joy when your ability to possess material is threatened; or worse, taken away? Will there just simply be no joy to be had for you?

Any investment planner worth her/his salt tells you that maintaining a diversified & balanced portfolio is the most prudent, financially, and will serve you best in the long-term. So it would seem the same is true for how we build and access joy in our lives. We do ourselves an immense disservice when we settle for material success as the very limited and fleeting version of joy that it is. I mean really, we all know you can’t take the stuff with you (don’t we?). And each of us likely knows one miserable person too many who may lack many things, but material possession is not one of them. But for those of us who succeed in establishing multiple sources of enduring joy beyond money and material possession; who seek our treasure in the quality of our relationships, personal growth, faith, community, family, service, connectedness, smiles, laughter and love – we are able to draw upon those treasures particularly when the limited and fleeting versions of joy leave us wanting. How diversified is your portfolio of joy? Could some reallocation be in order?

B. Be risk averse….to limitations for you and your life

We are well-advised to recognize that all financial investments involve some risk, or so the saying (warning) goes. And, as such, we are further advised that our investment strategy should take into account our own personal tolerance of that risk. Some of us are completely risk averse; some are extreme risk-takers – most of us are somewhere in between.

However, when it comes to your ‘treasure,’ your heart, your joy, your life, you - I would advise that your investments be completely risk averse to any notion of limit. The moment we accept that there is a limit to the amount and kind of joy we can have in our lives; a limit to the kind of lives we can have; a limit to who we can be in this life - the universe obliges itself to respond accordingly. Likewise, when we accept, are open to and welcome the limitlessness of who we can be, the kind of lives we can have and the amount of joy that is available to us, the universe obliges itself and responds accordingly.

So, besides the obvious (for example, who wouldn’t want unlimited joy in their life?), why is it important that we be risk averse to notions of limit? When we embrace the very idea of limit, immediately a door closes; a window shuts and we lose opportunities for what it is we really desire and value. And when we do that, we leave ourselves subject to the vagaries of human action in this life as if those represent the sole definition of who we are and what we can be. Such risk aversion tells us, definitively, that what we may have lost today, has no bearing on what we will gain tomorrow; that what we don’t have today in no way determines what we will have tomorrow. Being risk averse to notions of limited joy, limited lives and limited beingness, goes hand-in-hand with maintaining a diversified & balanced portfolio of joy – if we are to rise above, survive and thrive through the vagaries of human action that define these very troubled times.

Be balanced and diversified in your joy. Be risk averse to limitation. BE ILLUMINED!

For Crying Out Loud, I've tried, But I Just Can't Be Like Everyone Else!!

"I AM NOT HERE TO CREATE SAMENESS."

When I read this quote from The Law of Attraction Cards by Esther and Jerry Hicks, I immediately felt a resonant, deep, powerful and profound YES! It's like that very simple something you see, read, feel or hear that helps explain the very core of who you are; that removes a foggy veil you really didn't even know was there until it was removed, to reveal a clarity about you that you realize just makes sense in both its profundity and its simplicity.

But what a freedom and joy there is in that statement as well. It removes the burden and heaviness we carry of the 'supposed tos' and the 'have tos' we often internalize in our lives about being like everyone else; being pleasing to everyone else (because we appear or are perceived to be like them) and/or being what others believe we should be (based on their own 'supposed tos' and 'have tos'). Reading that statement, you can't help but feel not only that deep, profound, powerful and simple, Yes! But also a: 'Wow, that does explain why I can't seem to keep my mouth shut when everybody else goes quiet,' or 'Gosh, no wonder I take leaps of faith in favor of my own ideas of happiness and joy for my life rather than settling for and suffering through because that's what everybody else does,' or 'No wonder I've always felt and acted a little bit different from what is considered the norm, but I've never felt the need to change,'...because we're not supposed to.

It is not an understatement to say that there is a present and powerful global movement towards understanding who we are, why we are and what our purpose is in this life - and not just towards the understanding of it, but also the active living of it. Books like The Purpose Driven Life (Rick Warren), Inspiration and The Power of Intention (Wayne Dyer), The Diamond in Your Pocket (Gangaji), The Invitation (Oriah), not to mention ancient texts like The Holy Bible (multiple authors, know and unknown) and many, many others serve as guides for us towards the realization of that understanding of life purpose and our living of it. However, I believe the road to understanding and living your life purpose is marked not just by discovering and living what it is, but also, and importantly, by discovering what it is not. Often our knowledge of what something is for us, begins with what it isn't and knowing what something isn't for us (what doesn't feel right, what doesn't feel good) keeps us motivated to find what that something is: that which does feel right; which does feel good - for us.

So, with all this consciousness focused on identifying and living our unique purposes in this life, and with the Law of Attraction clearly stating that 'sameness' is not it, why are we so bombarded by messages of the need for conformity and sameness? People are amazingly uncomfortable in work and life with others who are perceived as not the same. As a result, and, too often, unfortunately, judgements about character, worth and value are made; jobs are gained or lost; relationships established or ended; opportunities gained or missed; experiences had or lost, all because of this need for sameness when that is exactly not who we are and not why we are here.

The sadness about all this is that the sameness we judge each other on misses the point and encourages weakness in our actions and relationships, personally and professionally. It takes little courage or boldness to judge each other on superficial things that are not meant to be the same, like: 'He doesn't make the choices I would make,' or 'She doesn't make decisions the way I do,' or 'She doesn't live her life the way I think she should,' or 'He makes me feel uncomfortable' or, what this all usually boils down to simply is: 'S/He doesn't have the same fears, insecurities and judgement of self that I do.' Imagine the missed opportunities, joys, experiences, learnings and successes when we judge each other this way and act toward each other according to those judgements. While it takes greater courage to look beyond superficial sameness to value and embrace our natural differences, imagine the gain, the freedom, the joy if we were to take that courage and judge each other solely on the one aspect that doesn't miss the point; the one aspect that is the same among us all: the illuminating power of love within each of us. What if we reached out to each other in work and life toward that sameness...the only sameness that is; the only sameness that endures.

To discover and live your purpose; to be that change agent in your work and for your world; to live truly and engage the world powerfully - be the difference your were purposed to be in this life. Besides, the law (of attraction) is on your side!!

Be courageous. Be different. BE ILLUMINED!

Inaugural Post: Welcome to Sunrise Illuminations!

Thank you for joining me on this magnificent journey.

THE JOURNEY:

The birth/launch of Sunrise Illuminations is a product of my own ongoing life journey of self-discovery, self-awareness, meaning, purpose, voice, freedom and love. As with all journeys, the lessons learned aren't confined to just one aspect of my life and living. The revelations I have been blessed to achieve have found their meaning and application in my personal life and relationships; as well as in my work and professional life - ultimately confirming that the personal is very professional and vice versa.

Thus, I have come to a special, unique and very treasured place in my life where I do not compartmentalize my thoughts, feelings and actions such that the way I present myself at home differs from my presentation of self at work and how I present myself at work differs from how I present myself in my faith and spiritual practice. I no longer engage the world in this fractured and often tortured way. I have achieved a presence that is unabashedly and shamelessly whole and complete, as I bring the gifts of all that I am to bear on my work, on my personal life and in my faith and spiritual practice.

This is an incredible freedom that has opened the door to a world of infinite opportunities for the kind of life I truly desire and for the kind of change, through my work, for which I have always longed. What I didn't know, as much as I know and understand now, is that life and that change begins and ends with me. For the kind of life I truly desire, I must live it here and now and not wait for the right time, the right circumstance, the right person to come along and tell me that which I have always known, is ok. For the change through my work that I have always longed for, I must be the change that I seek in the world right here, right now and not wait for anyone to give me the permission that only I can give to myself. Thus was born Sunrise Illuminations - the result of my living truly here and now and being the change that I seek in the world.

THE GIFT:

We each are born with a unique set of gifts - unique not necessarily in the gifts themselves but unique in the way we make those gifts manifest in the world. Sunrise Illuminations is one of my gifts to the world. In it you will find thoughts, lessons and examples - from myself and illumined others - about how each of us can live the lives of our truest desires; how we can find and exercise our unique voices for change in our lives and the world around us; how we can access our personal and spiritual power and engage the world from that amazing vantage point; how we can live in love and joy-without fear; and how we can bring grace, humility , justice and humanity back into our lives, relationships and our work.

What you will find here will have meaning and application to all aspects of your life, as such you will find postings in the context of faith, spirit, culture, family, relationships, self, work, community and, yes, even politics! Since my professional background includes the arenas of coaching, philanthropy and social benefit (also known as 'nonprofit'), much of my own postings in the work context will be from these perspectives. Nevertheless, whatever the form or fashion, it is my sincere desire that what you find in Sunrise Illuminations will inspire you to live boldly, creatively, authentically, lovingly, fearlessly, justly...indeed, to live truly and engage the world powerfully. There is an illuminating force that is transforming the world - it is the illuminating power of love that is within each of us. Let Sunrise Illuminations help you unleash that power as you move along your own magnificent journey.

As the Elements of the Universe say:

"Be ever wonderful as you are."

BE ILLUMINED!