During those chaotic, exhausting, physically painful and also joyful first two weeks of postpartum, it was an absolute miracle to walk out my door at lunchtime and dinnertime to discover the most amazing meals already prepared and ready for my family to eat. It’s over 6 years later and it still brings me to tears to think about the generosity of everyone involved.

THAT is religion. That is community. Quite simply that is LOVE.

Her young husband is in the room. He stands on the opposite side of the bed, and together they seem to dwell in the evening lamplight, isolated from me, private. “Who are they,” I ask myself, “he and this wry mouth who gaze and touch each other so generously?”

The woman speaks:

“Will my mouth always be like this?” she asks.

“Yes, I say. “It is because the nerve was cut.”

She nods, is silent. But the young man smiles.

“I like it,” he says. “It’s kind of cute.”

All at once I know who he is. I understand, and I lower my gaze. One is not bold in an encounter with a god. Unmindful of my presence, he bends to kiss her crooked mouth, and I’m so close I can see how he twists his own lips to accommodate hers, to show her that their kiss still works.

I remember that the gods appeared in ancient Greece as mortals, and I hold my breath and let the wonder in.

-Dr. Richard Selzer

The line, “How could we tire of hope – so much is in bud” dances into my consciousness and I am compelled to share the full poem with you here. May you feel the Spring in your heart today and always.

Love, Amy

Beginners

Dedicated to the memory of Karen Silkwood and Eliot Gralla

“From too much love of living,
Hope and desire set free,
Even the weariest river
Winds somewhere to the sea—“

But we have only begun
To love the earth.

We have only begun
To imagine the fullness of life.

How could we tire of hope?
— so much is in bud.

How can desire fail?
— we have only begun

to imagine justice and mercy,
only begun to envision

how it might be
to live as siblings with beast and flower,
not as oppressors.

Surely our river
cannot already be hastening
into the sea of nonbeing?

Surely it cannot
drag, in the silt,
all that is innocent?

Not yet, not yet—
there is too much broken
that must be mended,

too much hurt we have done to each other
that cannot yet be forgiven.

We have only begun to know
the power that is in us if we would join
our solitudes in the communion of struggle.

So much is unfolding that must
complete its gesture,

so much is in bud.

~ Denise Levertov

When you begin to Play BIG and make grand choices for your life at first it may not seem to improve things. In fact, it may hurt a lot. Often small players don’t appreciate people who want to do it bigger. You remind them that they, too have let go of their biggest dreams.

If you continue to Play BIG, sooner or later something colossal will present itself in your life. Make no mistake, it will scare the hell out of you. You’ll get the goose bumps and all those dormant dreams will rush into your spirit like a tidal wave. And when you realize those dreams can be a reality you’ll say to your Self, “Welcome home.”

In an earlier post I laid out my vision of what will be required of leaders in the future and it’s not for the faint of heart. This new style of leadership requires us to be vulnerable, transparent and to check our egos at the door. Far from weak, today’s evolved leaders have the courage and inner strength needed to suspend their own beliefs long enough to really listen to others.  In fact, they make the practice of compassionate listening a priority. Make no mistake, a true leader’s values run deep and are never compromised, but they also realize that we live in an ever-changing world and what was “right” yesterday may have shifted. The leaders of the future are open to the possibility of being wrong and they know that the new right can come from the most unexpected people, places and experiences.

We welcome this new type of leader at LeaderPalooza. In fact, the conference is designed to make this model sustainable. You are the integral piece. Your strengths, experiences and perspectives will add value to this conference. Your needs will drive the content, inspiration and ingenuity. LeaderPalooza will be devoid of posturing, egos, top-down regurgitation of old information and boring 101-level talk.

Using the self-organizing spirit of Open Space Technology and the delicate power of holding space, we’ll tap into the wisdom of the successful leaders in the room (including YOU) to craft visions and plans for the future. Kick off 2010 with others who can support you in leading yourself and your sphere of influence.  Here’s where to register. I’d love to spend some time in the sun with you – - see you there!

Life.

• You’re there every morning when I open my eyes
• You break me wide open again and again
• Your paradox confounds me
• You bring me to my knees
• You are a mirror
• You challenge my mind, body and spirit
• You introduce me to myself over and over
• You move me and guide me
• You create me and recreate me
• You give me exactly what I need, even when it doesn’t feel like it
• You send me subtle messages hidden in my self trust
• You offer infinite possibilities and limitless miles of practice ground
• Both your beauty and callousness make my heart ache
• I serve you, you serve me
• You are chaotic on the surface but your patterns lead the way
• You are my teacher
• You know me fully, you love me fully
• You aren’t to be understood – only to be experienced
• You are an adventure that summons my courage daily
• You are the sweetest friend who always has my back
• You sometimes make good people suffer and give power to the cruel
• I love you for all that you are
• I love you for what you aren’t because it makes me who I am

This post was created as part of a global groundswell of gratitude called TweetsGiving. In conjunction with 12For12K, this celebration, created by US nonprofit Epic Change is an experiment in social innovation that seeks to change the world through the power of gratitude. Join us http://tweetsgiving.epicchange.org/

In honor of Thanksgiving, here’s a running list of people who’ve inspired me recently and why. Chances are if you’re reading this, you’re on the list. It may be something you said or the way you said it. You may have done something really BIG, or perhaps it was a little thing you don’t even realize had an impact. Here’s a taste, and to make it fun, I’ve left the names off. Can you find yourself on the list? You matter more than you know and I’m grateful for you:

• You held my coat so that I could put my other arm in • You took a really big risk that’s going to pay off HUGE • You trusted me enough to share something personal • You made time to read and comment on my blog • You sat on the phone and let me figure it out for myself • You joined Crema Co-working and offered your talents • You said something nice about me publicly • You DM’d “You inspire me.” (You inspire me too.) • You turned me on • You listened so deeply; I could finally hear myself • You contacted me out of the blue to offer help • You got me to take action on a good idea • You smiled at me like I was the most important person in the world • You were cruel to me and helped me cultivate compassion • You shared your expertise with no strings attached • You asked me to help you • You called to say you were thinking about me • You made me laugh really, really hard • You gave me a Google Wave invite •You offered constructive criticism that helped me raise my game • You fixed my computer and so much more • You invited me to coffee • You answered a question I tweeted • You wrote a blog post that got me thinking • You gave a speech that rocked my world • You are the first person I look for when I enter a room full of people • You gave me an idea • You helped your grandmother when she needed you • You are one of the most present people I’ve talked to in a long time • You won’t settle for mediocre • You tell the truth • You volunteer your time, though you’re one of the busiest people I know • Your quiet, peaceful demeanor hides a mind and soul on fire • You’re brilliant • You connected me with crucial contacts for The Hub – all through a DM • You are my Pen Pal and my confidant • You want to collaborate and offered a really great idea • You’re already playing BIG in so many ways and don’t even know it • You make me want to do a happy dance • You emailed a really cool project you’re working on and want to team up • You smell really good • Your paintings and poetry show who you are • Your positive attitude makes me never want to give up • You lead change • You show me what love is • You made eye contact with everyone in the room when you talked • You made me feel at home • You introduced me to people when I didn’t know anyone • You listened to my wild ideas and said, “I think you’re on to something.” • You made me think about the real value I bring • You paint pictures with your words • Your humility is really refreshing • You agreed to meet with me & then acted like it was your honor to meet me • You told me what you needed and I’m working hard to help you get it • You have BIG ideas and take even bigger action on them • You sent me an inspiring poem • You said you were sorry, though I never noticed the slight • You invited me to your party… and lunch…and happy hour • You took the time to add me to your Twitter list • You nod and smile and that’s all that’s needed • You talked with me about things that make my heart soar

This was really fun.

That’s how I’m feeling about this blog right now. So hold on, because I’m about to make a big ‘old u-turn…

There. We’re headed true north and working our way toward Playing BIG. Now that co-working is up and running, it’s time to get back to the business of shining the light on stuff that inspires me to up my game and there’s no shortage of inspiration, so let’s get started.

I recently met with a local social entrepreneur named Jacquie Bergland. Here’s her business card:

Finnegans is a beer company that donates every single penny of its profits to the FINNEGANS Community Fund, a 501(c)3 nonprofit which then disperses it to local charities fighting poverty. Sit in a room with Jacquie for five minutes and it’s easy to see why her entire workforce is made up of volunteers. She’s an inspiring person with BIG ideas and an even bigger commitment to take action toward their reality.

iPlayBIG is teaming up with Finnegans this spring to host a gathering of social entrepreneurs and thought leaders to discuss how we can play bigger for the Twin Cities. Jacquie and I agreed that while there is a lot of great work being done, more is possible by working together. This day-long event will be a unique opportunity for you to not just meet others who are working for social good, but actually collaborate on the spot in order to be, do and serve more.

Jacquie has dubbed 2010 “The Year of Magical Thinking”. Let’s sprinkle some fairy dust on this community and see just how BIG we can play by doing rambunctious good!