When I was young and free, and my imagination had no limits, I dreamed of changing the world. As I grew older and wiser, I discovered the world would not change, so I shortened my sights somewhat and decided to change only my country.

But it, too, seemed immovable.

As I grew into my twilight years, in one last desperate attempt, I settled for changing only my family, those closest to me, but alas, they would have none of it.

And now as I lie on my death bed, I suddenly realized: If I had only changed myself first, then by example I would have changed my family.

From their inspiration and encouragement, I would then have been able to better my country and, who knows, I may have even changed the world.

Written on the tomb of and Anglican bishop 1100 AD

…Freedom is just another word for nothing left to lose….

Trauma often forces people to re-valuate themselves, and the world around them. This has been true for me. My divorce has altered my sense of self, faith, and trust in people. My perception of pain and how life can grow out of it along with what it really means to have abundant life is vastly different from 2 years ago. The framework for which I make decisions and live my life on a daily basis has adjusted and been refined. I am re-visiting how I experience the “moments,” and what legacy I want to leave. I think I have been brought closer to a balance I did not previously understand. I am not sure what the full extent of that transition is and I expect it to continue to evolve. I am passionate about a committing to a lifelong pursuit of introverted (inward focused) and extroverted (outward focused) change that aligns with environmental, social, and economic restitution. I have surrendered to the fact that however much of life I thought I could do by myself I cannot and do not want to go alone. I was carried through my valley and I will never forget it. My God walked beside me in the most painful moments of my life and although He did not miraculously make me “feel” different like I would ask and sometimes demand, I had a constant sense of his presence. I am never alone. That is the peace, and hope, which fuels my faith.

I found a word picture of the kingdom of God that resonates with my thought process:

…Our hope is based on a real horizon, a concrete vision - of a new world order, the kingdom of God, where all relationships are restored and energized by the divine presence; where nothing threatens the weakest segments of society (particularly children and the elderly); where the basic needs-and more!-required for life are provided for all; where freedom from every kind of servitude and oppression is safeguarded; where the ultimate affections of both the poor and the powerful are changed; and where the beauty and harmony of the material universe-from the tiniest particle to the farthest galaxy-have been restored as an essential display of the greatness and goodness of God. (See Isa 65:17-25; Rom. 8:19-23; II Cor. 5: 16-17; Col 1:19-22; Col. 3: 9-11 with Gal. 3: 27-8; Eph 1: 7, 9-10; Eph. 2: 13-17; Rev 5:1-10; Rev. 21: 1-5, 23-27.)…

I am reading a book (Natural Capatilism) on the next industrial revolution. I found a non faith based picture of a world that seems to have a close resemblance to the faith based description of a new world order:

…Imagine for a moment a world where cities have become peaceful and serene because cars and buses are whisper quiet,
vehicles exhaust only water vapor, and parks and greenways have replaced unneeded urban freeways. OPEC has ceased to function because the price of oil has fallen to five dollars a barrel, but there are few buyers for it because cheaper and better ways now exist to get the services people once turned to oil to provide. Living standards for ALL people have dramatically improved, particularly for the poor and those in developing countries. Involuntary unemployment no longer exists and income taxes have been largely eliminated. Houses even low income housing units, can pay part of their mortgage cost by the energy they produce, there are few if any active landfills, worldwide forest cover is increasing, dams are being dismantled, atmospheric CO2 level are decreasing, and effluent water leaving factories cleaner than water coming into them. The frayed social nets of western countries have been repaired. With the explosion of family-wage jobs, welfare demand has fallen…..

The following statement is what I am calling my personal mission. I hope for it to frame my daily and future decisions. It embodies how I hope to focus my energies internally with myself, and externally with what I choose to be involved with.

…I will Attempt to restore that which has been damaged or destroyed and seek justice wherever I have power to act or to influence those in authority to act….

APPLICATION

“Some people want it to happen, some wish it to happen, others make it happen" - anon.
Theory without application is not a complete equation. As my thoughts have randomly processed personal change, and the legacy I want to leave I have started to rest on the following picture of sustainability as a framework for assessing and implementing future work opportunities.

I would like to strive towards interlaced restitution in three area’s called out in the diagram. The business will be a product or service that is environmentally sustainable (Natural Ecology), where I can facilitate positive community within the work environment (Social Equity), and the profit can be funneled into micro credit (Economic).

NATURL ECOLOGY

…to bring into agreement or harmony; make compatible or consistent…

My business will produce or serve in the field of environmental sustainability, If I cannot find, or create a profitable business in environmental sustainability then it will be a business that strives for environmental best practices.

Based on my interests, experience, and the economy I believe the best transition could be into the area of green building. I have started to explore how my skill set and experience may match with a need that can be met.

"Sustainable development is development that meets the needs of the present without compromising the ability of future generations to meet their own needs."

SOCIAL EQUITY

… There can be no vulnerability without risk; there can be no community without vulnerability; there can be no peace, and ultimately no life, without community…

Our work lives are an underutilized vehicle for community. People spend more of their time at work than with their own family. Yet work is not viewed as the natural place for community. The breakup of family is increasing and work is often not a vehicle that keeps it together. I believe that can and should change.

I want to be a leader in business who creates safe, redemptive community. This environment will enable staff to learn, grow, succeed and be a catalyst for personal change. My hope is that positive personal change will impact their family, in turn changing their local community, and maybe the region, and who knows maybe the nation. So many people come from unhealthy home lives, and have experienced incredible injustices from our culture, or just the selfish human nature within the family. Church has done the same to many people and unfortunately what was once supposed to be a safe haven for everyone has become as damaging as many other injustices.

Part of the path of that vehicle is to ensure the environment around it is being positively impacted aswell. This work community would be encouraged to better the local community, and apply company resources of time and money to help bring harmony.

ECONOMIC

…obtain the release or restoration of, as from captivity, by paying a ransom….

I want to be a part of eliminating the marco issues that plague the world today. Poverty, Hunger, Aids, War etc. Micro Loans are an exciting solution of what I understand to be the root cause of many of these issues.

There is also need for giving within the local community. There are many people in need. My hope is for the business community to be passionate about helping the homeless in the city centre. Local giving and volunteering will be a supported form of business time and resources as the business grows. Not just funding the bandage solutions but looking to attack the source.