Category: Inspiration
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Honor and Consciousness on MLK Day
Yesterday, I was struck by the multiple interpretations of a poster I saw at the King County Library announcing their closure in observance of Dr. Martin Luther King Jr.’s Birthday: [the sign reads: Honor Martin Luther King Jr. Birthday] One interpretation is that the library is closing in honor of Martin Luther King Jr.’s birthday. …
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Openness, Vulnerability, Kindness and Greatness
I was catching up with Dan Oestreich’s blog this morning, getting inspired by Dan’s writing about — and modeling — the value of being conscious and open. I took a break to drive the kids to school, and on the way back, listened to Steve Inskeep’s interview with Paul McCartney on NPR, which provided yet…
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The Risks of Changing, and of not Changing, Careers
In introducing this week’s segment of "Take Two: Life Changes" on NPR’s Morning Edition today, Ketzel Levine gave an update on the subject of a previous segment, 58-year-old Terry Rusinow and her mobile espresso cart, "Duck, Duck, Brew", who is now pursuing a "Plan B" in her entrepreneurial venture(s) — seeking high-volume, half-day events she…
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Failure, Persistence and Heroism
NPR’s Morning Edition aired a segment this morning called "The Aftermath of Movie Flops", introduced by Steve Inskeep as "a chronicle of failure, [part of] a series on flops, about what happens when the next big thing isn’t." Kim Masters interviewed a number of movie people, who had some gems to share: Laura Zisken (producer…
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People, Food and Other Objects of Sociality in Small Urban Spaces
In his book "The Social Life of Small Urban Spaces", William Whyte presents a number of observations and insightful analyses of the factors that promote or inhibit sociality in various spaces in urban areas. I was reminded of the concept of object-centered sociality that I recently read (and blogged) about: shared objects providing the catalyst…
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Another Hale and Hearty NWEN Pub Night: On Working, Walking, Running, Screaming, Fighting and Soothing
There was another great lineup of aspiring and inspiring entrepreneurs at the Northwest Entrepreneur Network (NWEN) Pub Night at Hales Ales this past Thursday. Here’s a brief summary: Working: Steve Bjorg talked about MindTouch, a company that seeks to "bridge the gap between community-driven, open-source developments and today’s business requirements" through, among other things, their…
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A Gathering on Gatherings
I attended the Pomegranate Center’s Annual Gathering today, whose theme was "Community-Built Gathering Places". The center’s gathering places model is based on the premise that "unintentional encounters happen in intentional environments": Gathering places are where social encounters happen freely and unexpectedly, contributing to a stronger sense of community, better relations among neighbors, reduced vandalism and…
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The Business Value of Integrity, Openness, Vulnerability and Compassion
Merrit Quarum, MD, Founder, Chair and CEO of Qmedtrix, highlighted the business value of personal qualities that I have always valued in his presentation today at the NWEN Venture Breakfast Meeting. He also provided an overview of Qmedtrix’ history and mission, talked about some of his courtroom battles, and shared some of the most egregious…
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What’s in a Name Tag?
Scott Ginsberg ("that guy with the nametag") has been wearing a nametag every day since November 2, 2000. The nametag creates, in effect, a personal "front porch", projecting an openness that enhances approachability, with respect to both other people’s willingness to approach him and their willingness to be approached by him. Scott’s web site includes…