Category: Inspiration
-
Oriah Mountain Dreamer at East West Bookshop, Sunday, April 17
Oriah Mountain Dreamer, author of The Invitation, one of the most inspiring books I’ve ever read, is appearing for a two-hour free (!) seminar at East West Bookshop in Seattle this Sunday, from 2-4pm. The title is "Creativity and the Unfolding of Your Soul: An Afternoon with Oriah Mountain Dreamer", so I imagine this will…
-
Practically Creative
The first issue of Practically Creative Quarterly was published recently: "a free webzine and creative community on the grow, exploring the creative process ~ increasing creative productivity ~ enjoying the creative life." There are many inspiring short articles throughout the magazine, with sections focusing on process, craft, practicalities, creations, practice and practices, crackles and preferrals. …
-
Fred Crosetto: Energy, Relationships and Latex Gloves
Fred Crosetto, the founder and Chief Energizing Officer of +Ammex Corporation ("the right protection right now"), gave an energetic and energizing presentation on "Bootstrapping: Creative Financing for Early Stage Companies" this week at a free (!) Northwest Entrepreneur Network seminar. He shared all kinds of useful insights and experiences from his 17 years of entrepreneurship;…
-
On Friendship: Symmetry vs. Karma
I recently read Ralph Waldo Emerson‘s essay on "Friendship" in "Self Reliance and Other Essays". As with his essay "Self Reliance", there is much with which I agree, but some significant issues with which I disagree … most notably his emphasis on the requirement of symmetry in friendships. Among the themes Emerson emphasizes that resonate…
-
Curt Rosengren: Discovering Career Passions
Curt Rosengren gave a catalyzing presentation on Discovering Career Passion at the EastSide Professional Networking Group (ESPNG) recently. He began with a simple and empowering definition of passion: Passion is the energy that comes from bringing more of YOU into what you do. Curt also invoked the Mayan notion of center as a direction (via…
-
Jan Jewell: Celebrating Entrepreneurial Perseverance and Open Book Management
Jan Jewell, co-founder and co-CEO of Celebrate Express, gave a presentation on "Open Book Management and the Celebrate Express Story" at the Northwest Entrepreneur Network Venture Breakfast Meeting this Friday. Jan led off with a history of her personal and professional ups and downs with Birthday Express (which evolved into Celebrate Express). Among the themes…
-
On Karma and Being a Mensch
I just finished posting another goal on 43 Things: "be a mensch", in the sense that Guy Kawasaki describes in his book "The Art of the Start": Mensch is the Yiddish term for a person who is ethical, decent and admirable. It is the highest form of praise one can receive from people whose opinions…
-
Building a Winning Team: Attracting Human and Financial Capital
Joseph Piper, Managing Partner of Integra Ventures, and Janis Machala, Managing Partner of Paladin Partners, gave a great presentation on "Building a Winning Team" at the MIT Enterprise Forum Venture Lab forum tonight. As with the last Venture Lab I attended — on the entrepreneurial passion and discipline required to "Build a Valuable Business" —…
-
Goal-based Endorphin Release
When I told Melissa about 43 Things, the goal-based social networking service, she told me she’d read that endorphins are released simply by checking off a task on a to-do list. I did a little research (well, googling), and uncovered an inspiring article on setting and achieving goals: As you accomplish an important task, you…
-
Self-Reliance vs. Interdependence: Inherence, Adherence and Coherence
I read Ralph Waldo Emerson‘s essay "Self-Reliance" during the return flight from my New Warrior Training Adventure staffing. The essay reinforces many of the principles I revisited during the weekend, which resonate with me deeply — such as the inherent integrity of each man’s mind (and soul) and the dangers of conformity and blindly adhering…