The time is always right...

Multiracial families: Counted but still misunderstood

In the past couple of years, I have noticed a certain complacency that I never noticed before, in my eleven years of leading Swirl. The same passion and the same excitement around building multiracial communities had faded a bit. In the one year leading up to the Presidential election, we launched five new chapters (the norm had been a chapter every year or every other year). People were excited by the energy created by Obama's campaign, and they were motivated and eager to be a part of creating supportive and inclusive multiracial communities.

A life of meaning and worth...

One of my heroes passed away yesterday - Derrick Bell, a law professor and civil rights advocate. Years ago, when I read and resonated with his book, Ethical Ambition, I wrote him a note to thank him. I felt inspired by his choices and his courage to stand up for what he believed in, even when personally risky. I didn't necessarily think that I would hear back, but it was important for me to let him know the impact his writing had on me.

High ceilings and high hopes

I just finished reading an interesting book by Scott Belsky that helped me to re-think the ways in which I work. I definitely recommend it if you like to reflect on your own systems.

A new year...for community

How often do we truly feel seen by others? A part of a community that will hold us in the good times and the bad? I have been reflecting on how rare that feeling has been for me - of true love and acceptance from a community.

I see montages

Sometimes while I am on the subway listening to music, I come across the perfect song to which I can set my montage.

We need new vocabulary

Tonight's conversation at the Brooklyn Historical Museum (BHS) was thought-provoking and energizing.

Sunday dinner

Sunday family dinner is great because:
My dad's lo mein is the best
I get my fill of mom news - her version of what's important via newspaper clippings
I laugh a lot

No more tug of war

One thing that I'm finally learning is to walk away from the tug of war.

You want someone to do something and so you pull with all of your might.
The person looks you deep in the eyes from across the pit of mud, holding onto the other end of the rope.

Just write.

Seth Godin is a business/marketing guru and I subscribe to his blog. Today's post stuck with me and I'm going to try a little harder to write every single day.

Concrete Steps

I wrote this poem during the One City One Prompt event coordinated with Swirl and the Creative Righting Center on September 18, 2011.

Concrete Steps

The streets of New York City
become more smoothly choreographed.
We don't bump or push or
get into quarrels because of such small infractions worsened by ego.
We glide past one another,
light breezes, punctuated by easy smiles.