2011 « Simon Goland

Being the Board

Today’s Reflection is about what Benjamin and Rosamund Zander call “Being the Board,” in their timeless masterpiece – The Art of Possibility.

I think this particular chapter, or practice as they call it, should come with a warning. It needs to say something along the lines of, “Warning: Once you read this chapter and truly grok [read more...]

How to Not Know

Today’s Reflection is about that interesting place, on the edge of chaos and order.

I am designing a process and an experience for a class I will be teaching sometime in February of next year. Well, perhaps it is more accurate to say that I am contemplating it, rather than actually “designing.” I really don’t [read more...]

10 Years and 10 Minutes

Today’s Reflection is about a new baby being born. Of sorts.

I think that, ultimately, we never really know when it is time for something to happen. Sure, we can make plans, prepare, get things done, and line up all our ducks in a row. There certainly is value in that. We can also trust, [read more...]

A wake-up call. Again.

Today’s Reflection is about yet another wake-up call.

The River of Life is a powerful metaphor to one’s life journey. I use it with new incoming students of Bainbridge Graduate Institute when we gather for 5 days of an orientation to the program and introduction to Leadership and Personal Development (a course I have been [read more...]

I am just looking

Today’s Reflection is about Istanbul, and a lesson from a vendor at the Grand Bazaar. Istanbul. A city of extremes, of East meets South meets West. An old veiled woman selling flowers on the street, waiting for clients, almost falling asleep occasionally, and talking on the cell phone. A young, stylishly-dressed man in a cafe, [read more...]

8 Years. A Lifetime.

Today’s Reflection is about a lifelong period of 8 years of a life with a precious companion.

September 10 was the day of Tobi’s birthday. He turned 8. Strange how the “official” organizations in North America now categorize dogs of this age as “seniors;” I guess this is what happens to dogs with all the [read more...]

I Want a Savasana

Today’s Reflection is about passion, pace of life, and yoga. In a way.

Savasana is a yoga pose, often referred to as the “resting pose,” and is typically done at the end of the session. Lie flat on your back, slowly lift each leg and arm and then let them drop wherever, close your eyes, [read more...]

137 Meters

Today’s Reflection is about swimming, beginner’s mind, and wake up calls.

The outdoor pool in Kitsilano is of a very strange length, 137 meters. Apparently, it is 150 yards, which also doesn’t mean much to me. The only thing it means right now is tight muscles.

I love swimming, both for being in the water, [read more...]

Reflection: On a Right Livelihood Quest

Today’s Reflection is about quotes and passages, while exploring this : fascinating, and often elusive, theme of Right Livelihood.

It is not “just a quest.” Rather, The Quest perhaps, on the journey of this subtle and elusive theme of Right Livelihood, Vocation, Life Purpose. At times, inspiring and fulfilling, though, more often than not, annoying, [read more...]

Say Cheese

Today’s Reflection is about smiling, and about not.

American Visionary Art Museum is located in Baltimore, and I was recently there for a conference. One evening, we got a tour of this beautiful place, and had a chance to see and experience the What Makes Us Smile exhibition being featured in the museum. The [read more...]