31 Days of Dropping More Keys
The small man builds cages for everyone he knows.
While the sage, who has to duck his head when the moon is low,
keeps dropping keys all night long for the beautiful rowdy prisoners.
~ Hafiz (a 14th century sufi poet)
This month I was inspired by the extraordinary words and ideas that comprise Chris Guillebeau’s The Art of Non-Conformity. I like how he says that he has been “challenging authority” since 1979. I have been “challenging the status quo” since 1981. The poem above is featured on Chris’ site and encapsulates the true meaning of empowerment. March is a great month to be dropping more keys so that we can all free ourselves from the cages built around us.
I started off the month reflecting on a late February walk through Parkdale and West Queen West in Toronto. Perhaps it is as a result of this walk that the theme for March’s whiteboard emerged so clearly. Let freedom ring.
A big part of our personal and professional philosophy at iNSPiRED PRACTiCE involves evolution and transformation. Every living person, place and thing evolves over time. In our quest to make the world a better place, I felt the need to free myself of an unnecessary administrative burden so that I could tend to what matters. So I made the decision to amalgamate the existing iNSPiRED PRACTiCE site with the iP blog. The conversion has started and changes will be complete this month. The beauty of this new and improved site is that it offers both static and changing content.
Spring is nearly here and to get in the spirit, the office is decked out in Ecojot designs. Before the end of March, some hardcore yoga is in order. There is quite a contrast between the damp atmosphere and intense sunshine. New muscles in the body and brain must be awakened.
March is a cup-runneth-over kind of month. My favourite kind. Manitoba Eco Network hosted its inaugural Reel Green Film Festival on March 12 & 13, 2010 and I was pleased to represent the Children’s Health & Environment Partnership of Manitoba (CHEP) there. CHEP also sponsored the premiere of A Chemical Reaction. A film that traces the genesis and evolution of Hudson, Quebec’s cosmetic pesticide by-law which set an enormous community and legal precedent for other municipalities in Canada.
So what of “empowerment”? What does it mean? Well it all begins with empowering SELF. As part of my and iNSPiRED PRACTiCE’s journey for 2010, I am seizing opportunities to grow my mind, develop new skills and connect with others to support my development as an entrepreneur. This in turn will better position me to empower others. I was selected as one of 100 young changemakers to attend the Young Social Entrepreneurs of Canada (YSEC) inaugural conference re:Vision 2010. YSEC has partnered with Social Innovation Generation at MaRS for this event and I perceive this to be such an ideal marriage.
Heads 03 is rolling in on March 25, 2010 and I plan to be there. Heads is an innovative social gathering, one based on new ideas and connections. This throw-back to the days of living room salons is both entertaining and engaging – a killer combo. The third event in this salon series features captivating speakers, inspired conversation, new connections and the art of interaction around The Future of Radio and The Greenest City. An added bonus is Microtalks – a minute with the mic, your idea and the Heads audience. Should be a blast!
Filed under: Whiteboards
[...] was finally able to get the ip whiteboard for March up on the site – take a look and see what’s up this month. The rest of the [...]