Editor’s note: Yes, I know I overdo the Avetts but their words mean so much to me. This one, at least to me seems to be about growing up, breaking away then recognizing where you came from. It was the feature song to their first major label album in 2009 and is probably their most popular song. The words connect to today’s blog so it just seems the right time to share it.

Editor's Note: The organizations who recognize that doing good is good business are becoming the ultimate value creators. They’re changing their culture and generating every form of value that matters: emotional, experiential, social, and financial. And they’re doing it for all their stakeholders. Not because it’s simply politically correct, because it’s the only path to long-term competitive advantage.

Editor’s note: I hope you enjoy this holiday thought provoking article from Arthur Brooks in the New York Times Sunday Review. I smile every time I read, “there is nothing wrong with money, dude. The problem in life is attachment to money.” I think I’ve got that one down but now I have to work on his second big thought: “excessive usefulness.”  

Thanks to those who’ve read and commented on Empty Abundance, and here’s a link to a sample chapter to entice those who have not.

Editor’s Note: I’ll add this month another ‘70s song, this one in light of the holiday with a little of Browne’s deep reflection and attitude thrown in.

Editor’s comment: I don’t usually feature a children’s book but this one is a good reminder to those of us reading to our children/grandchildren. The parable is a star (of truth) breaks up and one piece is found on earth and carried into the culture. Its truth? “You are loved” As their peaceful world fell into violence, greed and destruction a little girl goes looking for the other piece. She finds it with the Old Turtle and returns home to share the other half of the broken truth, which is the whole truth: “You are loved/and so are they.” Wonderful stuff, can’t wait to read to my grandchildren while contemplating my own relationship to that lesson.”

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In lieu of our regular monthly newsletter, I wanted to share with you a great learning opportunity for any non-profit leader looking to grow and diversify their revenue.

Though never documented, it is legend that Ernest Hemingway said; to be a man, one must plant a tree, fight a bull, write a book and father a son.

Editor’s note: Simon’s work was the backdrop to my young life. He just had/has a unique ability to bring rhythm and sound to great lyrics. Listening to Slip Sliding reminds me of contemplating whether I was “gliding down the highway when in fact” I was “slip sliding away.” Dude can write, sing and play like nobody else.