Dear Optimists,

December 2, 2008

Dear Optimists,

It started last spring in a group of parents talking about ecological sustainability. I began to feel like we are probably living today at the peak of global travel, healthfulness, and wealth (defined in a broad sense). I wondered if my kids will enjoy the accessibility to the world and its resources that I enjoy.

In other words, I am curious about the future.

I go back and forth with how optimistic and pessimistic I feel, but one thing remains in tact. I am called to action. No matter how hopeful or not I am about the accessibility of fresh water, accessibility of food for people, and our continued use of carbon for fuel, I am going to make an effort today (and tomorrow) to make a difference.

A lot of people I have been talking to recently have been saying, “I am an optimist”. The implication being, I think, that everything will be okay. And I am always grateful for that perspective because it helps my motivation. But, I will admit that there is always part of me that gets uncomfortable and until this morning I could not figure out why. I now understand it.

Pessimistic Optimistic
No Action – “out there” – complacent
I. “It’s not worth it. I cannot make a difference.” II. “Everything will be okay. Even in bad times, things have always been okay.”
Action - “right here” – Inspired
III. Does this happen?
If so, it is hard because of a lack of passion or belief. IV. Here is where the difference gets made. Action with Optimism fuels on target, passionate, inspirational effort.


If you are an optimist that is great, and please, please, please join us in action. I guarantee that the kind of change that we need now is not just going to happen. If we let things just keep on happening we are not long for this world.

But, if we can be in action working to make a difference and consistently feel like our effort is having an impact (or that it even has a chance to have an impact) then we will keep going. But, if we begin to feel like hope is lost or there is no reason for our continued effort then…well…

So I call on all optimists, join us in box IV! We love your optimism. We need your optimism. That feeling in me that started last spring continues and I feel like there are more and more global thinkers and organizations that are expressing similar sentiments.

I am called to action. You will find me today and everyday working to make a difference and I want your optimism along for the ride.

Playing Huge.
morgan

An object in motion...

November 24, 2008

After last weeks radio program about Bursting the Bubble and getting our selves out of the Trance we are in, I have been thinking more about what it takes to get in action. The truth is that I think about this all the time, because it is a foundational element of my work as a Life Coach.

How do we get in action?

I woke up this morning and wanted to exercise, but did not feel the motivation to do so. I have done yoga for over 10 years and often get up in the morning and do some stretching. But lately I have not felt the motivation to do it, so I have not done it and I have felt like a slug.

Then I remembered the Sun Salutation. It starts with breathing and simple movements. The first several rounds are very simple and easy. Then the salutations slowly ramp up their intensity. What I know about myself is that if I start then I get into the flow and instead of losing myself in a mindless (and useless) activity, I get wrapped up in my yoga. I know this, but starting is always the most challenging part of the whole thing.

The last 3 days, I have gotten up and begun the simple breathing and motions of a Sun Salutation and on all 3 days, I have spent at least 30 minutes doing yoga/exercising.

What is the difference between executing what we want in our lives and sitting around hoping that we execute what we want in our lives?

In the meditation that I did after my exercise, it occurred to me that this is exactly why the Sun Salutation is designed this way. It starts simply and then gets more challenging as you warm up, get into it and warm your body up.

Newton’s first law of motion states:
An object at rest tends to stay at rest and an object in motion tends to stay in motion with the same speed and in the same direction unless acted upon by an unbalanced force.

The difference between getting what we want and not is action. In order to make a difference in your own life and in the world, you must get in action.

Do something, anything, to get yourself moving.

What is your experience?

Playing Huge Radio reflection

Friends,

There were more learning experiences last week.

The show ended up being more of a live show than I had previously intended. Live from Ithica was expected; unintentionally live from the campus bagel shop was not what I had in mind.

I thought a lot about the experience and want to share my perspective.

The first possibility is to think how unprofessional the show was. It happened in a public place and there was background noise. These are not choices that I would make and I am disappointed in the level of excellence that it conveys.

When I begin to think about this possibility I begin to really question what I am doing and whether it is a worthwhile effort.

The second possibility to consider is that despite some challenging circumstances, the radio show happened. It clearly was not ideal and it would have been easy to bail out and not do the program – it was late at night, I was wiped out from a conference and hours of driving, I was in a bagel shop, and it my friend was making a big effort. But I did not bail. I persevered despite many challenges. In fact, it was never a question in my mind.

The message that I hope this conveys is that Playing Huge matters. The show matters and making and effort matters. The foundation of the show is that intention is essential, but not sufficient; and getting in action is where the difference is made. If I did not feel as strongly as I do about coaching people to step up their effort last week’s show would not have happened.

I care and I will do whatever it takes to keep the momentum that is building moving forward!

Playing Huge Radio Program -- Sunday, November 16th @ 8pm PDST

Here is what I learned from last week’s show.

It turns out that it was the perfect metaphor for what we were talking about.

Doing a radio show was a risk for me and I did not know exactly how it was going to go. During the show there were lots of challenges that I faced and frustration that I experienced, but the show happened. And now I can share some of the things that I learned:

1. All of this work is personal for me. It is not political; it is not about our new president. It is about my passion and my vision of how I want to make a difference. My commitment moving forward is to own my message and keep it accessible to everyone!
NOTE: This is the reason for the name change to Playing Huge
2. Create a consistent format. I think that you will be pleased with the ideas that I have moving forward. My hope is to make it more accessible and organized.
3. Keep it Simple! Define my terms, do not try to do too much, and remember to laugh.
4. Deal with the technical problems. There was a lot of technical stuff that I did not know how to handle, but now I have it under control -- at least I think I do.
5. I am so appreciative. I feel deep appreciation to all of you for your effort to listen, contribute, and be a part of making a difference.

This week the topic of Playing Huge will be these two things:

1. Your gnawing feeling – what is your commitment?
2. What are the tricks of sustaining action?

I will also debut a new format! The format will (most likely) include a “People of the week,” a journey on the Play Huge Stage, and a reflection of gratitude.

Tune in on Sunday, November 16th at 8:00 p.m. PSDT to keep the momentum going.

Yes, we can. Time to get in action.

Dear friends,

Now the work begins.

Whether you are on board with change already, or you have yet to join the movement, this radio program is for you. Because I know you and I know that your heart is in it. I know that:

You feel hope. You want change.

"This victory along is not the change we seek. It is only the chance for us to make that change. And that cannot happen if we go back to the way things were."
- Barack Obama, November 4, 2008

What is your commitment?

The challenge is clear: Change from the bottom up. Yes, we can. The reason that we are where we are today is because of the effort and commitment of millions of people, but nothing different is going to happen because we elected a new president.

Now we, you and me, have the chance to make the change happen. I will go a step further, because we do not just have the chance, we have made the commitment and now it is time to honor that commitment.

"It can't happen without you, without a new spirit of service, a new spirit of sacrifice."
- Barack Obama, November 4, 2008

I ask you to not let me be complacent. And I ask you to make the same request of me.

What is your commitment? I want to know.

Sunday night, from 8 to 9 pm PSDT I am hosting a radio program. My first powerful request to you is to listen and join in. My goal is for 50 people to tune in and I hope there are 200. My second powerful request of you is to get 2 people you know to listen also.

Change begins right now. Lets make our dream happen.

"But above all, I will never forget who this victory truly belongs to. It belongs to you. It belongs to you."
- Barack Obama, November 4, 2008

I believe the victory by Barack Obama is a call to action for all Americans. I know that many of you gave time, energy and money to the Obama campaign. I know that many of you were rooting for John McCain. But, I believe everyone realizes the need to do things differently.

Whatever you stand for now is the time. Honor your word. Keep your commitment. You must, right now, today, this instant, in any way you know, with courage, with humility, with love and support, and with passion create the change that is in your heart.

Here is where you will find the radio program where we will begin to make it happen:
http://www.blogtalkradio.com/playhuge/2008/11/10/Yes-we-can

Playing Huge.
morgan

Dear President-elect Obama

Dear President-elect Obama,

Thank you for your courage, your vision, and the hope and possibility you have inspired in people.

My commitment to you is that I will do the work. I will make our vision come alive. I will talk to friends, strangers, supporters and people not yet on board, and most of all, young people. I will work to create opportunities for them to keep living and feeling “Yes, we can”!

I am in deep gratefulness to all the millions of people who worked to create the victory and the opportunity we now have – the chance to make the change. I did not do my part, but will now. I give you my word.

I have been fighting back the tears of hope, change, and possibility. But they are flowing now. Thank you.

Sign me up for the army of change makers and hope mongers.

Playing Huge.
morgan

Thank you Committed People of the campaign

Dear committed people,

You have spent countless hours working on the Campaign for Change across the country.

I am deeply honored and grateful for you. You made the commitment in your effort and with your heart. All I know to say is Thank you!

Thank you for opening to door for all of us to storm through with an equal effort to yours; our mission is now to make good on this chance to make change you created for us.

The people of the United States thank you and people all over the world thank you!

I did not do my part, yet. My commitment to you is that I am joining the army of change makers and hope mongers. I give you my word.

I look forward to walking with you on this challenging and fulfilling journey.

Playing Huge.
morgan