As #2016 Draws to a close: Some Final "Random Thoughts"

It has been a very interesting and challenging year.    There were some success and some notable setbacks.   But, one has to always look at the positive no matter what as the great Maya Angelou reminded us all:

Outsiders went through a bit of an evolution as I had consultations with a number of consultants and potential partners.   One very crucial highlight for me was contributors that I view as probably one of the most profound positive developments--and their contributions have been fabulous.     The on-going consultations has also led to more of a focus which I hope we can all build upon--a focus on the Social Transformation.    

One statistic that blew me away was when I saw what I was up to on Medium:  

My eyes nearly popped out as I saw this statistic.   It was also very gratifying that on a brand new platform, Medium reported that some 929 people were gracious enough to check out contributions to Medium.   I am excited to build upon this during the new year.   .

Beyond the personal, there is also the reality of what happened in our World.     Mr. Trump is continuing to staff his Government and I helped with the latest on appointments and the roadmap ahead.     With some of the views on regulation, the environment,  and foreign policy evolving, there is going to be even more uncertainty as 2017 comes about.   The latest controversy has had to do with comments Mr. Trump noted regarding nuclear weapons and the arms race which was just reported on SkyNews--and noted in this I just picked up from Esquire.        This uncertainty is even more so true in the Middle East with an impending move of the US Embassy to Jerselaum and the challenges that Palestinians will be dealing as the Trump era has arrived in Washington: 

As I have been finishing off my final                                     thoughts for 2016, I picked this up from a                                        Facebook Friend (and edited it out a bit): 

   When they've tortured and                                                    scared you for twenty-odd  years                                               Then they expect you to pick a                                               career

When you can't really function you're so full of fear

A working class hero is something to be

A working class hero is something to be

Keep you doped with religion and sex and TV

And you think you're so clever and classless and free

But you're still.... peasants as far as I can see

A working class hero is something to be

A working class hero is something to be

This poem prompted by a very troubling article published at Five Thirty Eight about the continued widening gap between the rich and the poor in the World which is problematic.    It is available by clicking on it here.  It will a focus for the "ordinary faces" channel here in Daily Outsider.

As I worked away reflecting upon what has admittedly been a very challenging year, I had the pleasure to attend a memorial service for the Homeless who had passed away in Orange County this year--193.   Every name was read and a candle was lit in their honor.    Faith leaders from throughout Orange County came together at Chris Cathedral in a very moving tribute.   I had the honor of lighting one of the candles:

Here is a one minute Video Essay I produced on it:   

As the office parties wind down and people gear up to be off during this week,  I finish off these "Random Thoughts" with this admonition from the Fortunes' Geoff Colvin which is one of my required readings and whose work has been featured  periodically in our "Views of the Week" which I hope all listen--I hope I can!!!

If you’re actually at work today, please stop as soon as you can.

This is serious. The next ten days are the only part of the year when much of the Western world honors an unspoken agreement to take it easy. You’d be crazy not to use every minute of it. You already know the reasons: You work too hard and sleep too little. But you may not fully realize how bad this problem is for you, your family, and your colleagues.

By working too much and resting too little you become cranky and more pessimistic. Your judgment is poor and you can’t solve problems well, which is hardly surprising because you can’t think clearly or remember what you hear. Your health deteriorates because exhaustion makes you hungrier and loads up your body with stress hormones. You crave sugar and carbohydrates, making you fat, which increases the risk of sleep apnea, which means you’ll sleep even less and make all these problems worse.

Ah, you say, but this is the price I must pay in order to do the mountain of work in front of me. But it isn’t true. You actually accomplish less by pushing yourself too hard.

If you chronically overwork and under-rest, a good night’s sleep won’t cure what ails you. You need several consecutive days of abundant rest combined with stress-reducing activities. Don’t overthink this. You just need to take time to do what fulfills you and makes you happy.

That is, you desperately need this break.

So please don’t squander it. After all, it comes but once a year. Treasure it, relish it. Relax like there’s no tomorrow. 

& This From the Former President of the Church of Jesus Christ of Later Day Saints:

“This Christmas,
mend a quarrel.
Seek out a forgotten friend.
Dismiss suspicion and replace it with trust.
Write a letter. Give a soft answer.
Encourage youth.
Manifest your loyalty in word and deed.
Keep a promise. Forgo a grudge.
Forgive an enemy. Apologize.
Try to understand.
Examine your demands on others.
Think first of someone else. Be kind.
Be gentle. Laugh a little more.
Express your gratitude.
Welcome a stranger.
Gladden the heart of a child.
Take pleasure in the beauty
and wonder of the earth.
Speak your love and
then speak it again.”
~ Howard W Hunter

Onward to 2017!!

"See" you all next year!!!