Make a Difference – Start by Thinking Differently Many of us admire pioneers — people and organizations who see ahead, question norms, and drive change. Yet we often tell ourselves, “I’m not like that,” or “I don’t have what it takes.” I believe we all have creativity within us. We can learn, grow, and make …
Continue reading “Make a Difference – Start by Thinking Differently”
A friend shared that one of her goals for 2025 was to get back to exercising.Her son and I supported her with running shoes and clothes as Christmas gifts. Recently, I asked how it was going.She smiled sheepishly and said, “ Not much. ” Instead of reacting or judging, I asked, “What happened?” She explained …
I attended a workshop where the co-host opened with a simple question:“ What do you want to get out of this? ” One participant said: “ I want my work to be my life’s work. I don’t know if it really is. I can’t tell if it’s me — or something I picked up from …
During a presentation, I asked the audience three questions. “How many of you don’t believe listening is important?”No hands. “How many of you don’t know the benefits of listening well?”Again, no hands. Finally: “How many of you feel you’re a good listener?”Slowly, three hands went up in a room of fifteen. Isn’t that interesting? Most …
Success is a word we use often — in conversations, careers, and goals.But how do we define it? For some, success shows up as growth — in knowledge, influence, or financial stability.For others, it’s less about achievement and more about contribution: doing good work, supporting others, and creating positive impact.You can see examples at: Who …
On a recent trip to Trader Joe’s, I picked up two nearly identical bags of dried prunes. Same origin, no sodium, no added sugar.One difference: “Non-Sorbate.” Curious, I asked a staff member. He explained it means no preservatives.Placed side by side, the non-sorbate prunes looked darker, drier, and “older,” while the other appeared shinier, juicier, …
你如何定義一位「貴人」？你又會如何描述一種「貴族文化」？ 最近和蔡爾平（人稱二哥）的一段對話，讓我重新思考這些問題。他是一位藝術家、創作者、園藝家、雕刻家與跨材料、跨文化說故事的人。 二哥說：「貴人，是珍視（貴重）你的夢想、你的思考與你的使命的人，而不是只給你貴重物資的人。」 這貴重嗎？ 在一個追逐投資人、聚焦億萬富翁、讚頌有影響力的高階主管與官員的世界裡，資源確實重要。但若仔細看，真正改變我們人生軌跡的，往往不是金錢，而是一句信念、一個鼓勵、一個問題，或被分享的一段知識。有時我們要過了很久才意識到影響；有些人從未出名或被感謝。 一位朋友多年後跟我說，我當年的一句對話鼓勵他去參加一個工作坊。那段經驗後來影響了他投入教練訓練並轉換職涯。坦白說，我已不記得當時的情景 — 那是他的決定與努力。但這件事提醒我：一次小小的交流，可能會改變別人的人生，儘管我們未察覺。 另一位朋友讀了 Dr. Greger 的食療聖經 (How Not to Die)，改為全穀植物性（WFPB）飲食，避開了降膽固醇藥物，並自然改善了健康。之後她邀請我和另外兩位朋友到家裡上「大師烹飪課」。我很喜歡那些料理，也開始好奇：如果我轉換飲食，檢驗結果會有什麼變化？於是我在自己身上做了實驗。那段期間我感到更輕盈、更專注，也享受探索新的食材與食譜；四週後的體檢結果顯著改善。何必回頭？從那之後，我持續全穀植物性飲食，也與有興趣的人分享相關資源。知識被分享，也就被擴散。 我母親法律系畢業，政府鼓勵受過教育的人投入教育界，以協助戰後重建。她因此當了 27 年的老師。或許她擔任律師或法官會賺得更多，但我相信她透過教育世代所創造的影響更深遠。我以她為榮 — 我受惠教育、相信教育、支持教育，也是因為她。 二哥還說：「貴族文化，是珍貴的情懷 — 利己利他。」 這珍貴嗎？ 在古時，社會菁英肩負著道德引領與照顧社群的責任。今天，這種精神其實人人都能承擔，只要我們願意向內想、往外看： 天空不再是極限。真正的極限是我們的想像與行動。 我很喜歡 Howard Thurman 的一句話：「不要問世界需要什麼；問什麼讓你感到活耀，然後去做。因為世界真正需要的，是活耀的人。」 什麼讓你活耀起來？
How do you define a noble person（貴人）?How do you describe a noble culture（貴族文化）? A recent conversation with 蔡爾平 — known as 二哥, a renowned artist, creator, gardener, sculptor, and storyteller across materials and cultures — made me think again. 二哥 said:“ A noble person is someone who values（貴重）your dream, your thinking, and your mission — …
What words come to mind when you hear “Africa”? I recently spoke with a friend who has spent over 40 years in global finance and investment, focused on emerging markets and sustainability. In a season when headlines highlight funding cuts and anxiety, it was refreshing to hear him say that Africa holds “a lot of …
Cuando estaba en Argentina, recibí un mensaje de una amiga: “¿Qué impresión te da Argentina? Su economía está en crisis. Estados Unidos está enviando ayuda en dólares. ” Entendí de dónde venía su comentario — probablemente de las noticias recientes. Le respondí: “Todos los países tienen aspectos positivos y otros que pueden mejorar. Disfruté y aprendí …
