| Are You Ready To Cultivate
The 'Change-Leader' In 'YOU'? by Candia Lea Cole This edition of the EDGE is supposed to highlight the "change leaders" of the 21st century. Larger-than-life leaders, no doubt...like Deepak Chopra, Wayne Dyer and Doreen Virtue, who come into the kitchen of our consciousness and ask to stay for dinner, whether we feel prepared to entertain their wisdom or not. But...what about you? Aren't you a leader? Haven't you told yourself on more than one occasion that you'd like to create change, while making a real difference? Never mind being popular enough to grace the cover of a magazine. I'm talking about being a change-leader for yourself, your family and friends. Some people say that a leader is born. If that's true, leaders are leaders, because God (and the angels) tattooed the word leader on their soul, and "BAM!" they come out of the birth canal head first, rather than feet first. A baby coming into the world head first can't hurt, I suppose, in terms of its ability to forge an inherent sense of direction in the world. But, if (symbolically speaking) a baby is born breech, who is to say their inherent sense of direction will not emerge in due time? If you're like many babies (leaders in waiting), you might begin your life's journey following where the path may lead -- until someday discovering that you want to "go where there is no path and leave a trail." Cultivating leadership in one's self isn't always easy. For one thing, leaders often find themselves alone. Leaders must often endure unusually difficult life lessons. Though leaders don't always have the world by the tail, it behooves them to embrace life's obstacles, because, chances are great that they are being groomed to help others. Our world today, has a handful of leaders who govern (mayors, senators and presidents) and a band of leaders who entertain and inform (celebrities, writers, actors, musicians, artists). But, we have a shortage of leaders (parents, everyday citizens) in the arena of just humanitarian causes that pertain to our ecological well-being. Though we all long for lives that are full of adventure, stimulation, romance and that elusive thing called happiness, what many of us -- who are sensitive -- encounter is the pain of our global brothers and sisters, the pain of our own disjointed selves, and the pain of those we are joined with (plants, animals, eco-systems and all living things), that have been put in harm's way as a result of our unconscious beliefs, actions and choices -- and our powerlessness to change. Do you remember when Oprah decided to extend her TV contract after Princess Diana's sudden death because she felt a spiritual obligation to lead people in times where positive role models were scant? Oprah has succeeded in leading people through tough times, because, for one thing, she has given everyday people permission to speak their voice and establish causes (or become part of causes she has established) through which they might identify their longings, talents and interests. Like Oprah, and other role models and leaders, I am interested in helping people express their voice. As the founder of a new non-profit known as Eco-Mentor's Family Alliance, I am interested in providing a unique opportunity for others to become engaged with me in a dialogue about how we might learn to "live well together" during one of the most challenging times in our planetary history. The mission of Eco-Mentor's is to create a new culture on earth that is conscious of our role in cultivating our personal and planetary ecology. It is to provide educational opportunities for individuals who want to be empowered to live well. The mission of Eco-Mentor's is to invite creative self-expression to the process of authentic living, learning and healing. As the innovator of a new lifestyle paradigm for the 21st century mentor and learner, I have been busy developing a mentor guide book and training called: Bring Back The Earth! -- Cultivating The Eco-Relationships That Invite Whole Living. The time has arrived for me to take the next step on my leadership path. The next step is to invite the emerging leader in you to make an acquaintance with my work. Are you ready to cultivate the eco-relationships that will protect, sustain, nourish and heal you, your kids, your teens, your family and friends in these eco-challenged times? I invite you to explore your ecological concerns with me, along with your desire to be a change-leader. Join a learning circle that is sure to make a powerful and loving difference! E-mail clcole@attbi.com. Phone (651) 429-4686. Candia Lea Cole is a visionary change-leader, holistic health educator, artist and poet who published several whole foods cookbooks in the '90s. A wife and mother, she is now mentoring adults, teens and families in the art of eco-integrated living, learning and healing. Her new book, along with other educational tools, will be produced in 2003. Copyright © 2003 Candia Lea Cole |
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