There´s an old saying my grandmother used to tell me, “you get back from life what you put out.” Using this reasoning, the more I give, the more I should receive. She went on to warn me that it didn´t quite work that way. If a person´s motivation for giving is driven by receiving, then giving was an act of selfishness.

On the other hand, if giving is naturally-driven from an inner motivation to help someone, then something usually happens in your favor that you could never have predicted. This is a very tricky rule of life because it´s hard to tell when we´re giving out of the kindness of our hearts or there is an underlying selfish motivation.

A good friend of mine was asked by a close friend for a loan of $5,000. My friend was experiencing tough times himself, but he did have the money. The money comprised most of his savings at the time. Without a second thought, something told him his friend needed the money. So he gave him the $5,000 with no memory of the transaction.

About six monthes later, his close friend returned the loan. He also connected my friend with a business opportunity that led to a $100,000 contract! My friend confided to me that whenever he gives a loan, he honestly never expects it to be repaid. He considers it to be a gift.

I think the most powerful gift is giving one´s self; in friendship, love, volunteerism, charity, family, support, teaching, coaching, etc. In these situations, giving and receiving occur simultaneously!

Be sure to listen to the Animal Kingdom Podcast and the free download of the book.

It always seemed to me that the period between Thanksgiving and New Year’s Day was a continuous holiday. Thanksgiving Day started with giving thanks for whatever seemed to be important at the time . Then, the next day kicked off a continuous process of buying things we assume would make ourselves and others happy–at least temporarily.

Quite often, the assumption is made that the most expensive the gift, the more meaningful. I’d like to shift our thinking from expensive to valuable. And ask ourselves, what is the most valuable gift we could give someone? I would suggest the answer is the “gift of love.”

I know this idea is not original or even new; or to some sappy. But it is enduring. Perhaps, more enduring than any thing we could possibly give. To receive unconditional love from another person is a life-altering experience. When I speak of unconditional love, I mean the acceptance of another person, with all their imperfections and shortcomings. When I facilitate our Katrina Support Group, I receive the gift of triumph over tragedy, joy over pain, and adaptability over abdication.

It is in these moments I realize for every thing I have given to aid those adapting to Utah, I have been given the most valuable gift possible from them. The experience of unconditional love. You might reflect on the people in your life and ask, “From whom have I received or given unconditional love?” You are lucky if you count three or more!

Please forward this blog or the site address to anyone you think would benefit from these messages. Resources can be found in the bookstore on www.innovint.com.

We all experience transitions in our lives. Some of us by choice, others by events beyond our control–like Katrina and Rita Hurricane victims. I like to think of Thanksgiving as the beginning of the transition period into the new year. I usually make a vow that I will not carry anything into the new year that has been a significant detriment in my life. Detriments include people, ways of thinking, habits involving health and finances, holding on to unrealistic dreams, and so on.

By starting now to address the detriment now, it´s possible to not only find solutions but even resolve the detriment before transitioning into the new year. That takes a lot of courage. One of the hurricane victims recently visited New Orleans. After returning he declared, “Salt Lake is my new home. I´m no longer holding on to returning to New Orleans. Maybe ever!”

The reality of his seeing the city and going back to a gainful life as impossible was all he needed. There was no future for him in New Orleans. For him, the detriment he faced was already obvious. For us, it may take some thought. Here are a few tips for your transition:

1) Find a quiet place, take a walk alone, or just reflect on the situation that brings the greatest anxiety or stress in your life.

2) What do you do (or not do) that keeps the situation in place?

3) What action or step would you have to take that would begin resolution–that may cause you fear?

4) What are the possible consequences, to you, by taking this step?

5) Give yourself time to think through if and how this transition is best accomplished for you and those involved.

Think on these answers for a few days. I´ll suggest further steps in the next blog.

Where to now? No matter how many times I answer that question for myself, it just keeps coming up over and over again! Perhaps it’s to ensure that I live my life awake; rather than asleep. For as long as I am answering that question, my life has some purpose, meaning, and direction. Most of all, that purpose, meaning, and direction are created by me.

The holiday season always inspires me to pause and think about the past year. What were my most profound experiences? What did I learn, as wisdom? Who are my true friends? What’s most important to me as I prepare myself for the new year? What or who should I let-go of? And, what or who should I hold-on to as though my life depended on them? And most of all, what is greatest fear I have in stepping out beyond my self-imposed boundaries? I always make a point to approach a new year as though I’m writing a new chapter in the book of my life.

These are thought-provoking questions. They cause us look deep inside to places we rarely go in the hum-drum of our life activities. They provoke sadness, pain, joy, happiness, humor, regret, and pride in the resiliency of making it through. For these are the full specttrum of feelings and emotions that make us human. Without them, we should doubt how fully we are living our lives!

So when I sum it all up this Thanksgiving, I’m thankful for everything that has happened to me this past year; the agony and the ecstasy. For we can’t really have one without the other. They have transformed me to be a better person. In fact, I find myself not classifying experiences as good or bad anymore. Everything that happens to me now is part of the flow of life. And if I pay close attention there is always a nugget of wisdom to be learned.

Well, I guess by now you might consider this blog to be introspective. If you feel up to it, you might answer some of the questions I’ve raised above for yourself. I have a feeling we’ll ultimatelty discover that we probably have more in common than our differences would suggest. The final thought for today:

Identify the person who has been the greatest
source of support, inspiration, and love for you
over the past year. Someone who has loved you
unconditionally. Write a note, email, or tell
her or him in what ways they have enriched your
life and your commitment to your future relationship.

Send this blog to someone you feel appropriate or the address of this site: www.where-to-now.com

I guess no matter how much we attempt to make the Katrina displacements old news, the more their impact on new communities will prevail. More than anything, their added impact on most communities reveal challenges that we have been struggling with and ignoring for years; education, health, employment, and racial harmony. And unless we all actively take a role in the process of integrating them, our communities will continue to experience the turmoil.

We just had our two-month anniversary Support Group meeting here in Salt Lake City Utah. The atmosphere of the meeting was completely different from the first ones we had. The attitudes were up-beat. The new residents were trying more and more to find their own way in adjusting to their “new home.” Fewer of the basic needs questions were asked. Our message from the beginnig was one of “empowerement.” That message still prevails at every meeting we host. The “we” are Reverend France Davis, Ernest Timmons (New Resident), and myself.

As we stated from the beginning, our objective is to ultimately go out of business or we will transform our purpose. The new residents who do not have any immediate needs seem to just enjoy the fellowship of others. Many of them have actually served to provide support for others in securing identification documents, employment, FEMA advice, new clothing, city locations, and transportation; those everyday things we take for granted.

It’s a real experience to imagine yourself dropped into somewhere in the U.S. with no proof of identification, no money, no relatives or friends, no place to live, children to support, and no employment. How well would most of us do? No matter how privileged we might feel, at what point would the frustration to give up set in? What the new residents of Salt Lake have achieved is nothing short of miraculous. The courage they have shown is beginning to create a new reality for most of them. They may all be here for a very long time!

Before leaving this site, be sure to give a listen to the Animal Kingdom podcast and the free download of the audio book. They not only speak to the New Orleans tragedy but also of the solution.

Empowerment is the ability to determine your own life. It requires a mind-set that is able to recover from a failed relationship, loss of property and friends, or a disappointment regarding a promotion. Such a mind-set views such events as a temporary set back and possibly a blessing in disguise; or at the very least, a learning opportunity. It’s the ability to see the opportunity in most, if not all, of the events that happen in our lives.

I have a dear friend who has been struggling with the direction in her life. She is extrememly talented, healthy, and has several close friends. She is about to move to a new city and was very low on money. Several months ago she saw little purpose or justice in the world. She was also depressed about the situation in New Orleans because she had lived there. In spite of these circumstances, she prevailed, taking one day at a time. She refused to give up. Then, out of the blue, new business opportunities came to her. She has recovered a direction and a purpose for her life. The point is that when we are willing to prevail in our own behalf, unforeseen events quite often come to our aid.

This way of thinking is based on taking responsiblity for your life; most of all, in unfair or unpredictable situations. Responsibility is the willingness (not ability) to view yourself as the principal source of whatever happens in your life! Take a measure of what principal source is for you in the present way you live. Is it 50%, 80%, 90%, or for some few, 100%? How would your life change if you expanded your mind-set by 10% or 20%? Remember, where self-responsibility is concerned, we are our only limitation!

A resource for learning more about this way of thinking are the books Realizations and Empowerment for High-Performing Organizations available on the website bookstore www.innovint.com

We plan to use this Blog site as a resource for those who would like to use it for the spoken or written word. For example, many of us have printed books or ideas that address the four questions in the previous blog below. We can use this site for connecting “out of mainstream” writers with resources for printing, marketing, and distributing your ideas to the largest potential audience electronically available–the internet users!

It is my opinion, that we are all pieces of the puzzle necessary to create a humanly compatible planet. I also believe that one of the first steps in achieving this objective is “healthy dialogue.” Such dialogue will begin to reveal the “consciousness of the planet” that produces the conditions we observe.

If we can begin to understand others from their perspective, we will have acccomplished the first major step in cultural compatibility. This step is captured by the words of St. Francis of Assisi:

“First seek to understand.
Then seek to be understood.”

The actual practice of this quote requires a major step in humility (as discussed in the book, Animal Kingdom)–the willingness to set aside one’s own beliefs, opinions, and values in order to understand how others experience life.

Together, we can turn this Blog site into an incredible force for human understanding. Let’s get started by your participation and enrolling the participation of others. So, the larger question becomes, “Where Are We Now?” before addressing “Where To Now?”

As the “new residents” of Salt Lake City (from Hurricanes Katrina and Rita) become integrated into the local community, this Blog Site is expanding its objectives. It will begin focusing on the question, “How do we improve (transform) the human condition to peace and prosperity?–mentally, physically, emotionally, and spiritually?”

From a mental perspective, “How do we create global cultural compatibility?” Physically, “How do we create healthy living spaces for our survival and prosperity?” Emotionally, “How do we balance the rational with the intuitive aspects of our relationships?” And, spiritually, “How do we begin to realize that our multitude of religions merge into One, from a spiritual perspective?”

In order to have these objectives become reality, this site will need your acitve participation in submitting your opinions, ideas, and dialogue concerning the four questions above. This site is intended to be a forum for global communication and dialogue. Global is anything from your personl world to what is going on anywhere on the planet. The internet is an incredible resource for instantaneous communication. Remember, you can write comments anynonymously or by identification if so desired.

Specific ideas and suggestions will follow. Let’s get started by writing your ideas and insights. Also invite your family and friends to contribute.

As the aftermath of Hurricanes Katrina and Rita become “old news,” we are faced with the integration of those displaced into many American communities throughout the U.S. For many children, it is adaptation to new, demanding education systems. For many adults, it is new employment, often significantly below their capability and skill levels. And for most, that nagging question in the back of their minds is still there, “Should I return to New Orleans?”

Some who have returned describe many areas of New Orleans as a ghost town. As they experience their loss by direct observation, rather than by news media, the reality is slowly beginning to set in that it will be some time, if ever, before they will return. The process of moving from denial to acceptance is not easy when the loss experienced is not only material possessions, but also friends, family, and a familiar way of life.

In truth, it is somewhat like being a refugee from a different culture. Unless, we take responsibility to help make their integration easier. We can do so by becoming involved in their adaptaion, one person at a time. Human contact and acceptance is one of the most powerful medicines there is in integrating them in their new community. Not with a sense of pity, but with understanding, empathy, and compassion. Here are a few proactive action ideas:

1. Invite a displaced kid to be part of your study group; if you don’t have a study group, start one.

2. Invite a displaced family to dinner to begin the establishment of new friendships; even if it feels artificial at first. All relationships start that way.

3. Arrange for kids to get to know each other through established sports activities, outdoors acitivities, YMCA, YWCA, and those that I have no knowledge of! Kids have an incredible capacity for adaptation and making new friends.

4. Provide employment opportunities by actively enrolling and advertising for those displaced. Don’t just make a one-time offer from afar, but commit yourself to assisting the employment of a specific number of those displaced, and do it.

5. Those of us with the means or facilities, can begin training programs to help those displaced in acquiring new competencies and skills for high demand jobs.

6. Local education systems might consider a dedicated effort to providing scholarships and/or training grants for those displaced. Applications for quick return grants should be available from federal, private, and foundation sources.

7. Etc.

The point here is to think of what you are good at doing. If and how you would like to help others with your talents and means. Then take action without the necessity of any organized effort. In the long run, we will probably discover that we will benefit as much or more than those we help. The word “help” means to assist them to become more empowered, not dependent. We each change the world, one person at a time.

As always, please contribute your ideas or thoughts. And tell your friends to visit this blog site. Thanks!

When I first learned of the devastation of life, property, and displacement of people due to Hurricane Katrina, I had an immediate identification with those impacted. After all, I had lived through several hurricanes growing up in New Orleans. When I learned my sister was trapped due to the resulting break in the levee, my anxiety and concern went beyond mere identification. During those nine days she was cut off from any type of communication with the outside world, I could not focus on any of my day-to-day activities. In retrospect, I know now that something changed radically about my depth of concern from merely commenting about the aftermath to wanting to proactively participate in the recovery process.

When I learned that a sizeable number of those displaced were relocated here in Utah, the idea of a Utah Support Group immediately came to mind. Through teaming with a local minister here in Salt Lake and enrolling the help of a local newspaper, we were able to get the word out about the Support Group. I could never have imagined the stories shared by the “new citizens” of Salt Lake about their efforts to simply survive. Their stories only deepened my resolve to play an active role in helping these individuals integrate into the Salt Lake community.

The specific purposes of the Support Group are to:

1. Assist those displaced to integrate into the Salt Lake community as quickly as possible.

2. Help in securing employment.

3. Provide short-term assistance in securing the basic necessities of life, including food, clothing, toiletries, and other personal items.

4. Provide assistance in securing photo identification, dealing with FEMA, and Utah state support services.

5. Provide a supportive forum to deal with personal and emotional issues related to change and adaptation.

The overall objective of the Support Group is to to provide a proactive action-oriented approach to address the living conditions of those displaced by Hurricanes Katrina and Rita. Obviously, these objectives require a team effort which we have here in Salt Lake; no one individual could make this effort work.

About one year prior to the hurricanes, I wrote a diversity fable titled, Animal Kingdom, which has startling similarities to the events in New Orleans. Some have called it a prophesy. The book provides answers to the question most of those displaced are asking; that question is the title of this Blog site, “WHERE TO NOW?” The audio version of this book is still available on this site (right-hand column) free of charge. I highly recommend the third section of the podcast if you have limited listening time.

Some of the topics discussed on this Blog site include: Being Black and welcomed to a dominantly white community. Who am I without my achievements and possessions? What does it mean to start over again with literally the clothes on my back? Do I plan to return to New Orleans or start over here? And most of all, where do I go from here? These are some of the tough questions that are proactively addressed in these discussions.

I highly encourage and solicit your ideas of proactive action-oriented steps we might all take in this integration process, whether in Salt Lake City or anywhere in the U.S.