New Becomings

  “ Our ability to reach unity in diversity will be the beauty and the test of civilization .” Mahatma Gandhi Unity in Diversity is an old axiom, yet it still seems to escape the common sense of our politics, policies, businesses, communities and indeed our own lives. We know that first-past-the-post voting does not account for an actual majority when many people have opted for parties that end up having no say in our democracies. We know that policies are sold to the highest bidder. We know that the almighty bottom-line has become the focus and the main reason for enterprise and commerce. We see the clutching of cultures holding no space for the benefits of other cultures. We see monocultures ravaging our lands. We see racism decimating lives... What a horrible mess - this rampant and fragmented way of humanity. People thrive on disunity because people need common enemies and some sort of allegiance, but why? Perhaps because it's easier to blame something outside of oneself for th...

 The function of leadership is to produce more leaders, not more followers        ~Ralph Nader When I was a young adult, I considered that people did not need leaders to shepherd them, but inspiring voices to build up confidence and abilities to then be strong enough to lead themselves. I still believe this to be the case, yet as I've matured, I recognize that not everyone has the confidence and ability to inspire others towards their own fulfillment, and some want to support those that do - not everyone wants to be in a position of power, instead aiming for simpler lives - still others have the confidence and ability to lead, but use them for control and self-interest. How do we identify leaders with the necessary qualities that can help shape and grow our communities, our world? How can we build up our own internal libraries of information that can filter through the guises of false leadership? The traits of false leadership can be recognized through observati...