Views on Internationalization and Strategic Planning

Recently I applied for a teaching position for International Business English here in Colombia. I was given one hour to write an essay. The following is what I wrote with practically no editing. I feel it adequately captures what I see going on, and the opportunity that lies ahead of us.

Internationalization and Strategic Planning
Internationalization has shown to have both positive and negative impacts. Under the past model (which is currently most people's understanding of current affairs), dominated by corporate interests is not not sustainable. However, at the same time the systems of communication and distribution can be utilized to support the rapidly emerging system that supports international cooperation and collaboration on a more "grass-roots" level.

One only look at the last fifty years of the results of the old paradigm of internationalization to see that it is not viable or sustainable. Numerous cases could be cited of both human and natural environment exploitation. Two glaring cases are China and the conditions of human rights and the second is the rainforests in Brazil.

There is a shift occurring that is not visible to the masses because the mainstream media is controlled by corporate interests. This shift, or total paradigm restructuring, is occurring as the old financial and controlling interests are crumbling in the U.S. (including the Federal Reserve Bank) which has been by far the main proponent of internationalization under the corporate model. What will replace these systems are one that are based upon the support and development of nations, places and people with integrity and recognition of individual and community sovereignty.

The interesting thing that can be seen as one steps back and looks at the larger context, with a systems thinking view, is that these interests that have caused all of these "problems" have done all of the hard work of organizing the channels of distribution and communications. One case in point is Rupert Murdock the Australian media mogul who has brought together at least 25,000 news and media outlets (including TV, radio, newspaper and Internet).

Interestingly enough, Wallace D. Wattles predicted this shift to occur in his book "The Science of Getting Rich" that was written one hundred years ago. This is the book that inspired the international phenomena movie and book "The Secret" by Rhonda Byrne.

It is very apparent that the rapidly passing away model of producing and shipping products vast distances is exorbitantly wasteful. And these systems have the most blatant examples of human and environmental exploitation (e.g. food production in California and maquiladoras on the U.S. / Mexico border).

The shift that is occurring and is rapidly expanding is founded upon at least three important principles a) sustainability of economic and social structures, but most importantly the natural environment, b) the phenomena is not blatantly apparent but is what is called "grass-roots" in nature, pockets of people's are coming together in collaboration to essentially, take their lives back, and c) it is apparent that the character of these emerging communities and cooperative efforts are based upon regional models that support revitalization at several scales, and empowerment of people.

Strategic planning, in my view based upon "systems thinking", is an important perspective and approach to bring about these changes with the least amount of systemic disruption. Of course the "powers that were" (I have changed the term "powers that be", because there is incredible power in the words we use), the existing political and financial interests, want us to believe that everything is collapsing. The solutions, in their view, are the ones that they say that they have. But one only needs to look at the performance of these interests, in any country, or the entire world to know they have no solutions.

As it turns out all of the solutions are already with us. Different individuals (and small groups) have shown us that as people get together in the interests of serving people, and to make life more fulfilling that changes can occur - sometimes on a grand scale. (Ghandi, Lincoln, Mother Theresa). I personally interviewed Norman Borlaug who is credited for saving 1 billion people's lives. His simple belief, "people deserve to eat." The Number 1 contributor to his success "young minds".

If we simply follow the guidance of these great teachers, including Jesus, Buddha, and Lao Tsu, we will see! The way is quite apparent that we cannot blindly blaze forward with the past "development models". And our ship captains, essentially self appointed, are crashing the metaphorical boat on the shores of destruction. These "captains" are essentially the dominating financial interests that have had one hundred years at the helm.

The time has arrived for the people's of the world to come together with one heart and know that we have the true power, we always have. What is that power? It's Love! The tools are scattered on the ground at our feet (creativity, cooperation, technology, innovation, Internet, etc.). We need only pick them up and start working together to create the world we all have in our dreams. Of course we need to quit paying attention to the "horror movie" being shown in the mass media. And know that the power system, based upon fear, is absolutely insubstantial compared to the real power - Love!

I Am Sharing - Thoughts, Experiences and Learning About Love and Service

Hi Folks, I am proud to present my second book. Here is an excerpt from the introduction

Follow this Link, or just click on the Book cover

The Love Comprehension Experience!
December 24, 2008

When my brother Mark learned of my finding my soul-mate he said "Andy, focus on the Love and everything else will fall in place". I believe this is one of the most profound and impact-full things we can do.

The other day I did an exercise. I began thinking about how much love I have for one person. Then I thought about another, and another, and another. At the same time I brought the feeling I have for the person into my experience. That feeling from my heart. I even thought about those people who are not in my life that I still love deeply and profoundly. In fact, as I felt the love, I realized that for each person the breadth and depth of the love I felt to be boundless. Then I expanded the exercise as I thought about people whom I haven't met that I want to share in the peace and joy and abundance that I experience. Those people whom might be suffering in whatever form.

I have learned suffering is transitory and not ultimately necessary, except to push me toward Love. So it too is good!

Then I expanded my "Love Comprehension Experience" to all the living things that make my experience here on the planet so incredible: the air, wind, birds, insects, flowers, rocks, water, the planet, the cosmos, etc, etc., etc. It helped me realize that the capacity I have for Love is boundless. And, if I send boundless love out, by Law, it is reflected back. So I really am absolutely, beyond comprehension, immersed and supported by infinite Love. WOW! If that is the case, why would I be afraid? Silly Andy! Just focus on the Love and everything will be perfect, as it already was until I began to think differently. Imagine if a whole bunch of people began "paying attention" like this?

Release of 1st Book - When Love Guides Your Thoughts

Dear Friends,

This is an exciting day!!! We've have officially released our first book "When Love Guides Your Thoughts".

The book lays down some basic principles, "rules" for thinking, and invites us, humanity, to create a new foundation for life on seeking the "truth" and on Love. No words here in this blog can do it service.

The book, and the new team members coming online is like a super-charge of new energy to Solomon Source. Look for a newly launched Web site in the near future. Also, Join us at our Collaborative Network, and follow us at Twitter for updates.

ALL proceeds from the sale of this book will be donated to Solomons Source for efforts to assist humanity. So to purchase this book is like a donation to humanity.

Here is a snapshot of the "tentative" new Web design.

Building Bridges of Service

Today the idea that has been bubbling around my head is of building bridges. There is this desperate "reality" of locked-up systems - of money and encumbered bureaucratic entities. Dealing with these "apparent" obstacles and entities is exhausting if one finds oneself falling into the trap of frustration and resistance - as per the amazing quote from Carl Jung "What you resist, persists".

However, during this very reflective time, since the beginning of 2008, I have come to believe, and now know, that this "reality" of systems is only as real as we believe. We human-beings made it this way - we can change it.

In the past year I have been exposed to people who are spiritually and consciously advanced so far that I have to stretch myself beyond my current thinking paradigm to grasp a small portion of their message. And yet as I make the effort, I find my problems and struggles melting away like ice in summertime. These beings (and there have been beings through the ages who have been similarly enlightened) show me that there are dramatic changes happening in the world and the "Golden Age" is coming.

And yet, on the other hand, I work and see and meet people who are so far away from this "new reality"- many people walking the streets, working at their jobs, struggling with their families and lives. They cannot comprehend much beyond their day to day existence. How are we to assist these people?

I think this is about building bridges. We need to bridge the gap between these two, apparently, disparate realities. Another idea along these lines would be one of an "interpreter". Since I began my professional career in the early 1980's, I have found myself in positions where I can see both sides of situations. I won't bore you with examples, but the most distinct is between "scientists" and people who needed their knowledge. It has been my observation that most scientists are not very interested in "interpreting" what they learn down to the level of the lay person. In fact, it seems that often the various disciplines actually encourage their science to be more and more obscure, complex and incomprehensible to us "regular folks". And yet when this new knowledge can get into people's minds and hands, sometimes astounding changes are brought about. Two acclaimed scientists who were the exception to the rule are Albert Einstein and Carl Sagan. They both saw that the contribution they could make to the world was dependent upon "the masses" understanding what they had discovered. I believe both of these enlightened individuals made their respective sciences meaningful to everyone. And their influences continue even after their deaths.

So, what does this all have to do with Solomon Source? Well this is a Blog, and so it can be based on random thought, and yet these ideas have been in my mind since my Leisure Studies degree began in 1984. I am not suggesting that I am in the league of these great scientists, but I see that there are important "gaps to fill", or "bridges to build".

I see that we need to start connecting the dots of the fragmented "reality" that science has helped create. We need to put the pieces of the "puzzles" together (in context) and communicate applied, pragmatic solutions to people who are struggling day to day with survival. In language that they can comprehend. This was the vision of the Land Grant University system (an idea signed in law by Abraham Lincoln) - and Extension was to be the vehicle. However, this area of Service has fallen way short of its intended goal, in my opinion. For more great thoughts on the role of the Land-Grant, look into John R. Campbell's (past president of Oklahoma State University) work "Reclaiming a Lost Heritage: Land-Grant & Other Higher Education Initiatives for the Twenty-First Century"

Additionally, we need to be building bridges between the great spiritual truths that are being broadcast globally on a scale that is mind-boggling. Not just as a "get rich quick" scheme, but as a solution to people's day to day struggles. Introduce to people that life is not just a series of problems and obstacles to be overcome, but one of abundance, joy and true freedom. One that is guaranteed since the beginning of human experience on this planet, it's all a matter of our thoughts and conscious awareness. We can deliver a message that will allow people to understand that they can create their own individual "new reality" based on what is truly valuable. As Earl Nightengale suggested - the BEST things in life are free - family, friends, love, life!

We won't necessarily be able to deliver this message from a pulpit or a mountaintop. I think this message will be delivered over the bridge through a true desire to be of Service. A bridge that disregards, and melts the idea of separation, in any form. A bridge that is based on what the greatest teachers have suggested to us in all their messages. That bridge is Love.

All the Best - Andy