One Voice Global
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Evelyne and Al Siraat StudentsFrom February 12 -- 23, Evelyne spent two weeks at Al Siraat College, in Melbourne, Australia working with students and community outreach staff to jump start OneVoice's "social cohesion" program -- a student-lead intiative likely to culminate in a series...
Posted in One Voice Global on April 4, 2018 05:48 AM
GOOD NEWS! Laos Orphanage UpdateThis just in from Andrew Brown, One Voice Global's contact at the Deak Kum Pah orphanage in Laos. "As we explore the villages around Luang Prabang, we continue to find so many beautiful places. The Lao people living in these...
Posted in One Voice Global on February 22, 2014 09:58 AM
Evelyne's Go Fund Me CampaignDear Friends of One Voice Global: This is just a brief announcement to let you know that OVG's Founder and Managing Director, Evelyne Pouget, has recently launched a GoFundMe campaign to help raise funds to support her efforts to...
Posted in One Voice Global on February 18, 2014 12:25 PM
One Voice Global Article in the Chronogram!The Chronogram just published a very nice story about the work of ONE VOICE GLOBAL. Click here to check it out....
Posted in One Voice Global on February 16, 2014 12:47 AM
A Big Thank You!A big THANK YOU to all the Hudson Valley teens working so selflessly to help children-at-risk in Laos and Mexico! AWESOME!...
Posted in One Voice Global on January 28, 2014 01:29 AM
The Message for the Day...
Posted in One Voice Global on January 27, 2014 01:18 PM
Humanitarianism at its finestOne Voice Global recently had a very touching thing happen. Tom Nusbaum and his family, local members of our community, lost their home and everything in it to a fire right before Christmas. One Voice Global decided to reach...
Posted in One Voice Global on January 11, 2014 06:50 PM
One Voice Global Cabaret on January 19th...
Posted in One Voice Global on December 30, 2013 09:31 PM
Mimi and Grace Presentation on January 12th...
Posted in One Voice Global on December 30, 2013 09:27 PM
Who We Are, and What We're DoingIn the Catskill Mountains of upstate New York lies a small town known as Woodstock. Woodstock is special because it is known for it's sense of community and desire for peace. This town is where the volunteer organization 'One...
Posted in One Voice Global on December 29, 2013 09:34 PM
One Practical Result of Our Efforts...
Posted in One Voice Global on December 29, 2013 10:07 AM
Hudson Valley Teens Sponsor Art Exhibit, in Woodstock, to Benefit OrphansOn Sunday, December 15th at 2:00 pm, One Voice Global, will be hosting a benefit art show, showcasing original paintings of three young Laotian artists from the orphanage Deak Kum Pah, in Northern Laos. The event will be held...
Posted in One Voice Global on December 12, 2013 09:43 AM
Last Photo from Casa de Los AngelesEvelyne made one last visit, today, to the Casa de Los Angeles Day Care Center in San Miguel de Allende, Mexico. Here's the photo. Hopefully, another trip there can happen next year. Interested in going?...
Posted in One Voice Global on December 9, 2013 02:12 PM
Bueno News from Evelyne in San MiguelWe just had a fabulous week at La Casa De los Angeles in San Miguel de Allende with two of One Voice Global's pioneer students, Mimi Ditkoff and Grace Miller. It was truly an extraordinary experience for them (and...
Posted in One Voice Global on December 5, 2013 09:50 PM
Mimi, Grace, and Evelyne UpdateMimi, Grace, and Evelyne are diving deeper into their volunteer work at Casa de Los Angeles in San Miguel de Allende. ONE VOICE GLOBAL is now in two countries -- Laos and Mexico!...
Posted in One Voice Global on November 29, 2013 09:28 PM
Mimi and Grace at Casa de Los AngelesMimi Ditkoff and Grace Miller volunteering at the Casa de Los Angeles Day Care Center in San Miguel de Allende, Mexico -- the newest addition to ONE VOICE GLOBAL'S outreach efforts....
Posted in One Voice Global on November 28, 2013 12:48 AM
Our Name Is ChangingWe are very happy to announce that the name for our project -- One Voice for Laos -- will soon be changing to ONE VOICE GLOBAL. The reason for this change is a simple one. Initially, all our efforts were...
Posted in One Voice Global on November 18, 2013 11:42 AM
Many Hands Make Light WorkWhat do YOU want to do to help One Voice Global make a difference in the world?...
Posted in One Voice Global on October 26, 2013 12:34 AM
Anything Is Possible!...
Posted in One Voice Global on October 16, 2013 03:16 PM
Raphael Gould-SchwartzRaphael Gould-Schwartz is a 13-year-old boy who has a passion for helping others. At the beginning of this year Raphael got involved in One Voice For Laos and since then he has been an active member who has been...
Posted in One Voice Global on May 27, 2013 07:26 PM
Hands Across the World!A big thank you to all of the fantastic teenagers from the Hudson Valley who are going beyond themselves and extending a helping hand to the 600 children of the Deak Kum Pa orphanage. Your efforts are very much...
Posted in One Voice Global on May 22, 2013 12:39 PM
Thank You All!!!Happy and well fed children in the Deak Kum Pa orphanage. Thank you all for your efforts!...
Posted in One Voice Global on April 21, 2013 06:13 AM
Thank You Raffy, Morgan, Emma, and Lauren!A big thank you to Raffy, Morgan, Emma, and Lauren for minding the information and donation table at Oriole 9, in Woodstock, this past weekend. Altogether, $190 was raised to help support the children of the Deak Kum Pah...
Posted in One Voice Global on April 15, 2013 04:34 PM
Environmental Justice Issue: Damming of the Mekong in Laos by Caleb RudgeOne Voice For Laos: Teens for Change member Caleb Rudge wrote the following paper for college. This is a great example of the project carrying over to different aspects of life. Please take the time to read this fantastic...
Posted in One Voice Global on March 19, 2013 04:47 PM
A Testimonial From Lauren HavensMy name is Lauren Havens and I am sixteen years old. During life, everyone strives for relevance and pleasure. In the limited time we have on this earth, we aim to make an impact on lives other than our...
Posted in One Voice Global on February 11, 2013 06:32 PM
The One Voice For Laos Cabaret!Preparation began weeks before the Cabaret filled with long hours of work by a small committed team. As the night grew closer we were filled with nervous anticipation and excitement, all of our hard work surely paid off. The...
Posted in One Voice Global on January 31, 2013 08:31 PM
Seraphina Mallon-Breiman's Touching BiographyMy name is Seraphina Mallon-Breiman and I am nineteen years old. I have been working with the One Voice for Laos organization and community for a few years now. I've helped to put on fundraisers, write blogs and newspaper...
Posted in One Voice Global on January 27, 2013 07:32 PM
Diversity Day at Onteora Middle SchoolWhen Onteora Middle School hosted their annual Diversity Day in 2012, One Voice For Laos was there! Three One Voice For Laos members, Garland Berenzy, Rio Morales, and Anna Weissman, and Evelyne Pouget presented to middle schoolers. At this...
Posted in One Voice Global on January 13, 2013 07:10 PM
Middle School Pen Pals!...
Posted in One Voice Global on January 12, 2013 10:43 AM
Making a Difference in The World...
Posted in One Voice Global on January 12, 2013 10:41 AM
One Voice For Laos CabaretFor one night only, a variety of fantastic local entertainers will be performing at Photosensualis in Woodstock N.Y on January 19th for the One Voice For Laos Cabaret! Not only will this cabaret be amazing, but it will also...
Posted in One Voice Global on January 10, 2013 07:54 PM
The Icing On The Cake!...
Posted in One Voice Global on December 27, 2012 04:49 PM
Making A Difference...
Posted in One Voice Global on December 27, 2012 04:47 PM
Putting Things Into Perspective. Orphanage Wish List 2012When I woke up this morning, I dashed into my living room to see what nicely wrapped presents were under the festive fireplace. As I looked around and saw my lined up presents and my smiling parents, I couldn't...
Posted in One Voice Global on December 25, 2012 08:38 PM
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Posted in One Voice Global on December 25, 2012 08:34 PM
Amazing Work!...
Posted in One Voice Global on December 25, 2012 08:31 PM
In Gratitude for All of You!...
Posted in One Voice Global on December 14, 2012 09:45 PM
A little hard work can go a long way!...
Posted in One Voice Global on December 14, 2012 05:54 PM
What we've done!...
Posted in One Voice Global on December 6, 2012 08:10 PM
Without Your Help, This Couldn't HappenWhat follows is a touching update from Andrew Brown at the Deak Kum Pa orphanage. Thank you SO much to everyone who has helped make this possible. "Hello everyone. Warm greetings from Luang Prabang. All the children are now...
Posted in One Voice Global on November 18, 2012 10:25 AM
Isabelle La Motte on One Voice for LaosInspiring and touching One Voice for Laos bio by Isabelle La Motte.... Being a part of One Voice for Laos has been the most rewarding time of my life. I first got involved in the Spring of 2011 when...
Posted in One Voice Global on November 17, 2012 08:10 AM
Emily Waligurski on One Voice for LaosMy name is Emily Waligurski. I am a senior at Onteora High School. I'm a passionate runner and I am on the track and cross country team at my school. In my future I would like to pursue a...
Posted in One Voice Global on November 17, 2012 08:06 AM
Rachel Castellano on One Voice For LaosRachel castellano wrote the piece below about her experiences with One Voice for Laos and her reasons for being involved with One Voice for Laos. Rachel, the author of this heart-warming piece, is pictured here with Wanalee, an orphan...
Posted in One Voice Global on November 15, 2012 05:54 PM
Caleb Rudge on One Voice For Laos!Extremely inspiring piece written by Caleb Rudge about One Voice For Laos. Caleb is pictured here with Kum Seng, an orphan from Laos. One Voice for Laos has impact. Like a stone thrown into a pond, the rippling effects move...
Posted in One Voice Global on November 12, 2012 08:20 PM
Meet KongLee and Seng SongKongLeeand Seng Song are young men living in Laos who have been provided with a wonderful opportunity, all because of One Voice for Laos. Evelyne Pouget and Hudson Talbott are sponsoring these talented teenagers to go to art school...
Posted in One Voice Global on November 11, 2012 09:20 PM
Dance Tonight!Hey teens! Don't forget that tonight is the One voice for Laos Halloween Dance! It's going to be AWESOME! With music provided by DJ Garland Berenzy and the Band Elysium, anyone who comes is bound to have fun. Also,...
Posted in One Voice Global on October 27, 2012 12:52 PM
Loving LaosThe One Voice for Laos community is filled with wonderful and altruistic people. The refreshing environment surrounding this project motivated me to become involved. This project has allowed me to have fun at the events it has put on...
Posted in One Voice Global on October 24, 2012 06:35 PM
New Editor!Hi everyone! This is Cassandra Hastie and I'm the new editor of the One Voice for Laos blog! I can't wait to keep everyone updated on all of the fantastic projects that take place with this organization. If you...
Posted in One Voice Global on October 21, 2012 04:31 PM
Teen Dance, in Woodstock, on October 27th!Do you like to have fun? Dance? Dress up? Hang out with friends? Then come to the Colony Cafe, on October 27th for the One Voice for Laos Teen Halloween Dance. All proceeds go to support the 600 children...
Posted in One Voice Global on October 18, 2012 08:56 PM
We Can Do It!...
Posted in One Voice Global on October 10, 2012 02:18 AM
Second Annual Loop for Laos a Huge Success!This just in from Emily Waligurksi: A big thank you to everyone in the community -- every runner, walker, volunteer, sponsor, photographer, and observer -- who supported our Loop for Laos 5K fundraiser. I couldn't have been happier with how...
Posted in One Voice Global on October 5, 2012 12:47 AM
The New One Voice for Laos Documentary!Here is the new One Voice for Laos documentary, created by 16-year old, local film maker, Garland Berenzy. It's a great overview of everyone's efforts during the past 18 months, including new footage of the journey to the orphanage....
Posted in One Voice Global on September 19, 2012 06:45 PM
Loop for Laos 5K Run: September 30thby Emily Waligurski Last October, One Voice for Laos successfully held their first Loop For Laos in the town of Woodstock -- the very first teen-organized fundraising event of the project. Rachel Castellano and Caleb Rudge took hold of...
Posted in One Voice Global on September 4, 2012 09:55 PM
A Wish from Rachel and Isabelle...
Posted in One Voice Global on August 21, 2012 12:41 AM
Jesse and Rachel Radio Interview!Good news travels fast! On July 24th, Jesse and Rachel were interviewed, for 55 minutes, by WVKR radio in Poughkeepsie, as part of the station's "Be The Change You Want to Be" series. Click here to listen to the...
Posted in One Voice Global on August 3, 2012 03:46 PM
Travel Beyond Your Comfort Zone!Report from Rachel Castellano, three days after leaving the Deak Kum Pa Orphanage. Although it was three days ago, I can't shake the feeling I had leaving the Deak Kum Pa orphanage. We spent the day painting the finishing...
Posted in One Voice Global on July 29, 2012 10:15 PM
You Are Invited to the July 31st Presentation at the KTD Monastery in WoodstockA big THANK YOU to the KTD Monastery in Woodstock for hosting a presentation of the returning ONE VOICE FOR LAOS crew on Tuesday, July 31. Here is what the fine folks at KTD have said in their promotional materials...
Posted in One Voice Global on July 25, 2012 08:28 AM
Thirsty for Right Use of ResourcesReport from Laos by Caleb Rudge Spending time outside in Asia this time of year can't help but make someone thirsty. Due to all my sweating, I'm parched. I'm going through more water bottles than I thought existed on...
Posted in One Voice Global on July 22, 2012 10:26 PM
Orphans Without Bright SmilesON THE ROAD REPORT FROM ISABELLE LA MOTTE On Monday, we traveled three hours by van to the north of Laos. Our destination was an orphanage that we knew was much worse off than the one we had been...
Posted in One Voice Global on July 12, 2012 09:36 AM
This Sums Up the Entire Trip to Laos...
Posted in One Voice Global on July 11, 2012 08:21 AM
Jesse Ditkoff Appointed Ambassador to Laos!...
Posted in One Voice Global on July 10, 2012 11:14 PM
What Caleb Is Learning About CommunicationREPORT FROM THE ORPHANAGE BY CALEB RUDGE Words are so powerful. This week I learned how to communicate with and without them. Most of the orphans Rachel, Jesse, Isabelle, and I came in contact with had a very basic...
Posted in One Voice Global on July 10, 2012 10:19 PM
Rachel's Plate Is Full!A REPORT FROM THE ORPHANAGE FROM RACHEL CASTELLANO It's common knowledge that eating is a sacred time in the daily life of a Laotian. That's why I felt an incredible amount of guilt when I had to tell Yeng,...
Posted in One Voice Global on July 10, 2012 08:16 AM
The Circle of Love Is Never EndingIsabelle, Rachel, and a circle of their happy students one day before leaving the orphanage. Hearts were opened. English was learned. A good time was had by all. We shall meet again!...
Posted in One Voice Global on July 9, 2012 11:20 PM
Goodbye Gifts from Orphans...
Posted in One Voice Global on July 9, 2012 11:01 PM
A Brush With LifeA REPORT FROM THE ORPHANAGE BY HUDSON TALBOTT: I'm having dreams of being chased by an army of wet paintbrushes. I'm drawing feverishly to keep the ravenous brushes sated as they fill in colors, working closer and closer to...
Posted in One Voice Global on July 8, 2012 09:41 AM
Peace, Brothers!...
Posted in One Voice Global on July 7, 2012 07:29 PM
The Wisdom of Sitting Bull...
Posted in One Voice Global on July 6, 2012 07:36 PM
The Joy of Service!I really like the look in Caleb's eye as he prepares for the morning ritual of making a food offering to the Buddhist monks in Luang Prabang. We are all learning the same lesson -- how to go beyond our...
Posted in One Voice Global on July 6, 2012 06:58 PM
The Adventure ContinuesDAY'S REPORT FROM EVELYNE: Thank God for the pictures to talk for us! We have been so busy, everyday at the orphanage or on field trips with the orphans. We also had time this morning to go feed the monks,...
Posted in One Voice Global on July 5, 2012 11:47 PM
A Classroom at the Orphanage...
Posted in One Voice Global on July 5, 2012 07:26 PM
Isabelle's Report from the OrphanageToday was our first day at the orphanage! It surpassed every expectation I had. When we first got there we saw a few small smiling faces poke out through windows or from doorways. As Andrew had told us, the...
Posted in One Voice Global on July 4, 2012 08:43 AM
Arrival at the Orphanage!...
Posted in One Voice Global on July 3, 2012 09:58 AM
The Journey Continues...
Posted in One Voice Global on July 3, 2012 02:04 AM
More Cool Photos from LaosIf a picture's worth a thousand words, then this blog posting is worth five thousand. And thanks, again, to everyone -- parents, kids, and other volunteers -- who helped make this journey possible. (Stay tuned! Today was the first day...
Posted in One Voice Global on July 2, 2012 11:10 PM
First Photos from the Laos TripHere are some of the first photos from the One Voice for Laos trip. Jesse, Isabel, Caleb, Rachel, Evelyne, and Hudson are now in Luang Prabang, seeing the sights, after a very long flight. They met with Andrew Brown (the...
Posted in One Voice Global on July 1, 2012 07:40 AM
Teen Dance Party: June 15thThis is just a reminder to let you know that you are invited to a teen dance party at the Colony Cafe, in Woodstock, on Friday, June 15th, 7:00 - 10:00 pm This is the third in a series...
Posted in One Voice Global on May 30, 2012 09:35 PM
Silent Art Auction on April 7thFundraising efforts for the inspired One Voice for Laos project -- to help improve the quality of life for 600 orphans -- continues! On Saturday, April 7th, Woodstock artist, Petra Nimtz, will be hosting a silent art auction at...
Posted in One Voice Global on March 29, 2012 10:41 AM
Flea Market DonationsEveryone come to the flea market at Woodstock Day School next Saturday! If you have donations (clothes, books, toys, games, jewelry, small objects etc.) bring them to Mimi Ditkoff at at Onteora or bring them to Elliana Gran at...
Posted in One Voice Global on January 31, 2012 11:00 AM
Flea MarketPoster Designer: Elliana Gran...
Posted in One Voice Global on January 18, 2012 12:51 PM
Laos ProjectMy name is Sage Horsey and I am one of the many local teens working to make the Deak Kum Pa orphanage in Laos, Southeast Asia a better place. Sometime last spring, I heard about the six hundred orphans...
Posted in One Voice Global on January 18, 2012 12:38 PM
Cool Doings in Woodstock: 1/20/12Poster design: Jesse Ditkoff...
Posted in One Voice Global on January 16, 2012 09:24 PM
Teens for Change Cabaret: 1/20/12ED NOTE: This beautiful letter by Rachel Castellano, was just published in the Woodstock Times. "I hope you've been following the amazing events the group One Voice for Laos/Teens for Change has been organizing. We're a group of committed...
Posted in One Voice Global on January 15, 2012 10:52 AM
The Laos ProjectEveryone come out for this multimedia show next Friday!...
Posted in One Voice Global on December 5, 2011 01:34 PM
Why Hudson Valley Teens are Helping Orphans in LaosHere are a few interviews with Hudson Valley teens about why they are participating in Woodstock's One Voice for Laos project -- an inspired community effort to improve the quality of life for 600 children living in the Deak...
Posted in One Voice Global on November 24, 2011 12:49 PM
Huge Success with Dance PartyThank you to everyone that made it to the dance Saturday night! It went very well and we made another $525, this time to help with the plane tickets for everyone going to Laos. Most of all, thanks to...
Posted in One Voice Global on November 13, 2011 08:34 PM
Teen Dance #2Everyone come to the One Voice For Laos teen dance party number two! Check out this poster for details!! Everyone come to the One Voice For Laos teen dance party number two! Check out this poster for details!!...
Posted in One Voice Global on November 8, 2011 04:01 PM
Flea MarketWe'd like to invite you to the first ever One Voice for Laos fleamarket on the 12th and 13th of November from 12pm to 5pm. Start collecting your unwanted clothes, jewelry, small furniture, and various items! The event will...
Posted in One Voice Global on November 2, 2011 11:44 AM
Loop for Laos a Huge Success!Loop for Laos, a 5K fund raising event held in Woodstock, NY on October 15th, was a huge success thanks to the efforts of more than 20 local teens. Over $1,000 was raised (plus a whole lot of awareness about...
Posted in One Voice Global on October 18, 2011 11:15 PM
Loop for Laos FlyersLoop for Laos is this Saturday! Print these out and give them to your friends and family! We hope to see all of you there....
Posted in One Voice Global on October 13, 2011 11:38 AM
Service Letter by Adi BaumAll over the world, there are people struggling to get by every day. They don't have enough to eat, or clean water, or even clothes to wear. As a teen growing up in middle-class America, we have, fortunately, never...
Posted in One Voice Global on October 3, 2011 07:48 PM
"36 Hours in Luang Prabang, Laos"In this New York Times article, journalist Mary Billard illustrates what it's like to spend a day and a half in Luang Prabang Laos, the province where the Deak Kum Pa orphanage is! She describes her experience scaling a...
Posted in One Voice Global on September 28, 2011 01:16 PM
Loop For Laos InfoFor any of you that are interested in participating in the 5K run, here's what you need to know: WHEN: Saturday, October 15 9:00 am - 12:30 pm WHERE: Woodstock Community Center Rock City Road Woodstock, NY CONTACT: If...
Posted in One Voice Global on September 22, 2011 07:54 PM
Loop For Laos: 5K Fundraiser in Woodstock, NYOn October 15, the culmination of several months of preparation will take place in the form of a 5 kilometer run through Woodstock, New York . The run or walk will be held to benefit the Laotian Deak Kum...
Posted in One Voice Global on September 22, 2011 07:45 PM
Awesome New Editor!Sophia Miller is the new editor of the blog!!! yea! Sophia Miller is the new editor of the blog!!! yea!Sophia Miller is the new editor of the blog!!! yea!Sophia Miller is the new editor of the blog!!! yea!Sophia Miller...
Posted in One Voice Global on September 21, 2011 05:25 PM
Planning the Trip to the OrphanageJust a brief reminder: Our next One Voice for Laos meeting will be at Evelyne's house this Sunday, September 18th, 7:00 pm. This will be a chance for you to decide if you REALLY are committed to going to...
Posted in One Voice Global on September 12, 2011 08:17 AM
Our First Press Coverage!Here is a link to the first press coverage of One Voice for Laos. The article appeared in Poughkeepsie's Times-Herald Record. The first of many! Do you have any press contacts for us? An uncle? A neighbor? A friend?...
Posted in One Voice Global on September 10, 2011 09:50 PM
One Voice and the Good Life!Good news! Cathy McNamara (co-owner of Woodstock's Mountain View Studio and publisher of Good Life -- a new, quarterly teen newspaper) has graciously invited One Voice/Teens for Change to write a column for their publication. What a great way...
Posted in One Voice Global on September 9, 2011 07:51 PM
Our Main Contact at the OrphanageWhen Evelyne visited the Deak Kum Pa Orphanage last March, she met with Andrew Brown, an Australian living in Luang Prabang, who is basically dedicating his life to improving the quality of life for 600 orphans. This man has...
Posted in One Voice Global on September 8, 2011 09:34 PM
Many Orphans, Many MonksThe Deak Kum Pa Orphanage is in Luang Prabang, a beautiful town in Laos. In addition to the orphanage, the town is home to 33 Buddhist temples and many, many monks. The spirit of the place is one of...
Posted in One Voice Global on September 6, 2011 09:16 PM
Building the Cathedral of LoveHold the vision high, everyone! See the possibilities! There is great power and grace when a committed team of people come together in service to others....
Posted in One Voice Global on September 5, 2011 12:53 AM
The One Voice for Laos MissionOne Voice for Laos is a humanitarian aid project whose mission is to improve the quality of life for 600 children living in the Deak Kum Pa orphanage in Luang Prabang, Laos. The goal of the project, however, goes...
Posted in One Voice Global on August 30, 2011 04:52 PM
We Can Make a Difference!...
Posted in One Voice Global on August 29, 2011 10:11 AM
How to Make a Donation to the OrphanageIf you want to help support the 600 orphans of the Deak Kum Pa orphanage, it is easy to do so. One Voice for Laos has recently joined forces with the Windhorse Foundation -- a highly regarded non-profit 501C3...
Posted in One Voice Global on August 28, 2011 11:39 PM
We Are Fundraising For This......
Posted in One Voice Global on August 27, 2011 09:10 PM
Three Fundraising Successes Already!Good news! One Voice for Laos' first three fundraising efforts have all been big successes. The end-of-the-school-year dance party at the Colony Cafe -- skillfully organized by a core group of inspired teens -- raised $1240. Awesome music by...
Posted in One Voice Global on August 26, 2011 01:28 PM
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Welcome to the Blog team blog...Bloggy fellows, In response to Tim's request and our general agreement, I set up a blog for us to use to discuss Blog stuff. This is at least until we can get an iBank setup, it is supposed. - Note...
Posted in RTeamblog on October 12, 2007 01:24 PM
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The Zen Filing SystemSome years ago, when I was the "Community Coordinator" in Denver, Colorado, I worked closely with a very Zen-minded man named Jon Lieben. Jon was in charge of all maintenance and repairs to the Community Center and had an...
Posted in Storytelling at Work on March 24, 2024 09:19 AM
What a Story Is NotFor the past three years, I've been facilitating Wisdom Circles in the US, Mexico, and Australia. They have been an absolute delight -- wonderful gatherings of open-minded people who intuitively understand the power and glory of storytelling. And yet,...
Posted in Storytelling at Work on January 11, 2024 08:37 AM
To My Mother on the Day of Her FuneralNOTE: The following eulogy I read at my mother's funeral 18 years ago. Ten minutes ago I rediscovered it, quite by accident. I offer it to you now in honor of all our mothers. What can I say about...
Posted in Storytelling at Work on December 5, 2023 08:28 PM
CONNECTING THE DOTSI remember, as a small child, playing a game called "Connect the Dots." In front of me was an activities book composed of sheets of paper with nothing on them but numbered dots. My task was a simple one...
Posted in Storytelling at Work on November 16, 2023 05:41 PM
The Hostage SituationA few days ago, Rabbi Zoe B. Zak from Temple Israel of Catskill asked me to write something for tonight's Sabbath service -- something that spoke to the hostage situation in Israel. This gave me pause and one more opportunity...
Posted in Storytelling at Work on November 10, 2023 09:21 AM
The RobbersWhen I was 13, my sister was 18. She was the proverbial big sister. I was the proverbial little brother. And though she called me "twerp" and I called her "fatso", it was always comforting to know she was...
Posted in Storytelling at Work on October 9, 2023 07:49 AM
Why Human Beings Tell StoriesMention the word "storytelling" to most people and they will immediately think fairy tale, CNN spin doctor, or teenager explaining why they haven't done their homework. Good for entertainment and distraction, perhaps, but not much more. Guess what? Not...
Posted in Storytelling at Work on August 29, 2023 11:28 PM
Let Your Inner Animal Out!Just a quick heads up to let you know about a great new service being offered by Evelyne Pouget -- one that might be right up your alley, especially if there is (or has been) a special poochie, kitty, horse,...
Posted in Storytelling at Work on August 16, 2023 02:51 PM
The Sudden Glass of Orange JuiceThere is an expression in poker called "going all in" which I've always loved. It refers to the moment when a poker player pushes all of his chips into the middle of the table, letting everyone know that he...
Posted in Storytelling at Work on August 13, 2023 11:19 PM
You Have Wisdom to Share (and it's hiding in your stories)All eight billion people on planet Earth are composed of the same six elements: hydrogen, oxygen, carbon, nitrogen, calcium, and phosphorous. And all eight billion people, no matter where they were born or what language they speak, are composed...
Posted in Storytelling at Work on July 19, 2023 01:59 AM
30 Great Quotes on Aging"Anyone who keeps the ability to see beauty never grows old." - Franz Kafka "There is a fountain of youth: it is your mind, your talents, the creativity you bring to your life and the lives of people you...
Posted in Storytelling at Work on July 9, 2023 11:23 PM
WANT TO HEAR WHAT YOUR HEART IS SAYING? Put Music to ItHere's something I just heard about that I thought you might find both inspiring and timely, especially if you are looking for a new way to express your love to someone special in your life. A good friend of...
Posted in Storytelling at Work on July 6, 2023 11:02 AM
"Dada, Do You Have Time to Catch My Bubbles?"One morning, 28 years ago, I found myself standing in my closet, madly searching for clean clothes in a last minute attempt to pack before yet another business trip, when I noticed my 4-year old son, Jesse, standing in...
Posted in Storytelling at Work on July 1, 2023 05:13 PM
The OrangeEvery spiritual tradition in the world has its own collection of rites and rituals that make up the warp and woof if it's particular path. These rites and rituals, the origins of which are not always understood, give its...
Posted in Storytelling at Work on May 19, 2023 02:27 PM
The Urge to ServeOne of the outcomes, for me, from receiving the gift of Knowledge from Prem Rawat, in 1971, was the unexpected emergence of a deep desire to serve. The gift he had given me was so profound and so fulfilling...
Posted in Storytelling at Work on April 28, 2023 07:34 PM
Mentoring and Coaching Services for Aspiring AuthorsAward-winning author, poet, storyteller, blogger and editor, Mitch Ditkoff, is now available to mentor and coach aspiring writers. If you are in the process of writing a book and can use some meaningful support, I am a possible resource...
Posted in Storytelling at Work on April 27, 2023 03:28 PM
Today is the Launch of "Unspoken Word: Love Longing & Letting Go"Dear Friends: If you have been reading Storytelling at Work for a while, there is a very good chance you will enjoy my just-published book of poetry,"Unspoken Word: Love, Longing & Letting Go." Today is the day it launches...
Posted in Storytelling at Work on April 21, 2023 09:31 PM
INTRODUCING EVELYNE POUGET: San Miguel Pastel Portrait ArtistSan Miguel portrait artist, Evelyne Pouget, upon completing her recent series of mosaic workshops, is now accepting pastel commissions (people and pets). Details about her commission process and how to engage her services are noted at the bottom of this...
Posted in Storytelling at Work on April 13, 2023 11:26 AM
I Thought I Was a Small, But I'm a Medium (at Large)Like my writing? Want to read the best of the best? Here ya go -- the ten most popular pieces of mine in the past five months. If you like what you read, consider following me on Medium or,...
Posted in Storytelling at Work on March 16, 2023 03:35 PM
GRAND OPENING: Evelyne Pouget's SMA Parisian SalonIf you live in San Miguel de Allende, you are in luck! Extraordinary curator of soul-stirring salons, Evelyne Pouget, is about to launch a series of cultural + artistic offerings in the town that Forbes Magazine, Conde Naste and...
Posted in Storytelling at Work on February 11, 2023 12:40 PM
ON THE WAY BACK FROM AMAROO: Knowledge in ActionHere is the beginning of a real life "Knowledge in Action" story about my mythic journey back home from Amaroo -- beginning with the curious phenomenon of my first leg of the return flight from Brisbane to Sydney NOT...
Posted in Storytelling at Work on February 11, 2023 12:27 AM
TransparencyStorytelling at Work is honored to publish the following first-person story by Barbara Bash about an extraordinary moment she experienced in the company of her teacher, Chogyam Trungpa. In 1980 I was 32 years old living in Boulder Colorado,...
Posted in Storytelling at Work on January 4, 2023 08:29 AM
Five New Year Resolutions from a Very Wise SoulMy good friend, Stevie Ray McHugh, author of You Are God Enough and channeler of a wise soul named "Aion", asked for some guidance a few days ago re: New Year's resolutions. Here is the answer he received: First,...
Posted in Storytelling at Work on January 1, 2023 09:53 AM
My Top Ten Posts on MediumRecently, I've discovered MEDIUM -- a blogging platform with more than 100 million viewers per month. Not all of them have made it to my Medium abode yet, but word is getting out. In case you haven't visited that...
Posted in Storytelling at Work on November 29, 2022 08:37 AM
The Poetry of LifeThere is a moment in everyone's life when all the cards are on the table, all the chips, too -- the moment of truth when the entire universe is conspiring to call one's attention to the choice we have...
Posted in Storytelling at Work on November 11, 2022 01:33 AM
Evelyne Pouget's Next Series of San Miguel Mosaic WorkshopsGreetings. My name is Evelyne Pouget, San Miguel artist offering a series of mosaic workshops in November and December. We will meet at my outdoor studio and garden in Colonia Lindavista -- a 10-minute taxi ride from Centro. The...
Posted in Storytelling at Work on November 6, 2022 03:24 PM
A Good Story, Like Perfume...A good story, like perfume, is evocative. Listening to it calls forth a response that moves a person from one state of mind to another, not just for the moment, but for all time -- because a story, well-told,...
Posted in Storytelling at Work on October 30, 2022 12:04 AM
Why Tell Stories?In the last 60 seconds, here's what happened: 168 million emails were sent, 700,000 Google searches were launched, and 60 hours of YouTube videos were uploaded, not to mention all the spam, banner ads, phone calls, Facebook posts, tweets,...
Posted in Storytelling at Work on October 10, 2022 11:39 PM
The Digital Art of Evelyne PougetWhat follows are examples of Evelyne Pouget's digital art, inspired by the danzantes of San Miguel de Allende. Her work is an alchemical blend of photography and digital effects. Everything you see is available for purchase. Scroll down for details....
Posted in Storytelling at Work on October 4, 2022 11:36 PM
I BURN FOR YOU: A Stellar New EP by Fuzzbee MorseGood people of planet Earth, it is my great pleasure to inform you that the very magnificent, masterful, fun-loving, creative, multi-instrumentalist and man-about-town, Jonathan "Fuzzbee" Morse, has just released a wonderful new four-song EP, I Burn For You. If...
Posted in Storytelling at Work on September 27, 2022 08:44 PM
The Release of "Love Today"Six years ago, I had a rare opportunity to meet with Prem Rawat for an hour each day over the course of four days to talk about his photography. The goal? To learn about his fascination and approach to...
Posted in Storytelling at Work on August 31, 2022 08:04 AM
The Miraculous Border CrossingWhat follows is a chapter of a memoir-in-process by Joan Apter about her four-year overland-to-India adventure: 1967 to 1971 -- one that led her to the home of Prem Rawat (known as "Maharaji" at that time) when he was...
Posted in Storytelling at Work on August 26, 2022 12:41 PM
Getting Ready to Cross OverThis is my friend, Warren Bernhardt. I saw him early this evening in his room, on his death bed. Warren is getting ready to move on after 83 years on planet Earth. As usual, I brought him a chocolate...
Posted in Storytelling at Work on August 11, 2022 03:47 AM
I BURN FOR YOU: A Stellar New EP by Fuzzbee MorseGood people of planet Earth, it is my great pleasure to inform you that the very magnificent, masterful, fun-loving, creative, multi-instrumentalist and man-about-town, Jonathan "Fuzzbee" Morse, has just released a wonderful new four-song EP, I Burn For You. If...
Posted in Storytelling at Work on July 31, 2022 11:03 PM
Ending Violence with ChopsticksOnce upon a time there was old man sitting at sushi bar in Japan, his back turned to the front door. Halfway through his meal, in walks three young thugs, with only one thing in mind -- to attack...
Posted in Storytelling at Work on July 5, 2022 04:45 PM
POLL RESULTS: What Kind of Stories People Want to TellSocial scientists tell us that 65% of all our conversations take the shape of stories. That got me thinking about what kind of stories human beings like to tell. So I posted an online poll to see what I...
Posted in Storytelling at Work on July 1, 2022 03:05 PM
LISTEN UP: The Storytelling for the Revolution PodcastIf you would like to learn more about my 2018 book, "Storytelling for the Revolution", and how storytelling can be a huge catalyst for innovation and the sharing of wisdom, you may want to listen to a guest podcast...
Posted in Storytelling at Work on June 8, 2022 03:33 PM
The Wordless SermonAs the story goes, 2,500 years ago, Buddha gave a wordless sermon to his disciples. All he did was hold up a single white flower -- a lotus. That's it. No words. Just a flower. All his disciples were...
Posted in Storytelling at Work on June 6, 2022 04:53 AM
When Your Last Story Is ToldLet's assume for the moment that you are intrigued by the notion of telling your stories. So you begin thinking about your memorable moments of truth and begin writing them down -- at least the titles, that is. The...
Posted in Storytelling at Work on May 28, 2022 11:15 AM
The Art and Soul of Scott CroninCELL 1, 48x48, Sold Scott Cronin began creating art at the age of 50. Self-taught and joyfully obsessed with communicating the intricate beauty of life that exists far beyond words, his work is mind-boggling, soulful, and deeply insightful --...
Posted in Storytelling at Work on May 13, 2022 10:53 PM
The Art of Using Story as a Way to Communicate Big, Hairy IdeasA priest, a penguin, and a newspaper reporter walk into a bar. The penguin orders a shot of Red Eye. The priest starts juggling three flaming chain saws. The newspaper reporter turns to the bartender, smiles and says: "I...
Posted in Storytelling at Work on May 1, 2022 05:56 PM
What I Learned From Listening to Ravel's Bolero for 14 HoursDuring the course of a lifetime a human being goes through many rites of passage. Birth, for example. First love. The death of a loved one and enduring a Republican primary debate. For me, one of the most memorable...
Posted in Storytelling at Work on April 13, 2022 11:10 PM
ANNOUNCING: Evelyne Pouget's San Miguel Mosaic WorkshopsHello and thank you for your interest in my upcoming mosaic workshops. I will be teaching a series of 3-day workshops in my garden, in April and May, focusing on different glass mosaic art pieces for each workshop. For...
Posted in Storytelling at Work on April 1, 2022 09:31 AM
On Seeing ClearlyOnce there was a powerful, wise, and benevolent King who knew his time was coming to an end. Wanting to ensure that his Kingdom continued to thrive after his death, he called his three sons to his side. "Blood...
Posted in Storytelling at Work on March 4, 2022 06:35 AM
TELLING SOULFUL STORIES with OIL PASTELSMost people, when they hear the word "storytelling" think words. But not all stories are told in words. Some are told in pictures -- which is why the phrase "a picture is worth a thousand words," is so popular. If...
Posted in Storytelling at Work on January 28, 2022 03:07 PM
The Information Overload PhenomenonOne of the biggest obstacles facing all of us, these days, is information overload -- the all-too-familiar phenomenon of too much input coming our way, 24/7. Unable to process the overwhelming amount of information delivered to us by the...
Posted in Storytelling at Work on January 11, 2022 10:34 AM
A Thousand Muslims and a JewAt last count, there were 7.7 billion people on planet Earth. The odds of any two people meeting, I believe, is something like 7.7 billion to one. And the odds of any two of those 7.7 billion people deciding...
Posted in Storytelling at Work on December 30, 2021 10:14 AM
Ten Reasons Why People Don't Share Their StoriesI'm sure you've heard the expression, "Suppose they gave a war and nobody came?" -- a question whose roots go back to an old Carl Sandburg poem. The same question holds true for the storytelling revolution. I can flap...
Posted in Storytelling at Work on December 18, 2021 10:19 AM
Mr. Tomato Head!What is Mr. Tomato Head doing on my storytelling blog? Whatever he wants! Mr. Tomato Head and his good friend, Mr. Watermelon Head, were two of my kids' favorite stuffed animals growing up. I just rediscovered them yesterday and...
Posted in Storytelling at Work on December 3, 2021 02:25 PM
The Cornstalks Are Too SmallWhen I was 21, a Senior in college, I had my first psychedelic experience. My "guide" for the day was my good friend, George, a philosophy major deeply immersed in the study of Nietzche and "alternate realities". Knowing this...
Posted in Storytelling at Work on December 2, 2021 08:09 AM
The Relationship Between Revolution and RevelationWe, as a human species, are standing at a crossroads. The name of this crossroads doesn't really matter. Different people will describe it differently, no matter what the signposts say. What DOES matter is the fact that each and...
Posted in Storytelling at Work on November 12, 2021 06:24 PM
PIECE WE NEED: The Joel Metzger Story (and YOU!)I have had the great honor, in the past few months, to have worked closely with a most remarkable man -- one of the most courageous, resilient, tenacious, and committed people I have ever met -- Joel Metzger. Some...
Posted in Storytelling at Work on October 15, 2021 09:35 PM
The Sanctuary WithinThere are three kinds of storytelling in the world: oral, written, and visual. Of the three, oral storytelling is the most common, having been around since the beginning of time. That's how our ancestors ensured their survival and passed...
Posted in Storytelling at Work on October 8, 2021 03:46 PM
Learning to Face Your OpponentSometimes, in life, a single word or a single sentence can make a huge difference -- an unexpected communication that penetrates to the core of your being and then radiates from the inside out for the rest of your...
Posted in Storytelling at Work on September 27, 2021 12:30 PM
Storytelling and IslamYou have wisdom to share Ten reasons why people don't share their stories Why kind of stories do YOU want to tell? Storytelling for the Revolution...
Posted in Storytelling at Work on September 23, 2021 07:59 AM
LIFE IS FULL OF SURPRISESThirty two years ago I was walking on a street in midtown Manhattan with a friend of mine when I noticed a man, in a tuxedo, laying face down on the sidewalk. People, in both directions, nicely dressed, were...
Posted in Storytelling at Work on September 8, 2021 12:39 PM
You Are a Universe of StoriesAstronomers, in 1996, attempted a very interesting experiment. They pointed the most powerful telescope in the world, the Hubble space telescope, into a part of the sky that seemed to be completely empty, a patch of the universe long...
Posted in Storytelling at Work on September 7, 2021 11:44 PM
SHINE!This is Alex Romero. He shines shoes at the Denver Airport. I met him 30 minutes ago as I was making my way to Gate 54 and realizing what bad shape my shoes were in. That's when I asked...
Posted in Storytelling at Work on September 1, 2021 06:33 PM
The Curious Results of the Wisdom Circle Storytelling PollCurious to know what kinds of stories people find most compelling to share and also listen to, I recently forwarded a 37-item poll to friends, clients, Facebook storytelling groups, and people who have attended one or more of the...
Posted in Storytelling at Work on August 25, 2021 04:22 PM
WOLFIE!Nine months ago (just enough time for a child to be born), I found myself, alone, in the basement of the home I had owned for the past 26 years in Woodstock, New York. It has come to this...
Posted in Storytelling at Work on August 15, 2021 01:26 PM
The Many Faces of LoveThere are many forces at work, in our lives, that defy logic and the mind's ability to comprehend. These forces have been variably referred to, over the years, as serendipity, synchronicity, grace, lila, karma, God's play, maya, and the...
Posted in Storytelling at Work on August 3, 2021 05:14 AM
44 Awesome Quotes for WritersThinking about writing a book? Inspired to write a book? Feel called to write a book? Excellent. If so, take a look at the following quotes on writing from 44 accomplished writers who have been there and back and...
Posted in Storytelling at Work on July 2, 2021 02:39 PM
Why Your Brain Likes a Good StoryLucid, Harvard Business Review article on why your brain likes stories. Oxytocin anyone? Storytelling at Work Oxytocin-generating book excerpts...
Posted in Storytelling at Work on June 24, 2021 02:30 PM
How to Discover the Stories You Want to Tell"The most important question to ask is: What myth am I living?" -- Carl Jung No matter what your age, a lot has happened to you in this lifetime -- the good, the bad, and the ugly -- finding...
Posted in Storytelling at Work on June 5, 2021 01:29 PM
TAKE IT TO THE LIMITMany years ago, with my good friend, Bill Chiricos, I drove from Denver to Miami Beach in a Ford pickup truck that had seen much better days, stars in our eyes, gas in the tank, and only one CD...
Posted in Storytelling at Work on May 13, 2021 03:49 PM
Is That So?Once upon a time, many years ago, before the invention of Starbucks, Velcro, or Fructose, there lived a humble monk in a remote monastery in China. His name was Wan Loo and he was much beloved by everyone he...
Posted in Storytelling at Work on April 30, 2021 08:30 PM
The Dream LetterStories, like air and most people's discomfort with their driver's license photo, are omnipresent. Stories are everywhere, even in our dreams. Deconstruct any dream and you will find story, the narrative our subconscious mind conjures up even while we...
Posted in Storytelling at Work on April 21, 2021 02:45 PM
What Have You Accomplished?Halfway through the 73rd year of my life, I find myself at a curious crossroads -- the intersection of WHO and WHAT, one of those strange intersections far out of town where the sagebrush rolls and the GPS signal...
Posted in Storytelling at Work on April 19, 2021 05:31 AM
The Whirlpool of Life's PlayLast year, my finances were in the toilet. No matter how much effort I made to get gigs, nothing was happening. This was the time I was heading back to Woodstock, from San Miguel, to get my house ready...
Posted in Storytelling at Work on April 9, 2021 05:28 PM
On Reading an AudienceAstrologers read stars. Meteorologists read weather. Palm readers read palms. And storytellers? They read people. At least, good storytellers do. No matter how many times they have told a story, the way they tell it depends on the subtle...
Posted in Storytelling at Work on April 8, 2021 07:16 AM
A Simple Way to Identify the Seeds of Your Own StoriesNo one knows, for sure, exactly how many species of fruit there are on planet Earth, but with 7,000 species of apples, alone, it's fair to say there are hundreds of thousands -- most of which you and I...
Posted in Storytelling at Work on March 5, 2021 03:48 PM
THE STORY UNFOLDS! Zoom Wisdom Circles Launch in April"The shortest distance between two people is a story." Knowing that storytelling is one of the most powerful ways for people to connect, heal, and share the best of who they are, I've decided to launch a series of...
Posted in Storytelling at Work on January 27, 2021 10:04 PM
What People Are Saying About the Impact of Wisdom CirclesWisdom Circles are enjoyable, lightly-facilitated, gatherings of 6-20 people sharing meaningful, personal stories with each other -- stories that convey insight, lessons learned, and memorable moments of truth. What follows are a sampling of testimonials from people who have...
Posted in Storytelling at Work on January 27, 2021 11:54 AM
Five Feet Off the GroundMany centuries ago after years of wandering alone in the forests of India, a young seeker of truth found himself, hungry, thirsty, and exhausted, at the entrance of the most remote ashram in the land. Gathering whatever strength he...
Posted in Storytelling at Work on January 20, 2021 09:55 AM
Inspiring Cows"Practice," it has been said, "makes perfect". Practice, indeed, is how human beings translate theory into action. Practice is how any of us get good at anything. Of course, there are a million of ways to practice. In a...
Posted in Storytelling at Work on January 10, 2021 09:23 AM
Words Matter. So Does Dreaming.I had a very interesting dream this morning. Here goes: I was sitting around a festive, holiday table with a bunch of people -- me being one of many guests. The dinner was over and, as I was preparing...
Posted in Storytelling at Work on December 27, 2020 12:51 PM
A Story That Might Save Your LifeTen years ago, Evelyne got a very bad case of Lyme's disease. So bad, in fact, that it turned into spinal meningitis -- a very scary situation that required her to have a port installed in her arm and...
Posted in Storytelling at Work on December 23, 2020 08:13 AM
Inspiring Quotes on Storytelling with Islamic VisualsHow I connected with an Islamic school in Australia What Is a Wisdom Circle? Wisdom Circle Testimonials Storytelling for the Revolution Storytelling at Work...
Posted in Storytelling at Work on December 16, 2020 04:09 PM
THE ISLAND OF THE FIREFLIESThe year was 1981. Ronald Reagan was the U.S. President. Lady Diana had just married Prince Charles. And I had just landed a job, in Los Angeles, with the highly respected consulting firm, The Inner Game Corporation, who was...
Posted in Storytelling at Work on December 14, 2020 08:08 AM
THE INDEX CARDI don't know how many "theories of the universe" exist, but I am guessing there are probably a lot -- ways in which philosophers, astrophysicists, savants, and pundits have attempted, since the beginning of time, to wrap their heads...
Posted in Storytelling at Work on December 11, 2020 02:42 PM
Quarantining the MindThe practice of quarantine began during the 14th century in an effort to protect coastal cities from plague epidemics. Ships arriving in Venice from infected ports were required to sit, at anchor, for 40 days before landing. This word...
Posted in Storytelling at Work on December 11, 2020 04:14 AM
WHAT REMAINSRecently, I spent 10 weeks, 7 days per week, 10 hours per day, sorting through 26 years of possessions, preparing to sell my Woodstock home -- infused, as it was, with countless memories of birth, death, fire, celebration, devotion,...
Posted in Storytelling at Work on December 3, 2020 05:12 PM
My Father, On the TarmacYears ago, before terrorism, shoe bombs, and 9/11, my father and mother were on their way back home from a vacation in the Caribbean. When my father checked in at the airport, tanned and rested, the ticket agent informed...
Posted in Storytelling at Work on November 14, 2020 12:58 PM
What Stories Will You Tell Today?Here's a story you can probably relate to: You are walking down the street when a friend, coming the other way, stops and asks "Whassup?" It's a question you've heard a thousand times before -- the default, open-ended salutation....
Posted in Storytelling at Work on October 25, 2020 12:36 AM
HOW TO USE A STORY TO SOLVE a TOUGH PROBLEM: The 18th CamelStorytelling is the swiss-army knife of transformational catalysts. Done well, it can be used to build community, inspire, delight, transmit tacit knowledge, share wisdom, educate, inform, change behavior, and spark elegant solutions. The following story (a re-telling of a...
Posted in Storytelling at Work on October 10, 2020 08:35 AM
The Afghani Cab Driver and the $250M Dollar Salty Snack FoodI am getting into the back seat of a yellow cab, as I've done a thousand times before, having just tipped the too-smiling bellboy too much for holding open the door and inviting me, as he had been trained...
Posted in Storytelling at Work on October 2, 2020 05:53 PM
The Art of Unpacking StoriesStories are gifts. When received, they animate, uplift, reveal, and inspire. Like any gift, however, stories need to be opened, not just received. Being given a gift is one thing. Fully enjoying the gift you've been given is something...
Posted in Storytelling at Work on September 19, 2020 09:51 AM
There Is No Storytelling Without Story ListeningWhen small children speak their first words, the reaction of their parents is fairly predictable. It begins with lavish praise, high fives, hugs all around, and the ritual calling of Grandma and Grandpa. Everyone is thrilled. The baby has...
Posted in Storytelling at Work on September 16, 2020 10:03 AM
Words Written to Ease the Passing of My Friend's Dying MotherA few days ago, I got an email from a friend of mine, in Denmark, telling me that her mother was dying and would I be willing to email a few of my stories to her that she might...
Posted in Storytelling at Work on August 18, 2020 05:08 AM
The Last Story of a Dying WomanSee this photo? It was taken a few days ago in a hospital room in Copenhagen -- a photo of a story I wrote five years ago about an unforgettable moment I experienced, with my son Jesse, when he...
Posted in Storytelling at Work on August 17, 2020 11:21 PM
Down to the Very Last BreathNow that I am 74 and increasingly realizing, in my bones and my joints, that I am mortal, I would like to take the next few minutes, if I may, to share, just a little bit, about the preciousness...
Posted in Storytelling at Work on August 15, 2020 02:10 AM
FEEDING OTHERSThe following is a guest post from the very soulful and talented Burrill Crohn The COVID crisis has only increased (vastly) the disproportion between the privileged haves and the far larger population who are somewhere on the scale between...
Posted in Storytelling at Work on August 9, 2020 02:20 AM
FOOD FOR BEYOND THOUGHT: The Nourishing Power of StorytellingYears ago, in a faraway land, there lived an evil sorcerer who was in a bad mood most of the time. Plus, he smelled bad. One day, in an especially cranky frame of mind, he decided to work his...
Posted in Storytelling at Work on August 8, 2020 02:53 AM
The Pencil"To see a world in a grain of sand and a heaven in a wild flower, hold infinity in the palm of your hand and Eternity in an hour." - William Blake In six weeks, I will be turning...
Posted in Storytelling at Work on July 27, 2020 03:44 AM
A Different Kind of DetoxWalking four miles home today from my local shopping mall (wearing my mask in Australia), a random thought crossed my mind -- that I am, like the rest of us, in "detox" -- you know, that facility where people...
Posted in Storytelling at Work on July 18, 2020 04:04 AM
The Meaning of LoveNOTE: What follows is a wonderfully evocative story from the equally evocative and wonderful Burrill Crohn. Enjoy! It's 1991, Budapest, Hungary. I'm in the Grand Ballroom of one of the city's majestic old hotels for an elegant reception to...
Posted in Storytelling at Work on July 10, 2020 07:56 PM
Barney and the GatekeepersMy father, a pharmacist by profession, retired to Florida at the age of 55. His retirement lasted three weeks. After a lifetime's worth of waking up each morning with a PURPOSE, now he had none. Golf didn't count. Nor...
Posted in Storytelling at Work on July 9, 2020 02:05 PM
DAVID AAKER on STORYTELLINGHere's a great podcast from Guy Kawasaki's Remarkable People series of podcasts. Begins with a refreshing look at the power of storytelling to deliver a message -- then gets into lots of good stuff on branding. Well worth a...
Posted in Storytelling at Work on July 5, 2020 10:41 PM
The Dying Art of Storytelling in the ClassroomLearning by doing is a very important approach to any conscious teacher's approach to education. However, teachers who take too narrow view of this approach have a tendency to dismiss the value of storytelling in the classroom, assuming it...
Posted in Storytelling at Work on June 27, 2020 12:54 PM
The Dark Side of StorytellingStorytelling is like water. It can quench your thirst or it can drown you. Or maybe storytelling is like a knife. It can slice open an orange or it can poke your eye out. Simply put, storytelling is a...
Posted in Storytelling at Work on June 23, 2020 07:52 PM
WOOF! WOOF! A Pet Portrait Message from the Other SideThis just in from Chili, my beloved poochie for 11 years who crossed over to the other side a while ago. "OK, I know this is a storytelling blog and I also know it is not necessarily 'appropriate' for...
Posted in Storytelling at Work on June 19, 2020 04:25 PM
Doors Begin to Open When We Ask the Right Question"What people think of as the moment of discovery is really the discovery of the question." - Jonas Salk Sometimes, I feel like I'm living in a hall of mirrors. Everywhere I look I see myself looking everywhere looking...
Posted in Storytelling at Work on June 7, 2020 12:31 AM
The Long Lost Parable of the Brussels SproutsWhen I was 24, I lived on Martha's Vineyard, an idyllic island off the coast of Cape Cod. The island, with its endless beaches, blue skies, and perfectly winding country roads, was a dream come true. One of the...
Posted in Storytelling at Work on June 3, 2020 09:15 AM
Practice, Practice, Practice"Practice makes perfect." -- Benjamin Franklin "Practice does not make perfect. Only perfect practice makes perfect." -- Vince Lombardi "They say that nobody is perfect. Then they tell you practice makes perfect. I wish they'd make up their minds."...
Posted in Storytelling at Work on May 22, 2020 11:58 AM
I'm From Woodstock. Yes, I Am!I'm from Woodstock. Yes, that Woodstock, the famous Woodstock -- the most famous small town in the world some people say. Former home to Bob Dylan. Jimi Hendrix lived there for a summer in the house right across the...
Posted in Storytelling at Work on May 21, 2020 12:04 AM
Sheikh WaseemThe first week of my two and a half year relationship with Al Siraat College -- a K-12 Australian school in the Islamic tradition, I facilitated a 90-minute workshop for the school's teachers and staff. The experience, praise God,...
Posted in Storytelling at Work on May 20, 2020 03:51 AM
Up and Over Down UnderHaving been in Australia, working in an Islamic school for the past three months, living with a Pakistani family, I've had a whole bunch of people ask me "how's it going" or "what's it like." I've said different things...
Posted in Storytelling at Work on May 19, 2020 08:43 AM
The Dance of the GnatsThe first time I was ever under the influence of a mind-altering substance, I spent the better part of the day in a Pennsylvania cornfield. After an unspecified amount of time adjusting to what was rapidly dawning on me...
Posted in Storytelling at Work on May 18, 2020 10:50 AM
30 Storytelling Tips for EducatorsStorytelling is not just a bedtime technique to help children fall asleep, it is also a technique to help children wake up -- a powerful teaching tool that increases attention, insight, engagement, and learning that sticks. Here are 30...
Posted in Storytelling at Work on May 15, 2020 03:06 AM
Guns to My Head, Two Nights in a Row in a Seedy Boston Motel3:00 in the morning is not my favorite time of day. Too early to be late and too late to be early, it's a nether world, a place no one wants to linger. Kind of like puberty. It was...
Posted in Storytelling at Work on May 14, 2020 08:01 AM
The Power of Presence & CuriositySitting here in my self-isolated, semi-lockdown AirBB bedroom, 30 minutes outside of Melbourne and 10,000 miles from home, I find myself with more time than usual to reflect on my life. One cherished memory that surfaced for me yesterday...
Posted in Storytelling at Work on May 13, 2020 09:36 PM
CHOOSING LOVEThis just in from Burrill Crohn. Thank you, Burrill. So moving! The spirit guide, Emmanuel, once said, "At every moment we have the choice between love and fear." Easy to say, harder to do. A constant, difficult practice, not...
Posted in Storytelling at Work on May 11, 2020 09:48 AM
WANT AN ELEGANT SOLUTION? Contemplate These QuestionsAs an innovation provocateur for the past 33 years with these organizations, one thing I've noticed is that even the brightest of people spend very little time looking for elegant solutions to their problems. All too often, they go...
Posted in Storytelling at Work on May 10, 2020 05:59 AM
BEYOND RIGHT and WRONGThere is a scene from Fiddler on the Roof that has taught me more about life than most holy books I've read. In it, two men are heatedly arguing over the age of a horse. When they see Tevye,...
Posted in Storytelling at Work on May 5, 2020 03:37 AM
Einstein on Fairy TalesEinstein was right! These three girls, Mimi Ditkoff, Grace Semel, and Maralina Gabriel (now in their 20's) must have been read a lot of fairy tales as young children, because they are very intelligent (and still good friends!) We...
Posted in Storytelling at Work on May 1, 2020 10:40 AM
A Selection of My Storytelling Podcasts, Videos, and ArticlesHere ya go!...
Posted in Storytelling at Work on April 30, 2020 09:36 AM
The 18 Mile LieThis is a story told by Arun Gandhi, the grandson of Mahatma Gandhi: "One day my father asked me to drive him to town for an all day conference, and I jumped at the chance. Since I was going...
Posted in Storytelling at Work on April 27, 2020 08:13 AM
Family in the Age of CoronavirusWelcome to my (new) world! The lovely people in this photo are three members of the Pakistani family with whom I am living in Epping, Australia -- Huma (38, the mother), Aroush (7, the daughter) and Ali (31, the...
Posted in Storytelling at Work on April 22, 2020 11:03 PM
Ten Great Storytelling Quotes/> A Thousand Muslims and a Jew The importance of family storytelling Helping children understand the moral of story Storytelling for the Revolution...
Posted in Storytelling at Work on April 21, 2020 11:02 AM
The Three Faces of GodWhen my mother and father, Sylvia and Barney, decided to sell their house on Long Island -- the one I grew up in -- and move to Florida, they invited my sister and me to take anything we wanted...
Posted in Storytelling at Work on April 18, 2020 01:25 AM
The Importance of Family Storytelling During the Difficult Daze of the Coronavirus"It has been said that next to hunger and thirst our most basic human need is for storytelling." -- Kahlil Gibran While it's true that the Coronavirus has brought some dark clouds into the lives of millions people, each...
Posted in Storytelling at Work on April 14, 2020 12:12 AM
Neuroscience and StorytellingGood article from NPR on the neuroscience behind storytelling, why storytelling is such a powerful communication tool, and how it connects and influences people. Big thanks to Peter Blum for the heads up Storytelling for the Revolution...
Posted in Storytelling at Work on April 11, 2020 07:14 PM
Write a New Story For Yourself with the Help of an Online GenieIf your life, livelihood, family, community, or health have been negatively affected by the Coronavirus calamity, I invite you to try my online Free the Genie tool. It's a simple, fun way to originate bold new ideas, possibilities, and...
Posted in Storytelling at Work on April 7, 2020 11:43 PM
ONCE UPON A TIME: An Invitation to the Families of WhittleseaDear Moms and Dads of the City of Whittlesea: Hello! My name is Mitch Ditkoff and I am working, these days, with Al Siraat College in Epping. Part of my work here includes storytelling -- or, more specifically, Wisdom...
Posted in Storytelling at Work on April 2, 2020 01:12 AM
Another LifetimeOne thing that is cool about telling a story is that almost anything in the world can spark it -- a glance, a kiss, a word, a chance meeting on the street, almost dying, a dream, an argument or,...
Posted in Storytelling at Work on April 1, 2020 01:58 AM
ONCE UPON A CORONAVIRUS: Telling Stories Calms AnxietiesHere is a wonderful, timely, wise, and practical blog post for parents from the folks who wrote How to Tell Stories to Children. If you are experiencing the challenges of self-isolation, lock down, or quarantining with your young kids,...
Posted in Storytelling at Work on March 31, 2020 01:34 AM
Enjoy Family Wisdom Story Circles in the Age of the CoronavirusThis just in from Tanja Kubitza, one of Al Siraat College's front office staffers who recently participated in a three-hour Wisdom (storytelling) Circle training and then, God bless Tanja, applied what she learned by hosting a Wisdom Circle in...
Posted in Storytelling at Work on March 30, 2020 10:08 PM
ANNOUNCING: Free Online Wisdom (storytelling) CirclesSitting here in my self-isolated, social-distanced bedroom in Epping, Australia, I am asking myself (like a lot of people I know), "how can I be of service" during these highly challenging Coronavirus times. One thing I can do is...
Posted in Storytelling at Work on March 29, 2020 07:26 PM
EXTRAORDINARY EDUCATION: Learning in a GraveyardAn inspiring 12-minute talk, with two very powerful stories, by Mufti Aasim Rashid, Director of Islamic Education and Studies at Al Siraat College in Epping, Australia. Al Siraat YouTube channel Aussie interfaith Wisdom Circles Storytelling for the Revolution...
Posted in Storytelling at Work on March 29, 2020 04:45 AM
Rocking Back and Forth on the Front Porch of LifeThis morning, I remembered a moment from 50 years ago that is quite relevant to the challenging times we now find ourselves living in. I was 22, sitting in a rocking chair on the front porch of a house...
Posted in Storytelling at Work on March 27, 2020 05:10 PM
AUDIO STORY: On Being Visited By an AngelFull disclosure: I have never been a person who believed in angels. Angels, to me, were merely poetic metaphors, the etheric embodiments of hard-to-describe feelings that some religiously-inclined people experienced when betwixt and between -- some kind of fairy...
Posted in Storytelling at Work on March 24, 2020 06:54 AM
Want to Listen to a Story?If you're in the mood to listen to some inspiring stories, here's a treasure trove, courtesy of StoryCorps. Enjoy! Or, if you prefer to read a book of stories, here's one...
Posted in Storytelling at Work on March 22, 2020 12:10 PM
The Upside of Down Under Interfaith Wisdom CirclesThis just in from Margaret Hartley, a deeply dedicated member of the Whittlesea Interfaith Network, 36 km outside of Melbourne, Australia. Margaret was one of eight members of WIN who participated in the March 16th Wisdom Circle hosted by...
Posted in Storytelling at Work on March 22, 2020 11:09 AM
SILVER LINING STORY #1: Finding Our Common HumanityThis just in from the totally wonderful Julian West in Kathmandu. As countries worldwide slam shut their borders and condemn millions of us to enforced and self-enforced isolation, something wonderful is happening. A new sense of humanity, fueled not...
Posted in Storytelling at Work on March 19, 2020 07:09 AM
A Call for Silver Lining StoriesMother Teresa once said, "If you can't feed a hundred people, then feed just one." Towards that end, I am inviting you and anyone else reading this post, to send me ONE "silver lining story" you've heard (or been...
Posted in Storytelling at Work on March 17, 2020 10:58 AM
Aussie Interfaith Wisdom CirclesYes, these are very difficult times we find our selves now living in -- many of our assumptions, concepts, and beliefs challenged to the core. And yet, even in the midst of so much change, chaos, and confusion, there...
Posted in Storytelling at Work on March 16, 2020 03:14 PM
The True Meaning of ComposureThis scene from Titanic completely knocks me out. As the ship is going under, four classical musicians, on the main deck, gather together, with complete composure, to play "Nearer My God to Thee." There is something for all of us...
Posted in Storytelling at Work on March 15, 2020 02:15 AM
WHAT IS A WISDOM CIRCLE?A Wisdom Circle is a lightly facilitated, personal storytelling gathering -- a chance for 6-12 friends, neighbors, colleagues, or co-workers, in a relaxed setting, to share their meaningful, memorable, real-life stories with each other -- usually focusing on a...
Posted in Storytelling at Work on March 14, 2020 05:39 PM
Welcome to the First Interspecies Book Marketing CampaignThe book Chili recommends If you don't believe my dog A story from the book Other dogs who also like the book The Amazon reviews of the book...
Posted in Storytelling at Work on March 13, 2020 03:38 PM
Good Leaders Tell Stories That Help People Trust Them with PowerAre you a leader trying gain the trust of the people you lead? While there are many ways to approach this bold challenge, one of the simplest and most effective ways is storytelling. Abraham Lincoln was a master of...
Posted in Storytelling at Work on March 6, 2020 08:58 PM
What Is a Wisdom Circle?A Wisdom Circle is a lightly facilitated, personal storytelling gathering -- a chance for 3-12 people, in a relaxed setting, to share their meaningful, memorable, real-life stories with each other -- usually focusing on a few pre-selected themes. Storytelling...
Posted in Storytelling at Work on March 1, 2020 06:56 PM
Paulo Coelho on StorytellingStorytelling for the Revolution...
Posted in Storytelling at Work on February 28, 2020 02:15 AM
Stories Get You to the Heart!Wonderful article here about Jane Goodall's perspective on the power of storytelling to make a huge difference in the world. EXCERPT: "Early last year, at the same World Economic Forum in Davos, Switzerland where Greta Thunberg ignited a powerful...
Posted in Storytelling at Work on February 27, 2020 04:27 PM
What Kinds of Stories Do People Most Want to Tell?If you have five minutes to spare, I invite you to respond to this just launched poll -- my attempt to find out what kind of stories people most want to tell. I will post the results here in a...
Posted in Storytelling at Work on February 24, 2020 10:32 AM
Learn to Facilitate Wisdom CirclesIf you are a big fan of storytelling and the positive impact it can have on human beings, this blog post is for you -- especially if you want to learn how to facilitate Wisdom (storytelling) Circles. Beginning in...
Posted in Storytelling at Work on February 13, 2020 09:45 AM
TANGO: Language with No WordsWhat follows is a story by one of my friends, the very lovely and talented Deborah Ramsden. She read me the story today and I was very touched by it. Maybe you will be, too... I've danced tango in...
Posted in Storytelling at Work on February 12, 2020 12:47 AM
Storytelling as Nest, Home Base, Safe Haven, and the Fire Around Which We Warm OurselvesToday, in the shower, shampoo in both my eyes, I had an epiphany or, if not an epiphany, an insight, aha, or revelation. Whatever you call what I had, something clicked. In a flash, I understood what very well...
Posted in Storytelling at Work on February 2, 2020 08:43 PM
My Vision for Fostering a Revolution of Inspired StorytellingAlthough I have been deeply involved in the world of storytelling for the past eight years, I think it's fair to say that I am relatively new to the game. Anthropologists tell us that oral storytelling emerged about the...
Posted in Storytelling at Work on January 31, 2020 03:31 PM
Why Storytelling is Essential to Jews and JudaismWonderful article by Rabbi Jonathan Sachs on storytelling and Judaism. AN EXCERPT: "Tibet has been governed by the Chinese since 1950. During the 1959 uprising, the Dalai Lama, his life in danger, fled to Dharamsala, in India, where he...
Posted in Storytelling at Work on January 29, 2020 12:55 AM
Woodstock Wisdom CirclesWoodstock, New York is famous for a lot of things -- the 1969 music festival, it's creative community, spirit of freedom, laid back lifestyle, mountain views, Tibetan monastery, Halloween parade, and Santa's Christmas appearance on the town green, just...
Posted in Storytelling at Work on January 27, 2020 11:28 AM
The Birthday GiftTwenty four hours before Prem Rawat's birthday this year, I made my way to the nearest San Miguel FedEx store, first thing in the morning -- the place where I had shipped my birthday gift to him just three...
Posted in Storytelling at Work on January 26, 2020 11:56 AM
KIDS CORNER: How Storytelling Builds AttachmentIf you have ever heard a child say, 'Tell me a story,' you may have thought she merely wanted a good story. Not necessarily true. There's a very good chance the child was motivated more by the need for...
Posted in Storytelling at Work on January 25, 2020 11:11 PM
ANNOUNCING MICRO-LEARNING FOR STORYTELLERS: May, 2020One of the powerful things about storytelling is that it doesn't take a lot of time to deliver the goods. Indeed, a meaningful, life-changing story can easily be told in five minutes or less. Sometimes, one minute or less....
Posted in Storytelling at Work on January 21, 2020 12:55 PM
MY ONLY HIT OF THE SEASONThere are entire years of my life I can barely remember, but I will never forget the nanosecond, as a 16-year old right fielder for Camp Scatico, when I got my only hit of the season. It was a...
Posted in Storytelling at Work on January 18, 2020 01:15 AM
ANNOUNCING: Wisdom Circle Facilitator Training -- Spring 2020If you are a lover of storytelling, believe in its power to awaken, heal, inspire and want to learn how to facilitate Wisdom (storytelling) Circles in your home, community, or organization, this blog post is for you. In the...
Posted in Storytelling at Work on January 16, 2020 11:02 AM
What Actually Happens at a Wisdom Circle? The Format?The format and flow of a Wisdom Circle is very simple. Prior to the gathering, via email, I let everyone know what the storytelling themes of the evening will be, so, if participants want, they can identify -- and...
Posted in Storytelling at Work on January 10, 2020 10:19 AM
An Intriguing Invitation for Pet Store Owners EverywhereGreetings! Mitch Ditkoff here, Rep/Agent for pet portrait artist, Evelyne Pouget. If you have customers who might be interested in commissioning Evelyne's services, you will likely find our new Finder's Fee offer worth considering. It costs you absolutely nothing and...
Posted in Storytelling at Work on January 8, 2020 04:13 PM
EYE THOU: Seeing Scott CroninHere is a sampling of the extraordinary work of Scott Cronin. I will be posting more here in the weeks to come, along with Scott's fascinating story -- a compelling example of true "outsider art."...
Posted in Storytelling at Work on January 2, 2020 01:16 PM
Two By Emilia Ditkoff...
Posted in Storytelling at Work on January 1, 2020 09:17 AM
The Winter Solstice Begins a Season of StorytellingFascinating (brief) article from Smithsonian Magazine about the Native American (seasonal) approach to storytelling. Tis the season, my friends. Go for it! Storytelling for the Revolution Photo: Pigoff Photography, Unsplash...
Posted in Storytelling at Work on December 21, 2019 10:15 AM
My Introduction to Black MagicThere are a lot of things I have never been into. Biodynamic gardening is one of them. Shopping at Wal-Mart is another. And black magic. I realize, of course, there is a value to biodynamic gardening. It's good for...
Posted in Storytelling at Work on December 17, 2019 05:48 PM
13 Videos for Aspiring StorytellersClick here to view 13 brief videos (7 minutes or less) of me waxing on about the art and science of storytelling. Includes five stories from my newest book, Storytelling for the Revolution. Big thanks to the fine folks of...
Posted in Storytelling at Work on December 10, 2019 10:33 PM
The Dream Architecture of San Miguel de AllendeOne of San Miguel de Allende's remarkable qualities is it's colonial architecture. Simply walking the streets has the potential to put you in a very benevolent trance. Evelyne Pouget, painter, photographer, and digital artist brings out the best of San...
Posted in Storytelling at Work on December 9, 2019 01:59 PM
A Horse of a Different ColorIf you are a horse lover, horse owner, horse breeder, or just like to horse around, you may want to commission Evelyne Pouget to paint a portrait of your favorite equine. Oil pastels and oils are the two mediums Evelyne...
Posted in Storytelling at Work on December 6, 2019 10:54 AM
Wisdom Circle: El Arbol de la VidaMore info here What people are saying about Wisdom Circles Storytelling for the Revolution The facilitator...
Posted in Storytelling at Work on December 2, 2019 12:49 PM
A Picture's Worth 1,000 WordsWhat story would you tell about this man? Drawing recently made by my super creative daughter, Mimi....
Posted in Storytelling at Work on November 30, 2019 08:54 PM
DECK THE HALLS: Woodstock Holiday Studio Sale SupremeIf you are looking for some extraordinary holiday gifts to buy your loved ones this holiday season, mosey on over to the home of one of Woodstock's most creative people, Elise Pittleman. A little something for everyone: crystals, birdhouses, paintings,...
Posted in Storytelling at Work on November 30, 2019 12:22 AM
Evelyne Pouget People PortraitsIf you are looking for someone to paint your portrait or the portrait of a loved one, you have come to the right place. The artist is Evelyne Pouget and she is now accepting commissions for 2020. The process for...
Posted in Storytelling at Work on November 22, 2019 11:33 AM
Fire, Gratitude, and the Full MoonWonderful photograph by Colin Pence, taken at the Full Moon Ceremony at the Charco, on November 12th, in San Miguel de Allende....
Posted in Storytelling at Work on November 20, 2019 03:01 PM
The Wisdom Circles of San MiguelSan Miguel de Allende is famous for a lot of things -- its diverse culture, colonial architecture, hot springs, cobblestone streets, affordable living, great restaurants, town square, benevolent people, and Writer's Conference, just to name a few. One thing...
Posted in Storytelling at Work on November 15, 2019 04:22 PM
DAY OF THE DEAD ART SHOWIn honor of San Miguel de Allende's indigenous traditions and architectural beauty, local artist, Evelyne Pouget, will be hosting a DAY OF THE DEAD art show featuring a selection of her original oil paintings, oil pastels, and digital paintings....
Posted in Storytelling at Work on October 31, 2019 05:34 PM
A Small Bag of Red BerriesEvery day, each and every one of us has at least one memorable experience worth sharing with others, but we usually don't, assuming our moment wasn't extraordinary enough. Click here for a 5 minute audio of one such moment...
Posted in Storytelling at Work on September 19, 2019 02:50 PM
Truly Tapping Into PotentialBig thanks to Dave Vinegrad, of Behaviour Matters, for the heads up! Idea Champions...
Posted in Storytelling at Work on September 7, 2019 04:57 AM
The Art & Soul of Evelyne PougetArtist, Evelyne Pouget, has always followed her heart and intuition when it comes to life decisions, with serendipity playing a recurring role. Originally from Paris, she lived in Italy, India (for a year at an ashram) and New York,...
Posted in Storytelling at Work on August 28, 2019 03:05 AM
The Rightful Heir to the ThroneOnce upon a time there was a powerful, wise, and benevolent King who knew his time was coming to an end. Wanting to ensure that his Kingdom continued to thrive after his death, he called his three sons to...
Posted in Storytelling at Work on August 27, 2019 02:43 AM
Storytelling for the Revolution Making a Big Splash in EnglandFirst there was Germany, now jolly old England. Seems like Storytelling for the Revolution's reach is going global, though two data points may be insufficient to reach that conclusion. What you are looking at is the very noble, festive,...
Posted in Storytelling at Work on August 14, 2019 02:46 PM
The Sagwa Zibi DanceHere's a brief video that features an extraordinary, original composition by Paul Kwicienski about the river across his house in South Bend, Indiana. Paul told the story of how this piece of music came to be in last night's...
Posted in Storytelling at Work on August 2, 2019 05:39 PM
A Tidal Wave of Storytelling in Germany Has Begun!Ta da! Proof that Storytelling for the Revolution has an international audience! Here is the very wise, talented, multi-lingual, creative, brilliant, contemplative, self-aware, humble Rainer Poulet reading it in Koblenz, Germany! Might this be the beginning of a tidal...
Posted in Storytelling at Work on July 29, 2019 02:01 PM
Why Do People Want to Listen?Everyone I know wants to be listened to when they speak. And everyone SAYS that listening is an important thing to do and there is way too little of it going on these days. As a facilitator of Wisdom...
Posted in Storytelling at Work on July 26, 2019 10:35 AM
What People Say About Their Experience of Wisdom CirclesWisdom Circles are enjoyable, lightly-facilitated, two-hour gatherings of 6-12 people sharing meaningful, personal stories with each other -- stories that convey insights, humanity, lessons learned, and memorable moments of truth. What follows are a sampling of testimonials from some...
Posted in Storytelling at Work on July 24, 2019 06:10 PM
The Power of Listening in Helping People ChangeGood article on listening from the Harvard Review...
Posted in Storytelling at Work on July 23, 2019 12:56 PM
Helping Children Truly Understand the Moral of a StoryAs a so-called "thought leader"in the field of storytelling and an author of two books on the topic, Storytelling at Work and Storytelling for the Revolution, I tend to think that I am quite knowledgeable about the matter. And...
Posted in Storytelling at Work on July 15, 2019 02:16 PM
THE POWER OF SIMPLY LISTENING"Wisdom is the reward you get for a lifetime of listening when you would have rather talked." -- Mark Twain "Most people do not listen with the intent to understand; they listen with the intent to reply." -- Stephen...
Posted in Storytelling at Work on June 23, 2019 01:06 PM
THE HEART OF DOWNSIZINGNext week I am submitting a treatment for my new book on downsizing to a very savvy agent in NYC and am asking for YOUR input if you have 5 minutes and some curiosity. My book will not merely...
Posted in Storytelling at Work on June 19, 2019 12:57 PM
Want to Facilitate Wisdom Circles in Your Living Room?If you are a lover of storytelling, wisdom, inspiration, and community, this blog post is for you. I am gearing up to teach people, online, how to facilitate Wisdom Circles in their living rooms -- small group storytelling gatherings...
Posted in Storytelling at Work on June 15, 2019 01:37 PM
No More Stories to TellLet's assume for the moment that you are intrigued by the notion of telling your stories. Fantastic. Great. Wonderful. So...you... begin... thinking about the memorable moments of truth in your life and start writing them down -- at least...
Posted in Storytelling at Work on May 7, 2019 03:28 PM
WHAT PEOPLE ARE SAYING ABOUT MY NEW BOOKStorytelling for the Revolution Storytelling at Work MitchDitkoff.com...
Posted in Storytelling at Work on April 29, 2019 11:44 PM
The Idiot Savant's Guide to the Power of StorytellingClick here to listen (and view) my November 22nd webinar on storytelling in the workplace. Entertaining, mind opening, and practical. Hosted by the good people at PatSnap. If you are interested in learning why and how storytelling is the...
Posted in Storytelling at Work on April 18, 2019 01:11 AM
More About Woodstock (storytelling) Wisdom CirclesIf you are interested in attending one or more of the upcoming Woodstock Wisdom (storytelling) Circles on April 10, 24; May 8, 22; June 5, 19) click on the following links for more information about what they are, what...
Posted in Storytelling at Work on April 5, 2019 12:10 PM
77 Inspiring Quotes on Uncertainty and Letting Go"I spent a lot of years trying to outrun or outsmart vulnerability by making things certain and definite, black and white, good and bad. My inability to lean into the discomfort of vulnerability limited the fullness of those important...
Posted in Storytelling at Work on April 3, 2019 09:29 PM
When the Muses Dance in San Miguel de AllendeThe first time, in 2003, that Parisian-born artist, Evelyne Pouget saw the indigenous dancers of San Miguel de Allende making their way up Canal to the Jardin, she was stunned. Never before had she seen anything like it, not...
Posted in Storytelling at Work on March 29, 2019 12:22 PM
JUMP START COACHING for ASPIRING AUTHORS and STORYTELLERSIf you are an aspiring author or storyteller, but find yourself stuck, spinning your wheels, or needing support to write your book, you are in good company. Most people who want to write a book experience something similar. It's...
Posted in Storytelling at Work on March 21, 2019 07:48 AM
The Visual Storytelling RaffleStories can be told in many ways: oral, written, and visual being three of the most common. Indeed, a picture is often worth a thousand words -- or in the case of Linda Laino, way more. A giclee of...
Posted in Storytelling at Work on March 20, 2019 11:34 AM
The Science Behind the Healing Power of StoryExcerpted from Native Hope...
Posted in Storytelling at Work on March 18, 2019 10:38 AM
How the Inuits Use Storytelling to Teach Their ChildrenClick here to learn about how the Inuits of the Arctic Circle use storytelling to teach their children. Curiously, a recent study has confirmed that good storytelling skills, among 89 tribes of indigenous people, are prized more than hunting...
Posted in Storytelling at Work on March 16, 2019 12:44 PM
It's Never Too Late to Choose LifeMy mother died at 83, on her way from her favorite chair in the living room to the bathroom. Her falling, explained my father, didn't make a lot of sound, other than the clanking of the oxygen machine which...
Posted in Storytelling at Work on March 16, 2019 10:21 AM
Wisdom Circle TestimonialsA Wisdom Circle is an enjoyable two-hour gathering of 6-12 people for the purpose of sharing meaningful, personal stories with each other -- stories that convey insights, deep feeling, and moments of truth. What follows are a sampling of...
Posted in Storytelling at Work on March 11, 2019 11:48 AM
The Afghani Cab DriverA four-minute story of a moment I had with an Afghani cab driver in Minneapolis that changed my life and the way in which I looked at the world. Excerpted from this book Storytelling for the Revolution MitchDitkoff.com...
Posted in Storytelling at Work on March 8, 2019 09:50 AM
Jump Start Coaching for Aspiring Hudson Valley Authors and StorytellersIf you are an aspiring author or storyteller in the Hudson Valley, but find yourself stuck, spinning your wheels, or needing support to write your book, you are in good company. Most people who want to write a book...
Posted in Storytelling at Work on February 28, 2019 11:56 AM
Solomon the Storyteller...
Posted in Storytelling at Work on February 15, 2019 02:58 AM
SOON COMING: An Anthology of Wisdom Stories from Living SagesGREETINGS! I am beginning the process of identifying a wide variety of living Sages, Masters, Gurus, Teachers, and Wisdom Keepers to contribute their favorite story to an anthology of "wisdom stories" I am putting together. Some of these Sages...
Posted in Storytelling at Work on February 12, 2019 04:28 PM
A Jar of Minced GarlicSo there I am at La Comer, San Miguel de Allende's biggest grocery store, having just located the papayas, soymilk, and rice cakes, when I look down at my list and notice there is an item I've still not...
Posted in Storytelling at Work on January 29, 2019 09:13 AM
Storytelling is the Trojan Horse of WisdomMost people, sometime in their life, enter into a period of seeking. The language they use to describe their quest may be different, but the intention is the same -- to tap into a higher dimension of knowing and...
Posted in Storytelling at Work on January 28, 2019 10:30 AM
STORY THE FUTURE: Online Workshops and Interviews on the Art of StorytellingClick here to register for STORY THE FUTURE'S most recent online offering -- a great way to learn more about the art and science of storytelling. Includes a wide variety of sage input, methods, techniques, and conversation from some...
Posted in Storytelling at Work on January 26, 2019 09:59 AM
The Man from CroatiaIt was a bone cold night in January, four hours after my wife and kids had gone to bed, and I was sitting alone in my man cave, with nothing but a laptop, i-phone, and the painful recognition that...
Posted in Storytelling at Work on January 24, 2019 08:54 AM
Wisdom Circle Ground RulesA Wisdom Circle is an opportunity for a small group of people (6-12) to come together in a relaxed setting to share their life stories with each other -- memorable moments of truth that have, contained within them, a...
Posted in Storytelling at Work on January 24, 2019 08:22 AM
Testimonial from the Executive Director of the San Miguel Writer's Conference & Literary FestivalThis just in from Susan Page, Executive Director of the San Miguel Writer's Conference and Literary Festival in response to my storytelling presentation at the January 10th Literary Sala. "Mitch Ditkoff is a wonderful ambassador of the power of...
Posted in Storytelling at Work on January 14, 2019 02:34 PM
Gandhi and the ProfessorI just received this wonderful fake, urban legend story from Craig Klawuhn. Even if never happened, it's a great little story to read, especially if you ever find yourself being dismissed or diminished by "people in power." When Gandhi...
Posted in Storytelling at Work on December 25, 2018 11:42 AM
A Picture is Worth a Thousand Words (and makes a great gift)Stories can be told in many ways. Most are told in words, but there are other stories, equally as powerful, if not more so, that are told with images -- like the fabulous art of Evelyne Pouget. If you find...
Posted in Storytelling at Work on December 12, 2018 01:02 PM
The Dark Side of StorytellingAll of us tell stories -- whether we speak them aloud or not. Our stories are our handy dandy way of interpreting reality. Often, however, the stories we tell are nothing more than ways to protect ourselves from reality...
Posted in Storytelling at Work on December 10, 2018 08:53 AM
More About Evelyne Pouget"When people ask me if I am an artist, I usually pause before answering. And the reason why is because, deep down, I believe that most of us are artists. Art, to me, is the ability to tune in,...
Posted in Storytelling at Work on December 7, 2018 08:29 AM
STORY: The Great ConnectorStorytelling for the Revolution Storytelling at Work Awake at the Wheel Illustration: gapingvoid...
Posted in Storytelling at Work on November 30, 2018 09:01 PM
STORYTELLING FOR THE REVOLUTION: The Introduction"Those who tell the story, rule the world." -- Hopi Indian saying If you are wondering why I chose to call my book: Storytelling for the Revolution -- a title some people might think is incendiary, inflated, or overly...
Posted in Storytelling at Work on November 19, 2018 08:40 AM
A Ferrari Tia MariaOnce a seeker came to a Rebbe, a guru, a venerable spiritual counselor. He arrived in his red Ferrari, roaring to a stop by the front door. "So, great teacher," he began. "Tell me the secret to a happy...
Posted in Storytelling at Work on November 18, 2018 09:55 AM
A Dream Story for Crazy TimesA few years ago I had a dream that has stayed with me -- one that seems to be very relevant to these crazy times we now find ourselves in. In the dream, I was in a diner, sitting...
Posted in Storytelling at Work on November 14, 2018 06:28 PM
Ditch the Grammar and Start Teaching Storytelling InsteadGreat article from THE GUARDIAN on the need for schools to pay more attention to teaching storytelling to kids instead of so much focus on grammar. My experience, exactly! What's a few dangling participles between friends? Or, in the...
Posted in Storytelling at Work on November 10, 2018 03:02 PM
How Futuristic Storytelling Can Grow Your BusinessMost "storytelling" in businesses, isn't. Usually, it's just a lame approximation of what real storytelling is about. But when people go beyond "same old, same old," magic happens. Here's a cool example of what's possible. HINT: It has something...
Posted in Storytelling at Work on November 8, 2018 10:25 PM
Checking in with Chekhov...
Posted in Storytelling at Work on November 5, 2018 01:30 PM
An Invitation to Forward Thinking Readers of This BlogGREETINGS! Mitch Ditkoff here, author of this blog. I have just launched a GoFundMe campaign to create the support I need to write, edit, publish, and promote my next book on storytelling, tentatively entitled Storytelling for the Revelation. Click...
Posted in Storytelling at Work on October 12, 2018 07:35 AM
A Revolutionary Book for Corporate StorytellersBIG THANKS TO JOHN GLINDEMAN, Manager of Product Development and Wellness for United Concordia, for his very supportive review of my new book, Storytelling for the Revolution. "My job is as a corporate storyteller. That job has had titles...
Posted in Storytelling at Work on September 19, 2018 12:38 AM
The Shamanic Four QuestionsStorytelling for the Revolution...
Posted in Storytelling at Work on August 30, 2018 07:44 AM
Cavemen with Briefcases Waiting for a Wise Story to Be ToldStorytelling at Work: The Workshop Storytelling to Create the Innovation Mindset Storytelling at Work: The Book Storytelling in the Workplace: The Radio Interview...
Posted in Storytelling at Work on August 24, 2018 09:10 AM
The Digital Art of Evelyne PougetEvelyne Pouget was always artistic, even as a small girl growing up in France. But she didn't become an artist until she fully accepted the words of her Spiritual Master, Baba Muktananda, when she was 41. For many years, Baba...
Posted in Storytelling at Work on August 10, 2018 10:19 PM
Storytelling as a Way to Stop Bullying and Help Kids Feel PeaceStorytelling can be used in a lot of different ways -- to entertain, build community, transmit wisdom, and heal. Ora Munter's Ice Veil Tales accomplishes all four of these in a very creative way. Her series of 11 fantasy...
Posted in Storytelling at Work on August 10, 2018 06:42 PM
STORYTELLING FOR THE REVOLUTION is now the #1 Amazon New Release in Performing ArtsA surprising turn of events for me. One day after the Kindle version of my book comes out, Amazon declares it to be the #1 new release in its Performing Arts category. There is a God. Of course, this...
Posted in Storytelling at Work on August 10, 2018 03:39 PM
What I Learned From Ten Chemical Salesmen and Some Masking TapeAs a person infinitely more interested in alchemy than chemistry, not once during my formative years as a young entrepreneur did I ever, once, aspire to sit in a room with 10 middle-aged, overweight chemical salesmen from New Jersey...
Posted in Storytelling at Work on August 8, 2018 12:24 AM
Einstein Speaks!E = MC Hammer...
Posted in Storytelling at Work on July 29, 2018 01:47 AM
Why Jeff Bezos Has Replaced Powerpoint in His Meetings with Narrative MemosHere's something to consider. The richest man in the world, Jeff Bezos, has banned powerpoint in all Amazon meetings. In it's place? Narrative storytelling. Here's why. Big thanks to Doug Robinson for the heads up. Learn how to be...
Posted in Storytelling at Work on July 25, 2018 09:09 PM
STORYTELLING FOR THE REVOLUTION Now a Book-of-the-Month Club SelectionGood news travels fast! The Institute for Management Studies has just chosen my book, Storytelling for the Revolution, to be their Book-of-the-Month selection for July. Whoo hoo! Here's how IMS describes itself: "Since 1974, IMS has provided its members...
Posted in Storytelling at Work on July 25, 2018 08:44 PM
Stories Are at Work Within YouStorytellingForTheRevolution.com...
Posted in Storytelling at Work on July 23, 2018 09:51 AM
11 Amazon Reviews of My BookPOSITIVE INSIGHTS TO TRANSFORM THESE TIMES "Inspiring and provocative, this book reminds us all that we must act and tell our stories to the stir soul of possibility in others. What I love about Mitch's writing is that it...
Posted in Storytelling at Work on July 19, 2018 09:10 PM
Why Storytelling Is So PowerfulRevealing book of stories...
Posted in Storytelling at Work on July 7, 2018 10:55 PM
My New Book Now on Amazon!I am thrilled to announce that my new book, Storytelling for the Revolution, is now available on Amazon. If you are a fan of storytelling, insight, wisdom, love, choice, humor, learning, breathing, the human condition, or this blog, there...
Posted in Storytelling at Work on July 5, 2018 06:22 AM
Telling Stories that Create Monumental ChangeHere's a refreshing, 36-minute podcast/interview on the power of storytelling to spark big, positive changes. Especially relevant to business people engaged in Six Sigma or Lean Six Sigma projects. The interviewers are Elisabeth Swan and Tracey Roarke -- two...
Posted in Storytelling at Work on July 4, 2018 07:06 AM
Let Your Stories Bloom!"I hope you will go out and let stories, that is life, happen to you, and that you will work with these stories... water them with your blood and tears and your laughter till they bloom, till you yourself...
Posted in Storytelling at Work on June 21, 2018 11:01 AM
We Are All StorytellersStorytelling at Work Creating the Innovation Mindset via Storytelling...
Posted in Storytelling at Work on June 5, 2018 04:34 AM
NEW PODCAST: The Stories We Tell and Their ImpactClick here for Mitch Ditkoff's 5/25 appearance on VoiceAmerica -- Wanda Wallace's Out of the Comfort Zone interview. All about the power of storytelling. Storytelling at Work Storytelling for the Revolution MitchDitkoff.com...
Posted in Storytelling at Work on May 28, 2018 09:19 PM
THE AUTHOR OF THIS BLOG, on Radio: Fri, May 25th, 2:00 pm ETIdea Champions' co-Founder, Mitch Ditkoff, will be interviewed, live, on May 25th, 2:00 pm, EST on Wanda Wallace's VoiceAmerica radio show. Topic? The power of storytelling. Click here to tune in on May 25th. If you miss it, a...
Posted in Storytelling at Work on May 24, 2018 03:44 PM
CHRIS LEARNS A LESSON: A Story from Ms. Najma's 2nd Grade ClassLast week, at Al Siraat, a very forward-thinking Islamic School outside of Melbourne, Australia I had a most memorable experience. The audience was not my typical client, but a classroom of seven-year olds. And why I was there was...
Posted in Storytelling at Work on May 16, 2018 02:17 PM
One More Really Big Reason to Read Stories to ChildrenExcellent article from Psychology Today on why it's good to read stories to children. MitchDitkoff.com Storytelling at Work Storytelling for the Revolution...
Posted in Storytelling at Work on May 11, 2018 02:37 AM
Why Are Stories Imporant for Children?Here's why And also for adults MitchDitkoff.com...
Posted in Storytelling at Work on May 4, 2018 05:40 PM
The Origins of Harry PotterI have a question for you: Do you know who once said the following statement? "By every usual standard, I was the biggest failure I knew." Any guesses? Those were the words of J.K. Rowling -- the woman who...
Posted in Storytelling at Work on May 3, 2018 02:58 PM
On Being Visited by an AngelFull disclosure: I have never been a person who believed in angels. Angels, to me, were merely poetic metaphors, the etheric embodiments of hard-to-describe feelings that some religiously-inclined people experienced when betwixt and between -- some kind of fairy...
Posted in Storytelling at Work on April 29, 2018 03:32 PM
I Am Not a HandymanAre you a man -- or know a man who is, shall we say, "handyman challenged"? If so, then this newly published Huffington Post article of mine, is for you. Three minutes worth of comic relief. If you like...
Posted in Storytelling at Work on April 28, 2018 10:04 AM
HIGHER SELF MEDITATIONSHigher Self Meditations, as its name implies, offers meditations on your higher Self. Its 52 chapters provide clear understanding of why meditation is more successful when it effortlessly lets the Universe do it for you; explain how to contact...
Posted in Storytelling at Work on April 28, 2018 01:11 AM
How to Tell a StoryNew York Times on How to Tell a Story. Nice and simple. Three key points. Worth the read. But the real question is this -- regardless of how the New York Times makes its case. When are YOU going...
Posted in Storytelling at Work on April 23, 2018 10:15 PM
Why Stories MatterHere's a super simple way to better understand why stories matter -- 15 brief videos on the topic from the mind and heart of Mitch Ditkoff. MitchDitkoff.com Storytelling for the Revolution...
Posted in Storytelling at Work on April 21, 2018 12:19 PM
Why Leaders Should Tell StoriesHere's why. Insightful article from Forbes Magazine Storytelling at Work Storytelling for the Revolution Storytelling and the Innovation Mindset...
Posted in Storytelling at Work on April 19, 2018 10:29 PM
KURT VONNEGUT SPEAKS: On the Shape of StoriesMitchDitkoff.com The shape of stories in the workplace Storytelling as a way to spark innovation...
Posted in Storytelling at Work on April 14, 2018 10:52 AM
The Fence to Nowhere"Good fences make good neighbors," wrote the poet, Robert Frost, 63 years ago -- a now iconic poetic meme that looks at both sides of the human condition from two very different perspectives. Yes, it's true -- fences do...
Posted in Storytelling at Work on April 8, 2018 12:47 PM
The Power Over StoryAmazon Reviews of Storytelling at Work...
Posted in Storytelling at Work on March 24, 2018 02:10 AM
JEAN HOUSTON: The Urgent Need for Transformational StorytellingBig thanks to Peter Blum for the heads up. Idea Champions Transformational storytelling in business Great quotes on storytelling...
Posted in Storytelling at Work on March 3, 2018 06:25 PM
Story as SynapseStorytelling at Work...
Posted in Storytelling at Work on February 26, 2018 12:10 AM
Micro-Learning for StorytellersTime-crunched as you are, I know you don't even have two-minutes to read this. So thanks for your 119 seconds. I'm not going to sell you on the power of storytelling. You already know it's powerful. What you don't...
Posted in Storytelling at Work on February 7, 2018 08:55 AM
WISDOM CIRCLES: Tribal Storytelling in the WorkplaceHere's a sneak preview of an exciting new organizational invention of mine, WISDOM CIRCLES -- an organic outgrowth of Storytelling at Work. These are small group gatherings for people who want to explore the power of personal storytelling in the...
Posted in Storytelling at Work on February 6, 2018 01:03 PM
Seth Godin on Book PublishingIf you are planning on publishing a book any time soon and would like a lucid guide to what's happening in the strangely fascinating world of publishing, click here for Seth Godin's latest insights. My 2015 self-published book on...
Posted in Storytelling at Work on February 1, 2018 05:33 PM
Catching Up to What We AreWe do not become healers.We came as healers. We are. Some of us are still catching up to what we are. We do not become storytellers. We came as carriers of the stories we and our ancestors actually lived....
Posted in Storytelling at Work on January 31, 2018 02:42 PM
THE SPRICE OF FREEDOM: A Journey from Darkness to Light"When you are going through hell, keep going." -- Winston Churchill Sprice Drury is a woman who had it all -- a loving husband, a fabulous home, two horses, three acres, four dogs, a $350,000 year income, and the...
Posted in Storytelling at Work on January 30, 2018 07:19 PM
Choose to Tell Stories that Awaken, Inspire, and HealThe sign this young woman is holding tells a story -- one that is becoming increasing painful to me, as an American citizen. Has it come to this in the "land of the free and the home of the...
Posted in Storytelling at Work on January 28, 2018 01:41 PM
Steve Jobs on StorytellingMitchDitkoff.com...
Posted in Storytelling at Work on January 24, 2018 04:20 PM
A Different Way to Close a SaleAnyone who owns a business, whether they've been to business school or not, knows one thing: You need customers. No customers, no business. How you get customers, of course, is the question. In my business, one of the main...
Posted in Storytelling at Work on January 21, 2018 12:50 AM
Alan Rickman on StorytellingExhibit "A" Storytelling for the Revolution Workshop: Innovation and Storytelling MitchDitkoff.com...
Posted in Storytelling at Work on January 18, 2018 03:30 PM
One Stop Shopping for Links on the Art & Science of StorytellingIf you are interested in the power of storytelling to engage, inspire, and spark the transfer of insight, knowledge, and wisdom you have come to the right place. Below are links to a variety of recent articles of mine...
Posted in Storytelling at Work on January 16, 2018 11:58 PM
The Library Where You Borrow People (& their stories), Not Books!How cool is this! A library where you don't borrow books, but people. Instead of reading a book about a topic you want to know more about, you actually "borrow" a person who has mastery on that topic and...
Posted in Storytelling at Work on January 13, 2018 01:20 PM
Storytelling at Work PodcastAre you interested in the topic of storytelling -- especially storytelling in the workplace? Got 36 minutes? Breathing? Ever eaten a piece of cheese? If so, this Innovation Engine podcast hosted by Will Sherlin and featuring yours truly (Mitch...
Posted in Storytelling at Work on January 10, 2018 10:42 AM
How Your Process of Creating Stories Can Be More CreativeSo... you want to write or tell stories? Fantastic. But how can you ensure that your writing or telling is as creative as possible and not just the "same old, same old?" What follows is a list of 20...
Posted in Storytelling at Work on January 6, 2018 10:15 AM
What Story Are You Telling?Illustration: gapingvoid The stories I'm telling...
Posted in Storytelling at Work on December 27, 2017 05:28 PM
Story Cuts to the ChaseStorytelling at Work PODCAST: Storytelling at Work (36 min.) How to tell a good story...
Posted in Storytelling at Work on December 14, 2017 03:18 PM
How to Leverage the Power of Storytelling in 15 Minutes Per WeekOnce upon a time there was a forward-thinking organization that understood what a powerful culture-building tool storytelling was. THEY GOT IT. But what they didn't get, was the fact that the effort to turn theory into practice was way...
Posted in Storytelling at Work on December 10, 2017 11:14 AM
The Elevator SpeechIn the past few weeks, quite a few people have asked me for the "elevator speech" about my book. I get it. These days, if you can't deliver your message in 60 seconds or less you're screwed. So here...
Posted in Storytelling at Work on December 7, 2017 03:32 PM
Why Storytelling Is Such a Powerful Way to CommunicateHere's a three-minute video of me talking about why storytelling is such an effective way of communicating a meaningful message. MitchDitkoff.com My HuffPost articles on storytelling Podcasts, interviews, and videos on storytelling...
Posted in Storytelling at Work on November 28, 2017 09:36 AM
The Idiot Savant's Guide to Becoming a Better StorytellerClick here to listen (and view) my November 22nd webinar on storytelling in the workplace. Entertaining, mind opening, and practical. Hosted by the good people at PatSnap. If you are interested in learning why and how storytelling is the...
Posted in Storytelling at Work on November 26, 2017 12:58 PM
Tuning Into the Ancient Story of Indigenous WisdomHere's a wonderfully, innovative project happening in San Miguel de Allende, Mexico -- a groundbreaking event being planned for the coming summer that celebrates the indigenous wisdom of the Americas. Click here for the just launched GoFundMe campaign by...
Posted in Storytelling at Work on November 17, 2017 06:28 PM
The Most Powerful Person in the World is the Storyteller"The most powerful person in the world is the storyteller. The storyteller sets the values, mission, and agenda of an entire generation that is yet to come." -- Steve Jobs While this may seem just a bit exaggerated, there...
Posted in Storytelling at Work on November 16, 2017 07:01 PM
Garrison Keillor on StorytellingFrom the Maestro himself A Prarie Home Companion...
Posted in Storytelling at Work on November 10, 2017 10:57 PM
We Need New Fairy Stories and Folks Tales to Guide Us Out of Today's Dark WoodsHere is a wonderful piece, by Andrew Simms, from the Daily Guardian, about the need for a new wave of folk tales and fairy stories. The times sure are grim. Are you the next Grimm? Got a modern-day story...
Posted in Storytelling at Work on November 9, 2017 12:06 PM
The Yummy Relationship Between Storytelling & Lean Six SigmaThese two Lean Six Sigma practitioners walk into a bar. Wait... no... I mean three Lean Six Sigma practitioners walk into a bar. The first is wearing pink tights. The second is mumbling something about a fishbone diagram. The...
Posted in Storytelling at Work on November 3, 2017 04:44 AM
In Praise of My Mother-In-LawYears ago, as a poetry graduate student at Brown University, there were lots of things I dreamed about writing. My future French mother-in-law, at 90, was not one of them. But, in time, everything changes. Here are eight vignettes...
Posted in Storytelling at Work on October 27, 2017 03:29 PM
16 Brief Videos on StorytellingClick here 16 brief videos of Mitch Ditkoff talking about the power of storytelling (and sharing some of his own "moment of truth" stories in the workplace). These brief videos are part of an exciting new presentation platform called...
Posted in Storytelling at Work on October 20, 2017 12:25 PM
THE WISDOM REVOLUTION: The Text of My 2018 TED TALKI stand before you tonight for one purpose and one purpose only -- to launch a revolution. Not the kind that overthrows a government. Not the kind that replaces one political system with another. And not the kind that takes...
Posted in Storytelling at Work on October 7, 2017 11:02 AM
VIDEO: The Power of Storytelling to Spark Innovation on the JobClick here for a 33-minute interview of Mitch Ditkoff talking about the power of storytelling to ignite innovation, insight, and wisdom in the workplace. This link will expire on April 9th. Enjoy! MitchDitkoff.com IdeaChampions.com BOOK: Storytelling at Work...
Posted in Storytelling at Work on September 28, 2017 01:04 PM
Want to Know the Lineage of Modern Day Storytellers?Travelling poet Cantadora Troubadour Bard Griot...
Posted in Storytelling at Work on September 21, 2017 07:03 PM
An Unforgettable Evening with Rabbi Shlomo CarlebachI am Jewish. My parents were Jewish. My grandparents were Jewish and all their parents and grandparents were Jewish. My father's father's name was "Abraham". His brother's name was "Moses". I was circumcised, went to Hebrew School, was bar...
Posted in Storytelling at Work on September 6, 2017 09:13 AM
The Four Shamanic Questions"In many shamanic societies, if you came to a medicine person complaining of being disheartened, dispirited, or depressed, they would ask one of four questions: When did you stop dancing? When did you stop singing? When did you stop...
Posted in Storytelling at Work on August 19, 2017 01:12 PM
Listening is a SuperpowerAs an innovation provocateur and storyteller, I am continually fascinated at how rare real listening is in most organizations. Everyone seems to be moving so fast or just WAITING for their turn to speak, that real listening rarely happens....
Posted in Storytelling at Work on August 16, 2017 09:16 AM
Moses, Jesus, Jonah, and Me on The Toledo On-RampThe spiritual literature of Planet Earth is full of stories that track the trials and tribulations of earnest souls on the path to God. Like Jonah in the belly of the whale. Like Moses in the desert. Like Jesus...
Posted in Storytelling at Work on August 11, 2017 01:16 PM
The Four Healing SalvesMitchDitkoff.com...
Posted in Storytelling at Work on August 9, 2017 09:01 PM
MONIKA'S STORY: Just One of the 140 Million Orphans in the WorldThis is Monika. She is six-years old. Soon after Nepal's devasating earthquake in 2015, she was found, abandoned and alone, wandering from tent to tent, village to village, begging for food. That's when the Himalayan Children's Charities first heard...
Posted in Storytelling at Work on August 2, 2017 03:05 PM
The Dalai Lama SpeaksIdea Champions MitchDitkoff.com My book on storytelling...
Posted in Storytelling at Work on July 31, 2017 12:01 AM
Steve Jobs on StorytellingMy book on storytelling Sparking innovation through storytelling Storytelling and big hairy ideas The mothership...
Posted in Storytelling at Work on July 28, 2017 04:20 PM
Kahili Gibran on StorytellingStorytelling at Work MitchDitkoff.com...
Posted in Storytelling at Work on July 25, 2017 12:20 AM
French CamembertAs the story goes, camembert was originally created in 1791 by Marie Harel, a dairy farmer from Normandy upon receiving some advice from a Catholic priest from Brie. It's unique smell has been variably described as funky, earthly, mushroom-like,...
Posted in Storytelling at Work on July 16, 2017 05:18 AM
She Doesn't Leave Her House All That Much AnymoreShe doesn't leave her house much any more. Sometimes, yes, but not very often. Sunday is her big day out. That's when Joelle, her youngest, now a grandmother herself, picks her up at 5:00 and brings her home --...
Posted in Storytelling at Work on July 15, 2017 09:24 AM
Written Watercolors from FranceFor the past two weeks I've been living in France with my wife, Evelyne, helping to care for my 90-year old mother-in-law. It has been a very moving journey -- so much so, that an entire new dimension of...
Posted in Storytelling at Work on July 13, 2017 01:53 PM
The TableThis is the cement table, my wife's father, Jean Pouget, built with his own two hands, 40 years ago in the French countryside -- a place for him to sit and sip aperitifs after work. Sometimes he sipped alone,...
Posted in Storytelling at Work on July 13, 2017 04:38 AM
My Dad Loved PlaidThis just in from a long-time friend of mine, Cathy Deutsch: My father was a garmento. He worked on 36th Street in the very heart of the garment industry for over 40 years and had a passionate love of plaid....
Posted in Storytelling at Work on July 13, 2017 04:20 AM
Jean's Wine CellarIt all began in Paris. That's where Mr. Boulet, the wine merchant, would knock at the front door and sit with Evelyne's father, Jean, once a month and talk about all things oenophilic -- the uncorking, the flavor bouquet,...
Posted in Storytelling at Work on July 12, 2017 01:56 AM
The Phone in FranceThe phone in Evelyne's sister's house, in France, rings 25 times a day at least, the calls always from the same person, Henriette, her mother, who lives less than a mile away, alone. They begin around 9:30 in the...
Posted in Storytelling at Work on July 9, 2017 04:27 AM
MY MOTHER-IN-LAW'S BASEMENTHenriette Pouget, my 90-year old French mother-in-law, who lives alone in a house with nothing out of place, is no longer able to navigate stairs on her own. Though she's been to Germany, Luxembourg, Martinique, and America, her basement...
Posted in Storytelling at Work on July 9, 2017 02:59 AM
Waving Goodbye to HenrietteEvelyne and I have been visiting her mother, Henriette, twice a day for the past week or so. Our visits are short and sweet. We sit in her living room and, after she turns off the French game shows...
Posted in Storytelling at Work on July 8, 2017 05:42 PM
The SignThe small sign under my mother-in-law's front door bell in France says "J. Pouget." "J" is the first initial of her long-gone husband's first name, "Jean" -- a kind man who died 34 years ago after a lifetime of...
Posted in Storytelling at Work on July 2, 2017 07:48 AM
So I Exaggerate a LittleFabulous article by Andrea Askowitz about the storyteller's mission and the phenomenon of how facts sometimes get in the way of the truth. A slippery slope indeed. What's real? What's perceived? What's remembered? Thanks to Scott Cronin for the...
Posted in Storytelling at Work on June 27, 2017 09:40 PM
A Lean Six Sigma View of STORYTELLING AT WORKHere is a wonderful review of my book, Storytelling at Work, by Elisabeth Swan, the Managing Director of GoLeanSixSigma. A unique perspective Ms. Swan has -- many years experience in the realm of continuous improvement, six sigma, lean management,...
Posted in Storytelling at Work on June 25, 2017 01:20 PM
The Sacred Dancers of San MiguelSome stories are told in words. Others are told in pictures. Click here for the extraordinary visual story of the sacred dancers of San Miguel de Allende, Mexico -- the work of peace artist, Evelyne Pouget. And click here...
Posted in Storytelling at Work on June 15, 2017 08:09 AM
The Afghani Cab Driver and the $250M Dollar Salty Snack FoodThe story in the Huffington Post 13 of my video stories on GlowDec Podcast, interviews, and storytelling links Who I am in the marketplace...
Posted in Storytelling at Work on June 14, 2017 02:12 PM
Harness the Power of StorytellingSPEAKING.COM Interview with Mitch Ditkoff AMAZON: Storytelling at Work...
Posted in Storytelling at Work on June 6, 2017 02:45 AM
The Toledo On RampThe spiritual literature of Planet Earth is full of stories that track the trials and tribulations of earnest souls on the path of God. Like Jonah in the belly of the whale, for example. And Moses in the desert....
Posted in Storytelling at Work on May 30, 2017 01:44 PM
The Wisdom Circles of San MiguelGoing to be in San Miguel de Allende this summer -- especially July 20th and August 15th? Good. Then come to either or both of my Wisdom Circles -- transformational storytelling for people who know that great wisdom abides...
Posted in Storytelling at Work on May 24, 2017 06:48 PM
You Are a Natural Born StorytellerHot off the press!...
Posted in Storytelling at Work on May 23, 2017 11:57 PM
The Power of StoryA lot of insight, wisdom, and thoughtfulness in this presentation. A good primer for anyone wanting to use storytelling wisely in their company (or in the company of others). MitchDitkoff.com Silver Medal Winner: Axiom Business Books Awards Idea Champions...
Posted in Storytelling at Work on May 18, 2017 11:12 PM
How Top Companies Use Storytelling to Drive ResultsA well-written article, from Inside HR, on the power of storytelling in organizations. A 3-minute read. One size does not fit all MitchDitkoff.com My storytelling workshop...
Posted in Storytelling at Work on May 11, 2017 03:15 PM
CUSTOMIZED WORKSHOPS: One Size Does Not Fit AllIf you are looking for a simple way to leverage the power of storytelling in your organization, but haven't found an "off the shelf" solution, I know why: it doesn't exist. And WHY it doesn't exist is because your...
Posted in Storytelling at Work on May 8, 2017 11:46 PM
Pixar's 22 Rules of StorytellingPixar's 22 Rules to Phenomenal Storytelling from Gavin McMahon Storytelling in Business Share tacit knowledge at work WORKSHOP: How storytelling can spark the innovation mindset...
Posted in Storytelling at Work on May 3, 2017 01:05 PM
Why the Best Superbowl Ads Are Structured as StoriesA two-year analysis of 108 Super Bowl commercials has revealed that it was the structure of the content -- not the content itself -- that was the biggest predictor of its success. And the structure that was most linked...
Posted in Storytelling at Work on May 1, 2017 08:21 AM
Leadership StorytellingSteve Denning, formerly of the World Bank, makes a compelling case for why storytelling is such a powerful communication tool in business. Using storytelling in conferences Sparking innovation with storytelling Fostering employee engagement with storytelling...
Posted in Storytelling at Work on April 20, 2017 10:10 PM
The Power of Personal Storytelling in the WorkplaceWant to get a good sense of who I am and what my storytelling work is all about? Click here for 13 brief videos (less than 4 minutes each) of me waxing on about the topic. Half of the...
Posted in Storytelling at Work on April 19, 2017 04:09 PM
The Best Opening to a TED TalkOK. Andrew Stanton takes the cake for the quickest, boldest, most memorable opening to a TED talk I've ever heard. A play within a play, insofar as uses the shortest form of story -- the joke -- to kick...
Posted in Storytelling at Work on April 18, 2017 09:19 AM
The Art of Storytelling According to the Founders of StoryCorps and the Humans of New YorkA three-minute read MitchDitkoff.com Storytelling at Work Creating the Innovation Mindset (workshop)...
Posted in Storytelling at Work on April 3, 2017 08:36 AM
This Person Most Likely Has No Match.com ProfilePhoto: EvelynePouget...
Posted in Storytelling at Work on April 2, 2017 06:32 PM
Story as a Leadership ToolHere's a lovely animated intro to why STORYTELLING is such a powerful communication and business tool -- by the author of Circle of the 9 Muses. Storytelling at Work More useful links about storytelling And more...
Posted in Storytelling at Work on April 1, 2017 06:54 PM
The Fine Wine of StorytellingI have always been a big believer in serendipity -- that magical moment when something "out of the blue" shows up in our lives to amaze and delight us -- an occurrence beyond logic. Well... here is one of...
Posted in Storytelling at Work on March 28, 2017 11:06 AM
The Power of Storytelling to Deliver Meaningful, Memorable Messages in the WorkplaceMitch Ditkoff on storytelling in the workplace...
Posted in Storytelling at Work on March 24, 2017 02:00 PM
The Very Unexpected JourneyYesterday was a very off-the-grid day for me. It began as most of my days do here in San Miguel. I slept until I wasn't tired. I meditated. Then I checked my email. Upon noticing the internet was down,...
Posted in Storytelling at Work on March 21, 2017 11:24 PM
Stories Make Us More AliveStorytelling at Work (paperback) Storytelling at Work (Kindle)...
Posted in Storytelling at Work on March 10, 2017 10:25 PM
Tell Your Stories...
Posted in Storytelling at Work on March 7, 2017 02:31 AM
Allow More Time to Be CreativeWriting a book? Preparing a storytelling performance? Working with kids? Coaching other people? Leading a team? If you want to crank up the creativity, allow more time for it to flourish! Carl Jung chimes in Idea Champions Allow more...
Posted in Storytelling at Work on March 6, 2017 01:43 AM
My Open Letter to Donald Trump Published in the Huffington PostMy open letter to Donald Trump has just been published in the Huffington Post -- my attempt to light a candle instead of cursing the darkness. If you resonate with what I've written, please forward it to friends and...
Posted in Storytelling at Work on February 1, 2017 05:24 PM
THE WISDOM CIRCLES OF SAN MIGUEL: February 13thEvery human being, no matter what path they walk, skip, hop, or jump is a fountainhead of wisdom -- a deep well of insights, brilliance, and lessons learned. This wisdom, however, is often buried beneath the flora and fauna...
Posted in Storytelling at Work on January 20, 2017 09:03 PM
The Flower from the SkyBe Here Now was the Bible of the 1960's or, if not the Bible, then at least the Bhagavad Gita -- a book that bridged the gap between East and West for an entire generation of long-haired, counter culture,...
Posted in Storytelling at Work on January 17, 2017 12:12 PM
Reveal Without DefiningStorytelling at Work Kobe Bryant on Storytelling Storytelling in business PS: Glitch fixed! You can now subscribe to this blog by entering your email address in the space provided in the sidebar. Then you will receive a confirmation email...
Posted in Storytelling at Work on October 29, 2016 05:46 PM
You Are Never More Than a Minute Away from the Big BreakthroughI want to tell you a brief story about 60 seconds of my life, nine years ago, that felt like an eternity -- an experience that was so totally infused with meaning that I am still drinking from it's...
Posted in Storytelling at Work on October 26, 2016 04:41 PM
A Culture of Storytelling?Unless you've been living in solitary confinement for the past few years, chances are good that you are a member of some kind of organization or community -- a gathering of people who have come together in service to...
Posted in Storytelling at Work on October 19, 2016 08:09 AM
STORYTELLING AT WORK goes to college (and it never took an SAT!)Good news! My award-winning book, Storytelling at Work, is going to be used, in the Spring, as a textbook for a very innovative Business Communications course at The Sage Colleges in upstate New York. The idea for this was...
Posted in Storytelling at Work on October 15, 2016 12:26 AM
The Best Archer in All of ChinaOnce upon a time, in China, there was a young man named Wu Li, a most gifted archer -- so gifted, in fact, that by the time Wu Li was 21, he was known, far and wide, as the...
Posted in Storytelling at Work on September 27, 2016 01:09 AM
Kobe Bryant on StorytellingStorytelling at Work -- the book Creating the innovation mindset via storytelling Storytelling podcasts, videos, and interviews...
Posted in Storytelling at Work on September 15, 2016 06:45 AM
The Martial Arts of the MindTen years ago I was invited to teach a course on "Innovation and Business Growth" at GE's Crotonville Management Development Center for 75 high potential, business superstars of the future. The GE executive who hired me was a very...
Posted in Storytelling at Work on August 3, 2016 12:14 AM
I'm From Woodstock, Yes I Am!This story in the Huffington Post The Munich workshop Idea Champions Excerpted from Storytelling at Work What our clients say...
Posted in Storytelling at Work on July 24, 2016 06:06 PM
CREATING THE INNOVATION MINDSET: A Storytelling WorkshopAll business leaders worth their low-salt lunch, regardless of their industry, will agree on one thing -- that innovation a key driver of their company's success. What they don't agree on is how to ensure that innovation actually happens....
Posted in Storytelling at Work on May 12, 2016 10:44 AM
The Origins of the Stop SignI've been doing some fascinating research lately on the origins of common objects in our lives -- things we see daily, but often take for granted. Like the Stop Sign, for example. Most people think the Stop Sign was...
Posted in Storytelling at Work on April 18, 2016 09:50 PM
The Gift of a Brand New ShirtED NOTE: This lovely story, about the generosity of a grandfather's love, was written by singer/songwriter/troubadour Marc Black. As a boy, my father did not consider himself poor, but his family had very little. He grew up in Brooklyn...
Posted in Storytelling at Work on April 3, 2016 01:12 AM
COMING SOON! The Woodstock Story Festival: April 30 & May 1Q. What do Alice B. Toklas, Willie Nelson, and the Woodstock Story Festival have in common? A. They were all born on April 30th. Alice was born in 1877. Willie was born in 1933. And the Woodstock Storytelling Festival...
Posted in Storytelling at Work on March 29, 2016 09:35 PM
The World Is Made of StoriesStorytelling at Work Why businesses should care about storytelling Podcasts and interviews on storytelling...
Posted in Storytelling at Work on March 16, 2016 11:32 AM
Create a Culture of Storytelling!Unless you've been living in solitary confinement for the past few years, chances are good that you are a member of some kind of organization or community -- a gathering of people who have come together in service to...
Posted in Storytelling at Work on March 12, 2016 11:52 PM
A Bag of Small Red BerriesToday, I was sitting in Mesa Grande, the cafe I most love to frequent in San Miguel, when I noticed an old, weathered woman entering the place. Dark skinned, wrinkled, and small, she was moving very slowly across the...
Posted in Storytelling at Work on March 6, 2016 05:37 PM
What Do LeBron James, Michael Phelps, Mary Lou Retton, and Mitch Ditkoff Have in Common?Give up? They are all Bronze Medal winners -- LeBron, Michael, and Mary Lou in various Olympics and Mitch in the just announced 2016 Axiom Business Book Awards competition in the Success/Motivation/Coaching category. The Bronze Medal, in case you've...
Posted in Storytelling at Work on February 17, 2016 09:49 AM
Creating an Innovation MindsetIf you want to spark innovation in your organization and are looking for the diamond cutters stroke, consider storytelling. Since 1987, I've tried everything under the sun to help my clients raise the bar for innovation. What I've discovered...
Posted in Storytelling at Work on February 15, 2016 12:13 PM
The World's Best Blog Collection of Inspiring, Memorable QuotesIf you're on the prowl for inspiring quotes you can use for work, your book, speech, website, news report, blog, proposal, kidnap letter, or time capsule, look no further. What follows are 21 universal topics -- everything from Possibility...
Posted in Storytelling at Work on February 12, 2016 01:30 AM
How to Use Storytelling as a Way to Inspire Employee EngagementLet's assume, for the moment, that you are a forward-thinking business leader charged with the responsibility of accomplishing extraordinary results. Although your strategy may not yet be completely clear to you, one thing most definitely is: You cannot do...
Posted in Storytelling at Work on January 28, 2016 05:21 PM
STORYTELLING AT WORK: The Amazon Reviews Are In!In 2015, somewhere between 600,000 and 1,000,000 books were published. How many of them are YOU going to read? Probably less than ten. That's why I'm quoting the following people who have reviewed my book on Amazon. I want...
Posted in Storytelling at Work on January 22, 2016 11:20 AM
Storytelling Shapes Culture and Humanizes the WorkplaceMore goes on in the modern-day workplace than meets the eye. Indeed, it's often the stuff that meets the ear that makes all the difference. Click here to listen to Mitch Ditkoff's 60-minute VoiceAmerica interview on the power of...
Posted in Storytelling at Work on January 12, 2016 02:13 AM
David Gonzalez on the Four Main Elements of StorytellingBig thanks to Peter Blum, Founder of the forthcoming Woodstock Festival of Storytelling, for the heads up. Idea Champions...
Posted in Storytelling at Work on December 14, 2015 08:35 PM
The Joys of Self PublishingEver since my new book came out 10 days ago, a bunch of aspiring authors have been asking me about the pros and cons of print-on-demand self-publishing. If that describes YOUR interest, feel free to leave your name in...
Posted in Storytelling at Work on December 6, 2015 01:51 PM
My New Book Now on AmazonArnold Toynbee, the author of The History of Western Civilization, once said: "I sat down to write my book one summer and 27 years later it was done." I can relate. Storytelling at Work only took me four years,...
Posted in Storytelling at Work on November 25, 2015 05:55 AM
The Great Thanksgiving ListenAwesome idea! So easy to do. All about the power of story. Storytelling at Work...
Posted in Storytelling at Work on November 24, 2015 10:55 AM
TED TALK: StoryCorpsIdea Champions Storytelling at Work...
Posted in Storytelling at Work on November 23, 2015 01:20 AM
A Wheely Good StoryDownload Storytelling at Work...
Posted in Storytelling at Work on November 18, 2015 12:30 AM
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On Being a Team Leader With Very Little TimeThere are three things I've learned about Team Leaders in the past 37 years of working with these organizations. 1. They want their teams to become more high performing 2. The time they have to play their role is...
Posted in The Heart of Innovation on April 21, 2024 09:19 PM
TEAM LEADERS: Communicate Your Responsibilities to Your Team!If you are a Team Leader, one of the first things you will need to do is let your team know the full scope of your roles and responsibilities. You may think they know, but it's very likely that...
Posted in The Heart of Innovation on April 19, 2024 11:39 AM
What Problem Does "Free the Genie for Teams" Actually Solve?Some team leaders, when they first hear about Free the Genie, assume it is a "nice to have" service -- intriguing and unique -- but not necessarily essential. Nothing could be further from the truth. In reality, Free the...
Posted in The Heart of Innovation on April 15, 2024 09:22 AM
FREE THE GENIE for TEAMS FAQ: Frequently Asked Questions1. How many online sessions are included in a Free the Genie engagement? Two. 2. How long is each session? 75-90 minutes. 3. How many members of our team can participate? Four. 4. Our team is bigger than four...
Posted in The Heart of Innovation on April 13, 2024 11:06 AM
A Sampling of Testimonials from Idea Champions ClientsSince 1987, Idea Champions has been designing and facilitating a wide range of brainstorming sessions, creative thinking trainings, and innovation workshops for more than 130 organizations in 11 different countries. During that time, we have worked with just about every...
Posted in The Heart of Innovation on April 11, 2024 08:39 AM
What's Included in a Free the Genie for Teams EngagementFree the Genie for Teams is a simple, online, collaborative process that enables teams to unleash their collective genius and generate breakthrough ideas in service to a compelling goal, challenge or opportunity. The service we provide is the distillation...
Posted in The Heart of Innovation on April 9, 2024 10:36 AM
25 Reasons Why Brainstorming Sessions Fail in Your CompanyWhenever I ask my clients to tell me about the quality of their company's brainstorming sessions, they usually roll their eyes and grumble, noting several of the phenomena below. Recognize any of them in your organization? 1. Lame facilitation...
Posted in The Heart of Innovation on April 9, 2024 07:45 AM
FREE THE GENIE TestimonialsFree the Genie is a lightly facilitated online brainstorming session that enables anyone with a need, goal, or aspiration to make a quantum leap of thought and action. Bottom line, it's a GPS for the creative process -- a...
Posted in The Heart of Innovation on March 28, 2024 06:27 AM
The World's Best Collection of Awesome, Memorable QuotesIf you're on the prowl for inspiring quotes you can use for work, your book, speech, website, love letter, kidnap letter, slide show, blog post, business proposal, graffiti, or time capsule, look no further. PS: We are all in...
Posted in The Heart of Innovation on March 22, 2024 06:07 PM
Your Free the Genie FacilitatorMitch Ditkoff is the creator of Free the Genie and the Co-Founder of three consulting companies dedicated to unlocking and unleashing brilliance in the world -- Idea Champions, SageCatalysts and FaceTheMusic. Since 1987, he has worked with more than...
Posted in The Heart of Innovation on March 15, 2024 04:28 PM
A Unique Offer for Members of "Being a Creator on Planet Earth" and graduates of "The Year of Living Creatively"If you are a member of Mitch Ditkoff's Being a Creator on Planet Earth Facebook group or a graduate of The Year of Living Creativity and can use a jiggle, jolt or jump start to get your most compelling...
Posted in The Heart of Innovation on March 9, 2024 07:46 AM
How Creative Improv Can Improve a Brainstorm SessionIt can be said that a brainstorm facilitator plays many roles during the course of a session. Conductor, diamond cutter, and traffic cop are three of them. But the most obvious role is that of actor, and not just...
Posted in The Heart of Innovation on March 8, 2024 01:08 AM
Reimagining DisciplineSoon after launching my new online course on the creative process, I began talking with the people who enrolled. I was curious to discover what kind of obstacles they were facing -- the "stuff" that got in the way...
Posted in The Heart of Innovation on February 29, 2024 09:54 AM
FREE THE GENIE: How It WorksKnowing how precious your time is, Idea Champions has designed a simple way to ensure that you get the best possible results from your online Free the Genie brainstorming session. Having designed and facilitated more than 600 creative thinking sessions...
Posted in The Heart of Innovation on February 27, 2024 11:29 AM
How to Spark Brilliance, Breakthrough and Bold New Possibilities the Easy WayIf you are an entrepreneur, business leader, change agent, writer, artist, musician, team leader, or project manager in need of a breakthrough, Idea Champions' online Free the Genie brainstorming service may be just what you're looking for. Bottom line,...
Posted in The Heart of Innovation on February 26, 2024 05:38 AM
Your Free the Genie Creative Process CoachStevie Ray McHugh, Co-Founder of Idea Champions, is a seasoned expert in strategic planning, balanced scorecards, team building, lean manufacturing, and innovation. By simultaneously focusing on leadership coaching,large-scale collaborative planning, building effective teams, process improvement, and tracking results, he...
Posted in The Heart of Innovation on January 23, 2024 11:14 AM
Your Free the Genie FacilitatorVal Vadeboncoeur is a Senior Consultant with Idea Champions, an innovation consulting and training company that has provided innovation and team building services to more than 100 organizations in 11 different countries for the past 34 years. Since 1990,...
Posted in The Heart of Innovation on January 20, 2024 10:17 PM
32 Inspiring Quotes on Mastery"Mastery" is a fascinating phenomenon -- one that many people speak about, but few attain. Is it possible? Yes, it is. But what is it really? Ah... now that's the question, isn't it? The dictionary defines mastery as "possession...
Posted in The Heart of Innovation on January 10, 2024 09:18 AM
Have a Very Mitchie Christmas!If you are looking for easy-to-buy, inspiring, heart-warming holiday gifts to buy your loved ones, you are in the right place -- books written by Mitch Ditkoff. All of them are all available on Amazon. If you buy them...
Posted in The Heart of Innovation on December 16, 2023 04:41 AM
Conference Keynote TestimonialsIf you are looking for a dynamic keynote speaker who knows how to jump start conferences with style, wisdom, and positive energy, Mitch Ditkoff is your man. Easy to work with, customer-focused, and highly experienced, he knows how to...
Posted in The Heart of Innovation on November 9, 2023 12:14 PM
FREE THE GENIE KEYNOTE: The Art & Science of Going Beyond Limiting AssumptionsIf you are looking for a kickoff conference keynote that will energize, inspire and establish the kind of mindset conducive to real learning, engagement and commitment, keep reading... As an internationally acclaimed thought leader in the field of innovation,...
Posted in The Heart of Innovation on November 8, 2023 10:28 AM
How to Go Beyond the Team Leader Overload SyndromeMost team leaders often find themselves overloaded and overwhelmed. "Too much to do and not enough time," is their mantra. And here's why: 1. They haven't established clear expectations with their team 2. They don't totally trust the people...
Posted in The Heart of Innovation on November 7, 2023 01:27 PM
101 CreativiTeas for InnovatorsNo matter how many times I tell people there's no such thing as a "magic innovation pill," every one keeps asking. This just in: I don't have the magic pill. But I DO have something even better -- a...
Posted in The Heart of Innovation on October 28, 2023 12:52 AM
THE JOY OF WRITING: Breakthrough Coaching for Aspiring WritersIf you are thinking of writing a book or need support to help you complete the book you are already writing, my services may be of interest to you. As an award-winning author (7 books), poet, editor, blogger, writing...
Posted in The Heart of Innovation on October 9, 2023 10:06 AM
20 Reasons Why People Get Their Best Ideas in the ShowerDuring the past 25 years, I've asked more than 10,000 people where and when they get their best ideas. I get all kinds of answers, but the one that has always fascinated me is "the shower" -- maybe because...
Posted in The Heart of Innovation on September 2, 2023 11:48 AM
Breakthrough Brainstorming OnlineIf you are looking for a breakthrough, quantum leap, or a way to open the floodgates, I can be of assistance. For the past 35 years, I have been an "innovation provocateur" for thousands of people around the world...
Posted in The Heart of Innovation on August 26, 2023 03:16 AM
One of the Biggest Obstacles to Genuine Communication"When people talk, listen completely. Most people never listen." -- Ernest Hemingway One of the biggest obstacles to good communication between two people can be summarized in four words: "I already know that." This all-too-common phrase heads its ugly...
Posted in The Heart of Innovation on August 15, 2023 06:32 PM
Are You Looking for a Creative Breakthrough?If you are in the process of creating something wonderful and have hit the proverbial wall or simply need a jiggle, jolt, goose, nudge or spark, you have come to the right place. Here! My online Free the Genie...
Posted in The Heart of Innovation on July 28, 2023 09:40 AM
Sun Tzu on Preparation"Every battle is won or lost before it is fought." - Sun Tzu What challenge or opportunity is coming up for you that will require a higher level of preparation than you usually make? What extra effort are you...
Posted in The Heart of Innovation on July 2, 2023 10:04 AM
FREE THE GENIE: Breakthrough Online Brainstorming SessionsIf you (or your team) need to get out of the box in an engaging way in order to originate bold, new, actionable ideas, keep reading. This is precisely why Idea Champions has created Free the Genie -- a...
Posted in The Heart of Innovation on May 29, 2023 09:54 AM
What Does It Really Take to Learn Anything from Somebody Else?Since 1987, I have been providing consulting and training services to a wide variety of forward thinking organizations who have recognized their need to raise the bar for creative thinking, innovation, and teamwork. An optimist, by nature, I have...
Posted in The Heart of Innovation on April 27, 2023 07:50 AM
Today is the Launch of "Unspoken Word: Love, Longing & Letting Go"Dear Friends: If you have been reading The Heart of Innovation for a while, there is a very good chance you will enjoy my just-published book of poetry,"Unspoken Word: Love, Longing & Letting Go." Today is the day it...
Posted in The Heart of Innovation on April 21, 2023 09:29 PM
The Awesome Power of Immersion"If I had an hour to solve a problem," explained Albert Einstein, "I'd spend the first 55 minutes thinking about the problem, and the last five solving it." Translation? One of the secrets to having a big breakthrough is...
Posted in The Heart of Innovation on April 7, 2023 08:58 PM
What Does It Really Mean to be an Effective Team Leader?On planet Earth, there are millions of teams. They are everywhere -- in schools, businesses, communities, sports, organizations, armies, religions, and jails. If you are reading this, it is very likely that you are either a member of a...
Posted in The Heart of Innovation on March 27, 2023 01:58 AM
Three Ways to Breathe Life Into Your Most Passionate Creative VentureIf you are on the cusp of a new venture that fills you with both excitement and doubt, welcome to the human race. Most aspiring innovators on the brink of a breakthrough assume they need to be in a...
Posted in The Heart of Innovation on February 14, 2023 04:45 PM
How to Ask for the Help You Need"You can do anything, but not everything." -- David Allen Two years ago, I designed and facilitated an online course to help people transform their inspired ideas, inspirations, and ventures into reality. It was ton of fun and very...
Posted in The Heart of Innovation on February 5, 2023 08:22 AM
100 Reasons Why You Don't Get Your Best Ideas At WorkSince 1987, I've asked 2,500 people where and when they get their best ideas. Less than 2% have said "the workplace." Based on my 33 years of working with a ton of innovation-seeking organizations, here's my take on WHY...
Posted in The Heart of Innovation on February 3, 2023 11:29 AM
Entering the Theater of Your Own, Unique Creative ProcessThe creative process is a most mysterious one -- the inner journey a person takes to transform an impulse, idea, or inspiration into a manifested form that other people can enjoy. For most of us, the creative process begins...
Posted in The Heart of Innovation on January 16, 2023 11:08 AM
My Top Ten Posts on MediumRecently, I've discovered MEDIUM -- a blogging platform with more than 100 million viewers per month. Not all of them have made it to my Medium abode yet, but word is getting out. In case you haven't visited that...
Posted in The Heart of Innovation on November 30, 2022 12:52 PM
THE BEAUTY OF FEEDBACK: It's Not a Weapon. It's a Mirror.I want you to imagine, for a moment, that I am your manager and, while passing you in the hallway on the way to yet another meeting. I catch your eye, take a step towards you and, in a...
Posted in The Heart of Innovation on November 22, 2022 07:48 AM
If You Enjoy Reading What I WriteIf you enjoy my writing, I invite you to click on any one of the six links below. These are the six most popular posts of mine on MEDIUM -- an online platform where I am publishing daily. If...
Posted in The Heart of Innovation on November 18, 2022 08:38 AM
101 Reasons Why You Definitely Won't Read This Blog PostI know you have no time. YOU know you have no time. I know you're not gonna do anything you don't wanna do. YOU know you're not gonna do anything you don't wanna do. We both know you're not...
Posted in The Heart of Innovation on November 3, 2022 05:06 PM
The Challenge Creative People FaceHere is one of the biggest challenges creative people face: finding the right balance between spontaneity and planning. Spontaneity, while a huge part of the creative process, can also be a huge curse. The intoxicating nature of spontaneity --...
Posted in The Heart of Innovation on October 30, 2022 07:15 AM
25 Simple Ways to Free Up Your Innate CreativityMost people agree that creativity is a good thing. Accordingly, they want to know how they can become more creative. Makes sense, right? The question, however, is a tricky one, not unlike asking "How can I have a good...
Posted in The Heart of Innovation on September 20, 2022 01:13 AM
REST: The Art of Doing LessI know you are super busy, so I am going to keep this book review super short. Why do I know you are super busy? Because you are living in the age of information overload and, unless you are...
Posted in The Heart of Innovation on August 23, 2022 05:43 PM
What Drives Creativity?If you have 23 minutes to spare and want to get some insights into what drives creativity (and what gets in the way), I invite you to click this link and listen to Gil Hanson's interview of me on...
Posted in The Heart of Innovation on August 15, 2022 02:29 AM
FACE THE MUSIC: Back on the Road After a Two Year COVID HiatusFace The Music is happy to announce that, since the arrival of Spring, we have been fully up and running -- providing in-person (and hybrid) programs after a two-year, COVID-induced virtual-only existence. Like millions of people around the world...
Posted in The Heart of Innovation on July 20, 2022 11:14 AM
Creativity Requires TimeIf you want to foster more creativity in your school, business, organization, community, or family, look for ways to give everyone more time. The difference between 10 seconds and 10 minutes can often be the difference between "same old,...
Posted in The Heart of Innovation on July 16, 2022 04:38 PM
GETTING THE MONKEY OFF YOUR BACK: Asking the Right Question"There are no right answers to wrong questions." -- Ursula Le Guin Effective team leaders sometimes suffer from the "monkey on the back syndrome" -- taking on other people's problems when, in fact, they need to be helping those...
Posted in The Heart of Innovation on June 27, 2022 08:31 PM
The Combo MamboIf you only had two minutes to live and wanted to know the secret of innovation, this is what I would tell you: "It's the elegant synthesis of two or more seemingly disparate elements that are perceived as useful...
Posted in The Heart of Innovation on June 16, 2022 01:34 PM
Idea BrahmacharayaIn India, spiritual adepts who give up sex to pursue God are known as "brahmacharyas." They believe that their vital power (i.e. kundalini) needs to be completely intact in order for them to have the ultimate experience. What does...
Posted in The Heart of Innovation on June 10, 2022 09:54 PM
Unique, Discounted Products to Unleash Your Creative MojoIf you are looking for a simple, engaging, inexpensive way to increase your odds of succeeding with your most inspired venture, I may have exactly what you need. What previously I sold only to forward thinking organizations, I am...
Posted in The Heart of Innovation on May 9, 2022 04:02 PM
SELF-INQUIRY PAGES: How to Unleash Your Creative MojoOne of the reasons why aspiring entrepreneurs, writers, artists, musicians and other cultural creatives struggle is because they routinely run into obstacles (inner and outer) that derail them. But it doesn't have to be that way. Sometimes all that's...
Posted in The Heart of Innovation on May 9, 2022 03:33 PM
THE SELF-INQUIRY RAFFLE: Unleash Your Creative MojoIf you have a big aspiration to create something new and wonderful in this world and currently find yourself operating on less-than-all-cylinders, this is your lucky day. WHY? Because I am giving away five of my mind-opening creativity catalysts...
Posted in The Heart of Innovation on April 30, 2022 05:20 PM
We Were Made for These Times!What follows is an extraordinary call of the heart by Clarissa Pinkola Estes. Not only is it worth reading, it's worth reading aloud -- so you hear it and feel it as well as see it. Then, you get...
Posted in The Heart of Innovation on April 30, 2022 12:33 PM
In Honor of All Our FathersI wrote the following piece the night my father died three years ago and read it at his funeral three days later. If your dad is still alive, love him today and every day. If you're dad is gone,...
Posted in The Heart of Innovation on April 22, 2022 12:00 AM
THE YEAR OF LIVING CREATIVELY: An Overview"Security is mostly a superstition. Life is either a daring adventure or nothing." -- Helen Keller The Year of Living Creatively is a two-month, online course for anyone committed to manifesting an inspired idea, project or venture and knows...
Posted in The Heart of Innovation on April 11, 2022 11:12 AM
The Six Sides of the So-Called BoxUnless you've been in a coma for the past 20 years, I'm sure you're familiar with the phrase "get out of the box." It's everywhere. Whole industries have sprung up around it, including mine. No one can deny that...
Posted in The Heart of Innovation on April 5, 2022 04:44 PM
Want to Become a Certified FREE THE GENIE Facilitator?If you are looking for a simple, engaging way to spark powerful new ideas for your friends, colleagues, team, department, or clients, you have come to the right place. 1. WHAT IS Free the Genie? Free the Genie is...
Posted in The Heart of Innovation on March 25, 2022 11:19 AM
THE CURE FOR THE CREATIVE BLUES: Self-AcknowledgmentIf you're a creative person working on a project that is unlikely to get results overnight, here's a simple practice to save you from the all-too-familiar phenomenon of depressing yourself by focusing on the proverbial cup being half-empty....
Posted in The Heart of Innovation on March 8, 2022 02:37 PM
TESTIMONIALS from GRADUATES: The Year of Living Creatively"Mitch Ditkoff, the Founder of The Year of Living Creatively, has the ability to awaken the creative spark in others -- an ability he has honed and refined to a fine elixir over decades of teaching and writing. Be...
Posted in The Heart of Innovation on February 4, 2022 08:04 AM
Try to Love the Questions"Be patient toward all that is unsolved in your heart and try to love the questions themselves, like locked rooms and like books that are now written in a very foreign tongue. Do not now seek the answers, which...
Posted in The Heart of Innovation on January 31, 2022 07:54 PM
The Information Overload PhenomenonOne of the biggest obstacles for aspiring innovators, these days, is information overload -- the all-too-familiar phenomenon of too much input coming our way, 24/7. Unable to process the overwhelming amount of information delivered to us by the nanosecond,...
Posted in The Heart of Innovation on January 11, 2022 10:17 AM
Year of Living Creatively ManifestoThe Year of Living Creatively is a two-month, online course designed to help anyone committed to manifesting their brilliance on planet Earth. The next course begins in April. What follows is the course's manifesto -- it's irreducible DNA. --...
Posted in The Heart of Innovation on December 29, 2021 08:05 AM
THIS JUST IN: The Year of Living Creatively TestimonialsIf you are in the process birthing (or wanting to birth) an inspired idea, dream, vision, goal, or creative venture, I invite you to consider enrolling in my upcoming YEAR OF LIVING CREATIVELY course -- a two-month, online learning...
Posted in The Heart of Innovation on December 10, 2021 03:54 PM
Get the Support You Need to Manifest a Bold, New PossibilityIn these odd times, it's easy to get thrown off course. Our regular schedules are very different than they used to be if they can be called "schedules" at all. Our usual human interactions with friends, peers, and co-workers...
Posted in The Heart of Innovation on December 1, 2021 04:25 PM
THE YEAR OF LIVING CREATIVELY: The Big PicturePosted in The Heart of Innovation on November 16, 2021 12:08 AM
Brainstorming vs. BraincalmingIf you work in a big organization, small business, freelance, or eat cheese, there's a good chance you've participated in at least a few brainstorming sessions in your life. You've noodled, conjured, envisioned, ideated, piggybacked, and endured overly enthusiastic...
Posted in The Heart of Innovation on November 3, 2021 10:23 PM
The Syndrome Syndrome and the Rise of the New World DisordersHere's a fun test for you: If you can read the rest of this paragraph without tweeting, texting, or thinking about crop circles, there's a good chance you do not have ADD, ADHD, or any other recently-identified medical condition....
Posted in The Heart of Innovation on October 21, 2021 08:24 PM
Here Comes the Awakening Creativity ConferenceIf you reading this, there's a very good chance you are interested in exploring ways to spark innovation and creativity. If so, I invite you to click the link below and register for a FREE 5-day, online conference on...
Posted in The Heart of Innovation on September 25, 2021 10:41 AM
THE YEAR OF LIVING CREATIVELY: 26 Self-Inquiry Pages for ReviewDear Ellen, Fran, Prentiss, Hugo, Patti, Greg, Patricia, Anita, Gera, Tucker, Sameer, Esra, Jawwad, Mehreen, Corrine, and Lana: Greetings from the International Headquarters of the YEAR OF LIVING CREATIVELY -- my kitchen. What follows are the self-inquiry pages you had...
Posted in The Heart of Innovation on September 23, 2021 10:02 PM
Where Do Good Ideas Come From?...
Posted in The Heart of Innovation on September 12, 2021 07:45 PM
100 Lame Excuses for Not Moving Forward With Your Great IdeaDo you have an inspired idea or project you want to manifest, but... er... um... just can't seem to get things rolling? Chances are good your reasons why are on the list below. No problem. Join the club. Without...
Posted in The Heart of Innovation on September 7, 2021 08:53 AM
15 Quotes on the Importance of Asking the Right QuestionAs a facilitator of the creative process, I continue to be astounded by how few organizations have any kind of process is place to PAUSE, reflect, and make sure they are coming up with the right questions. Apparently, I'm...
Posted in The Heart of Innovation on August 20, 2021 11:42 PM
People's Three Biggest Concerns About Enrolling in THE YEAR OF LIVING CREATIVELYHere they are: 1) Time; 2) Money; 3) Identifying a specific project. That's it, folks. Those are the three most common reasons why people hesitate to enroll in The Year of Living Creatively, even if they understand the value...
Posted in The Heart of Innovation on August 18, 2021 12:23 PM
The Year of Living Creatively Begins on April 17thIf you are a reader of this blog, you most definitely are committed to becoming more innovative and creative. As the Founder and President of Idea Champions (and author of this blog), that has been my focus since 1987...
Posted in The Heart of Innovation on August 12, 2021 08:21 AM
27 Best Practices of High Performing Volunteer OrganizationsUnless you've been in a coma your entire life, chances are good that, at some time in your life (maybe now?) you've been a volunteer for a non-profit organization. That's the good news. The not-so-good news is that many...
Posted in The Heart of Innovation on August 9, 2021 03:01 PM
Inside/Out InnovationIf you work in an organization that wants to establish a sustainable culture of innovation -- you have two basic choices: outside/in or inside/out. Outside/in is the most common approach. It assumes that re-engineering systems or processes is the...
Posted in The Heart of Innovation on July 30, 2021 01:01 PM
10 Ways to Help Left Brainers Tap Into Their CreativityIf your job requires you to lead meetings, brainstorming sessions, or problem solving gatherings of any kind, chances are good that most of the people you come in contact with are left-brain dominant: analytical, logical, linear folks with a...
Posted in The Heart of Innovation on July 13, 2021 10:43 PM
The Worlds' First Free the Genie Poem All the Way from AustraliaThis just in from Mohammed Azim, Director of the English Department at Al Siraat College in Melbourne, Australia. Mohammed is a certified facilitator of Idea Champions' online Free the Genie brainstorming tool and, in recognition of it's value, has...
Posted in The Heart of Innovation on July 5, 2021 09:57 AM
Online Brainstorm Facilitation Training for the Time-CrunchedIdea Champions is thrilled to announce the launch of an exciting new offering -- an elegant way for its time-crunched, innovation-leaning clients to upgrade the impact of their (on-site) brainstorming sessions -- just in time, as some of our...
Posted in The Heart of Innovation on June 21, 2021 03:11 PM
20 Qualities of an InnovatorThe word "innovate" can be traced all the way back to 1440. It comes from the Middle French word "innovacyon," meaning "renewal" or "new way of doing things". Exactly what innovations actually happened in 1440 (rounder oxcart wheels?) is...
Posted in The Heart of Innovation on June 17, 2021 01:38 PM
How to Jump Start Organizational Innovation During Covid-19Covid-19 hasn't just disrupted businesses around the world, it has also disrupted their ability to innovate. And one of the biggest reasons WHY can be traced to one simple factor: isolation. With most people working from home and scrambling...
Posted in The Heart of Innovation on June 10, 2021 09:47 AM
76 Provocative Quotes on Uncertainty and Letting Go"I spent a lot of years trying to outrun or outsmart vulnerability by making things certain and definite, black and white, good and bad. My inability to lean into the discomfort of vulnerability limited the fullness of those important...
Posted in The Heart of Innovation on May 19, 2021 11:26 PM
50 Awesome Quotes on Possibility1. "Start by doing what's necessary; then do what's possible; and suddenly you are doing the impossible." - St. Francis of Assisi 2. "Sometimes I've believed as many as six impossible things before breakfast." - Lewis Carroll 3. "I'm...
Posted in The Heart of Innovation on May 14, 2021 11:11 PM
APPLIED CREATIVITY: A New Book by Mitch DitkoffYou know what I just realized? I wrote a book without realizing it. Really. For the past 11 years, I've been writing a series of articles on creativity for my Heart of Innovation blog. Then, semi-caffeinated, just a few...
Posted in The Heart of Innovation on May 7, 2021 04:01 PM
Joseph Campbell's Hero's Journey and the Creative Process"The privilege of a lifetime is being who you are." - Joseph Campbell During the past 50 years, quite a few researchers, social scientists, and psychologists have written about the creative process, positing a number of models to help...
Posted in The Heart of Innovation on May 5, 2021 07:18 AM
PRENTISS UCHIDA: Entrepreneur CatalystPrentiss Uchida is an Entrepreneur Catalyst. His business coaching, mentoring and consulting services, honed over 50 years of launching successful start-ups and holding management positions in various organizations has made a profound difference in the lives of countless entrepreneurs....
Posted in The Heart of Innovation on May 2, 2021 10:08 PM
THE YEAR OF LIVING CREATIVELY: The Underground We CoverThis just in! You have a big, beautiful idea that you want to manifest -- a cool project, venture, or aspiration you want to get out of your head and into the world. Maybe you've been hatching this egg...
Posted in The Heart of Innovation on May 1, 2021 03:03 PM
VAL VADEBONCOEUR: Your Free the Genie FacilitatorVal Vadeboncoeur, Idea Champions' Director of Training, is a highly accomplished brainstorm facilitator, creative thinking catalyst, innovation workshop leader, and co-author of Conducting Genius. Since 1987, Val has been helping organizations in just about every industry on planet Earth...
Posted in The Heart of Innovation on April 29, 2021 06:29 PM
Who is THE YEAR OF LIVING CREATIVELY Really For?Well, let's start at the beginning. There is something calling you -- a deep impulse to create, express, or manifest. This something has been calling you for quite a while and you know it, even if you have delayed,...
Posted in The Heart of Innovation on April 19, 2021 08:24 AM
How to Identify Your YEAR OF LIVING CREATIVELY ProjectThe Year of Living Creatively is a project-driven course. Each participant, before the course begins, identifies a meaningful goal, opportunity, or vision they want to breathe life into for the two months of the program. We're talking "skin in...
Posted in The Heart of Innovation on April 16, 2021 02:23 PM
What Is the Real Value of THE YEAR OF LIVING CREATIVELY?There are two kinds of benefits you will receive from participating in The Year of Living Creatively. First, you'll make major progress on a passionate project of yours that needs a benevolent jolt. And second, you'll develop the kind...
Posted in The Heart of Innovation on April 14, 2021 09:28 PM
An Invitation to Dive Deeper Into Your Own Creative Process"The creative process is a process of surrender, not control." -- Julia Cameron The creative process -- the experience a human being enters into in service to their passion to manifest something from nothing -- is a mysterious one,...
Posted in The Heart of Innovation on April 13, 2021 12:53 PM
YEAR OF LIVING CREATIVELY: Breakthrough BuddiesHere at the International Headquarters of The Year of Living Creatively -- my living room -- we believe that every one on planet Earth is never more than a few seconds away from a breakthrough. Or, at the very...
Posted in The Heart of Innovation on April 12, 2021 02:38 AM
THE QUESTION: Who Created "The Year of Living Creatively?"If you are thinking about enrolling in The Year of Living Creatively, one question you are likely to ask is this: "Who created it and what are his credentials?" Your caution is understandable, especially if you are about to...
Posted in The Heart of Innovation on March 22, 2021 07:55 AM
Regain the Lost Art of ReflectionAre you getting enough time, these days, to reflect or are you rushing from one task to another, swamped by information overload knee jerk responses. Here's a thought-provoking article on the phenomenon from the Harvard Business Review. Another way...
Posted in The Heart of Innovation on March 5, 2021 10:22 AM
THE YEAR OF LIVING CREATIVELY: The Previously Unknown Back StoryEvery story has a back story. And every back story has a back story -- the mysterious plot without which the story about to be told would not be a story. And so, in the spirit of full disclosure,...
Posted in The Heart of Innovation on February 27, 2021 02:25 PM
A BRAND NEW DAY: Be Your Best Podcast with Gil HansonRecently, I had the great good fortune of being a guest on Gil Hanson's Be Your Best podcast. Gil, who is a world-class personal branding expert and masterful graphic designer, is extremely knowledgeable in the art of bringing out...
Posted in The Heart of Innovation on February 24, 2021 09:30 PM
What Should You Charge for Your Online Course?Good, sound advice from Thinkific on figuring out what to charge for your online course. Idea Champions...
Posted in The Heart of Innovation on February 18, 2021 01:41 PM
The Battle of the Two BrainsExcellent TED presentation by Iain McGilchrist on the two sides of the brain, beautifully animated by the wizards at RSA Animate. Idea Champions...
Posted in The Heart of Innovation on January 26, 2021 11:49 PM
Want to Improve Your RFP Process?Allow me to introduce myself. My name is Mitch Ditkoff. I am the Co-Founder of Idea Champions, an innovation consulting and training company headquartered in Woodstock, NY. We've been in business since 1986 and, since that time, have responded...
Posted in The Heart of Innovation on January 15, 2021 02:15 PM
Eight Ways to Create FlowHere's a very useful article by Mihaly Csikszentmihalyi -- the author of Flow on what it takes to cultivate flow -- sometimes referred to as "the zone" Illustration: gapingvoid...
Posted in The Heart of Innovation on January 11, 2021 06:46 PM
WHO ACTUALLY CREATED "The Year of Living Creatively"?I did. Mitch Ditkoff. Well then, who am I? 73 years ago, two very different people got together and created a third person -- me. Neither my mother or father were particularly "creative", but they had whatever it took...
Posted in The Heart of Innovation on January 4, 2021 10:26 AM
TWENTY IS PLENTY: Breakthrough Thinking for the Time-CrunchedTHIS JUST IN! You don't have the time to read this. We know it. You know it. And all the marketing bots know it. Which is why I'm going to cut to the chase. Your lack of time is...
Posted in The Heart of Innovation on January 2, 2021 06:34 PM
THE YEAR of LIVING CREATIVELY: Unleash Your Creative MojoWhile it may be true that most "ideas are a dime a dozen," some ideas are actually priceless -- and that includes at least one of yours. You know... that idea for the new venture you want to launch......
Posted in The Heart of Innovation on January 1, 2021 10:57 AM
FOLLOW YOUR CALLING!"Your profession is not what brings home your weekly paycheck. Your profession is what you're put here on earth to do, with such passion and such intensity that it becomes spiritual in calling." - Vincent van Gogh "If you...
Posted in The Heart of Innovation on January 1, 2021 10:50 AM
Find Joy in Your Work!Illustration: gapingvoid.com...
Posted in The Heart of Innovation on December 26, 2020 08:01 PM
How Verbal Aikido Can Help You Avoid Stupid ArgumentsGreat article on skillful communication and how to free yourself up from the quicksand of stupid arguments. Author: Don Johnson...
Posted in The Heart of Innovation on December 10, 2020 01:50 PM
If You Plan on Asking an Outside Innovation Consultant for HelpIf someone from your company's leadership team asks you to locate an outside consultant to help your organization raise the bar for innovation, stop for a moment and ask the person asking you to locate an outside consultant to...
Posted in The Heart of Innovation on November 2, 2020 10:43 PM
HOW MUCH DOES LUNCH COST? Pay What You Want!During these economic melt down times of the Coronavirus, all bets are off. "Business as usual" just won't cut it anymore. Businesses and entrepreneurs are quickly changing business models, pricing models, staffing models, while simultaneously trying to figure out...
Posted in The Heart of Innovation on October 17, 2020 03:06 AM
Skillset vs. MindsetA few years ago, as one of my clients introduced me to a roomful of people attending a leadership development workshop I was facilitating, something she said caught my attention: Innovation skills. That's what she was telling the 41...
Posted in The Heart of Innovation on October 1, 2020 11:35 PM
Great Quotes on Leadership"If your actions inspire others to dream more, learn more, do more and become more, you are a leader." - John Quincy Adams "Management is doing things right; leadership is doing the right things." - Peter Drucker "To lead...
Posted in The Heart of Innovation on September 16, 2020 07:39 AM
AL SIRAAT COLLEGE: Team Leadership Training TestimonialsWhat follows is a sampling of testimonials from some of the 33 graduates of Idea Champions' Team Leadership Training, delivered to Al Siraat College, in Epping, Australia in 2020. SHORT AND SWEET "This is the best professional training I...
Posted in The Heart of Innovation on September 13, 2020 01:20 PM
41 Ways Business Leaders Can Foster a Culture of InnovationYes, we know you want your organization to be more innovative. And yes, we know you want to improve your organization's culture of innovation. The best place to start? With YOU. 1. Give up needing to be the smartest...
Posted in The Heart of Innovation on September 4, 2020 02:22 PM
Idea Champions Helps All Kinds of People Originate Great IdeasSince 1987, Idea Champions has been helping a wide variety of forward thinking organizations tap into their innate creativity and originate breakthrough ideas. "Through your brainstorm facilitation, we gained more than 100 original ideas of high quality. The best...
Posted in The Heart of Innovation on August 22, 2020 08:29 AM
Why Finland Has the Best Education System in the WorldThe school I want to begin...
Posted in The Heart of Innovation on August 20, 2020 05:39 AM
Those Who Trust Us, Educate Us"Those who trust us, educate us." - George Eliot NOTE: What follows is a guest post from Mohammed Azim, Secondary School Head of English, Teacher, and Coach at Al Siraat College, in Epping, Australia. Mohammed is one of 33...
Posted in The Heart of Innovation on August 6, 2020 11:00 PM
Why Tell Stories?In the last 60 seconds, here's what happened: 168 million emails were sent, 700,000 Google searches were launched, and 60 hours of YouTube videos were uploaded, not to mention all the spam, banner ads, phone calls, Facebook posts, tweets,...
Posted in The Heart of Innovation on July 31, 2020 06:10 PM
ON TRUST: Do I Have Your Best Interests at Heart?Here's a two-minute video on trust -- Jim Knight addressing a key component of this most important topic: "Do I have the best interests of the other person at heart?" In other words, are we being truly benevolent and...
Posted in The Heart of Innovation on July 30, 2020 12:24 AM
BRAVING: A Deeper Dive Into What Real Trust Is All AboutHere's a very lucid 10-minute video from Brene Brown on trust. "Braving" is her acronym for what she considers to be the key elements of trust: Boundaries, Reliability, Accountability, Vault (confidentiality), Integrity, Non-Judgment, and Generosity of intent (i.e assuming...
Posted in The Heart of Innovation on July 29, 2020 09:41 PM
37 Great Quotes on TrustIf you are a member of a team, there will be times when trust flies out the window. Your willingness to rely on others to do the right thing will shrivel. Such is life. But just because trust shrivels,...
Posted in The Heart of Innovation on July 28, 2020 04:27 AM
The Real Organizational Chart?One reason why there isn't more innovation in most of our lives is because too many of us are working on our own. Not a good idea. Pause for a moment and identify at least one person with whom...
Posted in The Heart of Innovation on July 26, 2020 12:54 PM
It's All a Matter of PerspectiveHere's a two-minute video that delivers a very powerful message in a very simple way. If you are collaborating with anyone these days and tend to "see things differently" and your seeing things differently results in some interpersonal breakdowns,...
Posted in The Heart of Innovation on July 23, 2020 01:23 AM
THE FIRST 20 HOURS: How to Learn AnythingWanna learn something new? Good! Start here. This 19 minute TED Talk demystifies the process of learning anything new. No, you don't need 10,000 hours to master a new skill. Much less. HINT: The biggest obstacle to learning anything...
Posted in The Heart of Innovation on July 10, 2020 01:42 AM
The DNA of Idea Champions Workshops and TrainingsMost people think that the ability to be innovative is a mystical state available only to the chosen few. The effort, they imagine, takes a lot of time and hard work. And since they don't have time and don't...
Posted in The Heart of Innovation on July 9, 2020 04:06 PM
DANIEL PINK: The Surprising Truth About What Motivates UsWhat does it take to learn anything some from somebody else? Idea Champions...
Posted in The Heart of Innovation on July 7, 2020 10:48 AM
BRILLIANT!This 15-minute talk by Prem Rawat, from his recent series of Lockdown talks, is absolutely brilliant. If you're wondering why the world is having such a hard time these days -- and what the simplest solution for its troubles...
Posted in The Heart of Innovation on June 27, 2020 10:01 PM
Why Don't More People Share Their Best Practices with Each Other?If you are a member of a team, business, school, or volunteer organization, there's a good chance you want whatever project you are working on to succeed. Yes? Towards that end, you work hard, think hard, generate ideas, go...
Posted in The Heart of Innovation on June 26, 2020 12:12 PM
The School I Want to BeginNow that I am officially an amateur in the field of education (six months working in an Islamic school, father of two, and a dropout from a poetry Masters program at Brown University), I am now extremely semi-clear about...
Posted in The Heart of Innovation on June 17, 2020 07:56 AM
Art in the Age of the CoronavirusLet me guess: Somewhere, deep inside, you have artistic sensibilities. Over the years, you have tried your hand at painting or drawing or sculpture or writing or dancing or music or cooking or sewing or who knows how many...
Posted in The Heart of Innovation on June 15, 2020 11:00 AM
ZOOMSTORMING WITH MITCH: Get Big Ideas in Very Little TimeIf you are a Team Leader at Al Siraat College and want to book a 45-60 minute ZOOM brainstorming session with Mitch, this is your lucky day. All you need to do is send him an email that includes...
Posted in The Heart of Innovation on June 15, 2020 08:39 AM
WHAT'S THE BIG IDEA? An Introduction to ZoomStormingGreetings! Mitch Ditkoff here, creator of ZoomStorming, an enjoyable, creative, and productive way to generate new ideas, insights, and ahas. More specifically, it's a 20, 40, or 60-minute creative thinking session that I facilitate, online, for people wanting a...
Posted in The Heart of Innovation on June 14, 2020 07:53 AM
Tuning Into the WHY and PURPOSE of Being the Leader of a TeamIf you are the leader of a team in your school, business, or organization, you have your work cut out for you. Leading a team is a task that will take time, focus, resilience, patience, adaptability, and a good...
Posted in The Heart of Innovation on June 13, 2020 09:35 PM
Often, the Hardest Part of Giving Feedback is Knowing How to BeginSometimes, when we have feedback to give someone, the hardest part is knowing how to begin. The good news? There's a thousand ways to do so. The not-so-good news? Most people don't have a "go-to" way to begin and,...
Posted in The Heart of Innovation on June 7, 2020 10:46 PM
TEAM LEADERS: Why Offer Praise and Positive FeedbackIf you are a team leader and are looking a simple way to help your team become more high performing, make more effort to offer praise and positive feedback. This three-minute video is a good way to get your...
Posted in The Heart of Innovation on June 6, 2020 12:40 AM
25 Quotes on Feedback1. "We all need people who will give us feedback. That's how we improve." - Bill Gates 2. "I think it's very important to have a feedback loop, where you're constantly thinking about what you've done and how you...
Posted in The Heart of Innovation on June 4, 2020 03:44 PM
90 Quotes on Education & Learning1. "Do not train a child to learn by force or harshness; but direct them to it by what amuses their minds, so that you may be better able to discover with accuracy the peculiar bent of the genius...
Posted in The Heart of Innovation on June 2, 2020 05:34 AM
What I'm Learning in a K-12 SchoolIn the past two and a half years, I've spent a total of six months working in a very dynamic Islamic school in Australia. It's been the most rewarding work experience of my life. Here are 25 things I've...
Posted in The Heart of Innovation on June 1, 2020 06:00 AM
RALLY THE TROOPS: Does Your Team Have a Mission Statement?A team is a group of people who work together toward a common goal -- a group with a defined membership and a set of activities that define the scope of its work. The key phrase in the preceding...
Posted in The Heart of Innovation on May 25, 2020 03:15 AM
20 Inspiring Quotes on Commitment"Unless commitment is made, there are only promises and hopes; but no plans." - Peter Drucker "Commitment is what transforms a promise into a reality." - Abraham Lincoln "There are only two options regarding commitment; you're either in or...
Posted in The Heart of Innovation on May 22, 2020 09:17 PM
WHAT WOULD SOLOMON DO? Can Wisdom Be Taught?Thought provoking article here on the real purpose of education, can wisdom be taught, and the choices facing higher education these days. Photo: Pierre Bamin, Unsplash Wisdom Circles MitchDitkoff.com...
Posted in The Heart of Innovation on May 17, 2020 12:35 AM
GREAT QUOTES ON EXCELLENCEThe word "excellence" means different things to different people. Your definition may be different than mine... or your best friend's.... or your customers... or the CEO of the company you work for -- assuming, of course, you are not...
Posted in The Heart of Innovation on May 12, 2020 11:52 PM
NON-JUDGMENTAL LISTENINGThis just in! Recently, I polled a community of a thousand people I am working with, asking them to rate 20 different ways they could be of support to their colleagues, peers, neighbors, families, and children during these crazy...
Posted in The Heart of Innovation on May 11, 2020 07:05 AM
Passionate LeadersThis just in from Mohammed Azim, Head of the English Department at Al Siraat College , in Epping, Australia. Mohammed is a bright light, a dedicated team leader, and an active participant in the Team Leadership Training I am...
Posted in The Heart of Innovation on May 10, 2020 05:20 AM
If You Call a Meeting, Please Call It By the Right NameMaybe it's just me. Or maybe it's the business I'm in, but I can't help but notice how often people with a pressing need to call a meeting find a way to work the "Let's get together and brainstorm"...
Posted in The Heart of Innovation on May 8, 2020 02:20 PM
The Innovation Burnout SyndromeMost newly launched organizational innovation initiatives have a dark side, a not-much-talked-about shadow side. And it is this... fascinating new projects are conceived, senior leaders get excited, game plans are drawn up, but no one gives the "worker bees"...
Posted in The Heart of Innovation on May 7, 2020 11:28 PM
To Create the Future, See Hidden Patterns (and Challenge Them)C_n y__ r_ad th__ se_t_nc_ ? Probably. And do you know why you can? Because you've been given just enough information to deduce a meaning. Your brain, drawing on past experiences of letters, words and sentences, recognizes a pattern...
Posted in The Heart of Innovation on May 2, 2020 06:46 AM
SPEED TO KNOWLEDGE: The Curious Roots of Micro-LearningBeing the first to come up with a good idea does not always make the path to success easy. In fact, often, it's quite the opposite. For example, the idea of micro-learning may be all the rage these days,...
Posted in The Heart of Innovation on April 28, 2020 08:12 AM
Why Team Leaders at Al Siraat College Want to Be Team LeadersThirty four very dedicated teachers, staff members, and senior leaders from Al Siraat College in Epping, Australia are participating in a long-term Team Leadership Development training. What follows are some of their comments about WHY they have chosen to...
Posted in The Heart of Innovation on April 26, 2020 09:31 AM
LEADERSHIP SPARKWhat follows is a poem written by Mohammed Azim, the Head of the English Department at Al Siraat College in Epping, Australia. Mohammed is one of 34 teachers and staff members participating in the Team Leadership Training that I...
Posted in The Heart of Innovation on April 14, 2020 10:22 PM
CORONAVIRUS WAKE UP CALL! Now's the Time to Reinvent Yourself"It is not the strongest of the species that survives, nor the most intelligent that survives. It is the one that is most adaptable to change."-- Charles Darwin And so, dear people scrambling to adapt to the havoc wreaked...
Posted in The Heart of Innovation on April 12, 2020 12:45 AM
TRAINING TESTIMONIALS: Al Siraat College Team LeadersWhat follows are testimonials from teachers and staff at Al Siraat College, an Austrialian K-12 school in the Islamic tradition, who recently participated in Idea Champions' Team Leadership Training -- a series of seven 90-minute modules delivered onsite over...
Posted in The Heart of Innovation on April 9, 2020 09:55 PM
GOOD NEWS! Idea Champions Waiving All Fees for Free the GenieThose of us here at Idea Champions don't know anyone who hasn't been affected by the Coronavirus calamity. Many of our clients are in trouble. Friends are out of work. Families are stressed. And yes, people we know are...
Posted in The Heart of Innovation on April 7, 2020 02:36 AM
CHANGE IN THE TIME OF CORONAVIRUS: Freeze or Flow?This just in from The Sydney Morning Herald -- a timely story of a company, in Australia, that completely changed their business in just ten days. Stagekings used to make massive pop-up stages for Miley Cyrus concerts and other...
Posted in The Heart of Innovation on April 5, 2020 06:09 AM
Kindness is Contagious!You want to be innovative these days? Start with kindness! Now there's a good idea! Idea Champions Mitch Ditkoff Storytelling for the Revolution Illustration: gapingvoid...
Posted in The Heart of Innovation on March 27, 2020 08:55 PM
The Perception of Ideas as ProblemsHere's something I've been noticing lately: Business leaders and managers tend to respond to the introduction of a new idea not as an imminent solution to be nurtured, but as a new problem to deal with. Ideas, one would...
Posted in The Heart of Innovation on March 24, 2020 02:05 AM
The Leader MindsetILLUSTRATION gapingvoid...
Posted in The Heart of Innovation on March 16, 2020 07:49 AM
Storytelling is a Great Way to Transmit Tacit KnowledgeDeciphering the secret code of tacit knowledge Why storytelling matters in business STORYTELLING AT WORK: The Book Idea Champions...
Posted in The Heart of Innovation on February 17, 2020 09:39 AM
What's Next After TwitterEver since Twitter made its appearance on the scene in 2006, millions of people have become enamored with the prospect of delivering a message in 140 characters or less. Short and sweet has become the name of the game....
Posted in The Heart of Innovation on February 11, 2020 05:21 AM
What Idea Champions Clients Have to Say About UsIdea champions testimonials from Mitchell Ditkoff Our clients Contact us...
Posted in The Heart of Innovation on January 28, 2020 12:40 PM
ANYONE HERE FROM CLEVELAND?If so, you are invited to register for my storytelling workshop, sponsored by the Institute for Management Studies, in your fair city, on June 10th. Click here for the particulars. My bio Storytelling at Work Storytelling for the Revolution...
Posted in The Heart of Innovation on January 23, 2020 01:48 AM
How Einstein Would Solve a Problem If He Only Had an HourOther Einstein quotes Our half-day workshop on this Idea Champions...
Posted in The Heart of Innovation on January 22, 2020 11:51 PM
13 Awesome Quotes on Planning"A goal without a plan is just a wish." -- Antoine de Saint Exupery "Give me six hours to chop down a tree and I will spend the first four sharpening the axe." -- Abraham Lincoln "Plans are of...
Posted in The Heart of Innovation on January 19, 2020 08:46 AM
25 Quotes on the Power of StoryLooking for some inspiring quotes on why storytelling is such a powerful way to communicate your message, cut through the clutter, and awaken people's need for meaning? Here you go......
Posted in The Heart of Innovation on January 17, 2020 11:56 AM
The Three Keys to Becoming a Masterful Brainstorm FacilitatorAs a former student of the martial arts, I have noticed a curious phenomenon in corporate America that is becoming increasingly troubling to me -- especially among "creatives" who aspire to become masterful brainstorm facilitators. I call it the...
Posted in The Heart of Innovation on January 17, 2020 07:38 AM
15 Quotes on Collaboration1. "It is the long history of humankind (and animal kind, too) those who learned to collaborate and improvise most effectively have prevailed." - Charles Darwin 2. "Alone we can do so little; together we can do so much."...
Posted in The Heart of Innovation on January 17, 2020 12:27 AM
The Two-Hour Online Brainstorm Facilitation TrainingLet's start with a few assumptions: 1) You are a "change agent," facilitator, or team leader; 2) Your organization's brainstorm sessions are lame: 3) You want to upgrade your brainstorm facilitation skills; 4) Your budget is tight; 5) You...
Posted in The Heart of Innovation on January 13, 2020 01:17 PM
GUY KAWASAKI on The Top Ten Mistakes of EntrepreneursThis is absolutely brilliant! Fantastic content, authentic delivery, entertaining, and provocative. If you are an aspiring entrepreneur, this is required viewing. But even if you're not trying to raise venture capital, you can still learn a lot from Guy...
Posted in The Heart of Innovation on January 7, 2020 04:26 PM
One Lit CandleHere's a very beautiful music video, featuring excerpts from Greta Thunberg, 16-year old Swedish climate change activist and a newly released anthem (One Lit Candle) written in her honor, by Anthems on the Rise (Jennifer Edwards and Stuart Hoffman)....
Posted in The Heart of Innovation on December 26, 2019 08:09 PM
On Creating an Innovation MindsetIf you want to spark innovation in your organization and are looking for the diamond cutters stroke, consider storytelling. Since 1987, I've tried everything under the sun to help my clients raise the bar for innovation. What I've discovered...
Posted in The Heart of Innovation on December 11, 2019 11:10 AM
Sound Advice for Public SpeakersInspired by Rebecka Forrester A practical example 10 keys for giving a great keynote MitchDitkoff.com...
Posted in The Heart of Innovation on December 2, 2019 04:13 AM
Are You an Idea Addict?There are lots of things in this world people get addicted to: alcohol, nicotine, heroin, sex, and iPhones, just to name a few. But perhaps the biggest addiction of them all is the addiction to our own ideas. Here's...
Posted in The Heart of Innovation on November 30, 2019 08:20 PM
ANTHEMS ON THE RISE TAKES OFFDominos delivers pizzas (547 million per year). FedEX delivers packages (3 billion per year). And Anthems on the Rise delivers custom songs (one, so far, this year). One? Just one? Yes. But what a one it is -- One...
Posted in The Heart of Innovation on November 23, 2019 11:48 PM
Why You Need to Ask WhySome years ago, there was a big problem at one of America's most treasured monuments -- the Jefferson Memorial in Washington, DC. Simply put, birds, in huge numbers, were pooping all over it, which made visiting the place a...
Posted in The Heart of Innovation on November 22, 2019 09:41 PM
IDEATION 2020: Online, Just-In-Time Brainstorm Facilitation CoachingIn honor of the year 2020 and the classic meme it represents (i.e. clear vision), Idea Champions is thrilled to announce the launch of an exciting new offering -- an elegant way for its time-crunched, Conducting Genius graduates to...
Posted in The Heart of Innovation on November 18, 2019 01:23 PM
IDEATION 2020: Just-in-Time Brainstorm Facilitation CoachingIn honor of the year 2020 and the classic meme it represents (i.e. clear vision), Idea Champions is thrilled to announce the launch of an exciting new offering -- an elegant way for its time-crunched, Conducting Genius graduates to...
Posted in The Heart of Innovation on November 15, 2019 09:25 PM
The Right Use of LCSOf all the techniques Idea Champions has invented and taught since 1987, there is one that continues to be acknowledged as numero uno -- LCS (Likes, Concerns and Suggestions). LCS is a simple, effective, memorable, easy-to-use technique that has...
Posted in The Heart of Innovation on November 15, 2019 03:42 PM
IDEATION 2020: Online Brainstorm Facilitation CoachingIn honor of the year 2020 and the classic meme it represents (i.e. clear vision), Idea Champions is thrilled to announce the launch of an exciting new offering -- an elegant way for its time-crunched, Conducting Genius graduates to...
Posted in The Heart of Innovation on November 15, 2019 12:47 AM
IDEATION 2020: Just-in-Time Brainstorm Facilitation CoachingIn honor of the year 2020 and the classic meme it represents (i.e. clear vision), Idea Champions is thrilled to announce the launch of an exciting new offering -- an elegant way for its time-crunched, Conducting Genius graduates to...
Posted in The Heart of Innovation on November 14, 2019 09:31 PM
IDEATION 2020: Just-in-Time Brainstorm Facilitation CoachingIn honor of the year 2020 and the classic meme it represents (i.e. clear vision), Idea Champions is thrilled to announce the launch of an exciting new offering -- an elegant way for its time-crunched, Conducting Genius graduates to...
Posted in The Heart of Innovation on November 13, 2019 09:35 PM
IDEATION 2020: Just-in-Time Brainstorm Facilitation CoachingIn honor of the year 2020 and the classic meme it represents (i.e. clear vision), Idea Champions is thrilled to announce the launch of an exciting new offering -- an elegant way for its time-crunched, Conducting Genius graduates to...
Posted in The Heart of Innovation on November 10, 2019 09:41 PM
IDEATION 2020: Just-in-Time Brainstorm Facilitation CoachingIn honor of the year 2020 and the classic meme it represents (i.e. clear vision), Idea Champions is thrilled to announce the launch of an exciting new offering -- an elegant way for its time-crunched, Conducting Genius graduates to...
Posted in The Heart of Innovation on November 9, 2019 09:44 PM
IDEATION 2020: Just-in-Time Brainstorm Facilitation TrainingIn honor of the year 2020 and the classic meme it represents (i.e. clear vision), Idea Champions is thrilled to announce the launch of an exciting new offering -- an elegant way for its time-crunched, Conducting Genius graduates to...
Posted in The Heart of Innovation on November 7, 2019 09:49 PM
IDEATION 2020: Just-in-Time Brainstorm Facilitation CoachingIn honor of the year 2020 and the classic meme it represents (i.e. clear vision), Idea Champions is thrilled to announce the launch of an exciting new offering -- an elegant way for its time-crunched, Conducting Genius graduates to...
Posted in The Heart of Innovation on November 6, 2019 02:59 PM
IDEATION 2020: Just-in-Time Brainstorm Facilitation CoachingIn honor of the year 2020 and the classic meme it represents (i.e. clear vision), Idea Champions is thrilled to announce the launch of an exciting new offering -- an elegant way for its time-crunched, Conducting Genius graduates to...
Posted in The Heart of Innovation on November 4, 2019 03:04 PM
IDEATION 2020: Just-In-Time Online Brainstorm FacilitationCoachingIn honor of the year 2020 and the classic meme it represents (i.e. clear vision), Idea Champions is thrilled to announce the launch of an exciting new offering -- an elegant way for its time-crunched, Conducting Genius graduates to...
Posted in The Heart of Innovation on November 4, 2019 12:53 PM
IDEATION 2020: Just-in-Time Brainstorm Facilitation CoachingIn honor of the year 2020 and the classic meme it represents (i.e. clear vision), Idea Champions is thrilled to announce the launch of an exciting new offering -- an elegant way for its time-crunched, Conducting Genius graduates to...
Posted in The Heart of Innovation on November 3, 2019 03:09 PM
IDEATION 2020: Just-in-Time Brainstorm Facilitation TrainingIn honor of the year 2020 and the classic meme it represents (i.e. clear vision), Idea Champions is thrilled to announce the launch of an exciting new offering -- an elegant way for its time-crunched, Conducting Genius graduates to...
Posted in The Heart of Innovation on November 1, 2019 03:18 PM
IDEATION 2020: Just-in-Time Brainstorm Facilitation CoachingIn honor of the year 2020 and the classic meme it represents (i.e. clear vision), Idea Champions is thrilled to announce the launch of an exciting new offering -- an elegant way for its time-crunched, Conducting Genius graduates to...
Posted in The Heart of Innovation on November 1, 2019 03:15 PM
IDEATION 2020: Just-in-Time Brainstorm Facilitation CoachingIn honor of the year 2020 and the classic meme it represents (i.e. clear vision), Idea Champions is thrilled to announce the launch of an exciting new offering -- an elegant way for its time-crunched, Conducting Genius graduates to...
Posted in The Heart of Innovation on October 31, 2019 03:56 PM
A Real Life Example of the Power of Giving FeedbackMost Fortune 500 companies have some kind of corporate strategy in place for ratcheting up their innovation efforts. Consultants are hired. CEOs give pep talks. And internal initiatives are launched....
Posted in The Heart of Innovation on October 6, 2019 06:46 PM
The Five Regrets of the DyingBronnie Ware is an Australian nurse who spent several years working in palliative care, caring for patients in the last 12 weeks of their lives. She recorded their dying epiphanies in a blog called Inspiration and Chai, which gathered...
Posted in The Heart of Innovation on October 2, 2019 11:47 PM
Why Business Leaders Need to Pay More Attention to StorytellingHere's why -- spoken as clearly as possible in a 60-minute radio interview, hosted by Dr. Wanda Wallace, Founder of the Leadership Forum. Wanda and I cover a lot of ground, including how storytelling can change team and corporate...
Posted in The Heart of Innovation on September 21, 2019 12:00 PM
What I Learned from Being Heckled at a Corporate Keynote PresentationEvery person who has ever had a job has experienced at least one "moment of truth" in their life -- a time when all the chips were on the table and the decision of whether to go "all in"...
Posted in The Heart of Innovation on September 13, 2019 09:39 PM
How to Escape Education's Death ValleyIdea Champions...
Posted in The Heart of Innovation on September 13, 2019 03:10 PM
The Perfect Want AdSimon Sinek cuts to the chase. This is all you really need to know if you are trying to attract the right people to your team, project, or organization. And notice how he used the Earnest Shackleton story to...
Posted in The Heart of Innovation on September 9, 2019 03:02 AM
Changing the Center of Power from the Boardroom to the Living RoomSince 1987, Idea Champions has been delivering innovation-sparking services to a wide variety of forward thinking organizations in just about every industry on planet earth. Along the way, we have learned a lot about what works and what doesn't...
Posted in The Heart of Innovation on September 6, 2019 12:29 PM
One Simple Way to Ensure That Your Team Becomes High PerformingIf you are reading this, chances are good that you are currently a member of a team -- either at work, in your community, or as part of a volunteer organization. And if you aren't on a team now,...
Posted in The Heart of Innovation on August 31, 2019 08:24 PM
Leave Your Title at the Door and Remove the Door From It's HingesWhen I co-founded my company in 1986, I had two business cards made. One said "President." The other said "Archduke." Whenever I gave clients a choice, they always wanted the Archduke card. In time, I gave all the Archduke...
Posted in The Heart of Innovation on August 29, 2019 02:30 AM
21 Reasons Why You Like to Do Your Creative Work in CafesEver since I was old enough to realize there would never be a want ad in a newspaper that described a job I wanted, I've loved working in cafes. I never really thought much about it until a few...
Posted in The Heart of Innovation on August 26, 2019 11:33 PM
76 Surprising Facts About Corporation InnovationHere are 76 fascinating facts on corporate innovation curated by Valuer in Denmark. And while it's true that Canadian researchers have determined that goldfish have a longer attention span (9 seconds) than human beings (8 seconds), I have great...
Posted in The Heart of Innovation on August 14, 2019 10:47 AM
How to Foster a Sustainable Culture of InnovationLooking for inspiration and guidance on how to make your company more conducive to innovation? Here's some food for thought and action -- Idea Champions' ten most popular postings on the subject....
Posted in The Heart of Innovation on August 8, 2019 05:17 PM
What IS Innovation, Anyway?If you google "definitions of innovation," guess how many references you will get? 177,000,000! That's a whole lot of attempts at defining something most of us want, but can't quite agree on what it actually is. Obviously, there IS...
Posted in The Heart of Innovation on July 28, 2019 09:52 AM
The Six Sides of the So-Called BoxThere's a lot of talk these days about the need for business people to "get out of the box", but very little talk about what the box actually is. Here's Mitch Ditkoff, President of Idea Champions, deconstructing the box...
Posted in The Heart of Innovation on July 26, 2019 11:59 PM
THE 2019 LISTENING POLLMost people say that listening is an important skill to have and that it is in woeful short supply today. Idea Champions is in the process of creating a new workshop on listening, but before doing so, we want...
Posted in The Heart of Innovation on July 19, 2019 03:44 AM
HAPPY JULY 4th! Inspiring Quotes on Independence"Freedom is the will to be responsible to our selves." -- Friedrich Nietzche "It's easy to be independent when you've got money. But to be independent when you haven't got a thing -- that's the Lord's test." -- Mahalia...
Posted in The Heart of Innovation on July 4, 2019 02:18 PM
Culture Change in An Australian School in the Islamic TraditionLast year, I had the great good fortune to spend three wonderful months at Al Siraat College in Melbourne, Australia, working closely with the founders, leadership team, teachers, staff, and students. It was one of the most inspiring experiences...
Posted in The Heart of Innovation on July 1, 2019 10:27 PM
What PR Firms Say About Our Brainstorm Facilitation TrainingIdea Champions has trained quite a few PR and Marketing firms in the art and science of facilitating breakthrough brainstorming sessions. What follows is a sampling of the feedback we have received. "At the risk of sounding hyperbolic, Idea Champions'...
Posted in The Heart of Innovation on June 29, 2019 04:43 PM
STEVEN COVEY on ListeningIdea Champions...
Posted in The Heart of Innovation on June 29, 2019 01:21 PM
Welcome to The Gold Standard of Brainstorm FacilitationHere's what Idea Champions' clients have to say about the value they've received from engaging our brainstorm facilitation services. "Through your brainstorm facilitation, we gained more than 100 original ideas of high quality. The best of these will guide...
Posted in The Heart of Innovation on June 27, 2019 07:01 PM
The Paradox of InnovationMy big insight about innovation these days would make Nobel Prize winner, Niels Bohr, proud. "Now that we have met with paradox," explained Dr. Bohr, "we have some hope of making progress." Innovation is full of it -- paradox,...
Posted in The Heart of Innovation on June 27, 2019 02:24 AM
How to Tell a Good StoryLet's start with the basics: You already know how to tell a good story. You do. You've been telling stories your entire life. Today, you probably told at least a few. And later, tonight, you will probably tell some...
Posted in The Heart of Innovation on June 24, 2019 04:34 PM
50 Quotes on Risk Taking1. "Whatever you can do, or dream you can, begin it. Boldness has genius, power and magic in it." -- Goethe 2. "Security is mostly a superstition. Life is either a daring adventure or nothing." -- Helen Keller 3. "It's...
Posted in The Heart of Innovation on June 17, 2019 09:31 AM
30 Ways to Know If You Have What It Really Takes to InnovateDo you have what it takes to innovate? I'm not talking IQ, degree, or job title. I'm talking the curious confluence of behaviors that come with the territory of being someone who turns top of the line ideas into...
Posted in The Heart of Innovation on June 7, 2019 03:58 PM
How to Know If You Talk Too MuchDo people sometimes stop listening when you talk to them? Do they start getting fidgety or look away? It may not be their ADD or inability to go deep with you. It may simply be -- you talk too...
Posted in The Heart of Innovation on May 29, 2019 06:10 AM
Kobe Bryant on StorytellingWhy create a culture of storytelling? How to tell a good story Excerpt from Storytelling at Work The slam dunk of storytelling books A story not by Kobe Bryant and not in my book FAQ about Storytelling at Work...
Posted in The Heart of Innovation on May 23, 2019 10:28 PM
Brainstorm Facilitation Training for PR and Marketing CompaniesHere's what three savvy PR professionals at Purple Strategies had to say about Idea Champions' highly engaging brainstorm facilitation training: Conducting Genius. "Our success as a firm depends on our ability to think about tough challenges in new and...
Posted in The Heart of Innovation on May 16, 2019 05:28 PM
Millennials in the WorkplaceIdea Champions...
Posted in The Heart of Innovation on May 13, 2019 01:18 PM
WANT TO RUN BETTER MEETINGS? Ask For Permission to FacilitateEvery day, around the world, there are millions of meetings. Maybe zillions. Many of these meetings suck. And if they don't suck, they underwhelm. One of the biggest reasons WHY is because many meeting participants, in various and sundry...
Posted in The Heart of Innovation on May 11, 2019 05:00 PM
The Case for Doing NothingFabulous article in the NY Times about the power and glory of doing nothing. Hooray! Thanks to Booth Dyess for the heads up. Idea Champions (yes, we do too much) Mitch Ditkoff (also does too much)...
Posted in The Heart of Innovation on May 2, 2019 09:35 AM
WHAT PEOPLE ARE SAYING ABOUT MY NEW BOOKStorytelling for the Revolution Storytelling at Work MitchDitkoff.com...
Posted in The Heart of Innovation on April 30, 2019 11:41 PM
PAY WHAT YOU CAN: An Innovative Pricing ModelEXISTENTIAL QUESTION #1: How much is anything worth? EXISTENTIAL ANSWER #1: What people are willing to pay for it. Which is precisely why Idea Champions has recently launched it's Pay What You Can pricing model for our Micro-Learning for...
Posted in The Heart of Innovation on April 29, 2019 09:59 AM
And a Child Shall Lead ThemPowerful TED Talk on climate change by a 16-year old girl from Sweden. Perhaps the best 11 minutes you will experience today. Worth watching -- and then doing something in response to her message. Idea Champions...
Posted in The Heart of Innovation on April 23, 2019 12:44 AM
15 Common Missteps Entrepreneurs MakeA good articles from Forbes -- practical advice for aspiring entrepreneurs. Illustration: Gapingvoid Idea Champions...
Posted in The Heart of Innovation on April 22, 2019 11:23 AM
10 Reasons Why Your Organization's Ideation Process Isn't WorkingOK. You're busy. I get it. Which is why I just deleted the first four compelling, context-setting paragraphs of this blog post and will now cut to the chase: Your company's "ideation process" is either non-existent, seriously flawed, or...
Posted in The Heart of Innovation on April 10, 2019 02:32 PM
21 Awesome Quotes on Intuition"The only real valuable thing is intuition." - Albert Einstein "Trust yourself. You know more than you think you do." - Benjamin Spock "Systems die; instincts remain." - Oliver Wendell Holmes...
Posted in The Heart of Innovation on March 30, 2019 06:24 PM
What Storytelling Themes Most Intrigue You?IF YOU HAVE THREE MINUTES TO SPARE, please respond to my new online storytelling poll. I will be launching a series of Wisdom (storytelling) Circles in Woodstock, NY on April 10th and am curious to find out what storytelling...
Posted in The Heart of Innovation on March 28, 2019 02:50 PM
Big Blues From the Viagra PeopleIn 1999, I conceived and co-founded (with Paul Kwicienski) the world's first interactive business blues band, Face the Music. The concept was a simple one: help organizations increase teamwork and decrease complaint by getting employees to write and perform...
Posted in The Heart of Innovation on March 20, 2019 01:56 AM
The Good Thing About Bad IdeasOne of the inevitable things you will hear at a brainstorming session is "there are no bad ideas." Not true. There are plenty of bad ideas. Nazism, for instance. Arena football. Bow ties. What well-meaning "keep hope alive" brainstorming...
Posted in The Heart of Innovation on March 16, 2019 06:59 AM
Reviving Two Birds with One StoneAwesome illustration by GapingVoid mitchditkoff.com Fostering a Culture of Innovation: The Keynote...
Posted in The Heart of Innovation on March 8, 2019 06:36 PM
Michelangelo on GeniusIdea Champions Ingenious Leadership My new poetry blog...
Posted in The Heart of Innovation on March 4, 2019 03:00 PM
Creators on CreatingInspiring quotes on creating by off-the-grid creators (and a voice over by Idea Champions Co-Founder, Mitch Ditkoff. MitchDitkoff.com...
Posted in The Heart of Innovation on February 20, 2019 09:33 PM
Innovation as a Happy AccidentA little known fact about innovation is that many breakthroughs have not been the result of genius, but "happy accidents" -- those surprise moments when an answer revealed itself for no particular reason. The discovery of penicillin, for example,...
Posted in The Heart of Innovation on February 17, 2019 02:59 PM
A Super Simple Way to Upgrade Your Brainstorming SessionsLooking for a simple, low-cost way to upgrade the quality and impact of brainstorming sessions in your organization. Here it is! The $995 Online Brainstorm Training from Mitchell Ditkoff Other ways to upgrade your ideation sessions Our clients Idea Champions...
Posted in The Heart of Innovation on February 12, 2019 12:33 PM
The Four Currents of a Culture of InnovationI've been doing a lot of thinking these days about "culture of innovation" -- trying to get down to the root of what the heck it's all about. It's easy to wax poetic about the topic (and a lot...
Posted in The Heart of Innovation on February 9, 2019 04:27 PM
The Art of REALLY Showing Up at a Brainstorm SessionSo... you've just been invited to participate in a brainstorm session. Congratulations! SOMEBODY out there thinks you're smart. SOMEBODY out there thinks you're creative. SOMEBODY out there thinks you can help them with... whatever. So, Congratulations! You should feel...
Posted in The Heart of Innovation on January 30, 2019 10:23 PM
The Innovator's Three Word MantraOK. Here's the deal: There is something you want to create... begin... invent... change... complete... manifest... birth... or quicken. You've been thinking about it for a loooooong time. You may have even been working on it. But it still...
Posted in The Heart of Innovation on January 24, 2019 12:35 AM
The Samurai Guide To Managing Difficult Clients (& having a life)You are smart. You are creative. You are committed. And you have an awesome grasp of social media. Of course you do, you are a mover and a shaker in a company trying to stay relevant, make some magic,...
Posted in The Heart of Innovation on January 23, 2019 08:58 AM
BRAINSTORM TRAINING: OnSite, Online, and On-the-FlyDo the people in your organization treat invitations to brainstorming sessions like jury duty summons? Do the ideas generated all-too-often underwhelm? Is 60 minutes all the time people have? Does group think tend to take over? If so, Idea...
Posted in The Heart of Innovation on January 21, 2019 11:04 AM
INTRODUCING: The Wisdom Circles of San Miguel de AllendeSan Miguel de Allende is famous for a lot of things -- its diverse culture, colonial architecture, hot springs, cobblestone streets, affordable living, great restaurants, town square, benevolent people, and Writer's Conference, just to name a few. One thing...
Posted in The Heart of Innovation on January 19, 2019 07:42 PM
When You Love What You DoWe love what we do -- helping forward-thinking organizations go beyond the status quo and tap into the collective genius of their workforce. Here's one way we do it. And here are some others. What our clients say Illustration:...
Posted in The Heart of Innovation on January 16, 2019 09:26 AM
INNOVATION MICRO-LEARNING (in less than 15 minutes per week)This. Just. In. None of Idea Champions clients have any time. And because they don't, we have recently launched an exciting, new micro-learning service to help them stay on top of their innovation game. In less than 15 minutes...
Posted in The Heart of Innovation on January 9, 2019 11:35 AM
IDEATION 2020: Just-in-Time Brainstorm Facilitation TrainingIn honor of the year 2020 and the classic meme it represents (i.e. clear vision), Idea Champions is thrilled to announce the launch of an exciting new offering -- an elegant way for its time-crunched, Conducting Genius graduates to...
Posted in The Heart of Innovation on January 8, 2019 09:47 PM
The Perfect Online Brainstorm Facilitation Training for MCI GroupIn honor of the year 2020 and the classic meme it represents (i.e. clear vision), Idea Champions is thrilled to announce the launch of an exciting new offering -- an elegant way for its time-crunched, innovation-leaning clients to upgrade...
Posted in The Heart of Innovation on January 3, 2019 05:25 PM
The Martial Arts of the MindTen years ago I was invited to teach a course on "Innovation and Business Growth" at GE's Crotonville Management Development Center for 75 high potential, business superstars of the future. The GE executive who hired me was a very...
Posted in The Heart of Innovation on December 21, 2018 10:58 PM
Allow More Time to Be Creative!It doesn't get any simpler than this, folks! You want to be more creative? You want to create the conditions that allow other people you work with to be more creative? Stop rushing them! Go beyond the nanosecond! Allow...
Posted in The Heart of Innovation on December 12, 2018 06:07 PM
The Best ExecutiveAl Siraat College 34 Quotes on Leadership Idea Champions...
Posted in The Heart of Innovation on December 9, 2018 03:58 PM
Why Leaders Shouldn't Lead Brainstorming SessionsHere's one of the dirty little secrets of corporate brainstorm sessions: When they are led by upper management, department heads, or project leaders, they usually get manipulated. Because honchos and honchettes are so heavily invested in the topic being...
Posted in The Heart of Innovation on December 8, 2018 11:18 PM
Give the Gift of Creativity, Collaboration, and StorytellingAs you enter into the holiday season, perhaps you are wondering what to give your boss, direct reports, teammates, co-workers, clients, customers, or mother-in-law. Look no further! Especially if you are looking for a way to shop online. Idea...
Posted in The Heart of Innovation on December 6, 2018 01:00 PM
SOME THINGS TAKE A WHILEAt last count, there were 7.6 billion people on planet Earth. The odds of any two people meeting, I believe, is something like 7.6 billion to one. And the odds of any two of those 7.6 billion people deciding...
Posted in The Heart of Innovation on December 3, 2018 10:28 AM
How to Disagree Productively and Find Common GroundIdea Champions...
Posted in The Heart of Innovation on November 26, 2018 11:19 AM
Give the Gift of Creativity This Holiday SeasonWith Christmas, Hanukkah, and Kwanzaa fast approaching, I'd like to take this blogospheric moment to be the bearer of some good tidings -- especially if you are wondering what to get your significant other, friends, family, co-workers, boss, teammates,...
Posted in The Heart of Innovation on November 25, 2018 01:13 PM
Unlock Human CreativityIllustration: gaping void That's what we do Idea Champions...
Posted in The Heart of Innovation on November 24, 2018 09:27 PM
What Porcelain Dogs Can Teach Us About BrainstormingIdea Champions Brainstorm Champions...
Posted in The Heart of Innovation on November 22, 2018 01:17 PM
20 Awesome Quotes on Beginning1."Whatever you do, or dream you can, begin it. Boldness has genius and power and magic in it." - Johann Wolfgang von Goethe 2. "There are two mistakes one can make along the road to truth -- not going...
Posted in The Heart of Innovation on November 22, 2018 05:26 AM
Testimonial from the Founder of Al Siraat College in Melbourne"I had a strong desire to introduce a culture of creativity and innovation to our humble school in Australia. Being cash strapped as a new school (and knowing consultants were not cheap), I started following Mitch Ditkoff's blog, The...
Posted in The Heart of Innovation on November 19, 2018 07:10 PM
A Humble Request for Your VoteGOOD NEWS! The authors of this blog (Mitch Ditkoff and Val Vadeboncoeur) are finalists in the 2018 Business Innovation Brief MVP Awards. Our blog post, The Ten Personas of an Effective Brainstorm Facilitator was one of seven articles chosen...
Posted in The Heart of Innovation on November 17, 2018 06:35 PM
Bring on the Learning Revolution100 inspiring educational innovations Idea Champions...
Posted in The Heart of Innovation on November 16, 2018 10:08 PM
Transforming K-12 EducationA 4-minute overview of the leading edge work being done by the George Lucas' Educational Foundation. Much needed. Lots to explore. Their educational philosophy. Idea Champions...
Posted in The Heart of Innovation on November 16, 2018 04:55 PM
ANNOUNCING: Teamwork Cards!If you are looking for a simple way to raise the bar for teamwork, communication and collaboration in your company, here's your ticket -- Idea Champions' newly launched deck of Teamwork Cards. These thought provoking cards help group become...
Posted in The Heart of Innovation on November 14, 2018 08:55 AM
Immersive Experiences in EducationIdea Champions...
Posted in The Heart of Innovation on November 11, 2018 10:30 PM
Babies Teaching Kindness and Empathy in SchoolsIdea Champions...
Posted in The Heart of Innovation on November 11, 2018 10:11 PM
100 Inspiring, Global Innovations in the Field of Education, K-12Click here to read about 100 innovations that are changing the face of K-12 education around the world. This year's list provide an opportunity to learn about the most innovative, impactful, and scalable examples of forward-thinking educational practices from...
Posted in The Heart of Innovation on November 11, 2018 06:09 PM
Oracy in the ClassroomIdeaChampions.com...
Posted in The Heart of Innovation on November 10, 2018 10:00 PM
CREATE A HIGH PERFORMANCE TEAM one conversation at a timeWhile it's true there is no "i" in "TEAM", there is definitely an "i" in INSIGHT, INTERDEPENDENCE, and COLLABORATION. Which is precisely what Idea Champions' now-available-for-the-first-time-on-the-internet Teamwork Cards are all about....
Posted in The Heart of Innovation on November 10, 2018 05:30 PM
How to Spark Breakthrough Ideas in 10 Minutes or Less OnlineLooking for a simple way to spark big ideas without having to go to a meeting, training, conference, retreat, therapist, hypnotist, shaman, college, or brainstorming session? Here it is. Idea Champion's user-friendly, online FreeTheGenie app. All you need is...
Posted in The Heart of Innovation on November 9, 2018 01:26 PM
A Simple Way to Spark Creativity, Big Ideas, Insights, and AHAS!Given the fact that the human attention span (8 seconds) is now one second less than that of a goldfish (9 seconds), what better time is there to introduce you to our Free the Genie cards -- a creative...
Posted in The Heart of Innovation on November 8, 2018 03:51 PM
We Need More Agile Leaders!Each and every day in corporate America, new technologies, new world markets, and new competitors arise at a faster pace than ever before. Forget about 5-year strategic plans. Those days are over. These days, organizations barely take the time...
Posted in The Heart of Innovation on November 5, 2018 05:11 PM
Learn How to Facilitate Breakthrough Brainstorming Sessions in 10 Minutes a DayOnce upon a time donut manufacturers just sold donuts and threw the donut holes away, considering them to be disposable. Then, some donut industry genius realized that donut holes were also a product and there was a market for this...
Posted in The Heart of Innovation on November 2, 2018 09:25 AM
HOW A SIMPLE STORY Can Elevate the ConversationMy storytelling blog Storytelling for the Revolution Storytelling Workshop GlowDec...
Posted in The Heart of Innovation on November 1, 2018 08:49 AM
MICRO-LEARNING DONE RIGHTHere's all you need to know: The attention span of a goldfish is 9 seconds. The attention span of a human being is 8 seconds. Got that? Now, think about why most "Professional Development" programs in corporations under-perform. OK....
Posted in The Heart of Innovation on October 30, 2018 12:43 AM
Brainstorm Facilitation Training for Idiot Savants (and other wise ones)This just in! Brainstorming in most organizations sucks. Or, if "sucks" is the wrong word, how about "severely under-delivers"? The good folks of Idea Champions (that's us) have found a way to put an end to this madness. Yes,...
Posted in The Heart of Innovation on October 25, 2018 06:59 PM
KEYNOTE SPEAKING DEMYSTIFIED: There Is More Than One AudienceRecently, I gave a keynote presentation to 150 people in the health care industry. After being introduced, I decided, as I usually do, to leave the safe confines of the podium ("a platform raised above the surrounding level to...
Posted in The Heart of Innovation on October 22, 2018 10:16 PM
The Return of Idea Champions Extraordinary Co-Founder!Idea Champions is thrilled to announce the full return of Co-Founder, Steven Raymond McHugh to our roster of innovation consultants, trainers, facilitators, and change agents. Steven and I (Mitch Ditkoff) founded Idea Champions 30 years ago and have delivered...
Posted in The Heart of Innovation on October 19, 2018 09:59 AM
An Invitation to Forward Thinking Readers of This BlogGREETINGS! Mitch Ditkoff here, author of this blog. I have just launched a GoFundMe campaign to create the support I need to write, edit, publish, and promote my next book on storytelling, tentatively entitled Storytelling for the Revelation. Click...
Posted in The Heart of Innovation on October 12, 2018 07:24 AM
Want to Teach in a Wonderful Islamic School in Australia?The forward-thinking Islamic school, in Melbourne, Australia, that I have been consulting with for the past year (Al Siraat College) has some new job openings for teachers in their Primary and Elementary schools. This is a great opportunity for...
Posted in The Heart of Innovation on October 4, 2018 08:55 AM
A Revolutionary New Book for Corporate StorytellersBIG THANKS TO JOHN GLINDEMAN, Manager of Product Development and Wellness for United Concordia, for his very supportive review of my new book, Storytelling for the Revolution. "My job is as a corporate storyteller. That job has had titles...
Posted in The Heart of Innovation on September 19, 2018 11:58 PM
How to Attract a Big AHA!What is it that allows some people to get creative breakthroughs while others get only creative breakdowns -- alternately blaming themselves, society, their company, and their increasingly suspect astrological configurations? Is it true that people who experience breakthroughs are...
Posted in The Heart of Innovation on September 17, 2018 08:08 PM
A Big Shout Out to All of the Teachers on the PlanetIn the past 12 months I have spent 90 days working very closely with Al Siraat College, an Australian school in the Islamic tradition, located in the suburbs of Melbourne. Working at the school for a month at a...
Posted in The Heart of Innovation on September 6, 2018 02:52 AM
There Is Wisdom Inside You (and it is hiding in your stories)All 7.6 billion people on planet Earth are composed of the same six elements: hydrogen, oxygen, carbon, nitrogen, calcium, and phosphorous. And all 7.6 billion people, no matter where they were born or what language they speak, are composed...
Posted in The Heart of Innovation on September 3, 2018 08:39 AM
Mean Business?Illustration: gapingvoid Idea Champions Storytelling for the Revolution...
Posted in The Heart of Innovation on August 31, 2018 12:02 AM
10 Tips for Giving a Great KeynoteActors want to direct. Directors want to produce. And consultants want to deliver keynote presentation. And why not? The pay is good. It doesn't take much time. And it's a lot less heavy lifting than most consulting gigs. Easier...
Posted in The Heart of Innovation on August 29, 2018 10:04 PM
Be Yourself!Your company is unique. Honor that uniqueness. While there is nothing wrong with benchmarking other company's best practices, be mindful not to mindlessly graft them on to your company's culture. Be who you are! Illustration: gapingvoid Idea Champions Help...
Posted in The Heart of Innovation on August 28, 2018 06:15 PM
Why Nothing Happens After a Brainstorming SessionHow many times have you participated in a brainstorming session, only to be underwhelmed by the utter lack of follow up? Unfortunately, in most businesses, this is often the norm. Here's why: 1. The output of the session is...
Posted in The Heart of Innovation on August 28, 2018 08:04 AM
A Brainstorm Facilitation Training that Works (and is enjoyable!)What follows is some juicy feedback we received from Blue State Digital, a client of ours who participated in our Conducting Genius brainstorm facilitation training: "The three-day Conducting Genius training was engaging, fun and informative. I feel empowered as...
Posted in The Heart of Innovation on August 23, 2018 01:30 AM
Creativity and the Play InstinctQuotes on humor and playfulness Idea Champions A playful book about storytelling...
Posted in The Heart of Innovation on August 22, 2018 02:50 PM
How to Authentically Brand Yourself in a Crowded MarketplaceIf you have 30 minutes, click here to listen to an interview of me waxing on about how you can better brand yourself and your company. Includes some useful tips about how to use storytelling towards that end. No...
Posted in The Heart of Innovation on August 21, 2018 06:49 PM
Tips, Tools, and Techniques to Build Your Business and Your BrandIf you are available on August 20th at 4:00 pm PST and want to learn more about the power of storytelling to help build your business and your brand, click here. Nicolette Stinson will be interviewing me on the...
Posted in The Heart of Innovation on August 18, 2018 06:08 PM
50 Awesome Quotes on Vision1. "If you can dream it, you can do it." - Walt Disney 2. "Whatever you can do or dream you can, begin it. Boldness has genius, and magic and power in it. Begin it now." - Goethe 3....
Posted in The Heart of Innovation on August 17, 2018 02:34 PM
The Syndrome Syndrome and the Rise of the New World Disorder(s)Here's a fun test for you: If you can read the rest of this paragraph without logging onto Facebook, tweeting, or thinking about crop circles, there's a good chance you do not have ADD, ADHD, or any other recently-identified...
Posted in The Heart of Innovation on August 15, 2018 03:34 PM
THE INSIDE STORY on a Fantastic, New National Holiday!I am happy to announce that today has been declared "INTERNATIONAL DAY OF DOWNLOADING MITCH DITKOFF'S NEW BOOK ON STORYTELLING." I am both humbled and honored that this is now official, even, of course, if I was the one...
Posted in The Heart of Innovation on August 13, 2018 11:38 PM
STORYTELLING FOR THE REVOLUTION available as an ebookGOOD NEWS! My new book, Storytelling for the Revolution, is now available for downloading as an ebook from Amazon. $9.99. Paperback also available. If you are interested in the power of personal storytelling to build community, open minds, transmit...
Posted in The Heart of Innovation on August 10, 2018 02:11 PM
The Power of Context and Timing to Deliver a Memorable MessageSo much of our experience of life depends on context and timing. The above video is a delightful, surprise performance of Ravel's Bolero in a shopping mall. Even for shoppers who are not aficionados of classical music, the experience...
Posted in The Heart of Innovation on August 9, 2018 07:21 PM
SPEAKER TUTORIAL: How to Stop Saying "Um", "Ah" and "You Know"Very useful article from Harvard Business Review on the power of longer pauses when speaking in public. MitchDitkoff.com...
Posted in The Heart of Innovation on August 8, 2018 06:58 PM
THE ART OF MAKING YOUR CASE: The Launch of the i-Phone and i-PodWhat follows is a slightly edited transcript of Steve Jobs' four-minute launch of the iPhone, how he transported his audience from what is to what could be. Notice how he used two classic elements of compelling narrative -- villain...
Posted in The Heart of Innovation on August 7, 2018 11:00 PM
You're Right!There is a scene from Fiddler on the Roof that has taught me more about life than most holy books I've read. In it, two men are heatedly arguing over the age of a horse. When they see Tevye,...
Posted in The Heart of Innovation on August 6, 2018 02:44 AM
Einstein Speaks!E = MC Hammer...
Posted in The Heart of Innovation on July 29, 2018 01:52 AM
Why Jeff Bezos Has Replaced Powerpoint Presentations in His Meetings with Narrative MemosHere's something to consider. The richest man in the world, Jeff Bezos, has banned powerpoint in all Amazon meetings. In it's place? Narrative storytelling. Here's why. Big thanks to Doug Robinson for the heads up. Learn how to be...
Posted in The Heart of Innovation on July 26, 2018 02:51 PM
STORYTELLING FOR THE REVOLUTION now a Book-of-the-Month Club SelectionGood news travels fast! The Institute for Management Studies has just chosen my book, Storytelling for the Revolution, to be their Book-of-the-Month selection for July. Whoo hoo! Here's how IMS describes itself: "Since 1974, IMS has provided its members...
Posted in The Heart of Innovation on July 25, 2018 08:28 PM
11 Amazon Reviews of My New BookIf you have been enjoying my blog, there is a good chance you will enjoy my new book, Storytelling for the Revolution. What follows are 11 Amazon reviews that will give you a good sense of the ground I cover...
Posted in The Heart of Innovation on July 21, 2018 05:52 PM
The Only Risk is Not to Risk50 quotes on risktaking Idea Champions MitchDitkoff.com...
Posted in The Heart of Innovation on July 9, 2018 07:16 PM
My New Book Now On AmazonI am thrilled to announce that my new book, Storytelling for the Revolution, is now available on Amazon. If you are a fan of storytelling, insight, wisdom, love, choice, humor, learning, breathing, the human condition, or this blog, there...
Posted in The Heart of Innovation on July 5, 2018 05:59 AM
Storytelling that Creates Monumental ChangeHere's a refreshing, 36-minute podcast/interview on the power of storytelling to spark big, positive changes in organizations. Especially relevant to business people engaged in Six Sigma or Lean Six Sigma projects. The interviewers are Elisabeth Swan and Tracey Roarke...
Posted in The Heart of Innovation on July 4, 2018 07:14 AM
100 Awesome Quotes on What It Really Takes To Innovate1. "I want to put a ding in the universe." - Steve Jobs 2. "Ideas won't keep. Something must be done about them." - Alfred North Whitehead 3. "Intuition will tell the thinking mind where to look next." -...
Posted in The Heart of Innovation on June 26, 2018 10:48 PM
How to Spark Innovation in Your Company in 10 Minutes Per WeekDo you work in an organization that is trying to raise the bar for innovation, teamwork, storytelling, and leadership, but doesn't have the budget to pay for trainings, keynotes, and workshops? Here's an alternative -- Idea Champions' Micro-Learning for...
Posted in The Heart of Innovation on June 20, 2018 10:23 AM
Great Feedback from a New ClientDear Esteemed Heart of Innovation Readers: There's a good chance you and I have never met, talked or exchanged emails. If you are a subscriber to this blog, our only connection has been you reading my postings from time...
Posted in The Heart of Innovation on June 14, 2018 10:24 AM
100 Simple Ways to Be More Creative on the Job1. Ask the most creative people at work for their ideas. 2. Brainstorm with a co-worker. 3. Tape record your ideas on your commute to and from work. 4. Present your challenge to a child. 5. Take your team...
Posted in The Heart of Innovation on June 7, 2018 01:16 AM
NEW PODCAST: The Stories We Tell and Their ImpactClick here for Mitch Ditkoff's 5/25 appearance on VoiceAmerica -- Wanda Wallace's Out of the Comfort Zone interview. All about the power of storytelling. Storytelling at Work Storytelling for the Revolution MitchDitkoff.com...
Posted in The Heart of Innovation on May 28, 2018 08:50 PM
The Real Value of ConfusionAre you confused about what's going on in your life these days or how to proceed with your most challenging project? Baffled? Bamboozled? If so, take heart! Confusion is not always a bad thing. In fact, it's often a...
Posted in The Heart of Innovation on May 26, 2018 01:44 AM
Why It's Almost Impossible to Juggle 15 BallsVIDEO: It All Began with Balls ARTICLE: It All Began with Balls MitchDitkoff.com Idea Champions...
Posted in The Heart of Innovation on May 23, 2018 09:01 AM
WHAT IS YOUR WOW PROJECT?Here's the only creative thinking technique you will ever need. Three minutes worth. Ready? Answer this question: "What is one thing you want to manifest in this world before you die -- something that will stretch you to the limits...
Posted in The Heart of Innovation on May 22, 2018 10:57 PM
VIDEO: Nine Steps to Creating a Culture of InnovationBig thanks to Jon Peters, of Athena Online (the Micro-Learning Gods) for getting the word out about my culture of innovation work. Click here to watch the video. And here's Idea Champions' Micro-Learning offering to help you raise the...
Posted in The Heart of Innovation on May 15, 2018 12:48 AM
The Kindness-At-Work ManifestoIt has recently come to my attention that some of the most loving, passionate, well-intentioned people in the world have a tendency to treat their co-workers unkindly -- especially during times of stress or on a Monday, Tuesday, Wednesday,...
Posted in The Heart of Innovation on May 14, 2018 10:38 PM
An Alternative to Launching Yet Another Innovation InitiativeMany organizations committed to raising the bar for innovation, end up launching some kind of internally branded "innovation initiative". Logically speaking, this makes sense, but logic is not the most powerful driver of innovation. Most employees cringe at the...
Posted in The Heart of Innovation on May 9, 2018 03:01 PM
Perfect Advice for Anyone In Your Organization Resistant to ChangeMitchDitkoff.com Idea Champions My new book...
Posted in The Heart of Innovation on May 7, 2018 09:52 AM
Breaking the Unbreakable BarrierAs the story goes, several years ago the CEO of Dow Corning walked into his company's R&D lab and spoke two sentences: "Glass breaks," was the first. "Why don't you do something about it?" was the second. That's it....
Posted in The Heart of Innovation on May 7, 2018 08:40 AM
These Eight Forward Thinking Executives Walk Into a Bar"The best way to predict the future is to invent it." -- Alan Kay Here's how. A highly engaging, productive, enjoyable two-day offsite for Senior Teams committed to co-creating a compelling, unified vision of the future for their team,...
Posted in The Heart of Innovation on May 4, 2018 02:42 AM
34 Quotes on Leadership1. "Management is doing things right; leadership is doing the right things." - Peter F. Drucker 2. "If you don't understand that you work for your mislabeled 'subordinates,' then you know nothing of leadership. You know only tyranny." -...
Posted in The Heart of Innovation on May 3, 2018 09:06 AM
One Quality of a Good Executive38 quotes on leadership Al Siraat college making a difference in the world Idea Champions Photo: Evelyne Pouget...
Posted in The Heart of Innovation on May 2, 2018 08:19 PM
Visioning and Strategic Planning Sessions for Executive Teams"The best way to predict the future is to create it." -- Alan Kay Face it. Most corporate strategic planning processes are boring, tedious, and highly ineffective -- a day or two of smart, highly paid executives sitting in...
Posted in The Heart of Innovation on May 1, 2018 06:26 PM
The Eight Characteristics of a High Performing TeamLots of organizations acknowledge the need to raise the bar for teamwork and collaboration. That's a good thing. The not-so-good thing is that their process for doing so is often vague, insufficient, or confused. Of all the models on...
Posted in The Heart of Innovation on April 30, 2018 08:28 PM
Be Frightened of Old IdeasAbout John Cage Idea Champions Want to upgrade your brainstorming? 50 quotes on the power of ideas If you google "brainstorm training"...
Posted in The Heart of Innovation on April 29, 2018 11:38 PM
Micro-Learning for Innovators in Just 15 Minutes Per WeekIf you are looking for a simple, inexpensive way to spark innovation in your organization in just 15 minutes per week, here it is. No workshops. No trainings. No keynotes. No complicated idea management software. No headbanging. And the...
Posted in The Heart of Innovation on April 26, 2018 08:24 AM
International Good Idea Day!Let me be the first to inform you that today is the first annual International Good Idea Day -- a day I am officially declaring without the approval from my dysfunctional government or any slick lobbying group attempting to...
Posted in The Heart of Innovation on April 16, 2018 01:11 AM
Two Simple Steps to Sell Anybody on Your VisionYou are a visionary. Or, if that word feels too inflated for you, then at least someone with an inspired vision of the future for your organization. To you, it's obvious. To others? Not so much. Your challenge? Communicating...
Posted in The Heart of Innovation on April 12, 2018 06:04 AM
SEIZE THE FUTURE (coming soon!)Since 1987, when I Co-Founded Idea Champions, I have met truckloads of keynote speakers, change agents, organizational consultants, facilitators, and trainers. Good people. Committed people. Skilled people. Of all of them, the one I've learned the most from is...
Posted in The Heart of Innovation on April 11, 2018 10:46 AM
STORYTELLING FOR THE REVOLUTION: The Introduction"Those who tell the story, rule the world." -- Hopi Indian saying If you are wondering why I chose to call my book: Storytelling for the Revolution -- a title some people might think is incendiary, inflated, or overly...
Posted in The Heart of Innovation on April 10, 2018 04:02 PM
HOW TO RAISE YOUR COMPANY'S CORE COMPETENCY OF INNOVATION (in 15 min. per week)Want to boost innovation in your organization, but have precious little time to do so? Our Micro-Learning for Innovators program may be just the ticket. And the fee? Name your own price. We be walking the talk. Here's what...
Posted in The Heart of Innovation on April 5, 2018 04:39 PM
EXCELLENT (Free) WEBINAR ON TEAMWORK: April 2 or 3Click here to register for the Ignite Your Unstoppable Team webinar presented by Shane Hipps. His online Masterclass will include the following: -- The #1 ingredient to attract the best people to your team -- The best way to...
Posted in The Heart of Innovation on April 2, 2018 10:07 AM
The 10 Personas of an Effective Brainstorm FacilitatorAllow me to make a wild guess. You have participated in more than a few brainstorm sessions in your life. Yes?...
Posted in The Heart of Innovation on April 1, 2018 12:11 AM
THE FIRST RULE OF GOOD MEETING FACILITATIONLet's face it. Most meetings under-deliver. The reasons are many -- everything from no agenda, wrong people, sterile meeting room, poor facilitation, monologues, lack of real listening, constant interruptions, late arrivals, and no real closure. But of all the...
Posted in The Heart of Innovation on March 30, 2018 04:20 PM
WE'RE NUMBER SEVEN!How cool is this. I just stumbled on the Consultants500 website -- an online business advisors marketplace -- and discovered that Heart of Innovation (this blog) is rated the 7th best innovation blog out of 161 innovation blogs surveyed. Whoo!...
Posted in The Heart of Innovation on March 29, 2018 02:28 AM
Storytelling & the Creative ProcessThis is bleeping brilliant. Not only WHAT its says, but HOW it's presented. Two minutes on what it takes to really do creative work. Inspiring. Truthful. And in your face like a fresh arctic wind off a lake you've been...
Posted in The Heart of Innovation on March 24, 2018 03:06 PM
DO SCHOOLS KILL CREATIVITY?Idea Champions...
Posted in The Heart of Innovation on March 23, 2018 12:29 AM
A Big Clue for Meeting FacilitatorsIf you facilitate meetings for your company, school, volunteer organization, or team, please know that your STATE OF MIND is going to very much impact the outcomes of the meeting. If your mind is cluttered, the quality of the...
Posted in The Heart of Innovation on March 22, 2018 12:13 PM
Micro-Learning for StorytellersTime-crunched as you are, I know you don't even have two-minutes to read this. So thanks for your 119 seconds. I'm not going to sell you on the power of storytelling. You already know it's powerful. What you don't...
Posted in The Heart of Innovation on March 21, 2018 09:46 AM
A Clue About Navigating ChangeIf your team, department, or organization is "going through changes" and your role is to facilitate the process, please understand that it is completely normal and healthy for people to experience doubt, worry, fear, resistance and every conceivable human...
Posted in The Heart of Innovation on March 20, 2018 11:42 PM
The Marriage of Zany and PracticalFeedback from Charter Manufacturing in response to an Innovation workshop of ours with 27 of their high potential leaders of the future. "Idea Champions has the unique quality of being able to combine zany out-of-box thinking with a pragmatic...
Posted in The Heart of Innovation on March 19, 2018 09:47 AM
MICRO-LEARNING FOR INNOVATORS: A TestimonialTHIS JUST IN FROM from one of our forward-thinking clients who recently licensed our Micro-Learning for Innovators service. "Idea Champions' Micro-Learning for Innovators service provides us with an the ideal mix of easy to digest, thought provoking content. We have...
Posted in The Heart of Innovation on March 14, 2018 04:47 PM
Connect to Your Community!On a scale of 1-10, how connected are YOU to your community? And if your reply is "8" or less, take a moment and ask yourself how you can become more connected. Speaking of which, here is a cool...
Posted in The Heart of Innovation on March 14, 2018 03:10 PM
The End of the Meeting BluesYesterday, I attended a meeting and witnessed a very curious phenomenon just when it was about to end -- a phenomenon that is very common and a big reason why many meetings leave people's heads spinning....
Posted in The Heart of Innovation on March 13, 2018 11:19 AM
Group Mind, Propaganda, Selfhood, and the Need to BelongBig thanks to Val Vadeboncoeur for the heads up. MitchDitkoff.com Idea Champions...
Posted in The Heart of Innovation on March 10, 2018 08:33 PM
Deconstructing the Problems of Most Modern Day SchoolsIdea Champions...
Posted in The Heart of Innovation on March 9, 2018 06:47 AM
Why Make the Effort to Create a Culture of Storytelling?Unless you've been living in solitary confinement for the past few years, chances are good that you are a member of some kind of organization, or community -- a gathering of people who have come together in service to...
Posted in The Heart of Innovation on March 6, 2018 09:19 AM
JEAN HOUSTON on the Need for Transformational StorytellingMitchDitkoff.com Storytelling at Work My storytelling blog...
Posted in The Heart of Innovation on March 3, 2018 11:57 PM
Storytelling for the RevolutionHere is a possible cover of my forthcoming book on storytelling to be published in May. To pre-order and/or learn more about where I'm coming from, click here. "The world is not made of atoms. It is made of...
Posted in The Heart of Innovation on March 2, 2018 01:13 PM
Teresa Amabile on the Importance of Acknowledging ProgressWhy This Book from Teresa Amabile on Vimeo. MitchDitkoff.com IdeaChampions...
Posted in The Heart of Innovation on February 28, 2018 02:10 PM
How to Go Beyond the Email BluesIn 1999, I wrote a tongue-in-cheek blues song about email. My purpose was to poke fun at some of the email madness going on at that time. (If you want to give a listen, click the link above). It's...
Posted in The Heart of Innovation on February 22, 2018 12:06 AM
The Path Is Made By Walking On ItBack in the late 1990s, in New York City, there lived a world-class architect who had just spent the last two years of his life designing and building what many people were claiming to be the best inner city...
Posted in The Heart of Innovation on February 14, 2018 10:15 PM
CROWDSOURCING STORY: A Request for 3 Minutes of Your TimeDEAR HEART OF INNOVATION READERS: If you have been receiving any value from my blog, I invite you to respond to this newly posted poll of mine -- my grassroots effort to create the support I need from friends,...
Posted in The Heart of Innovation on February 10, 2018 04:26 PM
Welcome to the Wisdom Revolution!Click here for Mitch Ditkoff's (that's me, folks) first article published in Arianna Huffington's recently launched, cooler-than-the-Huffington--Post publication: THRIVE GLOBAL. It's my inspired rant about the emerging storytelling revolution on planet Earth. If you haven't heard about it, you...
Posted in The Heart of Innovation on February 9, 2018 09:23 PM
Increase Your Company's Ability to Innovate in 15 Minutes Per WeekOK. It's true. We've belled the cat. We have. We've figured out how your organization can spark employees' ability to innovate in just 15 minutes a week. No trainings. No workshops. No online courses. We call it "Micro-Learning for...
Posted in The Heart of Innovation on February 8, 2018 01:29 AM
MICRO-LEARNING for Innovators (in just 15 minutes per week)Innovation is a huge topic in organizations these days. Every company is looking for new and better ways to do more with less, differentiate themselves from the competition, and unlock the hidden genius of their workforce. At the same...
Posted in The Heart of Innovation on February 6, 2018 09:02 AM
The Future of Human Work is Imagination, Creativity, & StrategyAs 21st century work continues to be automated and robotized (is that a word?), much of what you are doing to make a living will eventually be replaced by smarter, more efficient machines. But there is something that human...
Posted in The Heart of Innovation on February 4, 2018 12:27 PM
Out of the Box, In the BoxED NOTE: I just checked the stats/hits on the last eight years of Heart of Innovation blog posts and was surprised to see that the following article about my father's death got the most attention (30% more views than...
Posted in The Heart of Innovation on February 1, 2018 11:32 PM
The Best Written 142-Page Book on Brainstorming That Is Not For SaleThis is the only 142-page book we know of that teaches people how to facilitate kick-ass brainstorming sessions -- including 18 creative thinking techniques, tips, tools, guidelines, checklists, rants, and the happy distillation of 27 years worth of what...
Posted in The Heart of Innovation on February 1, 2018 07:21 PM
Why I Wrote Storytelling at WorkIn the past few weeks, quite a few people have asked me for the "elevator speech" about the book I wrote in 2015. I get it. These days, if you can't deliver your message in 60 seconds or less...
Posted in The Heart of Innovation on January 28, 2018 01:47 PM
ANONYMOUS REVEALEDI have a confession to make. Actually, it's more like a revelation than a confession. You know all those fabulous quotes and articles you've read over the years with no attribution other than "Anonymous"? It was me. It's true....
Posted in The Heart of Innovation on January 25, 2018 09:37 PM
22 Awesome Quotes on RevolutionMy new book, STORYTELLING FOR THE REVOLUTION, will be published in May. The revolution I'm writing about is not a political revolution, its a revolution of the heart and, more specifically, how we communicate wisdom to each other. My...
Posted in The Heart of Innovation on January 25, 2018 07:30 PM
5 Inexpensive Ways to Jump Start a Sustainable Culture of InnovationTrying to create a culture of innovation is a daunting task for even the most committed organization. Cultures take decades to form. Changing them is not an overnight phenomenon, no matter how many outside consultants you've gotten on the...
Posted in The Heart of Innovation on January 23, 2018 02:58 PM
24 Quotes on Good Communication1. "The most important thing in communication is hearing what isn't said." - Peter Drucker 2. "The single biggest problem in communication is the illusion that it has taken place." - George Bernard Shaw...
Posted in The Heart of Innovation on January 22, 2018 09:01 PM
The Best of My Huffington Post Articles on StorytellingYou may not know this, but I have been a Huffington Post blogger for the past five years. During that time, I've published a number of well-received articles on storytelling, with a special focus on storytelling in the workplace....
Posted in The Heart of Innovation on January 22, 2018 04:36 PM
The Six Sigma Blues from a Lean Six Sigma PerspectiveOne of my favorite clients of all time was a key manager in a prominent Fortune 500 company. She was smart. She was funny. She was creative. And she was kind. Then her company adopted Six Sigma. I couldn't...
Posted in The Heart of Innovation on January 21, 2018 01:48 PM
A DIFFERENT KIND OF WAY TO CLOSE A SALEAnyone who owns a business, whether they've been to business school or not, knows one thing: You need customers. No customers, no business. How you get customers, of course, is the question. In my business, one of the main...
Posted in The Heart of Innovation on January 20, 2018 12:13 PM
The Creative PersonalityHere's an informative and inspiring article on the creative personality by the lifelong creativity researcher, renowned author of Flow (and the man with the hardest last name to pronounce in the world) -- Mihaly Csikzentmihalyi. The aforementioned Professor C....
Posted in The Heart of Innovation on January 15, 2018 03:42 PM
5 Ways to Raise the Bar for Storytelling in Your OrganizationIf your organization is looking for an engaging, flexible, cost-effective way to raise the bar for storytelling in the workplace, I'm your man. Below are five ways I can help you stir the storytelling soup: 1. WORKSHOPS - Creating...
Posted in The Heart of Innovation on January 6, 2018 01:02 PM
Enter Idea Champions Holiday Season Micro-Learning RaffleThis just in! None of our clients have any time. Really. Truly. Which is why Idea Champions is launching its MICRO-LEARNING HOLIDAY RAFFLE -- the simplest, least expensive, time-efficient way we could think of to help our clients raise...
Posted in The Heart of Innovation on December 19, 2017 01:45 PM
The Singing ContractorsTalk about innovation! The Singing Contractors nail it. Who woulda thunk it? Idea Champions MitchDitkoff.com Thanks to fabulous screen writer, Francisca Matos, for the heads up!...
Posted in The Heart of Innovation on December 18, 2017 11:45 AM
The $995 Online Brainstorm Facilitation TrainingLooking for a simple, inexpensive, time-efficient way to raise the bar for brainstorming, ideation, and creative thinking in your organization? Voila! Here it is! Intrigued? I am just an email away: mitch@ideachampions.com The $995 Online Brainstorm Training from Mitchell Ditkoff...
Posted in The Heart of Innovation on December 15, 2017 06:52 AM
INNOVATION MICRO-LEARNING from Idea ChampionsThe attention span of a goldfish is 9 seconds. The attention span of a human being is 8. Which is why Idea Champions is now offering its time-crunched clients three new, time-efficient ways to raise the bar for innovation....
Posted in The Heart of Innovation on December 15, 2017 06:33 AM
Millennial Job InterviewA Millennial job interview from @TheDanielBrea on Vimeo. Idea Champions Micro-Learning for Millennials (and others) More Micro-Learning (or maybe less)...
Posted in The Heart of Innovation on December 10, 2017 01:30 PM
How to Leverage the Power of Storytelling in 15 Minutes Per WeekOnce upon a time there was a forward-thinking organization that understood what a powerful culture-building tool storytelling was. THEY GOT IT. But what they didn't get, was the fact that the effort to turn theory into practice was way...
Posted in The Heart of Innovation on December 9, 2017 03:29 PM
What I Learned from 10 Chemical Salesmen and Some Masking TapeAs a person infinitely more interested in alchemy than chemistry, not once during my formative years as a young entrepreneur did I ever, once, aspire to sit in a room with 10 middle-aged, overweight chemical salesmen from New Jersey...
Posted in The Heart of Innovation on December 8, 2017 10:08 PM
Why AHA and HAHA Are So RelatedI don't think it's an accident that "aha" and "haha" are both almost spelled the same way. Indeed, there is a deep relationship between the Eureka moment and humor -- which is one of the reasons why Isaac Asimov...
Posted in The Heart of Innovation on December 6, 2017 06:46 PM
Ask for Permission to FacilitateHere's a useful tip for you the next time you find yourself standing in front of a group of people and about to facilitate a meeting of any kind: Before you begin, ask people to give you permission to...
Posted in The Heart of Innovation on December 4, 2017 11:18 PM
The Idiot Savant's Guide to Accelerating Culture ChangeImagine that you have been tasked with the challenge of addressing the need for "culture change" within your team, department, or entire organization. I'm assuming you didn't go to graduate school in "culture change" and that you also have...
Posted in The Heart of Innovation on November 30, 2017 02:53 PM
12 Ways to Make Bad DecisionsThere are three things that astound me about most organizations: The cro-magnon way performance reviews are done; the pitiful way brainstorm sessions are run and; the voo doo way decisions are made. What follows is an elaboration of the third...
Posted in The Heart of Innovation on November 28, 2017 11:28 PM
VALIDATIONEver feel invisible, unappreciated, unacknowledged? Ever feel the need to be seen, recognized, and validated? (Or maybe this is more of an issue for other people in your life: your friends, family, or co-workers.) No matter where you fit...
Posted in The Heart of Innovation on November 25, 2017 10:35 AM
Understand What Lean Six Sigma Is Without Getting a Huge HeadacheTen years ago, my company was a vendor to a Fortune 100 company devoted to SixSigma. So devoted, in fact, that they required all of their vendors to take a two-day day Six Sigma training. While I never liked...
Posted in The Heart of Innovation on November 18, 2017 08:07 AM
On Being a Better ListenerGood article from Fast Company on the emotional intelligence required to be a better listener. If you want to innovate, listen more 24 quotes on good communication Non-judgmental listening...
Posted in The Heart of Innovation on November 17, 2017 06:13 PM
Innovation and Indigenous WisdomHere's a wonderfully, innovative project happening in San Miguel de Allende, Mexico -- a groundbreaking event being planned for the coming summer that celebrates the indigenous wisdom of the Americas. Click here for the just launched GoFundMe campaign by...
Posted in The Heart of Innovation on November 16, 2017 11:17 PM
How to Manage DistractionsGreat article in Fast Company on how to manage distractions. Not that YOU ever get distracted, of course. Wait... I just got a text from my cousin... I'll..um...er... finish this blog post later... MitchDitkoff.com Idea Champions...
Posted in The Heart of Innovation on November 16, 2017 02:24 PM
Everything You Need to Know About Brainstorm FacilitationVoila! Here are 13 of Idea Champion's brief, upbeat, entertaining videos on the art and science of brainstorm facilitation. Our brainstorming website What our clients say A sampling of case studies...
Posted in The Heart of Innovation on November 15, 2017 12:32 PM
Storytelling Webinar, with Mitch Ditkoff, on November 22thPlease join me (Mitch Ditkoff) for a 60-minute "Power of Storytelling in Business" webinar -- hosted by PatSnap -- on Wednesday, November 22nd. Click here to register. It's free. If you are looking for simple ways to leverage the...
Posted in The Heart of Innovation on November 15, 2017 10:14 AM
A New Facebook Group for Aspiring Innovators and Cultural CreativesAfter 28 years of being an "innovation provocateur" for hundreds of forward thinking organizations around the world, one thing has become very clear to me: most people with BIG IDEAS usually end up derailed somewhere along the way. Simply...
Posted in The Heart of Innovation on November 14, 2017 08:21 AM
WANT TO LEAD A GOOD MEETING? Begin with Facilitative Presence!Since 1987, I have been facilitating a wide variety of high octave business meetings for just about every industry on planet earth. These meetings have been variably referred to as leadership development programs, creative thinking trainings, innovation workshops, team...
Posted in The Heart of Innovation on November 11, 2017 01:43 PM
VOICE AMERICA RADIO INTERVIEW with Mitch Ditkoff on Fostering a Culture of InnovationHere's everything you wanted to know about how to foster a culture of innovation in your organization -- a 56-minute VOICE AMERICA radio interview with Mitch Ditkoff, Co-Founder and President of Idea Champions and the writer of this blog....
Posted in The Heart of Innovation on November 8, 2017 01:54 AM
Beyond Sage on the Stage ConsultingTo borrow a phrase from the radically changing world of healthcare -- the essence of organizational culture change can be boiled down to three words: "Physician heal thyself"-- as in companies restoring optimum health to their enterprise from the...
Posted in The Heart of Innovation on November 5, 2017 12:44 PM
The Growing Relationship Between Storytelling and Lean Six SigmaThese two Lean Six Sigma practitioners walk into a bar. Wait... no... I mean three Lean Six Sigma practitioners walk into a bar. The first is wearing pink tights. The second is mumbling something about a fishbone diagram. The...
Posted in The Heart of Innovation on November 4, 2017 04:16 AM
A Crash Course on LeadershipHere's pretty much everything you need to know about being a good leader -- whether you are the CEO of a Fortune 500 company or the Director of a 5-person non-profit. Ready? Connect: If you want to lead people,...
Posted in The Heart of Innovation on November 3, 2017 10:24 AM
The Best Definition of Creativity?If you google the phrase definitions of creativity, guess how many definitions show up? 135 million! That's right, 135 million. And so, if you are looking for THE definition, give up now. You won't find it. It doesn't exist....
Posted in The Heart of Innovation on November 2, 2017 06:11 PM
Launching a Powerful Project in the World is a Team SportFor the moment, let's say you are on the cusp of launching a bold new project in the world -- one that not only inspires you, but is the first thing you talk about whenever people ask you what...
Posted in The Heart of Innovation on October 28, 2017 12:07 PM
Innovation from the Inside OutThese days, almost all of Idea Champions' clients are talking about the need to establish a culture of innovation. Some, I'm happy to report, are actually doing something about it. Hallelujah! They are taking bold steps forward to turn...
Posted in The Heart of Innovation on October 28, 2017 10:58 AM
Bottom Up Innovation!If you are working with a team of any kind and are hoping for more innovation, know this: it's a function of "intrinsic motivation", not pep talks, carrots, sticks, or "new initiatives." Find out what people REALLY want to...
Posted in The Heart of Innovation on October 17, 2017 01:06 PM
What Some Consultants See That Leads to Them Getting Fired Or Never Hired in the First Place"They are playing a game. They are playing at not playing a game. If I show them I see they are, I shall break the rules and they will punish me. I must play their game, of not seeing...
Posted in The Heart of Innovation on October 15, 2017 11:12 AM
What It Really Means to Be a Chief Innovation OfficerSome sound advice here, from the Harvard Business Review, on what it takes to be a successful Chief Innovation Officer. Idea Champions A workshop for innovation leaders The Current Reality Check Up...
Posted in The Heart of Innovation on October 12, 2017 10:35 PM
The NBA's new MVPAnd that would be... drum roll please... Mike Kennedy -- the NBA's Associate Vice President of Talent and Learning. Read more about Mike's leading edge work here, as well as the NBA's renewed commitment, under Commissioner, Adam Silver, to...
Posted in The Heart of Innovation on October 11, 2017 06:14 PM
The Innovator's ConnundrumIllustration: gapingvoid Idea Champions...
Posted in The Heart of Innovation on September 24, 2017 10:39 PM
The Best Way to Share the Best of Your Best Practices: STORYTELLING!12 other short videos on storytelling Storytelling at Work Storytelling as a way to spark the innovation mindset...
Posted in The Heart of Innovation on September 20, 2017 02:09 PM
THE ULTIMATE INNOVATION: Going Beyond the Jungle of IdeasTimelessToday...
Posted in The Heart of Innovation on September 5, 2017 09:27 PM
The Top 10 Reasons Why the Top 10 Reasons Don't Matter1. Reason is highly over-rated. 2. If you need more data to prove your point, you'll never have enough data to prove your point. 3. Analysis paralysis. 4. You're going to follow your gut, anyway. 5. By the time...
Posted in The Heart of Innovation on August 31, 2017 10:51 PM
How I Won a Contract from AT&T By Teaching One Man to JuggleA picture may be worth a thousand words, but a good story is worth a million. Here's a five-minute story about how the company I co-founded, Idea Champions, won a large contract from AT&T by teaching the Director of...
Posted in The Heart of Innovation on August 29, 2017 05:56 PM
A Great Brainstorming TechniqueClick here for a very lucid description of one of the most popular brainstorming techniques on planet Earth. Easy to remember. Easy to use. Easy to facilitate. A great way to spark creative thinking in your future ideation sessions....
Posted in The Heart of Innovation on August 22, 2017 08:35 PM
The Idiot Savant's Guide to Emergency Ideation Under Ridiculous Time ConstraintsOK. Here's the deal. You are a PR, Marketing, or Communications firm and one of your clients has just asked for the impossible. Again. They need killer ideas from you within the next 48 hours. Maybe sooner. Your team...
Posted in The Heart of Innovation on August 12, 2017 11:21 AM
Brainstorm Training ReinventedWe could tell you how awesome our brainstorm facilitation training is, but we're not sure you would believe us. So here's what one of our favorite clients has to say about it -- the fabulous folks from Mirrorball. And,...
Posted in The Heart of Innovation on August 10, 2017 08:58 AM
Watch These Videos If You Want to Foster a Culture of InnovationIf your organization (or any department, therein) is interested in establishing a culture of innovation, you may want to take a few minutes now to view the following brief (less than 8 minutes each) videos on the topic. The...
Posted in The Heart of Innovation on August 1, 2017 08:59 AM
Service Beyond the Call of DutyMost companies trying to get a "competitive advantage" eventually realize that the key is customer service -- the ability to differentiate themselves from the competition by delivering their product or service in unforgettable ways. Here's a memorable example:...
Posted in The Heart of Innovation on July 28, 2017 05:40 PM
FOLLOW YOUR MUSE: One-On-One Support for People with Big IdeasIf you are in the process of conjuring up a new product, service, or better way of doing business and want some help turning your big ideas into reality, I can help. For the past 28 years, I have...
Posted in The Heart of Innovation on July 27, 2017 05:08 PM
Take Your Brainstorming Sessions to the Next Level of WowIf your company is like most companies we have worked with, its brainstorming sessions leave something to be desired. Yes, ideas are bandied about and, yes, coffee is consumed and jokes are made. And, yes, people incessantly check their...
Posted in The Heart of Innovation on July 26, 2017 01:52 PM
THE DNA OF BRAINSTORMING and The Power of ThreeEvery brainstorm session you will ever facilitate or attend, like any good movie you will ever see, can be divided into three parts: the beginning, the middle, and the end. No matter what the topic, who's in the room,...
Posted in The Heart of Innovation on July 25, 2017 10:49 PM
12 Ways to See What's Not Immediately ObviousThe above image is a good metaphor for business. There's something hidden in it that most people don't see at first glance. Looking at it the same way you always look at things won't help. If you can't see...
Posted in The Heart of Innovation on July 17, 2017 12:10 AM
A Simple Way to Get the Word OutMitchDitkoff.com My HuffPost articles...
Posted in The Heart of Innovation on July 16, 2017 05:42 AM
Happiness Is It's Own ROIIllustration: gapingvoid MitchDitkoff.com...
Posted in The Heart of Innovation on July 15, 2017 10:02 PM
Time to Let It Rip!MitchDitkoff.com Idea Champions...
Posted in The Heart of Innovation on July 6, 2017 03:28 AM
When a Best Practice Isn'tI'm a collector of best practices. I like to find out what forward thinking individuals and organizations have done to accomplish extraordinary results. Sometimes I share these stories in my keynotes or workshops. Invariably, my stock rises when I...
Posted in The Heart of Innovation on June 27, 2017 10:47 PM
Want to Vacation in Woodstock?If you are looking for a great place to rent in Woodstock, NY, consider renting my home -- just a 12 minute walk to town. Mountain views. Peaceful. Gorgeous. A great place to rest, renew, and rejuvenate. Short- term...
Posted in The Heart of Innovation on June 25, 2017 12:16 PM
25 Awesome Quotes on Creativity"The things we fear most in organizations -- fluctuations, disturbances, imbalances -- are the primary sources of creativity." - Alfred North Whitehead "The chief enemy of creativity is 'good sense.'" - Pablo Picasso "Everyone who's ever taken a shower...
Posted in The Heart of Innovation on June 22, 2017 01:32 AM
Listen to Your Subconscious MindIf you study the lives of people who have had Eureka moments, you'll discover that their breakthroughs almost always came after extended periods of intense, conscious effort. They worked. They struggled. They abandoned all hope. They recommitted -- and...
Posted in The Heart of Innovation on June 16, 2017 11:48 PM
The True Definition of Comedy"Comedy is simply a funny way of being serious." - Peter Ustinov Clarence Darrow chimes in Quotes on humor and playfulness The Daily Show...
Posted in The Heart of Innovation on June 15, 2017 04:47 PM
The Most Important Ingredient to Ensure an Organization's SuccessIn a recent survey of 246 CEOs from around the world, "having the right culture to foster and support innovation" was rated the most important ingredient to ensure a organization's success. In other words, if innovation is the big...
Posted in The Heart of Innovation on June 14, 2017 04:28 PM
Great Quotes on Customer ServiceThe following quotes are dedicated to the good people of Nations Roof, a forward-thinking client of ours who continues to impress us with their commitment to providing extraordinary customer service. "Always keep in mind the old retail adage: Customers...
Posted in The Heart of Innovation on June 10, 2017 01:23 PM
It's Really Very SimpleIllustration: gapingvoid MitchDitkoff.com IdeaChampions.com...
Posted in The Heart of Innovation on June 7, 2017 11:33 AM
38 Awesome Quotes on Change1. "It is not the strongest of the species that survive, nor the most intelligent, but the one most responsive to change." - Charles Darwin 2. "Change before you have to." - Jack Welch 3. "People don't resist change....
Posted in The Heart of Innovation on May 30, 2017 01:00 PM
The Intersection of Innovation and Continuous ImprovementWhat does creative thinking and innovation have to do with continuous improvement? A lot. Two sides of the same coin. Interview with Idea Champions' President, Mitch Ditkoff, on GoLeanSixSigma. Focuses on the intersection of innovation and continuous improvement. Both...
Posted in The Heart of Innovation on May 26, 2017 09:01 AM
Fail, Fail, the Gang's All HereIllustration: GapingVoid Great quotes on failure MitchDitkoff.com...
Posted in The Heart of Innovation on May 24, 2017 06:20 PM
On Building the Case for StorytellingOne of the biggest challenges that internal change agents have when it comes to fostering a culture of storytelling in the workplace is building the business case -- why it matters and what the impact can be. The quote...
Posted in The Heart of Innovation on May 16, 2017 08:06 AM
If You Want to Innovate, Listen!If you're interested in raising the bar for innovation in your organization, start listening more. Listening, quite simply, is the most powerful form of influence....
Posted in The Heart of Innovation on May 10, 2017 09:45 AM
STORYTELLING WORKSHOP DESIGN: One Size Does Not Fit AllIf you are looking for a simple way to leverage the power of storytelling in your organization, but haven't found an "off the shelf" solution, I know why: it doesn't exist. And WHY it doesn't exist is because your...
Posted in The Heart of Innovation on May 8, 2017 10:51 AM
Need a Breakthough? Unplug for a Moment. Take a Break!True innovators rarely follow the straight and narrow path. Not only do they march to a different drummer, they're often not even on the same playing field as most people. Take Seymour Cray, for example, the legendary designer of...
Posted in The Heart of Innovation on May 4, 2017 09:55 PM
The Gotta Have a Process BluesIn 1999, I Co-Founded Face the Music (along with Paul Kwiecinski) -- an interactive business blues band that helps organizations get out of the box, improve communication, and build teams in a fun way. One day, GE contacted us...
Posted in The Heart of Innovation on May 4, 2017 07:21 AM
Why Use a Creative Thinking Technique?If you have ever jump started your car in the winter with a pair of jumper cables you already know why it makes sense to use a creative thinking technique: to spark your ability to arrive at your preferred...
Posted in The Heart of Innovation on May 2, 2017 02:00 PM
Delivering the Unexpected!Very inspiring 17-minute video. Howard Brodsky on going way beyond the call of duty to surprise and delight your customers. Included a cool anecdote about a pilot who bought pizza for all of his passengers. The world's best collection...
Posted in The Heart of Innovation on May 1, 2017 08:45 PM
Blow the Minds of Your CustomersIn what ways can you blow the minds of your customers this month? How can you exceed their expectations? How can you deliver the kind of off-the-grid service they will never forget? Check out what WestJet did. Whoa! Idea...
Posted in The Heart of Innovation on May 1, 2017 07:20 PM
What Cortisol, Oxytocin, and Dopamine Have to Do With the Impact of StorytellingThere's a quantifiable reason why the most successful Superbowl commericials are all structured like stories. Neuroscientists and neuroeconomists agree. And what they agree on is that it has a lot to do with the chemicals that stories trigger in...
Posted in The Heart of Innovation on May 1, 2017 02:01 PM
If You Want to Jump Start Innovation, This Meme Will HelpFor the past 27 years I have been working "in the belly of the beast" as Che Guevera once said -- corporate America. Along the way, I have met a ton of awesome people: visionary, creative, soulful, committed, and...
Posted in The Heart of Innovation on April 30, 2017 12:46 PM
You CAN Tell a Book By It's CoverTHIS JUST IN! Idea Champions is one of the few companies in the world that teaches people how to become masterful brainstorm facilitators. Since we couldn't agree on which image to use for the cover of the book, we...
Posted in The Heart of Innovation on April 27, 2017 11:27 PM
The Art of Using Story as a Way to Communicate Big, Hairy IdeasA priest, a penguin, and a newspaper reporter walk into a bar. The penguin orders a shot of Red Eye. The priest starts juggling three flaming chain saws. The newspaper reporter turns to the bartender, smiles and says: "I...
Posted in The Heart of Innovation on April 26, 2017 10:34 AM
10 Ways to Establish a User Friendly Ideation ProcessLet's that you and your company value BIG IDEAS -- the kind of ideas that have the potential to change the game, differentiate you from the competition, and spark major business growth. Let's also assume that you and your...
Posted in The Heart of Innovation on April 25, 2017 08:57 AM
FREE ONLINE POLL: How to Improve Your Company's Ideation ProcessHere's the simplest way to figure out how to improve your company's ideation process: Enter Idea Champions' FREE IDEATION POLL CONTEST. Just send an email to office@ideachampions and write "Ideation Poll" in the subject line. We'll put your name...
Posted in The Heart of Innovation on April 22, 2017 01:34 PM
Move the Hole!I like what Edward deBono once said about the phenomenon of creative people trying to get results, but coming up empty (and I paraphrase). "If you are digging for oil and don't find any, move the hole!" Pretty simple,...
Posted in The Heart of Innovation on April 21, 2017 02:07 PM
The 18th CamelA father left 17 camels as an asset for his three sons. When the father passed away, his sons opened up the will. The will of the father stated that the eldest son should receive half of 17 camels...
Posted in The Heart of Innovation on April 20, 2017 03:10 PM
Want to Innovate? Get Hungry!Illustration: gapingvoid MitchDitkoff.com Build the appetite with storytelling...
Posted in The Heart of Innovation on April 20, 2017 02:40 PM
Frequently Asked Questions About Storytelling at Work1. WHO IS THIS BOOK FOR? Anyone interested in the power of personal storytelling to awaken, inspire, and communicate a meaningful, memorable message -- especially around "moments of truth" on the job. It's also for forward-thinking business leaders who...
Posted in The Heart of Innovation on April 17, 2017 02:51 PM
14 Ways to Get Breakthrough IdeasThere's a lot of talk these days about the importance of innovation. All CEOs worth their low salt lunch want it. And they want it, of course, now. What sparks innovation? People. What sparks people? Inspired ideas that meet...
Posted in The Heart of Innovation on April 16, 2017 04:39 AM
Winning the Fundraising GameIf you are a mover and a shaker for a non-profit, arts organization, start up, or other capital-constrained enterprise, chances are good that you spend way too much time thinking about the "F" word -- fundraising. While the mission...
Posted in The Heart of Innovation on April 15, 2017 12:08 PM
Listening is a SuperpowerAs an innovation provocateur and storyteller, I am continually fascinated at how rare real listening is in most organizations. Everyone seems to be moving so fast or just WAITING for their turn to speak, that real listening rarely happens....
Posted in The Heart of Innovation on April 14, 2017 09:00 AM
How to Ensure that Your Next Conference Will Be a Big SuccessIf you have a big conference coming up and want to make sure it is has major impact, Idea Champions can help. We design and facilitate conferences that make a big difference -- memorable events that are totally engaging,...
Posted in The Heart of Innovation on April 8, 2017 10:23 AM
Business Casual Conferences from the Future? Dress Code Optional.Idea Champions has just launched a new conference design and facilitation service. If you have a big conference coming up and you want it to have major impact, we're your resource -- savvy conference designers, team builders, keynote speakers,...
Posted in The Heart of Innovation on April 6, 2017 12:39 PM
VIDEO: The Power of Storytelling in the Workplace to Spark InnovationClick here for a 33-minute interview of Mitch Ditkoff talking about the power of storytelling to ignite innovation, insight, and wisdom in the workplace. This link will expire on April 9th. Enjoy! MitchDitkoff.com IdeaChampions.com BOOK: Storytelling at Work...
Posted in The Heart of Innovation on April 6, 2017 11:55 AM
When You Want Your Next Big Conference to Be a BreakthroughNine months ago, I received an intriguing email from Rich Nugent, CEO of a fast-growing and forward thinking commercial roofing company, Nations Roof. "I need a breakthrough" read the subject line. The next day Rich and I talked about...
Posted in The Heart of Innovation on April 4, 2017 02:53 PM
Ready, Fire, Aim!TomPeters.com MitchDitkoff.com...
Posted in The Heart of Innovation on April 2, 2017 01:51 PM
KEYNOTE: Storytelling at WorkTHIS JUST IN! There is a very good chance that the dominant story being told in your organization these days is an old one -- a narrative that binds your enterprise to the past. Not a good idea. As...
Posted in The Heart of Innovation on April 1, 2017 05:47 AM
Innovation and Creativity Summit Interview of Mitch Ditkoff: 4/6/17My Power of Storytelling in Innovation interview will air, on April 6th at 12:00 pm, as part of the Innovation and Creativity Summit 2017. If you are interested in WHY and HOW storytelling matters in the workplace, this will...
Posted in The Heart of Innovation on March 30, 2017 03:08 AM
The Fine Wine of StorytellingI have always been a big believer in serendipity -- that magical moment when something "out of the blue" shows up in our lives to amaze and delight us -- an occurrence beyond logic. Well... here is one of...
Posted in The Heart of Innovation on March 28, 2017 11:30 AM
Free Online Innovation and Creativity Summit 2017Here's Nick Skillicorn introducing the upcoming, online Innovation and Creativity Summit 2017. I am happy to announce that I will be one of the 45 presenters. My topic? The power of storytelling to spark innovation. Cost? Zero. Zippo. Zilch....
Posted in The Heart of Innovation on March 24, 2017 10:53 AM
The Launch of Mitch Ditkoff.comGreetings, oh faithful and semi-faithful Heart of Innovation readers. After a ridiculously long amount of procrastination, I have finally launched MitchDitkoff.com -- a simple way to better understand who I am, what I do, and how I do it....
Posted in The Heart of Innovation on March 19, 2017 01:55 PM
Anti-Complaining Medicine for Bummed Out, Cranky InnovatorsIdea Champions...
Posted in The Heart of Innovation on March 17, 2017 12:39 AM
The Man Behind The Heart of Innovation and His DaughterA story about Emilia when she was 13 Storytelling and daughters Idea Champions...
Posted in The Heart of Innovation on March 13, 2017 06:59 PM
Making the Time to Be CreativeOne of the biggest obstacles to creativity and, by extension, innovation, is the lack of time that is so prevalent in today's ADD culture. This two-minute video makes a very compelling case for you and all the people you...
Posted in The Heart of Innovation on March 10, 2017 09:26 AM
Innovation Begins with FascinationI own a huge library of books on innovation. Mostly hardcover. The $27.95 variety with big indexes and forwards by people who make more money than I do. Some of these books are actually good. Most of them bore...
Posted in The Heart of Innovation on March 7, 2017 11:24 PM
FOSTERING A CULTURE OF INNOVATION: The KeynoteChanging a corporate culture is about as easy as getting a teenage girl to clean up her room. Translation? It's not easy. If your organization is committed to creating a culture of innovation, you'll need to begin by getting...
Posted in The Heart of Innovation on March 4, 2017 04:59 PM
Learn to Lead Breakthrough Brainstorming Sessions from the Leader in the FieldIf you need to radically upgrade your ability to facilitate kick-ass brainstorm sessions -- either internally, for your own company, or externally for clients looking to you to work some magic, look no further. Mitch Ditkoff (that's me), Co-Founder...
Posted in The Heart of Innovation on March 3, 2017 05:08 PM
20 Ways to Get Feedback on Your Coolest, Newest, Boldest IdeaYou've got a great idea. I know you do. But I also know it's just sitting there. In your head. Like a lump. Why? Because you haven't pitched it to anyone. Everyone -- even your best friends -- all...
Posted in The Heart of Innovation on March 2, 2017 02:22 PM
A BEGINNER'S GUIDE TO HELPING ORPHANS: One Man's JourneyThere are 140 million orphans in the world. That's 14 million more than the entire population of Japan. And it's getting worse with every war, earthquake, and disaster. If you want to read the story of how one man...
Posted in The Heart of Innovation on March 1, 2017 02:37 AM
NOW IS THE TIME TO BEGIN!20 awesome quotes on beginning Awesome illustration: Gaping Void Idea Champions...
Posted in The Heart of Innovation on February 25, 2017 03:35 PM
WIN A LIFETIME SUBSCRIPTION to FREE THE GENIE!OK, ladies and gentlemen of the innosphere, this is your lucky day. I'm not sure if it was the cappuccino or the Mexican sun,but I am compelled to give away three lifetime subscriptions to our very cool (and under-marketed)...
Posted in The Heart of Innovation on February 24, 2017 05:24 PM
HEART OF INNOVATION Lauded as the 13th Best Innovation Blog"13" is traditionally considered an unlucky number. Today? Not so. We have just learned that Idea Champions' blog, The Heart of Innovation -- the one you are now reading -- was designated as the 13th best innovation blog on...
Posted in The Heart of Innovation on February 22, 2017 04:14 AM
Unresolved Conflict at the Top Produces Chaos in the Middle and the BottomA guest post by Idea Champions' newest leadership development consultant, Dr. Barry Gruenberg. When those in senior leadership positions avoid conflict among themselves, the unresolved conflict ripples throughout the organization and paralyzes action at every level. Key issues go...
Posted in The Heart of Innovation on February 20, 2017 09:07 AM
The Art of Evelyne PougetIf you, oh life long innovator, are looking for someone to do your self-portrait or the portrait of a loved one (including your pet), The Heart of Innovation would like to recommend one of our favorite artists, Evelyne Pouget....
Posted in The Heart of Innovation on February 18, 2017 01:48 PM
WELCOME: Brian Paul Allison!Idea Champions is thrilled to welcome a fantastic, new member of our team, Brian Paul Allison. Brian plays two inter-related roles in what some past and present clients refer to as our "boutique consulting and training company": Sales Director...
Posted in The Heart of Innovation on February 15, 2017 11:13 AM
The Power of Personal Storytelling to Deliver Real MeaningWISDOM AT WORK: The Power of Personal Storytelling to Spark Insight, Breakthrough, and Lifelong Innovation from Mitch Ditkoff Storytelling at Work Our new storytelling workshop Storytelling infographic Storytelling at Work...
Posted in The Heart of Innovation on February 14, 2017 11:28 AM
My Open Letter to Donald Trump Published in the Huffington PostMy open letter to Donald Trump has just been published in the Huffington Post -- my attempt to light a candle instead of cursing the darkness. If you resonate with what I've written, please forward it to friends and...
Posted in The Heart of Innovation on February 1, 2017 05:20 PM
HOW EFFECTIVE ARE YOUR COMPANY'S BRAINSTORM SESSIONS? Find Out in 10 MinutesWhenever I ask clients to describe the quality of their brainstorm sessions, they usually role their eyes, shake their head, and use words like "suck", "boring", or "pitiful." But when I ask them WHY, they don't know. And they...
Posted in The Heart of Innovation on January 24, 2017 08:17 AM
The International Day of Compassion + KindnessAs a former political speechwriter and present day observer of the oddball dynamics accompanying the fast approaching U.S. Presidential Inauguration, I have developed an increasing respect for a man who, my fact checkers have assured me, has never watched...
Posted in The Heart of Innovation on January 16, 2017 03:17 PM
A Sneak Preview Into the Art and Science of BrainstormingBrainstorming, in most companies, is broken. Or, if not broken, breaking. Or, if not breaking, highly impaired. Those of us at Idea Champions are dedicated to changing the game -- and have been doing so for 25 years. Here's...
Posted in The Heart of Innovation on January 5, 2017 06:52 PM
Have Pluma, Will TravelI will be on a 10 week writer's retreat in San Miguel de Allende working on my next book, Storytelling for the Revolution. During that time I will have about 7 hours each week for free lance writing and...
Posted in The Heart of Innovation on January 2, 2017 12:30 PM
Two Dogs DiningBreak time. Stop saving the world (or your company) for the moment and simply enjoy this video. Laughing aloud allowed. Idea Champions...
Posted in The Heart of Innovation on December 31, 2016 06:20 PM
Tis the Season to Tell Your Stories'Tis the season to tell your stories, folks! Your families are gathering. Your friends are coming to visit. The tribe is reconvening, whether it's around the fire, the dining room table, or the turkey in the kitchen. Wherever you...
Posted in The Heart of Innovation on December 18, 2016 09:00 AM
How to Facilitate Breakthrough Brainstorming Sessions for Your Clients in Three Hours or LessHere's the deal: You are one of the creatives in a high flying PR, Marketing, or Communications company and have been asked by one of your clients to lead an upcoming brainstorming session. That's the good news. The-not-so-good news?...
Posted in The Heart of Innovation on December 17, 2016 04:08 PM
TAKING YOUR ORGANIZATION'S PULSE: The Current Reality CheckUpJust like a GPS needs to know where you are in order to guide you to your destination, savvy business leaders need to know where their organization is in order to navigate its way forward. Enter Idea Champions' Current...
Posted in The Heart of Innovation on December 16, 2016 01:54 PM
A Cool, New Way to Capture IdeasIf you are reading this blog, I am 95 percent certain you value the power of BIG IDEAS. I'm also certain that you've experimented with various ways of capturing your big ideas: Notebooks. Voice memos. Post-its. Napkins. Whiteboards. Mind...
Posted in The Heart of Innovation on December 14, 2016 10:37 PM
100 Days of RejectionEntertaining and inspiring 15 minute TED talk about a fascinating experiment launched by a young entrepreneur and what he learned about how to turn rejection into opportunities. Idea Champions Storytelling at Work...
Posted in The Heart of Innovation on December 11, 2016 05:56 PM
Time Is an Invented Thing. Invent It!Reality check time. What do YOU need to make more time for? And WHEN will you make it? Idea Champions What's your story?...
Posted in The Heart of Innovation on November 22, 2016 06:05 PM
Trust What You Know, Then SpeakA 5:28 story of the time I overslept before a big presentation to 200 bankers. I learned something very valuable that day and I am honored to share it with you. Excerpted from this book My storytelling workshop My...
Posted in The Heart of Innovation on November 21, 2016 10:19 AM
Click Through to KindnessHERE'S AN INTERESTING STATISTIC: The "click through" rate on negative headlines is 65% higher than positive headlines. People are far more curious about the negative than the positive. Parents, by the way, respond to their children with 10 times...
Posted in The Heart of Innovation on November 20, 2016 07:07 PM
The Wisdom Circles of San MiguelEvery human being, no matter what path they walk, skip, hop, or jump is a fountainhead of wisdom -- a deep well of insights, brilliance, and lessons learned. This wisdom, however, is often buried beneath the flora and fauna...
Posted in The Heart of Innovation on November 14, 2016 04:02 PM
How Einstein Looked at ProblemsOther related quotes Idea Champions...
Posted in The Heart of Innovation on November 11, 2016 01:30 PM
Why Storytelling is So PowerfulStorytelling at Work: The Book Storytelling at Work: The Blog Storytelling podcasts, videos, interviews, and articles...
Posted in The Heart of Innovation on November 4, 2016 11:54 AM
You Have to Know WHAT IS Before You Can Figure Out WHAT'S NEXTMany organizations say they want to create a bold new future for themselves -- and that is laudable -- but all-too-often their future-oriented efforts are launched without fully understanding their present reality. As a result, their forward thinking efforts...
Posted in The Heart of Innovation on November 3, 2016 07:53 AM
How to Sell Without SellingA few years ago, my wife and I bought a Turkish rug from Mehmet, Istanbul's Steve Jobs of rug merchants. If I could run my company as well he could sell, I'd be a very wealthy man. Technically, speaking,...
Posted in The Heart of Innovation on October 29, 2016 01:09 AM
Deciphering the Secret Code of Tacit KnowledgeWhat is it that all human beings share in common other than the need for air, water, and the undeniable fact that they will answer this question in a wide variety of ways? Well, at the risk of disturbing...
Posted in The Heart of Innovation on October 26, 2016 01:15 AM
How to Create a Culture of Storytelling in the WorkplaceWant to bring meaningful storytelling into the workplace -- to share insight, wisdom, and tacit knowledge? Want to spark a culture of innovation, caring and collaboration? I'm your man. Why create a culture of storytelling? Storytelling at Work What...
Posted in The Heart of Innovation on October 19, 2016 11:39 AM
STORYTELLING AT WORK goes to college (and never took an SAT)!Good news! My award-winning book, Storytelling at Work, is going to be used, in the Spring, as a textbook for a very innovative Business Communications course at The Sage Colleges in upstate New York. The idea for this was...
Posted in The Heart of Innovation on October 15, 2016 11:25 PM
You Suck at Powerpoint!You Suck At PowerPoint! from Jesse Desjardins - @jessedee Idea Champions...
Posted in The Heart of Innovation on October 11, 2016 06:33 PM
SNEAK PREVIEW: A Bold, New Way to Do Corporate ConferencesIdea Champions is thrilled to announce it will soon be launching a bold new service to transform the way it's clients plan for, design, facilitate, and follow-up their company's conferences. Why? Three simple reasons: 1) Most corporate conferences severely...
Posted in The Heart of Innovation on October 9, 2016 04:26 PM
It All Began With BallsHere's a fun, 7-minute story about Idea Champions big breakthrough soon after we started the business -- inspiration for YOU to do something different, provide your clients an EXPERIENCE, and have some fun along the way. "If you always...
Posted in The Heart of Innovation on October 7, 2016 07:59 AM
I Exist As I AmTimelessToday...
Posted in The Heart of Innovation on September 28, 2016 11:08 PM
Millennials in the WorkplaceWhile this video is a bit over the top and stereotypical, it does have the potential to spark some useful dialogue about the challenge of fully engaging Millennials in a way that works for everyone. The good news? Idea...
Posted in The Heart of Innovation on September 27, 2016 12:00 PM
Do You Need a Storytelling Coach?ED NOTE: This just in from Jeri Dube, a delightful new Oracle client of Idea Champions. Jeri engaged our phone coaching services to help her become a more skillful writer and storyteller -- two ways in which she is...
Posted in The Heart of Innovation on September 13, 2016 10:44 AM
What Kind of Story Will You Tell?The Joy of Heckling More about the power of story The book...
Posted in The Heart of Innovation on September 11, 2016 10:56 PM
Finished, Not PerfectIdea Champions...
Posted in The Heart of Innovation on September 9, 2016 05:36 AM
Step Over the Imaginary Line50 quotes on risktaking The Joe Belinsky Factor Creating the Innovation Mindset Idea Champions...
Posted in The Heart of Innovation on September 7, 2016 11:17 PM
David Lynch on CreativityThe animated version Idea Champions...
Posted in The Heart of Innovation on September 6, 2016 09:22 AM
I Am Not a HandymanAre you a man -- or know a man who is, shall we say, "handyman challenged"? If so, then this newly published Huffington Post article of mine, is for you. Three minutes worth of comic relief. If you like...
Posted in The Heart of Innovation on August 30, 2016 09:54 AM
Share Your Story!Stories are powerful. They open minds, shift behavior, inspire, and are remembered -- unlike that last powerpoint show you saw. Stories are the simplest, fastest way to communicate meaningful messages -- an especially important thing for people in business...
Posted in The Heart of Innovation on August 2, 2016 03:25 PM
Announcing the launch of my new blog: UNSPOKEN WORDI am happy to announce the launch of my new blog: UNSPOKEN WORD: THE POETRY OF LIFE -- short blasts of inspiration, reflection, and gratitude accompanied by photographs, illustrations, and paintings of my Facebook friends and other unusual suspects....
Posted in The Heart of Innovation on August 1, 2016 11:03 AM
Why Your Organization Needs to Create a Culture of StorytellingWhy create a culture of storytelling? Storytelling videos, interviews and articles Sparking innovation via storytelling Idea Champions...
Posted in The Heart of Innovation on July 30, 2016 10:42 AM
I'm From Woodstock, Yes I Am!This story in the Huffington Post The Munich workshop Idea Champions Excerpted from Storytelling at Work What our clients say...
Posted in The Heart of Innovation on July 24, 2016 05:07 PM
Five-Day Hero's Journey Retreats in San Miguel de AllendeMitch Ditkoff, Co-Founder of Idea Champions, is thrilled to announce that he will be co-facilitating a series of 5-day Hero's Journey Retreats in San Miguel del Allende, Mexico with Dr. Beverly Nelson, Founder of LifePath Retreats. The first session...
Posted in The Heart of Innovation on July 22, 2016 11:38 PM
The 60-Minute Brainstorm TrainingWe are happy to announce our new strategic alliance with GenieCast, and the launch of our new 60-minute brainstorm facilitation training. Fast. Very fast. No caffeine required. Includes a custom set of self-study videos and articles. Like this. Our...
Posted in The Heart of Innovation on July 17, 2016 12:47 PM
ENERGY and FOCUS: Two Keys to Great Brainstorming SessionsA brainstorm session is a lot like trying to get from one place to another in a lighter-than-air balloon. With both of them, you have a destination, a vehicle, and the need to continuously make course corrections. Fortunately, brainstorm...
Posted in The Heart of Innovation on July 11, 2016 08:21 AM
Build Your TeamIllustration: Gaping Void Art Launching Project Teams Team Innovation Big Breakthroughs for Small Business Drumming Up Teamwork...
Posted in The Heart of Innovation on July 6, 2016 10:21 PM
BETTER THAN THERAPY: What Stressed Business Partners Can Learn From the Police Reunion TourMaking great music together isn't always easy, no matter how famous your band is. Nor is it easy being business partners, collaborators, teammates, or "significant others". If you want to make some serious music together, "creative dissonance" is inevitable. Count...
Posted in The Heart of Innovation on June 30, 2016 07:43 PM
Why You Need to Defer Judgment During the Ideation Phase of a Brainstorming SessionBig thanks to Val Vadeboncoeur, Idea Champions' Director of Training, for this timely article on the importance of deferring evaluation during the ideation phase of a brainstorming session. When Alex Osborn, co-founder of the advertising firm, BBD&O, first came...
Posted in The Heart of Innovation on June 27, 2016 10:38 PM
GOT A BRAINSTORM SESSION TO FACILITATE? Remember Yourself!Big thanks to Idea Champions' Director of Training, Val Vadeoncoeur, for this insightful post on the power of mindset. One of the biggest blind spots we human beings have, and one of the most common, is forgetting to include...
Posted in The Heart of Innovation on June 23, 2016 06:36 AM
JUST SAY YES!Idea Champions is thrilled to welcome Dr. Barry Gruenberg to it's team of consultants, facilitators, and bloggers. Here is Barry's latest pearl of wisdom. When somebody asks you if you can do something, just say YES. You can always...
Posted in The Heart of Innovation on June 17, 2016 09:38 AM
20 Easy Ways to Spark InnovationMany forward-thinking organizations, these days, are launching all kinds of initiatives to crank up innovation. Their intention is a good one, but their execution is often not. While there's nothing inherently wrong with "organizational initiatives", they often end up...
Posted in The Heart of Innovation on June 16, 2016 10:55 AM
HOW TO GET PEOPLE OUT OF THE BOX: A 5-Minute TutorialEver heard the expression "get out of the box?" Of course you have. Ever wonder what the six sides of that so-called box actually are? If not, here's your 5-minute tutorial of the day. Once you're clear about what...
Posted in The Heart of Innovation on June 7, 2016 11:24 AM
Do You Have the Courage to Find Out Just How Good (or Not Good) Your Brainstorm Sessions Are?Many of us wince when we hear the word "feedback", especially when it relates to our own performance. We tend to see feedback as criticism or a veiled personal attack. And for good reason. We've all been on the...
Posted in The Heart of Innovation on May 27, 2016 11:16 AM
The Typical Conference CallIdea Champions...
Posted in The Heart of Innovation on May 20, 2016 07:30 AM
The Amazon Reviews Are In!In 2015, somewhere between 600,000 and 1,000,000 books were published. How many of them are YOU going to read? Probably less than ten. That's why I'm quoting the following people who have reviewed my book on Amazon. I want...
Posted in The Heart of Innovation on May 15, 2016 09:31 PM
CREATING THE INNOVATION MINDSET: A Storytelling WorkshopAll business leaders worth their low-salt lunch, regardless of their industry, will agree on one thing -- that innovation a key driver of their company's success. What they don't agree on is how to ensure that innovation actually happens....
Posted in The Heart of Innovation on May 12, 2016 09:36 AM
A Very Cool Brainstorm Facilitation Training for People in the Fast LaneOur brainstorm website More about the training What our clients say Tell us more about your need Our client list VIDEO: The eight dimensions of a brainstorming session...
Posted in The Heart of Innovation on May 6, 2016 12:49 PM
BILLIONS IN CHANGEAn inspiring video about the Founder of Five Hour Energy and how he is using is wealth to invite new energy, health, and water technologies to make a major difference on the planet. Yes! 50 awesome quotes on vision...
Posted in The Heart of Innovation on May 5, 2016 09:03 PM
Cavemen with Briefcases in Need of a Wise Person's StoryStorytelling at Work: The Workshop Storytelling to Create the Innovation Mindset Storytelling at Work: The Book Storytelling in the Workplace: The Radio Interview...
Posted in The Heart of Innovation on April 21, 2016 08:22 PM
You CAN Tell a Book by its Cover -- Especially If You Have 9 ChoicesEver hear the phrase "You can't judge a book by it's cover?" Of course you have. But what you probably haven't heard is how far back that phrase goes -- all the way back to June, 1867, as seen...
Posted in The Heart of Innovation on April 18, 2016 08:03 PM
The Curious Origins of the Stop SignI've been doing some fascinating research lately on the origins of common objects in our lives -- things we see daily, but often take for granted. Like the Stop Sign, for example. Most people think the Stop Sign was...
Posted in The Heart of Innovation on April 18, 2016 12:12 AM
When Dogs Spark Big IdeasDuring the past 25 years I have facilitated more than 1,000 brainstorming sessions for a wide variety of heavy hitting organizations -- everyone from MTV to GE to government think thanks. I've worked with left-brained people, right-brained people, and...
Posted in The Heart of Innovation on April 12, 2016 10:45 PM
Upgrade Your Brainstorm Facilitation Skills the Simple WayIdea champions brainstorm facilitation testimonials from Mitch Ditkoff Want to upgrade the quality of your company's brainstorm sessions? Looking for a simple way to open the creative floodgates? Here's one way. Read this if you think brainstorming is bogus....
Posted in The Heart of Innovation on April 7, 2016 07:37 AM
When There's Only 4 Seconds LeftSometimes, it seems as if the game is over, that time is running out -- but WAIT! It ain't over til it's over! No way! Kris Jenkins drains a long range jumper at the buzzer and Villanova wins the...
Posted in The Heart of Innovation on April 6, 2016 04:14 PM
What's the Key to Your Success?Bring your most passionate project to mind -- the ONE THING you are excited about manifesting. Maybe it's just sitting there like a lump. Or maybe you are making progress every day. Whatever it is, take a look at...
Posted in The Heart of Innovation on April 4, 2016 05:35 PM
The Crowdsourced Birth of a New Book Beyond Business InnovationGreetings! It's me, Mitch Ditkoff, author of this blog, President of Idea Champions, writer, speaker, husband, father, and dust particle. If you've been enjoying this blog, there is a good chance you will enjoy my forthcoming book. Towards that...
Posted in The Heart of Innovation on April 4, 2016 02:51 PM
Want to Upgrade Your Company's Brainstorming Sessions?"We found Idea Champions in a desparate search for brainstorm facilitation training and haven't looked back. During the past few months, they've helped us harness our naturally innovative spirit and significantly improved the way we execute our ideation process....
Posted in The Heart of Innovation on March 31, 2016 12:39 AM
COMING SOON! The Woodstock Story Festival: April 30 and May 1Q. What do Alice B. Toklas, Willie Nelson, and the Woodstock Story Festival have in common? A. They were all born on April 30th. Alice was born in 1877. Willie was born in 1933. And the Woodstock Storytelling Festival...
Posted in The Heart of Innovation on March 29, 2016 08:05 PM
Brainstorming RevisitedThe good news? Idea Champions brainstorming sessions are not like most brainstorming sessions. What our clients say. Brainstorm, not shitstorm. Brainstorming illustration: Gaping Void...
Posted in The Heart of Innovation on March 29, 2016 07:47 PM
Tiny Sparks of LightEDITOR'S NOTE: A few weeks ago, I asked my Facebook friends to send me a story their father liked to tell. The one that follows, submitted by the appropriately named, Michal Story, touched me deeply and reveals a common...
Posted in The Heart of Innovation on March 23, 2016 01:40 AM
How 13-Year Olds Can End TerrorismOK. I know this headline seems bold. Even presumptuous. But bear with me. I'm inspired. And even more than that -- on the brink of a breakthrough. But first, some back story... Five years ago, my awesomely cool, smart,...
Posted in The Heart of Innovation on March 22, 2016 12:37 PM
Here Is the Graphic Design Help You Have Been Looking ForSee that good looking guy to your left? That is Jesse Ditkoff, my soon-to-graduate-Hampshire-College son -- a Digital Media major who will soon be launching his free lance design career. His services? Graphic design in the following arenas: websites,...
Posted in The Heart of Innovation on March 20, 2016 02:47 PM
Time to Upgrade Your Brainstorm Facilitation SkillsYOU are creative. Always have been. Cool, new ideas come to you all the time. In the shower. On the way to work. Even in your dreams. Where others see problems, you see possibilities. You're flexible, funny, and think...
Posted in The Heart of Innovation on March 14, 2016 12:43 PM
How to Keep Small Group Brainstorming On TrackIf you are planning to lead any kind of ideation or brainstorming session in the near future and will be dividing the group into sub-groups, here's one thing to keep in mind: No matter how clear the instructions you...
Posted in The Heart of Innovation on March 9, 2016 08:49 AM
WOOF! Go Beyond Your Pet Ideas!If your company runs brainstorming sessions, know this: too many of them have become veiled opportunities for people to trot out their pet ideas. Because everyone is so ridiculously busy these days and real listening is at a premium,...
Posted in The Heart of Innovation on March 2, 2016 07:48 AM
Everyone Is In TransitionSource: Gaping Void A book of my transitions One way to help your workforce transition...
Posted in The Heart of Innovation on February 26, 2016 06:19 PM
Non-Judgmental Listening as a Catalyst for InnovationIf there is person in your life who is on the cusp of a breakthrough, big idea, or simply struggling to figure something out, there is one thing you can do that will be supremely helpful. It has nothing...
Posted in The Heart of Innovation on February 21, 2016 12:32 AM
20 Things to Remember If You Love a Highly Creative PersonGood list of reminders for you if you love a highly creative person Idea Champions...
Posted in The Heart of Innovation on February 20, 2016 07:40 PM
What Do LeBron James, Michael Phelps, Mary Lou Retton & Mitch Ditkoff All Have in Common?Give up? They are all Bronze Medal winners -- LeBron, Michael, and Mary Lou in various Olympics and Mitch in the just announced 2016 Axiom Business Book Awards competition in the Success/Motivation/Coaching category. The Bronze Medal, in case you've...
Posted in The Heart of Innovation on February 17, 2016 05:42 AM
An Innovation in Climbing, Art and Helping At-Risk CommunitiesJon Sedor realized, as a high school sophomore, that his passion in life was all about rock climbing and painting. However, in 2007 Jon lost his left (dominant) hand in a serious accident. Two amputations three surgeries, and lots...
Posted in The Heart of Innovation on February 16, 2016 09:51 AM
Send Some Love on Valentines DayDEAR HEART OF INNOVATION READERS: Just in case there is someone you want to send some love to on Valentines Day, here's the love. Go ahead. Be forward. Forward it. Time to express your appreciation! Time is passing. Now's...
Posted in The Heart of Innovation on February 14, 2016 03:47 PM
The Art of Evelyne PougetEvelyne Pouget's Premier Art Show in San Miguel de Allende from Mitchell Ditkoff Idea Champions is proud to preview the fabulous art of Evelyne Pouget which will be premiering in San Miguel de Allende on February 20-21. If you...
Posted in The Heart of Innovation on February 9, 2016 12:36 AM
Welcome to the First Interspecies Book Marketing CampaignThe book Chili recommends If you don't believe my dog A story from the book Other dogs who also like the book The Amazon reviews of the book...
Posted in The Heart of Innovation on January 30, 2016 04:00 PM
Story as a Leadership ToolHere's a lovely animated intro to why STORYTELLING is such a powerful communication and business tool -- by the author of Circle of the 9 Muses. Storytelling at Work More useful links about storytelling And more...
Posted in The Heart of Innovation on January 26, 2016 06:44 PM
One Stop Shopping for Great Links on the Art & Science of StorytellingIf you are interested in the power of storytelling to engage, inspire, and spark the transfer of insight, knowledge, and wisdom you have come to the right place. Below are links to a variety of recent articles of mine...
Posted in The Heart of Innovation on January 21, 2016 01:51 PM
How to Use Storytelling to Foster Genuine Employee EngagementLet's assume, for the moment, that you are a forward-thinking business leader charged with the responsibility of accomplishing extraordinary results. Although your strategy may not yet be completely clear to you, one thing most definitely is: You cannot do...
Posted in The Heart of Innovation on January 14, 2016 01:56 AM
What You Can Learn From a Priest, on His Lunch Break, Checking His Smart PhoneI'm not sure if this Turkish priest, on his lunch break, is reading a Kindle version of my new book, Storytelling at Work, or the new, glowing review of the book just published on Innovation Excellence, the most popular...
Posted in The Heart of Innovation on January 13, 2016 07:11 PM
How Storytelling Shapes Culture and Humanizes the WorkplaceMore goes on in the modern-day workplace than meets the eye. Indeed, it's often the stuff that meets the ear that makes all the difference. Click here to listen to Mitch Ditkoff's 60-minute VoiceAmerica interview on the power of...
Posted in The Heart of Innovation on January 12, 2016 01:50 AM
How to Spark Massive Employee Engagement in 90 Minutes or LessSince 1987, I have been working as an innovation provocateur for a wide variety of forward thinking organizations. Bottom line, I help people wake up, get out of the box, and originate bold, new ideas to meet their ambitious...
Posted in The Heart of Innovation on December 22, 2015 11:57 PM
A Sneak Peak at a Book Likely to Spark a Renaissance of StorytellingGood news! The LOOK INSIDE feature has just been enabled on my Storytelling at Work Amazon page which means you can get a sneak preview of the book and decide if you want to buy it. The Storytelling at...
Posted in The Heart of Innovation on December 21, 2015 07:21 PM
How to Create an Idea FactoryOne reason why many aspiring innovators never reach the finish line is because they don't have the support they need to help them navigate the creative process. They either try to do everything themselves or spend so much time...
Posted in The Heart of Innovation on December 20, 2015 06:54 PM
The Joe Belinsky Factor RevealedSee this guy? His name is Joe Belinsky and for many years he worked in a tire company -- Goodyear Tire to be more exact. I learned something from Joe about TIME that is actually quite cosmic, though it...
Posted in The Heart of Innovation on December 15, 2015 01:30 AM
The Irresistible Power of Storytelling as a Strategic Business ToolA two-year analysis of 108 Super Bowl commercials has revealed that it was the structure of the content -- not the content itself -- that was the biggest predictor of its success. And the structure that was most linked...
Posted in The Heart of Innovation on December 14, 2015 07:40 PM
NEW POLL: What Is the Real Value of Storytelling in Business?These days, there is a lot of talk about the value of storytelling in business. Good question! That's what we're trying to figure out from savvy people like YOU! Simply click this link to respond. It will take you...
Posted in The Heart of Innovation on December 10, 2015 03:33 PM
A Selection of My Storytelling Articles in The Huffington PostIf you are interested in storytelling -- especially why storytelling is such a powerful tool for organizations to increase employee engagement and foster a dynamic culture of innovation, you have come to the right place. Below is a selection...
Posted in The Heart of Innovation on December 9, 2015 02:26 PM
What You Can Learn from the FedEx Logo in Five SecondsDuring the past two years, I've asked more than a thousand people what they see when they look at the FedEx logo. 80% say "letters" or "colors" or "shapes" or "the word "FedEx." The other 20% tell me they...
Posted in The Heart of Innovation on December 8, 2015 07:14 AM
Looking for a Book About the Power of Storytelling to Open Minds, Spark Innovation, and Inspire Action?Excerpts and a deeper dive Buy on Amazon My new storytelling at work blog...
Posted in The Heart of Innovation on December 6, 2015 06:01 PM
I'll Have the Salman RushdieThe power to rethink a story What would Maurice Ravel say? Ditkoff on storytelling...
Posted in The Heart of Innovation on December 5, 2015 06:28 PM
Win a Free Copy of My New BookIn the spirit of the holiday season, fun, and getting the word out about my new book on the power of personal storytelling, I am launching the first annual "WHY I SHOULD WIN A FREE COPY OF MITCH DITKOFF'S...
Posted in The Heart of Innovation on December 4, 2015 10:33 AM
The Storytelling at Work PodcastWill Sherlin, of The Innovation Engine Podcast, interviews Mitch Ditkoff, author of the newly published Storytelling at Work....
Posted in The Heart of Innovation on December 2, 2015 03:19 PM
50 Quotes on the Power of Ideas1. "If at first, the idea is not absurd, then there is no hope for it." - Albert Einstein 2. "If you do not express your own original ideas, if you do not listen to your own being, you...
Posted in The Heart of Innovation on December 1, 2015 05:20 PM
What's the Story with Story?If you want to deliver a meaningful, memorable message in your organization, consider delivering it as STORY, not a pep talk, harangue, slide show, case study, or download of data. People respond to and remember story WAY MORE than...
Posted in The Heart of Innovation on November 30, 2015 06:09 PM
The World Is Made of StoriesMy new book on storytelling Why businesses should care about storytelling Newly launched Storytelling at Work blog...
Posted in The Heart of Innovation on November 27, 2015 11:25 AM
STORYTELLING AT WORK Just Published!I am happy to announce that my new book, Storytelling at Work, has just been published and is now available, on Amazon, in both paperback and Kindle editions. Whoo! Whoo! If you believe in the power of storytelling to...
Posted in The Heart of Innovation on November 25, 2015 11:21 PM
What Kind of Stories Will You Tell?Here's a story you can probably relate to: You are walking down the street when a friend, coming the other way, stops, looks you in the eye, and asks "Whassup?" It's a question you've heard a thousand times before...
Posted in The Heart of Innovation on November 22, 2015 12:52 PM
Albert Einstein on the Intuitive Mind"The intuitive mind is a sacred gift and the rational mind a faithful servant. We have created a society that honors the servant and has forgotten the gift." - Albert Einstein One way to tap into the intuitive mind...
Posted in The Heart of Innovation on November 20, 2015 11:07 AM
We're Going in Another DirectionIf you work for an organization that issues RFPs to consulting companies, I have one humble request for you: Please stop using the phrase "we're going in another direction" when it comes time to letting consultants know you've decided...
Posted in The Heart of Innovation on November 12, 2015 02:24 PM
Lady Gaga Speaks!Love this! Perfect timing for me to see, as I continually get hit on by companies wanting me to shill for them on this blog. Not gonna do it, folks. This is a commercial-free enterprise. No banner ads. No affiliate...
Posted in The Heart of Innovation on November 11, 2015 09:44 AM
STORYTELLING AT WORK Book Launch PartyA 4 minute video on why storytelling matters Idea Champions If you want to be notified when the book is published...
Posted in The Heart of Innovation on November 5, 2015 02:20 AM
Great Storytelling QuotesStorytelling at Work: Published on 11/8 FAQ about my book...
Posted in The Heart of Innovation on November 1, 2015 09:52 PM
One Simple Reason Why Storytelling is So Timelessly PowerfulStorytelling at Work, pub date: 11/12 FAQ about my book 25 quotes on the power of storytelling Why create a culture of storytelling The above quote is a classic Native American saying....
Posted in The Heart of Innovation on October 28, 2015 01:44 AM
What I Learned From Listening to Ravel's Bolero for 14 Hours StraightDuring the course of a lifetime a human being goes through many rites of passage. Birth, for example. First love. The death of a loved one and enduring a Republican primary debate. For me, one of the most memorable...
Posted in The Heart of Innovation on October 23, 2015 01:41 AM
Creativity Has a Lot to Do With Being Able to Connect Seemingly Unrelated ElementsIf you google the phrase "definitions of creativity", guess how many references you will get? 33,600,000!. Given enough time and caffeine it will only be a matter of time before you find your favorite definition. But no matter what...
Posted in The Heart of Innovation on October 15, 2015 01:00 AM
In Defense of BrainstormingIn the past few years I have noticed a curious trend in the media -- one I can no longer ignore -- and that is the appearance of seriously derisive articles about brainstorming by self-declared pundits and free lance...
Posted in The Heart of Innovation on October 14, 2015 07:47 PM
I'm from Woodstock. Yes, I Am.I'm from Woodstock. Yes, that Woodstock, the famous Woodstock -- the most famous small town in the world, some people say. Former home to Bob Dylan. Jimi Hendrix lived here for a summer in the house right across the...
Posted in The Heart of Innovation on October 12, 2015 12:12 AM
Einstein Wasn't Into Six Sigma"Not everything that can be counted counts; not everything that counts can be counted." - Albert Einstein Brainstorm facilitation training Idea Champions Free the Genie...
Posted in The Heart of Innovation on October 10, 2015 08:11 AM
George Bernard Shaw on Innovation"This is the true joy in life, the being used for a purpose recognized by yourself as a mighty one; the being thoroughly worn out before you are thrown on the scrap heap; the being a force of Nature...
Posted in The Heart of Innovation on October 7, 2015 10:14 AM
Sixty Second StoriesHere's a great resource for your organization, especially if you are looking for a creative way to integrate your brand messaging into video. Sixty Second Stories is a design house that produces explainer videos, marketing campaign videos, and specializes...
Posted in The Heart of Innovation on October 3, 2015 11:26 AM
The Art of Sparking InnovationWhen my mother was alive, she told me she had no idea what I did for a living. Around the canasta table, she would tell her friends I was a "motivational speaker", no matter how many times I explained what...
Posted in The Heart of Innovation on September 15, 2015 05:18 PM
20 Awesome Quotes on Humor, Play, and Creativity1. "To stimulate creativity one must develop childlike inclination for play and the childlike desire for recognition." - Albert Einstein 2. "If you want creative workers, give them enough time to play." - John Cleese 3. "If you lose...
Posted in The Heart of Innovation on September 11, 2015 10:57 AM
HOW TO MAXIMIZE IDEA POWER FOR FREE: A 3-Minute Video TutorialNeed powerful, new ideas to grow your business, solve a problem, or find a better way? Don't want to go to yet another meeting to figure things out? Start paying attention to the ideas you are conceiving away from...
Posted in The Heart of Innovation on September 4, 2015 10:34 AM
HOW TO SPARK INNOVATION IN OTHERS: A 5-Minute Video TutorialHere's a little known secret: Organizations don't innovate. People innovate. Inspired, creative, committed, collaborative, self-motivated people. What can YOU do to help people innovate? A lot. This 5-minute video tutorial tells you how. Ingenious Leadership Applied Innovation Brainstorm facilitation...
Posted in The Heart of Innovation on September 2, 2015 12:37 PM
The Power of PauseWho can wait quietly while the mud settles? - Lao Tzu Illustration Idea Champions My forthcoming book My HuffPost articles...
Posted in The Heart of Innovation on August 24, 2015 06:21 AM
Don't Just Take Our Word For ItIdea champions testimonials from Mitchell Ditkoff Many of you who read this blog, know us only from our writing. But we do way more than write a blog. We help organizations raise the bar for innovation in a wide...
Posted in The Heart of Innovation on August 19, 2015 01:27 AM
Wide-Eyed, Wide-AngledIf you are a regular (or irregular) reader of this blog, you now (as of this moment) have a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity to support the work of a gifted photographer and digital media maven, my son, Jesse, who will be...
Posted in The Heart of Innovation on August 18, 2015 11:44 PM
Creativity Late in LifeCreativity Late in Life from Mitchell Ditkoff A lot of people who assume they are "over the hill", may not be aware of the fact that there have been a ton of people, late in life, who have been...
Posted in The Heart of Innovation on August 12, 2015 10:22 AM
Innovation & Poetry Are ConnectedPOETRY OF THE HEART: Mitch Ditkoff from Mitchell Ditkoff PS: There is something poetic about innovation. And there is something innovative about poetry. When I'm not working with organizations to spark innovation, I'm writing poetry. Click here to order...
Posted in The Heart of Innovation on August 10, 2015 12:07 PM
A Creative Tip from EinsteinOne way to do so Idea Champions We talk our walk Brainstorm Facilitation Training...
Posted in The Heart of Innovation on July 17, 2015 04:30 PM
Sing For the Silenced: July 19th!Guest post by singer, songwriter, and social activist, Marc Black. Can you imagine somebody ruining your land, bringing disease to your home, and then offering you money in exchange for your silence? When we heard about that happening from...
Posted in The Heart of Innovation on July 12, 2015 09:45 PM
The Beauty of a Wandering MindDo you have a tendency to zone out? Daydream? Follow the yellow brick road? Well, your day has come. Instead of having to defend yourself from the army of people demanding you become more focused every second of the...
Posted in The Heart of Innovation on July 3, 2015 09:47 AM
The Selective Attention TestRelated story Idea Champions...
Posted in The Heart of Innovation on July 2, 2015 12:14 AM
The Cult of MonetizationI wish I had a nickel for every time someone has asked me if I make money from my blog -- and a dollar for every time one of these people used the "M" word, asking me if I've...
Posted in The Heart of Innovation on June 19, 2015 10:02 AM
The Peace Caravan at Opus 40Innovation happens in many ways on Planet Earth and in many industries. Indeed, the word "innovation" seems to be on the lips of just about every CEO the world over, as they continue to look for their organizations' "competitive...
Posted in The Heart of Innovation on June 15, 2015 10:51 AM
The Idiot Savant's Guide to Jump Starting Creativity and InnovationIf you are looking for a simple, inexpensive way to jump start innovation and creativity -- in yourself, your team, or your company, click here. Idea Champions' Innovation Kits are easy to use, easy to buy, and fully engage...
Posted in The Heart of Innovation on June 9, 2015 12:43 PM
Brainstorm or Shitstorm?Full disclosure: The title of this blog post is not original. I borrowed it from a new client of mine, Jess Seilheimer, Chief Strategy Officer of MWW -- a force of nature who recently invited my company, Idea Champions,...
Posted in The Heart of Innovation on June 8, 2015 10:38 PM
The Incremental Improvement TrapIn today's nano-second, downsized, caffeine-buzzed business world, corporations are increasingly demanding that "their people" redouble their efforts to find new and better ways of getting the job done. If this were the 1950's, an efficiency expert might be called...
Posted in The Heart of Innovation on June 1, 2015 11:17 PM
What Kind of Stories Will You Tell?Here's a story you can probably relate to. You are walking down the street when a friend, coming the other way, stops, looks you in the eye, and asks "Whassup?" It's a question you've heard a thousand times before...
Posted in The Heart of Innovation on May 20, 2015 08:35 PM
Why Create a Culture of Storytelling?Unless you've been living in solitary confinement for the past few years, chances are good that you are a member of some kind of organization or community -- a gathering of people who have come together in service to...
Posted in The Heart of Innovation on May 8, 2015 05:04 PM
Three Audacious Creativity Quotes to Awaken Your Inner MojoIdea Champions Innovation Through Storytelling Innovation Keynotes...
Posted in The Heart of Innovation on May 4, 2015 01:42 AM
The Four Lenses of InnovationThe Heart of Innovation is happy to present the following guest post from Rowan Gibson, author of the recently published The Four Lenses of Innovation. Enjoy! Ever wondered where big, breakthrough ideas come from? How do innovators manage to spot...
Posted in The Heart of Innovation on May 1, 2015 01:48 PM
The Professor and the JarA college professor stood before his philosophy class at the start of a new semester. Silently, he picked up a very large jar and filled it with golf balls. Then he asked the students if the jar was full....
Posted in The Heart of Innovation on May 1, 2015 09:36 AM
The Power of TearsSocial media did not exist when I was 26. But social work did -- a profession dedicated to improving the quality of life for individuals, groups, families, couples, and communities. As the Golden Boy of an upper middle class...
Posted in The Heart of Innovation on April 28, 2015 07:11 PM
Thank You!Idea Champions...
Posted in The Heart of Innovation on April 24, 2015 03:08 AM
The Four Lenses of InnovationA wonderful new book on innovation, by Rowan Gibson, THE FOUR LENSES OF INNOVATION: A Power Tool for Creative Thinking, has recently been published by Wiley. Rowan Gibson is the real deal -- a lucid, passionate, creative thought leader...
Posted in The Heart of Innovation on April 10, 2015 03:09 PM
The 8 Dimensions of a Brainstorm SessionMost people think brainstorming sessions are all about ideas -- much in the same way Wall Street bankers think life is all about money. While ideas are certainly a big part of brainstorming, they are only a part. People...
Posted in The Heart of Innovation on April 9, 2015 01:17 AM
What On-The-Job Wisdom Lessons Are Most Compelling to You?If you have four minutes and are interested in the topic of storytelling in business, I invite you to respond to my online poll -- your chance to tell me what themes about storytelling in the workplace are most...
Posted in The Heart of Innovation on April 3, 2015 12:53 PM
STORYTELLING AT WORK: The Mailing ListIf you would like to receive an email alert when my forthcoming book is published in the Fall, just click this link and write your email address in the space provided. Takes 30 seconds. Below are a few excerpts...
Posted in The Heart of Innovation on April 2, 2015 04:27 PM
WANT TO RAISE THE BAR FOR FOLLOW UP? Tell This StoryOne of the biggest complaints I hear from my clients, especially clients who have lead or participated in brainstorming sessions, is that follow-up is often underwhelming. People who attend these kinds of meetings may generate a lot of ideas,...
Posted in The Heart of Innovation on March 20, 2015 01:26 PM
Winning the Fundraising GameIf you are a mover and a shaker for a non-profit, arts organization, start up, or other capital-constrained enterprise, chances are good that you spend way too much time thinking about the "F" word -- fundraising. While the mission...
Posted in The Heart of Innovation on March 8, 2015 07:58 PM
How to Cultivate a Culture of InnovationInnovation, the endless effort to find a better way, cannot be achieved by robotically lining up best practices and imitating them. The real catalyzing agent for innovation is the ground from which these best practices spring -- the confluence...
Posted in The Heart of Innovation on March 6, 2015 03:10 PM
Turn Your Ideas Into Digital Art!This just in from my 20-year old son, Jesse, a third year digital media student at Hampshire College: Just recently, I was prompted by one of my art classes to create a social art project. No definition of "social"...
Posted in The Heart of Innovation on March 4, 2015 07:42 AM
How to Deliver a Meaningful, Memorable Message QuicklyHINT: It has nothing to do with pep talks, powerpoint shows, case studies, statistics, data, performance reviews, carrots, or sticks. Give up? Stories. That's right. Stories. Storytelling, done well, is the most effective way to deliver a meaningful, memorable...
Posted in The Heart of Innovation on February 28, 2015 01:36 PM
I Am Moving to a Blog CabinI see the future. Everyone will have a blog. Every blogger's pet will have a blog. Every blog will have a blog. Every blog's blog will have a blog. No one will be reading any of these blogs because...
Posted in The Heart of Innovation on February 27, 2015 05:32 PM
GUY WIRE: The Art of InnovationHere is a no BS, engaging, entertaining, honorable 21-minute talk on innovation, by the extremely refreshing Guy Kawasaki. Many pearls of wisdom in this and some good jokes. Idea Champions...
Posted in The Heart of Innovation on February 22, 2015 05:33 PM
The Idiot Savant's Guide to Sparking Innovation On the JobHere's a common scenario: An acquaintance passes you on the street, stops, and asks how you're doing. You begin responding with some meaningful updates about your life, but the person asking you the question seems quite distracted -- surprised...
Posted in The Heart of Innovation on February 18, 2015 06:51 PM
On Being an Idea ChampionThere's a reason why the expression "ideas are a dime a dozen" is so popular. Because they are. It's easy to get ideas. What's not so easy is championing ideas. And by "championing", I am referring to the kind...
Posted in The Heart of Innovation on February 17, 2015 07:34 AM
How to Foster a Culture of InnovationWant a culture of innovation? Choose a few of the following guidelines and make them happen. If not YOU, who? If not NOW, when? 1. Remember that innovation requires no fixed rules or templates -- only guiding principles. Creating...
Posted in The Heart of Innovation on February 13, 2015 06:31 PM
The History (and Present) of Valentine's DayMost people think Valentine's Day was invented by Hallmark Cards. It wasn't. Valentine's Day is actually a well-documented, historical phenomenon -- its tangled roots winding their way through centuries worth of Christian liturgy, pagan tradition, myth, and an occasional...
Posted in The Heart of Innovation on February 11, 2015 01:19 AM
BE WHO YOU ARE (everyone else is already taken)My company, Idea Champions, is headquartered in a town that most people don't associate with corporate consulting -- Woodstock. Yes, THAT Woodstock -- the Woodstock the world has come to know and love as the geographical center of all...
Posted in The Heart of Innovation on February 6, 2015 12:54 AM
An Early Valentine's Gift for YouSome people say creativity is the key to innovation. Others say perseverance, teamwork, risk taking or R&D. I say LOVE. Yup, love. Without love, innovation shrivels and dies. Mozart has something to say about this, too. Anyway, Valentine's Day...
Posted in The Heart of Innovation on February 4, 2015 11:04 PM
The Secret to a Good TED TalkIdea Champions Ten Tips for Giving a Kick Ass Keynote When Oversleeping Before a Keynote is the Right Thing to Do...
Posted in The Heart of Innovation on February 3, 2015 11:22 PM
The Idiot's Guide to Managerial Success in the 21st CenturyIdea Champions Brainstorm Champions...
Posted in The Heart of Innovation on February 3, 2015 10:51 PM
CROSSING THE TEENAGE CHASM: The Power of Personal StorytellingThere are 16,593,242 teenage girls living in America. One of them lives in my house. That would be my daughter, Mimi, an extraordinary 17-year old who, shall we say, has been quite an education for me. If you have...
Posted in The Heart of Innovation on February 2, 2015 11:00 AM
Networks 'R UsHuman beings' classic, overarching metaphor to explain the underlying structure of what's going on here on planet Earth (and inside a human being, too) is shifting from "Tree of Knowledge" to "Networks." Has big time implications for how an...
Posted in The Heart of Innovation on January 30, 2015 02:08 AM
Why Videos Go ViralThis is a very useful 7-minute overview of why videos go viral by the TREND MANAGER at YouTube. Three main reasons: 1) Tastemakers; 2) Communities of Participation; 3) Unexpectedness. PS: In the next few days, I will be launching...
Posted in The Heart of Innovation on January 27, 2015 11:28 AM
Radio Woodstock in the House!We just received this very nice piece of feedback from the President of Radio Woodstock, Gary Chetkof. "Idea Champions was a true partner in helping us untangle some of the issues we were struggling with. They were very easy...
Posted in The Heart of Innovation on January 24, 2015 11:34 AM
21 Quotes on Appreciation1. "There is more hunger for love and appreciation in this world than for bread." - Mother Theresa 2. "If the only prayer you said in your whole life was, 'thank you,' that would suffice." - Meister Eckhart 3....
Posted in The Heart of Innovation on January 22, 2015 07:43 PM
How to Improve Teamwork in the Next Five MinutesUnless you've been in solitary confinement for the past few years, there's a good chance you are a member of some kind of team. There's also a good chance that the team you are a member of isn't always...
Posted in The Heart of Innovation on January 14, 2015 11:54 AM
A New Technique for Capturing the Attention of Business LeadersDuring the past 25 years I have worked with some of the most analytical people in the world: tax auditors, engineers, polymer chemists, actuaries, and rocket scientists just to name a few. In my effort to help these fine...
Posted in The Heart of Innovation on January 10, 2015 04:27 PM
VIDEO: Ideas Are Scary50 quotes on the power of ideas Let us scare you Scare yourselves That big beautiful idea of yours...
Posted in The Heart of Innovation on January 8, 2015 04:10 PM
If You Like This Blog, You Will Love Our Rejuvenated WebsiteIf you enjoy reading this blog, please accept my invitation to check out the our new website -- newly renovated, rejuvenated, reorganized, clarified, and simplified. Here are some links, from the site, to whet your appetite:...
Posted in The Heart of Innovation on January 5, 2015 11:42 PM
The Relationship Between Storytelling, Humor, Innovation, and My French Mother-in-LawOK. I know you don't have 34 minutes to listen to this podcast. Of course you don't have 34 minutes. Do you know ANYONE not in traction or jail who has 34 minutes? But you might have three minutes,...
Posted in The Heart of Innovation on January 3, 2015 02:35 PM
Setting the StandardA big thank you to guest blogger, Val Vadeboncoeur, Idea Champions Director of Training, for this inspiring post from the world of classical conducting. In March, 2011, the editors of BBC Magazine asked 100 of the world's finest orchestra...
Posted in The Heart of Innovation on January 2, 2015 04:23 AM
Vote for Mitch Ditkoff as Best Innovation Blogger of the YearIf you have received any value, in 2014, from the postings in this blog, please consider casting your vote, today, for Mitch Ditkoff, the primary author of The Heart of Innovation -- now in the running for "Best Innovation...
Posted in The Heart of Innovation on December 30, 2014 09:43 AM
Cast Your Vote for the Top Innovation Blogger of 2014Click here. Then scroll down and enter your name and email address in the space provided. Then enter my name, MITCH DITKOFF, in the comments field. If you value another blogger's work more, enter THEIR name. Thank you, in...
Posted in The Heart of Innovation on December 29, 2014 11:03 AM
Storytelling and Business PodcastIf you are interested in the relationship between storytelling and business, you might like this just released 34-minute podcast -- Innovation Engine interviewing Idea Champions' co-founder and President, Mitch Ditkoff. Like the poet Muriel Rukyser once said, "The world...
Posted in The Heart of Innovation on December 27, 2014 02:50 PM
Happy Morphing in 2015!Idea Champions Brainstorm Champions...
Posted in The Heart of Innovation on December 26, 2014 10:04 AM
The 25 Most Influential Innovation Blogs and Experts: 2014GOOD NEWS! Idea Champions' The Heart of Innovation blog was just chosen as one of the top 25 "innovation blogs and experts" of 2014 (just 86 years after the first American Yo Yo factory opened in California). Check it...
Posted in The Heart of Innovation on December 23, 2014 11:04 PM
The Seed of Innovation MomentIf you want to foster innovation in your company, stop obsessing about programs and initiatives for a moment and simply help your people learn how to tune into the seed of innovation moment. It's much less expensive, and much...
Posted in The Heart of Innovation on December 15, 2014 12:56 AM
BIG IDEA: Empowering the HomelessWhat idea do you have to make a difference? What can YOU do to go beyond the obvious and really be of service to people in need? And if you work in an organization, how can you rally the troops...
Posted in The Heart of Innovation on December 13, 2014 07:46 PM
Win a Subscription to Free the GenieIn an effort to ho, ho, ho the ground for innovation in 2015 (and in gratitude for YOU being a reader of Heart of Innovation), Idea Champions will be giving away five annual subscriptions to our Free the Genie...
Posted in The Heart of Innovation on December 10, 2014 12:28 PM
How to Jump Start Brilliance in 2015 in an Extremely Cost Effective WayThe first company that says YES to Idea Champions' brainstorm facilitation training (and signs a contract by 12/31) receives a 20% discount. This ain't eBay folks, but it IS a good deal. Operators are NOT standing by. (We don't...
Posted in The Heart of Innovation on December 9, 2014 04:41 PM
PEACE: The Ultimate InnovationPEACE ON EARTH: The biggest innovation possible. (And it begins with YOU -- right here, right now). Idea Champions Brainstorm Champions...
Posted in The Heart of Innovation on December 7, 2014 11:16 PM
Who We Are and What We DoWhen my mother was alive, she would ask me, at regular intervals, what I did for a living. I would do my best to explain it to her but, somehow, her explanations to her friends around the canasta table...
Posted in The Heart of Innovation on December 6, 2014 02:53 PM
"What Is There at This Moment That You Lack?" Said the Zen MasterIdea Champions...
Posted in The Heart of Innovation on December 6, 2014 01:24 AM
How Big Ideas Make Their Appearance at the Most Unexpected TimesJust published in the Huffington Post -- the story of how BIG IDEAS sometimes manifest in the most unexpected situations -- in this case, the idea for a business blues band that came to me late one night, as...
Posted in The Heart of Innovation on December 2, 2014 04:33 PM
Jump Start Innovation the Easy WayAre you interested in raising the bar for innovation in your organization? Do you want to jump start creativity? Curious to explore new ways of upgrading the quality of your brainstorming sessions? If so, here are eight short videos...
Posted in The Heart of Innovation on November 25, 2014 03:20 PM
The Carrot ClarinetIdea Champions...
Posted in The Heart of Innovation on November 19, 2014 10:43 PM
CREATIVITY SECRET #8: Act As If!Do you know what the opposite of a "professional" is? A "confessional." And, at the risk of being unprofessional, here's mine: One of the great secrets to manifesting anything on planet Earth is to act as if -- to...
Posted in The Heart of Innovation on November 18, 2014 02:17 PM
Our New Brainstorm WebsiteBrainstormChampions.com Our NYC showcase on 11/19...
Posted in The Heart of Innovation on November 5, 2014 11:37 PM
Thoroughly Thoreau"I have learned, that if one advances confidently in the direction of his dreams, and endeavors to live the life he has imagined, he will meet with a success unexpected in common hours." -- Henry David Thoreau...
Posted in The Heart of Innovation on November 3, 2014 10:32 PM
Innovation Pipeline or Pipedream?More Innovation Keynotes...
Posted in The Heart of Innovation on October 26, 2014 10:55 PM
Why Does Your Company Brainstorm?We asked 20 of our clients WHY their companies conduct brainstorming sessions. Here's what they told us, on a scale of 1-5. 4.27 Get different points of view 4.11 Spark creative thinking 4.11 Originate fresh approaches 4.05 Create new...
Posted in The Heart of Innovation on October 23, 2014 01:51 PM
What Does This Picture Mean to You?Idea Champions Brainstorm Champions...
Posted in The Heart of Innovation on October 21, 2014 04:52 PM
Join Us in NYC on November 19thwww.BrainstormChampions.com...
Posted in The Heart of Innovation on October 14, 2014 11:59 PM
Playing With Parkinson'sQ. What do Muhammed Ali, Billy Graham, Roger Bannister, Steve Allen, Linda Ronstadt, Michael J. Fox, and Robin Williams all have in common? A. Each of them have inspired and delighted millions of people. And each of them have...
Posted in The Heart of Innovation on October 9, 2014 06:01 AM
THE SEED OF INNOVATION MOMENT: A 3-Minute Video TutorialIf you are trying to spark a renaissance of innovation in your company by launching some kind of "innovation initiative", consider the fact that the seed of innovation is already available in every conversation that people are having. This...
Posted in The Heart of Innovation on October 7, 2014 03:51 PM
HOW TO FACILITATE BRAINSTORMING SESSIONS: A 5 Minute Video TutorialHere's a 5-minute video tutorial on the eight dimensions of a brainstorming session. Most facilitators think brainstorm sessions are all about ideation. They're not. There are seven other variables at play that effect the outcome of your ideational efforts....
Posted in The Heart of Innovation on October 1, 2014 03:53 PM
Is Peace the Innovation We Need the Most?"Innovation" continues to be a hot topic in corporate circles these days -- a "competitive edge" organizations are increasingly attempting to hone so they can not only differentiate themselves from the competition, but survive in today's topsy turvy economy....
Posted in The Heart of Innovation on September 15, 2014 02:35 PM
JUST RELEASED -- Citizens of the EarthHere's a powerful, 2-minute video, that supports the message of the International Day of Peace. If you would like to encourage your friends, family, co-workers, neighbors, and customers to pause for a moment and reflect on the need for...
Posted in The Heart of Innovation on September 13, 2014 03:35 PM
The Big, Hairy Moment of TruthThere is a moment in everyone's life when all the cards are on the table, all the chips, too -- the moment of truth when the entire universe, it seems, is conspiring to call one's attention to the choice...
Posted in The Heart of Innovation on September 9, 2014 03:17 PM
REAL ROI: Return on Imagination!If you're a champion of innovation, chances are good you've encountered the ROI beast more than a few times -- senior leaders looking at you cross-eyed and questioning the value of your efforts. Stop the madness! Change the game! Forward...
Posted in The Heart of Innovation on September 1, 2014 11:26 AM
How to Prepare for a Brainstorming SessionOur latest Huffington Post article on how to prepare for a brainstorming session. Brainstorm facilitation training...
Posted in The Heart of Innovation on August 22, 2014 05:17 PM
How Many Dancers Does It Take to Screw in a Lightbulb?Here is the answer to a question you probably never asked before because the answer seemed too difficult to figure out (or you were at a meeting). How many dancers does it take to screw in a light bulb?...
Posted in The Heart of Innovation on August 20, 2014 05:48 PM
The BeggarI have never been fired from a job. Except once -- a week after the man I wrote 350 speeches for in two years, Donald J. Manes, the Borough President of Queens, committed suicide in his kitchen because he...
Posted in The Heart of Innovation on August 7, 2014 08:37 PM
The Challenge of Virtual Brainstorm TrainingFor the past six months, Idea Champions has been delivering its Conducting Genius brainstorm facilitation training virtually as well as in person. We've learned a lot along the way and we'd like to take a few minutes, now, to...
Posted in The Heart of Innovation on August 2, 2014 07:01 PM
Unleashing Business BrillianceThat's what we do. And below are five ways we do it. Conducting Genius Engaging Innovation Ingenious Leadership What's the Problem? Team Innovation What our clients say...
Posted in The Heart of Innovation on August 2, 2014 05:00 PM
Brainstorm Training DNARecently, Idea Champions has getting a lot of requests for our brainstorm facilitation training. Not exactly sure WHY, at this moment of time, but it is a happening thing. What follows is a brief description of our approach. Conducting...
Posted in The Heart of Innovation on August 1, 2014 10:01 AM
Genius Is Simpler Than You Think, According to Mozart"Neither a lofty degree of intelligence, nor imagination, nor both together, go to the making of genius. Love, Love, Love. That is the soul of genius." Idea Champions...
Posted in The Heart of Innovation on July 31, 2014 09:22 PM
You Think YOU Have a Long Commute?And now for a little perspective, just in case business is slow or you haven't gotten the promotion you think you deserved. Idea Champions...
Posted in The Heart of Innovation on July 25, 2014 07:22 PM
It's National TRUST YOURSELF Week!This week, oh aspiring innovators, it's time to trust yourself. That's right. Trust. For the moment, forget about the business cases, spread sheets, best practices, data points, decision grids and the overly somber Six Sigmafication of your soul. You...
Posted in The Heart of Innovation on July 23, 2014 01:19 AM
10 Things You Can Do in the Next 3 Minutes1. Eat an apple 2. Brush your teeth 3. Sing a song 4. Make a to do list 5. Google yourself 6. Take your dog for a very short walk 7. Forgive your parents for being imperfect 8. Complain about...
Posted in The Heart of Innovation on July 14, 2014 01:11 AM
NOTES FROM THE EDGE: Creative Destruction Breeds New GrowthThe Heart of Innovation is pleased to post this wonderful piece by Lynnea Brinkerhoff, our OD Empress who recently attended a WOBI conference in NYC. This is her report. This just in! Notable disruptions at the edge of the...
Posted in The Heart of Innovation on July 11, 2014 02:11 PM
Rene Descartes Had It BackwardsRene Descartes, the famous French philosopher, mathematician, and writer is remembered by many as the author of the famous phrase, "I think therefore I am." With all due respect to the probably-way-smarter-than-me Mr.Descartes, I don't buy it. Based on...
Posted in The Heart of Innovation on July 7, 2014 06:39 PM
We Speak Right Brain AND Left BrainBecause our blog is entertaining and our home office is in Woodstock, some organizations overlook us -- assuming we are a niche player. Not true. Here's a sampling of our clients And, by the way, we were the first...
Posted in The Heart of Innovation on June 27, 2014 12:47 PM
Blue State Digital in the House!We're psyched! Blue State Digital -- a new media strategy and technology firm that specializes in online fundraising, advocacy, social networking, and constituency development has invited Idea Champions to custom design and lead a three-day brainstorm facilitation training for...
Posted in The Heart of Innovation on June 22, 2014 12:55 PM
Einstein Recommends Idea Champions!Creative thinking Collaboration Culture of innovation Communication...
Posted in The Heart of Innovation on June 21, 2014 11:29 PM
An Airport, an I-Phone, and MagicOK, all you under-funded entrepreneurs, start-ups, filmmakers, non-profits, dreamers, teen wizards, and closet geniuses -- here's your inspiration for the day: a 5-minute video shot by weary traveler and lighting designer, Richard Dunn, on his iPhone, late one night at...
Posted in The Heart of Innovation on June 18, 2014 09:50 AM
Brainstorming Website Coming Soon!Idea Champions...
Posted in The Heart of Innovation on June 11, 2014 11:14 PM
Got Ideation Process?Need one?...
Posted in The Heart of Innovation on June 7, 2014 09:53 PM
What Is Your Big Idea?I know you have a big idea. A juicy one. One you have a hard time not thinking about. What is it? And what is your next step to get it out of your head and into the world?...
Posted in The Heart of Innovation on June 4, 2014 02:53 PM
Solar Freakin' RoadwaysHere's a brilliant idea and an Indiegogo project worth supporting. Idea Champions...
Posted in The Heart of Innovation on June 2, 2014 06:30 AM
THE BEST CITY IN THE WORLD: Simplicity...
Posted in The Heart of Innovation on June 1, 2014 11:36 AM
Strike Up the Bandwidth!Brainstorm Facilitation Training 50 quotes on possibility...
Posted in The Heart of Innovation on May 16, 2014 05:21 PM
Things Are Turning Around!OK. The economy may be in the toilet, your job may be unstable, and your cash flow may not be, but better days are ahead! And it all begins with this video. Turn up the volume! Go full screen! Idea...
Posted in The Heart of Innovation on May 3, 2014 04:41 PM
Pixar's 22 Rules for StorytellingPixar's 22 Rules to Phenomenal Storytelling from Gavin McMahon Storytelling in Business Share tacit knowledge at work...
Posted in The Heart of Innovation on May 2, 2014 01:23 PM
What Are the Benefits of Storytelling in Business?There's a new growth industry in town -- ORGANIZATIONAL STORYTELLING -- half art, half science and totally fascinating. It's roots go back... let's see... um... er... 100,000 years -- long before written language -- the time when our ancestors...
Posted in The Heart of Innovation on April 30, 2014 11:53 AM
On the Brink of a BreakthroughThe following piece, written by Thomas Wolfe, is the most moving thing I've ever read about what it takes to stand at the crossroads of one's creative calling -- utterly alone, howling at the void, and yet, at the...
Posted in The Heart of Innovation on April 18, 2014 03:24 AM
Storytelling in Business InfographicInfographic: LookBookHQ and Beutler Ink Sagacious storytelling in business Great storytelling quotes Idea Champions...
Posted in The Heart of Innovation on April 9, 2014 04:25 PM
Not Knowing What Can't Be DoneWho do you need to collaborate with who lives the spirit of what Henry Ford was talking about? And when will you contact them? Idea Champions...
Posted in The Heart of Innovation on April 7, 2014 02:20 PM
Sagacious Storytelling in BusinessQuotes on storytelling Business storytelling workshop What our clients say...
Posted in The Heart of Innovation on April 3, 2014 12:34 AM
Zen Innovation Koan of the DayIdea Champions...
Posted in The Heart of Innovation on April 2, 2014 08:35 PM
What Makes a High Performing Innovation Council?During the past 25 years I've seen a lot of innovation councils (aka "innovation task forces") come and go. Some of them looked good at the beginning and died a slow death. Some of them looked bad at the...
Posted in The Heart of Innovation on April 1, 2014 01:29 AM
56 Reasons Why Most Corporate Innovation Initiatives FailInnovation is in these days. The word is on the lips of every CEO, CFO, CIO, and anyone else with a three-letter acronym after their name. As a result, many organizations are launching all kinds of "innovation initiatives" --...
Posted in The Heart of Innovation on March 29, 2014 01:31 PM
That Big Beautiful Idea of YoursWhat big, beautiful idea of yours needs just the right touch of collaboration, support, and immersion to see the light of day? Your next step? And when will you take it? One way to get rolling Brainstorm facilitation training...
Posted in The Heart of Innovation on March 29, 2014 10:00 AM
Secrets of the Best TED SpeakersWant to perk up your public presentations? Take a look at Carmine Gallo's new book TALK LIKE TED: The 9 Public Speaking Secrets of the World's Top Minds. Gallo studied more than 500 TED presentations and has distilled what...
Posted in The Heart of Innovation on March 22, 2014 09:27 AM
The World Is Made of StoriesMy book on this topic will be published in December. Click here if you want to know more about it and help make it happen. Excerpt from the book...
Posted in The Heart of Innovation on March 21, 2014 02:20 PM
What You Can Learn, in the Next Five Minutes, from a Ping Pong BallBig thanks to Val Vadeboncoeur, Idea Champions' Director of Training, for this insightful post on an important topic. I have a handyman friend, Paul Duffy, who is a real-life MacGyver and possesses an uncanny ability to improvise an inexpensive...
Posted in The Heart of Innovation on March 21, 2014 06:46 AM
Every Innovator Has a Story. What's Yours? And When Will You Tell It?WISDOM AT WORK: Quotes About the Power of Story from Mitch Ditkoff Click full screen for maximum impact My GoFundMe campaign Idea Champions...
Posted in The Heart of Innovation on March 20, 2014 03:18 PM
A Cool Online Creative Thinking ToolGot a challenge? Need a big idea, insight, or breakthrough? Try Idea Champions' online creative thinking tool, The Idea Lottery. Absolutely free. You'll need a question to brainstorm and about 10 minutes. We teach this and other innovation catalysts...
Posted in The Heart of Innovation on March 19, 2014 08:38 PM
How to Spark Wisdom in the WorkplaceDear Heart of Innovation Readers: If you have received any value from this blog and would be interested in supporting my next, big project -- now launched as a GoFundMe campaign -- click here for a 3-minute video of...
Posted in The Heart of Innovation on March 16, 2014 09:35 AM
Writing Speeches, Saying NothingHenry Miller wrote 10,000 pages before a single word of his was ever published. Richard Bach had to endure Jonathan Livingston Seagull being rejected 18 times before it went on to sell 60 million copies. Salman Rushdie, after the...
Posted in The Heart of Innovation on March 10, 2014 04:08 AM
Your Money or Your LifeFor the life of me, I cannot remember the name of the financial services company that left me an urgent voice mail message asking that I call them back immediately about my availability to lead their annual leadership retreat...
Posted in The Heart of Innovation on March 7, 2014 11:28 AM
How a Big Idea Can Open Doors, Minds, and Exciting New PossibilitiesHow I ended up on the 50-yard line of Mile High Stadium two hours before the high-flying Denver Broncos were about to play the Oakland Raiders in the 1978 AFC Championship game -- one that would determine who would...
Posted in The Heart of Innovation on March 5, 2014 10:53 AM
Follow Your Feeling, Not the Money TrailSometimes, you just gotta follow your feeling, not the money trail. A new article of ours just published in the Huffington Post....
Posted in The Heart of Innovation on March 1, 2014 12:07 AM
How to Open the Door to InnovationThere is no magic pill, but there is a key. And the key has a lot to do with creating a critical mass of savvy innovation catalysts and change agents who know how to open doors (and minds). Idea...
Posted in The Heart of Innovation on February 19, 2014 08:32 PM
Would You Invest Three Hours to Save Yourself Months of Wasted Effort?Idea Champions has just launched a groundbreaking three-hour workshop that will save your organization untold time, tons of money, and a thousand pounding headaches you can't afford to have. What our clients say...
Posted in The Heart of Innovation on February 17, 2014 02:18 PM
How to Help Your Senior Team Get Aligned About a Strategic DirectionI am totally inspired by the feedback that Steven McHugh, co-Founder and Chief Innovation Officer of Idea Champions, received from Life Care Centers of America, in response to a two-day Senior Team Strategy Offsite he designed and facilitated for...
Posted in The Heart of Innovation on February 15, 2014 01:26 PM
When a Brainstorming Session is Not a Brainstorming SessionI finally figured out why so many brainstorming sessions fail. It's the exact same reason why so many marriages fail. The couple shouldn't have gotten married in the first place. Many brainstorm sessions that are called never should have...
Posted in The Heart of Innovation on February 12, 2014 10:23 PM
BRAINSTORMING TIP #19: First Diverge, Then ConvergeIf you are gearing up for a brainstorm session, allow me to offer you one piece of advice: first diverge, then converge. Beyond the muffins, coffee, and people arriving fashionably late, brainstorm sessions are composed of the two aforementioned...
Posted in The Heart of Innovation on February 8, 2014 11:36 PM
How to Prepare for BrainstormingAficionados of the martial arts will tell you that a competition between two opponents is determined in the bow -- the moment before the "action" begins. Savvy gardeners will tell you that if you really want to get a...
Posted in The Heart of Innovation on February 1, 2014 06:57 AM
Guess Who's a TOP FIVE Speaker in the Field of Innovation & Creativity?Idea Champions is happy to announce that its Co-Founder and President, Mitch Ditkoff, has just been acknowledged as a TOP FIVE speaker in the field of innovation/creativity by Speaker's Platform, one of America's leading speaker bureaus. Here is a...
Posted in The Heart of Innovation on January 29, 2014 09:39 AM
A Conference Call in Real LifeIdea Champions...
Posted in The Heart of Innovation on January 28, 2014 02:05 AM
Creators on CreatingCreators on Creating View more presentations from Mitch Ditkoff Idea Champions What We Do Sampling of our articles Our innovation keynotes...
Posted in The Heart of Innovation on January 27, 2014 07:41 PM
The Joe Belinsky Factor"Time is relative," explained Albert Einstein. "When you touch a hot stove for a second, it feels like eternity. When you sit with a pretty woman for an hour, it feels like a second."...
Posted in The Heart of Innovation on January 24, 2014 10:35 PM
Einstein on Mistakes"Anyone who has never made a mistake has never tried anything new." - Albert Einstein Idea Champions The Innovation Accelerator Brainstorm Facilitation Training Applied Innovation for High Potentials...
Posted in The Heart of Innovation on January 18, 2014 09:17 PM
What Business Can Learn from BaseballA few years ago I ran across an article that got me thinking about how what we measure can change the way we think about what we measure, and how the latest technology that enables us to measure more...
Posted in The Heart of Innovation on January 17, 2014 02:43 PM
The Value of NothingWhen children are born prematurely, they're placed in incubators. When fields stop producing, farmers let them lay fallow. When baseball players are in a prolonged slump, they're given a day off. It's the same with innovators -- or should...
Posted in The Heart of Innovation on January 16, 2014 10:24 PM
Want a Brainstorming Breakthrough? Get the Right Question!There's a simple reason why so many brainstorm sessions are a waste of time. The problem statement being pitched to participants is the wrong one. This is not surprising -- especially when you consider how little time most facilitators...
Posted in The Heart of Innovation on January 13, 2014 04:06 PM
Suspend Logic, Linearity, and Analysis (at least for a few minutes)!Perhaps Einstein said it best when he declared "Not everything that can be counted counts and not everything that counts can be counted." He was referring, of course, to the part of the human being that knows intuitively -- the...
Posted in The Heart of Innovation on January 13, 2014 02:51 PM
How Do You Define Yourself?OK. Time to take a break from your business, your projects, and your fascination for innovation and watch this 13-minute TED video. It's a powerful message from a courageous young woman. A good link to send anyone you know who...
Posted in The Heart of Innovation on January 9, 2014 09:19 PM
Why a Diversity of Participants in a Brainstorming Session is So Important"Creativity is just connecting things. When you ask creative people how they did something, they feel a little guilty because they didn't really do it, they just saw something. That's because they were able to connect experiences they've had...
Posted in The Heart of Innovation on January 7, 2014 10:59 PM
Innovation in Loving Our FathersIf you're reading this, there's a good chance you are involved in some kind of effort to innovate and get out of the so-called box. But there's also a good chance you have a father -- living or not....
Posted in The Heart of Innovation on January 3, 2014 05:05 PM
Steve Jobs' Parents' Garage Now A LandmarkThe Los Altos, California, Historical Commission recently voted to designate 2066 Crist Drive -- the house where Steve Jobs grew up, with the legendary garage where Apple Computer was born -- as an "historic resource." It's not the only...
Posted in The Heart of Innovation on December 22, 2013 07:42 AM
The Fine Art of Blue Sky ThinkingIn 1989, Gary Kasparov, the Soviet Union Grand Chess Master, played a two game match against "Deep Blue," the reigning supercomputer of the time. Kasparov won easily. When asked by the media what his competitive advantage was, he cited...
Posted in The Heart of Innovation on December 10, 2013 10:40 PM
When Oversleeping Before a Big Keynote Presentation is the Perfect Thing to DoOne thing I do for a living is speak -- as in delivering keynote presentations to large groups of business people. Usually, I am very well-prepared -- but even when I'm well-prepared, part of my service includes waking up...
Posted in The Heart of Innovation on December 10, 2013 09:55 AM
15 Awesome Quotes on the Real Meaning of Work1. "The best way to find yourself is to lose yourself in the service of others." - Mahatma Gandhi 2. "Never worry about numbers. Help one person at a time, and always start with the person nearest you." -...
Posted in The Heart of Innovation on December 8, 2013 01:28 AM
Ten Seconds of Your TimeGot ten seconds? Value my contribution to the field of innovation and creativity? If so, please consider voting for me as TOP 5 SPEAKER in the field. A leading Speakers Bureau has just nominated me. It's a big honor...
Posted in The Heart of Innovation on December 5, 2013 07:54 PM
The Real Flowering of InnovationED.NOTE: The following is dedicated to all the male readers of this blog -- especially those who are married, work too hard, and think about "innovation" just a little too much. Today, in a sudden fit of love and...
Posted in The Heart of Innovation on December 3, 2013 12:36 AM
THE SECOND ANNUAL "Cartesian Spinoff Tagline" CONTESTRene Descartes, the famous 17th century philosopher, physicist, and mathematician, is best known for having distilled his world view down to five words: "I think, therefore I am." Very pithy of him. And so, in honor of The Father...
Posted in The Heart of Innovation on November 30, 2013 03:48 PM
What Are You Thankful For?Excerpted from Prem Rawat's 11/24/13 event in Boston Flower Prayer Illustration: Tim Gainey The Prem Rawat Foundation...
Posted in The Heart of Innovation on November 28, 2013 09:45 AM
Forget THINK TANKS. The Time Has Come for THANK TINKS!On this day of THANKSGIVING, I'm asking for your feedback on a new idea of mine which I have playfully named THANK TINKS. The idea is for organizations to provide their workforce with a simple, dependable way to express...
Posted in The Heart of Innovation on November 27, 2013 12:41 PM
The Woodstock Festival of Thanksgiving!Ask just about anyone on planet earth what comes to mind when they hear the word "Woodstock" and they will most likely say one of three things: Peace, Love, or Music. Makes perfect sense -- especially since that's what...
Posted in The Heart of Innovation on November 22, 2013 09:10 PM
The Art of Capturing AttentionHow can you or the company you work for use video more effectively to deliver a message, promote a product, or capture the attention of the people to whom you are trying to communicate? Capture attention! Capturing attention at...
Posted in The Heart of Innovation on November 21, 2013 11:13 AM
The #1 Online Training in the WorldVoted the #1 online brainstorm facilitation training in the world by an extremely biased selection of carefully selected people we've known for years. Actual testimonials by real clients Idea Champions...
Posted in The Heart of Innovation on November 19, 2013 09:38 PM
A Non-Traditional ProposalYour business, organization, team, department, or community can learn a lot from this video. What, specifically, is for YOU to figure out. To increase the odds, ask yourself: "In what ways might we infuse a key project of ours...
Posted in The Heart of Innovation on November 18, 2013 12:39 PM
The Top 18 High Tech ExcusesA few months ago I asked readers of this blog to tell me what they thought the most common high tech excuses were -- the modern day, techno-centric equivalents to "The dog ate my homework." Here's what they told...
Posted in The Heart of Innovation on November 16, 2013 04:53 PM
One Reason Why Brainstorming FailsAdvertising executive Alex Osborn, frustrated by his employees' inability to come up with novel and creative ideas, invented the concept of brainstorming in the late 1930's. His 1953 book, Applied Imagination, described how to apply the concept in very...
Posted in The Heart of Innovation on November 14, 2013 09:00 PM
Wake Up the Passion to InnovateInnovation is a big fat generic concept in most corporations -- like life on other planets or trying to get teenagers to clean up their room. Unless the individuals within an organization have a genuine sense of urgency, personal...
Posted in The Heart of Innovation on November 2, 2013 01:17 AM
Let Go of Perfectionism!Card from Free the Genie Online version, too!...
Posted in The Heart of Innovation on November 1, 2013 02:20 PM
What Is Innovation?Inspiring 2-minute video for anyone interested in innovation. BTW, if you google "definitions of innovation," you will get more than 27 million references. What is innovation? from Rafa Galeano on Vimeo. One way we unleash it Our Innovation Accelerator...
Posted in The Heart of Innovation on October 31, 2013 06:25 PM
Virtual Brainstorm Facilitation TrainingWe've done it! We've belled the cat. We've created the perpetual motion machine of facilitator training. We've found the Holy Grail. More precisely, we've figured out how to virtually train people to become savvy brainstorm facilitators! We rule! And...
Posted in The Heart of Innovation on October 26, 2013 07:56 AM
It All Began With BallsSometimes you just gotta take a risk -- especially when its time to launch a new product, service, or business. Easy to say. Harder to do. Here is the story of how my business partner and I did exactly...
Posted in The Heart of Innovation on October 23, 2013 08:14 PM
WOBI: Big Visions, Little Strokes and Everything in BetweenThe Heart of Innovation is happy to publish the following guest post from Lynnea Brinkerhoff, Idea Champions' Empress of Organizational Development, reporting on the June, 2013 WOBI conference in New York City. Lobby crawling at the World Business Forum...
Posted in The Heart of Innovation on October 22, 2013 09:51 AM
Look to Nature for a Creative BreakthroughLeonardo DaVinci got his idea for the airplane by watching birds in flight. The creators of Kung Fu developed many of their techniques by watching animals fight. The pharmaceutical industry develops many of its "miracle cures" by studying the...
Posted in The Heart of Innovation on October 22, 2013 02:15 AM
One Coin Is All It TakesWho's gonna put the coin in the hat in your business? Who's gonna play? Idea Champions...
Posted in The Heart of Innovation on October 16, 2013 05:04 PM
The School in the CloudThis is quite extraordinary. Sugata Mitra's TED talk on the future of learning. Blows the top off of what you think education is and how you think it happens. Exciting times! Idea Champions...
Posted in The Heart of Innovation on October 16, 2013 03:53 PM
Go Beyond the Impostor SyndromeIn a rapidly changing, highly complex and unpredictable world, leadership has little to do with being the smartest person in the room. It is often the case that those holding positions of authority believe they must justify their position...
Posted in The Heart of Innovation on October 15, 2013 01:50 AM
The Musical Dynamics of Brainstorm FacilitationA well-facilitated brainstorming session is like a symphony -- or, at the very least, a really good performance of any kind of music. Embedded in its DNA are dynamics (i.e. "variation and contrast in force and intensity") -- the...
Posted in The Heart of Innovation on October 11, 2013 02:48 PM
The Telekinesis Coffee ShopThis is a brilliant marketing idea made manifest -- a way to promote a new movie, virally, via some real-time faux telekinesis in a coffee shop. Idea Champions...
Posted in The Heart of Innovation on October 8, 2013 06:02 PM
THE NEXT BIG INNOVATION: Peace!There's a lot of different kinds of innovation going on in the world today -- business model innovation, product innovation, process innovation, disruptive innovation, and so forth. But there's another kind of innovation that most of us are ignoring...
Posted in The Heart of Innovation on September 29, 2013 02:04 PM
Miles Davis on MistakesIdea Champions 50 quotes on failure 50 quotes on risk taking...
Posted in The Heart of Innovation on September 28, 2013 11:43 PM
It All Began With BallsMost companies begin on a shoe-string -- under-funded, under the gun, and under the radar. The company I co-founded in 1986, Idea Champions, was no exception. When my business partner and I began, we had almost nothing -- just...
Posted in The Heart of Innovation on September 27, 2013 04:57 AM
The Top 10 Reasons Why The 10 Top Reasons Don't Matter1. If you need more data to prove your point, you'll never have enough data to prove your point. 2. Being unreasonable is often an innovator's biggest advantage. 3. Analysis paralysis. 4. You already know what to do. 5. You're...
Posted in The Heart of Innovation on September 18, 2013 11:01 PM
The Upturn Is Upon Us!If you are having one of those days where you are obsessing about the economy, your cash flow, and the general state of the world, take three minutes and watch this video. (HINT: It all depends what you focus...
Posted in The Heart of Innovation on September 16, 2013 09:55 AM
Here's to the Crazy Ones!Find the "crazy ones" in your organization. The mavericks. The fools. The flakes. Start listening to them. Give them room to move. They are the future -- even if they make you feel uncomfortable. Free the Genie Idea Champions Awake...
Posted in The Heart of Innovation on September 14, 2013 09:02 AM
The Nancy FactorSee the picture to your left? Of course you do. That's Nancy Seroka, Idea Champions' Director of Operations, World Class Administrator, and Queen of Client Relations. Without Nancy, there would be no Idea Champions. Nancy is the glue, the...
Posted in The Heart of Innovation on May 28, 2013 10:13 AM
Crowdsourcing Life Changing BooksHere's a link to a cool new website devoted to crowdsourcing the ultimate list of life-changing books. You can add a book to the list or you can vote for books that have helped transform your life. Or both....
Posted in The Heart of Innovation on May 26, 2013 11:37 PM
Why Train People to Be Masterful Brainstorm Facilitators in 2014Why train people to become brainstorm facilitators? from Mitch Ditkoff The 8 dimensions of a brainstorm session What our clients say Idea Champions...
Posted in The Heart of Innovation on May 24, 2013 09:55 PM
Our Top 10 Huffington Post ArticlesYou may not know this, but our semi-fearless leader and Co-Founder of Idea Champions, Mitch Ditkoff, is now blogging for the Huffington Post on a variety of topics. Below is a sampling. If you like what you read, FAN him...
Posted in The Heart of Innovation on May 23, 2013 02:46 PM
The Corporate Crapola FilterDear Potential Clients: With all due respect, please do not call us if your organization is addicted to the scenario being played out in the cartoon to your left. If this was 10 years ago, we may have said...
Posted in The Heart of Innovation on May 22, 2013 06:51 AM
Making the World's Smallest MovieIdea Champions...
Posted in The Heart of Innovation on May 21, 2013 11:40 PM
Everything You Wanted to Know About Innovation But Forgot to AskThanks to my son, Jesse, for the timely heads up -- the first online resource he shared with me upon his return from his first year of college (Hampshire). Let's hear it for higher education! Idea Champions...
Posted in The Heart of Innovation on May 12, 2013 08:29 PM
The Inventive Inventory of Inventions Not Invented By Inventing InventorsWhat do LSD, corn flakes, dynamite, saccharine, the microwave oven, viagra, the Pacemaker, velcro, penicillin, anaesthesia, the Slinky, Play Doh, Silly Putty, Post-its, and vulcanized rubber all have in common? They were all discovered by accident. Read more about this...
Posted in The Heart of Innovation on May 6, 2013 11:37 PM
Yo Yo Mastery and You YouThis guy is completely off the charts. Wow! Think about what YOU are committed to and WHAT you need to do to develop the kind of mastery this young man demonstrates. Idea Champions What we do Ingenious Leadership...
Posted in The Heart of Innovation on April 22, 2013 12:28 PM
Honor Your Unusual SuspectsOne thing I've noticed during the past 25 year of leading brainstorming sessions for a wide variety of Fortune 500 companies is the weird tendency many organizations have to under-value their "unusual suspects" -- people who don't show up on...
Posted in The Heart of Innovation on April 20, 2013 07:30 PM
WORK: The Chance to Find YourselfIdea Champions...
Posted in The Heart of Innovation on April 14, 2013 03:10 PM
The Joy of HecklingSometimes seemingly "bad things" morph into "good things". It all depends on how we perceive things and then how we act on our perception in a way that transforms. Here is an example of what I'm talking about -- a...
Posted in The Heart of Innovation on April 6, 2013 10:22 AM
Infusing Your Workplace with Humanity62% of all Americans are dissatisfied with their work. 85% of the general public don't trust business leaders to tell the truth when confronted with difficult issues. If YOUR organization wants to explore practical ways of raising the quality...
Posted in The Heart of Innovation on March 27, 2013 10:33 AM
The Woodstock RegenerationBlue Pearl, Woodstock, NY from Mitch Ditkoff If you want to "get away from it all" for a romantic getaway this Spring or Summer (or just want a weekend to chill out), consider the Blue Pearl in Woodstock, NY...
Posted in The Heart of Innovation on March 26, 2013 11:12 AM
Looking for a Savvy Website Designer?If you are looking for a web savvy graphic designer you can trust to create your new website, I recommend Aliza Corrado, Founder of Studio Motif. Aliza is creative, dedicated, collaborative, honest, and delivers exactly what she promises --...
Posted in The Heart of Innovation on March 22, 2013 02:38 PM
The Humanize the Workplace PollIf you work for an organization that needs to become a more benevolent and humane workplace, I invite you to respond to Idea Champions' new Humanizing the Workplace poll. Not only will it jump start your thinking about simple changes...
Posted in The Heart of Innovation on March 21, 2013 08:15 AM
How to Humanize the WorkplaceA recent poll has revealed that 62% of Americans are dissatisified with their work. While there are a lot of contributing factors, one BIG factor is that most workplace environments are not wired to bring out the best in people....
Posted in The Heart of Innovation on March 20, 2013 12:32 PM
When Kindness Goes ViralYes, innovation is important. Of course it is. (That's why you read this blog). But so is kindness. Very important. Indeed, if I was forced to pick between the two, I'd choose the second. In a heartbeat. What simple...
Posted in The Heart of Innovation on March 19, 2013 12:58 AM
An Invitation to the Humanizing the Workplace TeleSummit on April 4thGood news! On April 4th, 7:00 pm (EST), I will be interviewed, live, by one of the founders of the Positivity Project and YOU are invited to tune in. My topic? Humanizing the Workplace. All you need is a phone...
Posted in The Heart of Innovation on March 13, 2013 11:47 AM
The Seed of Innovation MomentLet's cut to the chase: Innovation doesn't begin with processes, structures, and protocols. It begins with inspiration. And where does inspiration come from? It comes from inside the impassioned mind and heart of each person who works in your organization....
Posted in The Heart of Innovation on March 7, 2013 08:08 PM
The Gift of an Ordinary DayI dedicate today's blog post to all Heart of Innovation readers who have grown children... or teenagers... or small children... or have ever been a child. Feel free to cry. Idea Champions...
Posted in The Heart of Innovation on March 2, 2013 05:38 PM
Collaborate to Innovate!During the past 25 years of consulting with some of the most forward thinking organizations in the world, I've noticed a curious trend. My clients' efforts to innovate, no matter how sincere or well-funded, usually undervalue one of the...
Posted in The Heart of Innovation on February 21, 2013 09:10 PM
One Referral = Mucho Dinero for YouIn my ongoing saga to do the least amount of marketing and sales as humanly possible with the most amount of ROE (Return on Effort), I am hereby launching Idea Champions' new and improved "Client Referral" campaign for your cash...
Posted in The Heart of Innovation on February 21, 2013 03:25 PM
Avoiding Reality at All CostsThe Heart of Innovation is thrilled to publish the following inspired rant by one of our favorite clients, Doug Stuke, Associate Professor at Post University's Malcolm Baldrige School of Business, Learning Head at Aetna, and all around cool guy. Doug's...
Posted in The Heart of Innovation on February 20, 2013 11:05 AM
NEW FROM IDEA CHAMPIONS: The Innovation AcceleratorI am happy to announce the launch of groundbreaking two-day workshop from Idea Champions: The Innovation Accelerator. The Innovation Accelerator is a highly engaging, hands on business incubator for creative thinkers, change agents, project teams and departments committed to...
Posted in The Heart of Innovation on February 8, 2013 10:45 PM
Huff Post Blogging 'R UsJust in case you haven't heard, Mitch is now a twice-a-week blogger for the HuffPost. Click here for easy access to his articles. If you like what you read, FAN him to receive email alerts. Idea Champions...
Posted in The Heart of Innovation on January 30, 2013 10:20 PM
Why Train People to Become Masterful Brainstorm FacilitatorsWhy train people to become brainstorm facilitators? from Mitch Ditkoff Idea Champions What our clients say about us...
Posted in The Heart of Innovation on January 26, 2013 12:58 PM
Getting Back Into Our Right BrainsThe following is by Val Vadeboncoeur, Idea Champions' Director of Training. "May God us keep from single vision & Newton's sleep." - William Blake The prolific Chris Hedges has written a powerful, new piece for Truthdig entitled "We Need Free...
Posted in The Heart of Innovation on January 18, 2013 10:11 PM
Walt Disney Speaks!Idea Champions...
Posted in The Heart of Innovation on January 17, 2013 09:38 PM
How to Go Beyond Self ImprovementIn 2012, more than five million books were published worldwide....
Posted in The Heart of Innovation on January 10, 2013 02:54 PM
Got the Business Blues? Sing It Out!If you work in an organization where complaint rules the day, it's time to do something about it. Yes, it's possible. Bitching and moaning can actually give way to genius and engagement. A homeopathic dose of the blues is...
Posted in The Heart of Innovation on January 8, 2013 07:07 PM
Why You Like Lists and Maybe Shouldn'tIf you are a lover of lists, you will probably find my most recent Huffington Post list right up your alley. If you, like Newton's Third Law of Motion, are the equal and opposite reaction to lists, you will find...
Posted in The Heart of Innovation on January 8, 2013 05:42 PM
The Social Media Revolution RevelationIdea Champions...
Posted in The Heart of Innovation on January 7, 2013 11:30 PM
The First Annual eBook PollIf you like this blog, you'll like our eBooks. But before we publish. we need your input. Click here to respond to our eBook poll....
Posted in The Heart of Innovation on January 3, 2013 12:58 AM
Mayan Calendar Prophecy DemystifiedIf you've been wondering why the world didn't end in 2012 as many interpreters of the Mayan calendar thought it would, here's why -- the full scoop revealed in my most recent Huffington Post article -- an especially timely piece...
Posted in The Heart of Innovation on December 31, 2012 12:14 AM
The 10 Most Popular Postings on the Heart of Innovation Blog in 2012Voila! For your reading pleasure, here are the 10 most popular postings on this blog for 2012. Curiously, the most popular one had nothing to do with innovation -- it was about the death of my father. The other most...
Posted in The Heart of Innovation on December 28, 2012 01:37 PM
How to Improve Your RFP ProcessIf you are on either end of the RFP process (requesting or responding) and think there's got to be a better way, you are right. There is. The way it works now doesn't work. You know it. I know it...
Posted in The Heart of Innovation on December 20, 2012 08:47 PM
Santa's Cheerful Guide to Non-Traditional Business Development"Necessity," it is said, "is the mother of invention." It is. But it is also the father, aunt, uncle, grandmother, cousin, and in-laws. Indeed, for most of us, unless there is a proverbial fire under our proverbial butt, we remain...
Posted in The Heart of Innovation on December 14, 2012 12:19 AM
What's Next After TwitterThis just in! Twitter is dead. Or if not dead, dying. Or if not dying, passe. It's time has come and gone. Industry experts agree. There is now a way more streamlined option available to you. Find out here --...
Posted in The Heart of Innovation on December 13, 2012 12:07 PM
The Syndrome Syndrome and the Rise of the New World Disorder(s)If you don't have ADD or ADHD, you probably know someone who does -- and if they don't have ADD or ADHD, they probably have some other newly identified syndrome, disorder, or dysfunction. It's a bull market, these days, for...
Posted in The Heart of Innovation on December 5, 2012 04:52 PM
Digital Coolness from an 18-Year OldThe first photo below is a street in Tokyo. The second is my 18-year old son's (Photoshopped) vision of that same street after the Apocalypse. PS: If you need any Photoshop work, Jesse, is your guy. He's honest. He's creative,...
Posted in The Heart of Innovation on December 4, 2012 11:43 PM
Flowers First, Business SecondYou work hard. I know that. You get things done. I know that, too. You plan for the future, organize your day, and think of bold new ways to market your service, product, or business. I get it. But what...
Posted in The Heart of Innovation on November 28, 2012 08:19 PM
What Do You Want to Create?Well, then, my friend, WHAT IS IT that YOU want to create? Cartoon...
Posted in The Heart of Innovation on November 25, 2012 02:39 AM
The Top Ten Reasons Why The Top Ten Reasons Don't MatterI'm sure you are a reasonable person -- thoughtful, analytical, and rational. Nothing wrong with that now, is there? Indeed, these very popular mental faculties can come in handy. But there is something beyond them that needs more breathing space...
Posted in The Heart of Innovation on November 21, 2012 01:36 AM
ANNOUNCING: Full Moon at SunriseIf you have enjoyed the writing on this blog, you will very likely enjoy the soon-to-be-published book of Idea Champions' Co-Founder and President, Mitch Ditkoff. Full Moon at Sunrise is not a book about innovation. It's a book of...
Posted in The Heart of Innovation on November 18, 2012 08:19 AM
How 13-Year Old Girls Can Wipe Out TerrrorismThis just in! World Peace is just around the corner -- or, at the very least, terrorism will soon be a thing of the past. It's official! And the Huffington Post has just validated my unique stance on this...
Posted in The Heart of Innovation on November 17, 2012 02:59 PM
VOTE FOR ME (I will not raise taxes, start a war, or give a boring speech)Good news! A leading Speaker's Bureau has just nominated me as a TOP FIVE SPEAKER in the field of innovation & creativity. To win, I need your vote. So... if you believe I've added value to this field and...
Posted in The Heart of Innovation on November 16, 2012 12:12 AM
Because I'm the MomThis is so funny and so true -- I think I just peed in my pants. For all you moms out there, enjoy this 2:55 second paean to parenting. A related riff Idea Champions Big thanks to Paul Alexander...
Posted in The Heart of Innovation on November 15, 2012 10:07 AM
Getting Into the Webinar Business?Like working in your pajamas? Have something meaningful to communicate? Want to compete with a million other people with the same aspiration? Enter the fabulous world of webinars. But at your own risk. It's simple, but success doesn't necessarily come...
Posted in The Heart of Innovation on November 14, 2012 05:13 PM
50 Awesome Quotes on Risk TakingIs it time to try something new? Get out of your comfort zone? Take a new step or leap? Feeling a little queasy? Need some inspiration to go beyond the status quo? Here's the ticket. 50 quotes on risk taking,...
Posted in The Heart of Innovation on November 9, 2012 11:05 AM
What You Can Learn From W.C. FieldsIs it possible that a youthful, summertime best practice of W.C.Fields could be the catalyst to help you get a major project of yours untracked, unstuck, and on it's way to a breakthrough? Newest article of mine on Huffington Post....
Posted in The Heart of Innovation on November 5, 2012 04:52 PM
Good News! Wisdom at Work!I am thrilled to announce that a wonderful NYC literary agency, Levine/Greenberg, has just taken me on as a client and will be leading the charge to find just the right publisher for my next book, Wisdom at Work. Wisdom...
Posted in The Heart of Innovation on November 1, 2012 02:31 PM
The Kindness-At-Work ManifestoThis just in! We're here for just a little while. No one gets out of here alive. Not even Donald Trump. So while you're here, remember to be kind and go beyond judgment, blame, and impatience -- especially when things...
Posted in The Heart of Innovation on October 25, 2012 11:38 PM
100 Awesome Quotes on What It Really Takes to Innovate100 cool quotes on what it really takes to innovate. Noodle on anyone of these to get your creative juices flowing. Just published in the Huffington Post. My others posts there. Idea Champions...
Posted in The Heart of Innovation on October 24, 2012 06:58 PM
100 Simple Ways to Be More Creative On the JobHere's the deal: You are creative. Really. I mean it. You are. Maybe you know it. Maybe you don't know it. But the fact remains: you are creative. Unfortunately, your creativity doesn't always show up on the job. Work environments...
Posted in The Heart of Innovation on October 20, 2012 04:55 PM
56 Reasons Why Most Corporate Innovation Initiatives FailIf you want to create a culture of innovation, begin by becoming aware of the possible detours along the way. Click below for 56 reasons why most corporate innovation initiatives fail, a new article of mine in the Huffington Post....
Posted in The Heart of Innovation on October 13, 2012 11:53 PM
The Cult of MonetizationThis just in from the Huffington Post! My rant on how not everything needs to be monetized! Especially blogs. Yes, it is possible for a blog to just be a blog, not a cash cow not a profit center, not...
Posted in The Heart of Innovation on October 10, 2012 10:31 PM
How to Create an Idea FactoryWant to see your BIG IDEAS manifest more than they do? Check out my most recent article in the Huffington Post. The solution has less to do with your ideas than it does your support team. Idea Champions...
Posted in The Heart of Innovation on October 6, 2012 10:35 AM
14 Ways to Go Beyond the Email BluesGet too many emails? Sick and tired of sorting through them? Want to jump start an email etiquette revolution? Here's your starter kit -- my email liberation rant just published in the Huffington Post. (Yes, you can forward it...
Posted in The Heart of Innovation on October 3, 2012 04:26 PM
Think of a Better Name for This Blog Posting and Win Fabulous PrizesClick below for two new articles of mine in the Huffington Post. THIS ONE on why you don't get your best ideas at work. AND THIS ONE on going beyond the addiction to "innovation process". LIKE! Tweet! Post on FB!...
Posted in The Heart of Innovation on September 27, 2012 10:29 PM
20 Reasons Why So Many People Get Their Best Ideas in the ShowerEver wonder why you often get your best ideas in the shower? Here's why -- my latest Huffington Post article. Idea Champions Illustration...
Posted in The Heart of Innovation on September 21, 2012 12:53 AM
How Teens Can Become HumanitariansWatch this 9-minute video to learn how an inspired bunch of Hudson Valley teenagers are taking their bold, first steps toward becoming humanitarian leaders. The One Voice for Laos project, headquartered in Woodstock, NY, is making a big difference...
Posted in The Heart of Innovation on September 18, 2012 04:54 AM
Why People Work in CafesIf you find yourself going to cafes to work on projects, you might find this article of mine, just published in the HuffPost, timely, amusing, and thought provoking. (I bet you can think of at least another three reasons why...
Posted in The Heart of Innovation on September 15, 2012 07:23 PM
10 Tips for Giving a Kick Ass KeynoteIf you want to be an effective keynote speaker, and are looking for a few tips, you have come to the right place. Well, almost the right place. My article on the subject is actually on the Huffington Post. Just...
Posted in The Heart of Innovation on September 11, 2012 10:24 PM
Mitch Ditkoff Now a Huffington Post Business and Innovation BloggerDear Heart of Innovation Readers: I am happy to announce that the Huffington Post has invited me to become one of their business and innovation bloggers. Twice a week. How cool is that? Here's the first one. If you like...
Posted in The Heart of Innovation on August 28, 2012 03:23 PM
Savvy Book Agent WantedThat's me, folks, the author of this blog. Any recommendations?...
Posted in The Heart of Innovation on August 26, 2012 11:30 AM
Autistic Artistic Fantastic!UBS "Stephen Wiltshire" from HUMBLE TV on Vimeo. Michelangelo on effort Idea Champions...
Posted in The Heart of Innovation on August 24, 2012 12:12 AM
Insane or Brilliant? You Decide.Full disclosure! This is a marketing post, our little effort to let you know who our clients are, just in case you're interested in our services, but hesitant to call us. All of these organizations, at one point, realized...
Posted in The Heart of Innovation on August 21, 2012 09:24 AM
The One Voice for Laos DocumentaryHere is a remarkable 8-minute video produced by Garland Berenzy (16!), documenting the One Voice for Laos project -- an inspired humanitarian effort spearheaded by Hudson Valley teens, committed adults, and my amazing wife, Evelyne Pouget, to support 600...
Posted in The Heart of Innovation on August 16, 2012 06:44 PM
Web Workshops from Idea ChampionsHere's a 3minute video overview of Idea Champions newest service -- Web Workshops -- highly engaging 60-minute tutorials to help your workforce raise the bar for innovation, collaboration, and communication. More...
Posted in The Heart of Innovation on August 10, 2012 04:11 PM
The "L" Word in BusinessBig thanks to Sarah Jacob, Idea Champions' Dutchess of Business Development for this fine post. I recently had the delightful privilege of attending HSM's World Innovation Forum in New York City -- two days of luminous speakers on a broad...
Posted in The Heart of Innovation on August 5, 2012 10:18 PM
What Are You Really Thirsting For?A little known fact about me (Mitch Ditkoff) is that, in addition to being the Co-Founder and President of Idea Champions, I am also a poet. In fact, my graduate school education many years ago, at Brown University, was...
Posted in The Heart of Innovation on July 29, 2012 06:43 PM
Creative Thinking Webinars for People Who Work in Corporations40-minute overview of Idea Champions' newly launched series of creative thinking webinars (aka "Web Workshops") -- a simple, cost-effective way to spark brilliance and breakthrough in your organization. Creative thinking web workshops Click here if you want more info...
Posted in The Heart of Innovation on July 27, 2012 04:38 AM
ABOUT USIdea Champions, founded in 1986, is committed to unleashing the innate brilliance of people everywhere. We are catalysts of creativity -- especially the creativity that has been compromised by corporate cultures that have not yet understood how to tap into...
Posted in The Heart of Innovation on July 26, 2012 09:24 AM
Like This Blog? You'll Love This BookI am happy to announce that I have finally gotten off my ifs, ands, or butt and begun writing my next book -- Wisdom at Work. Below are three excerpts. I have also stepped up my efforts to locate...
Posted in The Heart of Innovation on July 20, 2012 08:45 PM
Rethinking The Role of a ManagerThe root of the word "manager" comes from the same root as the words "manipulate" and "maneuver", meaning to "adapt or change something to suit one's purpose". Although these words may carry a pejorative meaning, there is nothing inherently wrong...
Posted in The Heart of Innovation on July 17, 2012 07:14 AM
Big Innovation in the Prison SystemHere's an extraordinary fact: There are more people living in US jails than live in the entire state of New Mexico. Based on the latest data, the combined inmate population of correctional facilities in the United States is currently...
Posted in The Heart of Innovation on July 15, 2012 01:16 PM
What a Wonderful World!Time for a break from the following concerns: cash flow, next quarter results, your benefits package, boss, weight, innovation process, or summer vacation plans. Here's a fabulous two-minute BBC video narrated by David Attenborough. NOTE: The business of life...
Posted in The Heart of Innovation on July 13, 2012 04:28 PM
The Value of ValIf your small business or non-profit is looking for a highly skilled brainstorm facilitator, creative thinking trainer, or custom workshop leader, Val Vadeboncoeur is your man. Val, a long time friend and collaborator of mine, has just launched Business...
Posted in The Heart of Innovation on July 11, 2012 10:15 PM
Treat Your Clients Like God!At least once a week I am approached by a struggling entrepreneur and asked how I market my services. More often than not, I blurt out any number of MBA-like platitudes. But when I really stop and think about it,...
Posted in The Heart of Innovation on July 8, 2012 05:55 AM
Introducing Interdependence Day!One day after Independence Day, its time to introduce a new holiday: Interdependence Day. Yes, it's true, we are all in this together. You cannot do this alone, no matter how skillful or experienced you may be. Innovation is...
Posted in The Heart of Innovation on July 5, 2012 05:34 PM
The Brilliance of Eliminating Left TurnsED NOTE: Big thank you to Val Vadeboncoeur for this insightful report from the World Innovation Forum. I caught Andrew Winston's excellent presentation at the 2012 World Innovation Forum last week in NYC in which he focused on how companies...
Posted in The Heart of Innovation on July 1, 2012 05:27 AM
I Have a Webinarry Question for YouI've just noticed that a recent blog posting of mine has "gone viral" (not postal) and it dawns on me that it might be a good idea to turn it into a 60-minute webinar. Of course, I've had a lot...
Posted in The Heart of Innovation on June 22, 2012 08:20 AM
Free Overview of Our New WebinarsWe are not officially "psychic", but there's one thing we know about you without having talked to you and it is this: you have a lot to do and very little time to do it in. Yes? We thought so....
Posted in The Heart of Innovation on June 19, 2012 01:08 PM
Teamwork Tip for TodayCollaboration Training What We Do How We Get the Job Done...
Posted in The Heart of Innovation on June 16, 2012 01:28 AM
A Tip for Team PlayersIdea Champions...
Posted in The Heart of Innovation on June 14, 2012 12:21 AM
Find a Reliable GPS for Your Organization's Innovation JourneyED NOTE: It has recently come to our attention that some of our most avid readers still don't know the full scope of what Idea Champions (that's us) does. Here you go: For 25 years, Idea Champions has catalyzed...
Posted in The Heart of Innovation on June 13, 2012 01:42 PM
What You Can Learn from WC FieldsWC Fields was always an exceptionally gifted performer. But some of his most unforgettable performances took place off-camera. Like most actors in the start of their career, Fields found himself a little short of cash. A problem? Not for him....
Posted in The Heart of Innovation on June 12, 2012 11:49 PM
Speak the TruthIdea Champions...
Posted in The Heart of Innovation on May 30, 2012 11:12 AM
Even the Sky is Not the LimitIdea Champions...
Posted in The Heart of Innovation on May 24, 2012 11:21 PM
The Man Who Invented the WheelSince 1986, I've asked more than 5,000 people where and when they get their best ideas. The answers have been all over the place -- everything from "in the shower" to "ironing" to "in my dreams." But no matter...
Posted in The Heart of Innovation on May 20, 2012 01:23 AM
How Business Collaboration is Like Dancing TangoNOTE: The following article is authored by Sarah Martha Jacob, founder of Tangolia. There are two kinds of people in the world. One looks at a new possibility through the eyes of fear. The other looks at a new possibility...
Posted in The Heart of Innovation on May 18, 2012 02:53 PM
Creators on CreatingThis is the first in series of "Voice Over Slide Shows" featuring the wisdom of some amazing people who have gone beyond the norm to manifest exceptional creativity. The commentary is by yours truly. Idea Champions My keynotes...
Posted in The Heart of Innovation on May 17, 2012 09:44 PM
You Tawkin' To Me?You probably have read this blog more than once. But it's more than possible you've never heard me speak. I do. Speak that is. (According to my wife and kids, a bit too much). Here is 11 minutes worth....
Posted in The Heart of Innovation on May 15, 2012 05:43 PM
Selling IdeasIn the advertisement to your left, it looks as if someone is selling an SUV or perhaps a brand of bicycle. But, actually, neither is the case. The SUV and the bikes are only a means to an end. Well...
Posted in The Heart of Innovation on May 13, 2012 07:11 AM
A Virtual High Five to You!I'd like to take this moment to thank you for logging on and reading Idea Champions' blog. We continue to appreciate the fact that you take time out of your very busy day to check in. Hey, if you're not...
Posted in The Heart of Innovation on May 11, 2012 05:47 PM
Go Beyond Pet Ideas! Get Your Pet's Portrait Painted Here!Did you know that there are 64 million dogs in the United States? And did you know that the portrait of the dog to your left was painted by my wife, Evelyne Pouget, who has just launched Woodstock Pet...
Posted in The Heart of Innovation on May 8, 2012 11:17 PM
Creating Time to InnovateOn Thursday May 17th, I will be delivering a live webinar on Fostering a Culture of Innovation. The first 50 people to sign up get half off, so register now! During the past few years I've noticed a curious...
Posted in The Heart of Innovation on May 8, 2012 12:36 AM
The Power of Positive FeedbackMost high level executives do not expect a lot of recognition from others. Neither do they give a lot of recognition to others. Many managers are like the classic husband who, when his wife complains that he doesn't tell her...
Posted in The Heart of Innovation on May 3, 2012 08:47 AM
56 Reasons Why Most Corporate Innovation Initiatives FailInnovation is in these days. The word is on the lips of just about every CEO, CFO, CIO, and anyone else with a three-letter acronym after their name. As a result, many organizations are launching all kinds of "innovation initiatives"...
Posted in The Heart of Innovation on May 1, 2012 12:17 PM
Jesse Has Made His Choice!Teen Manifesto A message for dads who travel The genie is a leprechaun today 14 year old running for President Sticky idea PS: Jesse is going to pay for part of his education by outsourcing his many talents as...
Posted in The Heart of Innovation on April 30, 2012 10:36 PM
Don't Let This Happen to You!This is a digitized photo of a Director of Innovation from a very large insurance company who decided to go with one of our competitors. I told him he was making a big mistake, but when you're a consulting...
Posted in The Heart of Innovation on April 28, 2012 07:23 PM
The List of ListsOf the 460 postings on this blog, the most popular ones have been our lists. Many have "gone viral" (which, I guess, is better than "going postal.") Anyway, just in case you want to see what all the fuss...
Posted in The Heart of Innovation on April 27, 2012 01:41 PM
Why Blog? Here's Why!Big thank you to Seth Godin and Tom Peters for this crystal clear articulation on why blogging is so powerful. It's not about the money...
Posted in The Heart of Innovation on April 17, 2012 09:19 PM
The Power of AppreciationDo you know what the #1 reason why people quit their jobs (according to the US Department of Labor)? Not being appreciated by their managers. Of course, it all begins with each of us being thankful -- but it...
Posted in The Heart of Innovation on April 17, 2012 07:05 PM
Caine's ArcadeGot a new idea? Some passion? Determination? Patience? Youthful optimism? Belief in yourself? A cool dad and one committed customer? That's all you need......
Posted in The Heart of Innovation on April 15, 2012 09:23 PM
Ask the Right Questions!This is the first of several Heart of Innovation postings from the World Business Forum, which we recently attended in NYC. The conference was very inspiring. Great speakers. Timely content. And lots of food for thought (and feeling). One theme...
Posted in The Heart of Innovation on April 13, 2012 01:40 PM
Manifest Your Big Idea By FridayOn April 11th (double April Fool's Day?), I will be delivering a 60-minute webinar to any earthling with an internet connection and a pressing need to manifest one of their BIG IDEAS. I am offering a 50% discount to...
Posted in The Heart of Innovation on April 10, 2012 11:51 PM
The Human Side of InnovationDuring this morning's Idea Champions team meeting, I had a Homer Simpson moment. You know, one of those classic head slapping, no brainer, high-five, DOH! moments. And because the aforementioned moment may very well impact YOU, oh savvy reader...
Posted in The Heart of Innovation on April 10, 2012 11:07 AM
Be a Student of Life...
Posted in The Heart of Innovation on April 9, 2012 11:02 PM
The Best Kind of Customer TestimonialUsually, we collect written testimonials from our satisfied clients and post them on this page -- but today, we decided to post a different kind of expression. Apparently, our client really liked the Idea Champions webinar they just experienced....
Posted in The Heart of Innovation on April 8, 2012 09:46 AM
Punchline of the Day"Everyone has a plan until he's punched in the face." - Mike Tyson Idea Champions Innovation webinars Free the Genie...
Posted in The Heart of Innovation on April 6, 2012 08:04 PM
The Biggest Room in the WorldIt is sometimes said that the biggest room in the world is the room for improvement. And while this may be true, the aforementioned "biggest room" was also once furnished with all kinds of cool stuff, then, before you...
Posted in The Heart of Innovation on April 6, 2012 12:02 AM
Miles Davis on MistakesRethinking Failure Our new webinars Idea Champions...
Posted in The Heart of Innovation on April 3, 2012 12:09 AM
Our World Wide Webinatrix Speaks!The writers of this blog are excited, thrilled, and tickled to announce the launching of a entirely new service to the known universe: Webinars powered by Idea Champions University. Having spent the past 25 years delivering a wide variety...
Posted in The Heart of Innovation on April 1, 2012 01:48 AM
When Failure Is Not an OptionNOTE: The following article is a guest post by Ron Brent, co-Founder of Heroic Leadership and one of the most conscious human beings I know. For much of this past year, my business partner and I have had almost daily...
Posted in The Heart of Innovation on April 1, 2012 12:49 AM
What Lens Are You Looking Through?Holmes and Watson are on a camping trip. In the middle of the night Holmes wakes up and gives Dr. Watson a nudge. "Watson," he says, "look up in the sky and tell me what you see." "I see...
Posted in The Heart of Innovation on March 29, 2012 03:24 AM
The Joy of OutlandishnessIdea Champions University...
Posted in The Heart of Innovation on March 28, 2012 04:32 PM
Does Laughter Enable Thinking?Our webinars...
Posted in The Heart of Innovation on March 28, 2012 09:37 AM
The Beauty of BadOur new webinar series...
Posted in The Heart of Innovation on March 27, 2012 12:35 AM
Thomas Edison on Making Mistakes"I make more mistakes than anyone else I know, and sooner or later, I patent most of them." - Thomas Edison Rethinking Failure Risk taking quotes Innovation keynotes...
Posted in The Heart of Innovation on March 23, 2012 06:46 PM
Don't Let This Happen to You!This poor guy just read the next game changing business book: "The Six Habits of the Five Principles of the Ten Ways to Be 300% More Effective While Doing Less and Having More." Is it just me, or do...
Posted in The Heart of Innovation on March 21, 2012 09:09 PM
Why Good Leaders PauseIt's often the case that people expect their leaders to be decisive -- able to make difficult decisions quickly. Indeed, this kind of behavior is interpreted as one of the hallmarks of good leadership. The reality is different, however. The...
Posted in The Heart of Innovation on March 20, 2012 11:39 AM
iPhone, Therefore I Am?I just had a realization. Well, maybe "realization" is too fancy a word. Make that more of an insight. Nah... "insight" sounds just a tad too self-congratulatory. For want of a better word, let's call my little moment a...
Posted in The Heart of Innovation on March 19, 2012 12:34 AM
Einstein on Stupidity"Everybody is a genius. But if you judge a fish by its ability to climb a tree, it will live its whole life believing that it is stupid." - Albert Einstein Idea Champions...
Posted in The Heart of Innovation on March 18, 2012 09:44 PM
POLL: Why Do You Want to Innovate?If you read this blog, I know you want to innovate -- but I don't know WHY. Click here to take the poll. Results posted here in a few weeks....
Posted in The Heart of Innovation on March 12, 2012 01:19 AM
Where Einstein Got His Great IdeasEinstein would have loved this guy The patron saint of our webinar Idea Champions...
Posted in The Heart of Innovation on March 11, 2012 12:25 AM
Going Viral on the Cutting EdgeThis is fabulous. Totally refreshing. And since it's all about razor blades, appropriately "edgy". Oh, it's already gotten more then 2.4 million views on YouTube. PS: How can you create a cool viral video that promotes your product or...
Posted in The Heart of Innovation on March 10, 2012 07:54 AM
How to Capture the Wisdom of Your Organization's EldersWhat do Clint Eastwood, Madeline Albright, Willie Nelson, Alan Alda, Desmond Tutu, Jane Goodall, Ravi Shankar, Edward Kennedy, Andrew Wyeth, Frank Gehry and a host of other creative movers and shakers have in common beside fame? Wisdom! Click here...
Posted in The Heart of Innovation on March 7, 2012 01:26 AM
WEBINAR #1: Ideation Jump StartIdea Champions is happy to announce the launch of its new webinar curriculum for 2012 -- a series of high value 60-minute tutorials for companies wanting to foster innovation in a way that is encouraging, empowering, and enlightening. Here's a...
Posted in The Heart of Innovation on March 3, 2012 11:24 PM
A Crash Course On How to Be a Great ConsultantIdea Champions...
Posted in The Heart of Innovation on March 2, 2012 12:44 AM
What Our Clients Say About UsSome readers of this blog think all we do is write this blog. Not true. Our main thing is helping organizations innovate. What we write about is the fruit of our experience. Better to hear what our clients say...
Posted in The Heart of Innovation on February 29, 2012 04:17 AM
Creative Thinking Technique #6KIDDING AROUND Some years ago, as the story goes, a large truck got stuck in a New York City tunnel. (Apparently the driver did not notice the maximum height sign and wedged his vehicle against the roof of the tunnel.)...
Posted in The Heart of Innovation on February 24, 2012 07:51 PM
Giving In or Giving Up?Idea Champions...
Posted in The Heart of Innovation on February 23, 2012 01:24 PM
Got a Big Idea? Speak Up!You have a BIG idea. A HOT idea. An INSPIRED idea -- one that will make a difference. Maybe it's an idea for a new product... or a new service... or a process improvement. Or maybe you just want to...
Posted in The Heart of Innovation on February 22, 2012 03:12 PM
The Romance of CreativityIf you are trying to bring something new into the world, know this: The creative process is very much like a relationship. And like most relationships, it usually begins with fascination -- that curious state of mind that keeps you...
Posted in The Heart of Innovation on February 18, 2012 07:09 AM
Stick Your Neck OutIf you want to go beyond the status quo and innovate, you will need to make best use of available resources, adapt, stick your neck out, and have a really good sense of humor. Oh, a fast computer will also...
Posted in The Heart of Innovation on February 17, 2012 11:30 PM
The Three Dimensions of Client MixOne of the biggest business challenges for any entrepreneur or organization is "client mix" -- how many of what kind of client or customer to have. Years ago, a good friend and former client of mine, Edwin Tanaka, clarified this...
Posted in The Heart of Innovation on February 15, 2012 09:42 AM
The Bitter Fruit of Unresolved Executive ConflictUnresolved conflict at the top of an organization invariably produces chaos at the middle and bottom. When senior leaders avoid conflict among themselves and let key issues go unresolved because of this avoidance, the unresolved conflict ripples throughout the organization...
Posted in The Heart of Innovation on February 13, 2012 12:29 AM
The Perfect Woodstock GetawayWhen it's time to get away to fabulous Woodstock, NY, consider staying at the Blue Pearl. This extraordinary guest cottage is the perfect retreat for anyone looking to chill (especially this winter.) Located less than a mile from the...
Posted in The Heart of Innovation on February 9, 2012 03:44 PM
Consultant Outsources Sleep!In an extraordinary move, destined to be emulated by forward thinking business leaders everywhere, I've just outsourced all my sleep to a guy named Namdev in New Delhi. Yes, it's true. I no longer need to sleep. Namdev does...
Posted in The Heart of Innovation on February 8, 2012 12:30 AM
Creative Thinking Technique #5THE THIRD EYE OF THE STORM At the center of every storm is total stillness. No matter how much swirling, flooding, and high winds are happening on the periphery, at the core of every storm is complete quiet. The...
Posted in The Heart of Innovation on February 7, 2012 10:54 PM
A Message for Parents Who TravelFifteen years ago I found myself standing in my closet, madly searching for clean clothes in a last minute attempt to pack before yet another business trip, when I noticed my 4-year old son standing at the entrance. In...
Posted in The Heart of Innovation on February 5, 2012 11:49 PM
ANNOUNCING: "National Get Your Ducks Out of the Row Month!"Time to celebrate! April is "National Get Your Ducks Out of the Damn Row Month." C'mon! I know you can do this! Get those ducks out of order. Spin them! Turn them around. Put sunglasses on them. See what happens...
Posted in The Heart of Innovation on February 1, 2012 02:24 AM
The Art and Science of Losing Count"Not everything that can be counted counts, and not everything that counts can be counted." -- Albert Einstein If you have even the slightest respect for the wild-haired father of modern physics, consider this: Your organization's fascination with metrics is...
Posted in The Heart of Innovation on January 30, 2012 08:17 AM
Creative Thinking Technique #3THE EMBEDDED REPORTER There is a state of mind psychologists have dubbed the hypnopompic state that is a rich source of inspiration and fresh ideas. In this state, most often associated with the first few minutes upon waking, the analytical...
Posted in The Heart of Innovation on January 29, 2012 06:02 AM
Ten Simple Mindset Shifts for 2012This is a marvelous, lucid, well-written blog post by Tom Asacker on ten of the fundamental mindset changes that you and your company will need to honor if you expect to thrive during these radically changing times. HINT: Your marketing...
Posted in The Heart of Innovation on January 27, 2012 01:26 PM
Creative Thinking Technique #2DREAM CATCHING Many great breakthroughs have come in dreams. Rene Descartes got the concept for the Scientific Method in a dream. Elias Howe came up with the final design for the lock stitch sewing machine in a dream. August Kekule...
Posted in The Heart of Innovation on January 27, 2012 01:00 PM
Creative Thinking Technique #1This is the first in a series of 35 postings that describe simple techniques you can use to liberate your innate creativity. 1. WRITE ON! Buddha, as the story goes, once said that human beings have 2,000 thoughts per second...
Posted in The Heart of Innovation on January 26, 2012 01:00 AM
The Rock and a Hard Place ExerciseHere's a fun 5-minute exercise -- a good icebreaker or brainstorm session starter. Make a list of every bad thing that will happen to you and your business if you don't figure out how to free yourself from being stuck...
Posted in The Heart of Innovation on January 25, 2012 12:32 AM
Everything Begins as an IdeaEverything begins as an idea. Whether you're in business, school, jail, or debt, that's how it all gets rolling. First there's the idea, then there's the manifestation of the idea -- assuming, of course, that the person with the...
Posted in The Heart of Innovation on January 21, 2012 10:44 PM
The Wisdom of Bruce Lee"All fixed set patterns are incapable of adaptability or pliability. The truth is outside of all fixed patterns." -- Bruce Lee What market change does your business need to adapt to?...
Posted in The Heart of Innovation on January 21, 2012 10:05 PM
Want to Innovate? Start Here!Failure is not what you think it is Idea Champions Thanks to Sarah Jacob for the heads up!...
Posted in The Heart of Innovation on January 14, 2012 10:52 PM
Have Innovation Challenge Will TravelBecause I post a lot on this blog (and because I was recently voted the #1 innovation blogger in the world), many people think all I do is write. Not true. My day job is being the President and Chief...
Posted in The Heart of Innovation on January 11, 2012 02:24 AM
Get Out of the Box!What can you do, this week, to help your team get out of the box? Idea Champions Free the Genie Awake at the Wheel...
Posted in The Heart of Innovation on January 10, 2012 10:07 PM
Go Beyond the Business BluesFor years I was trying to figure out what all my clients had in common. Opposable thumbs? Yes. The Isle of Langerhans. That, too. Big, fat opinions about everything. For sure. But even more than the aforementioned stuff in...
Posted in The Heart of Innovation on January 7, 2012 01:33 AM
Wrapper of the Year!If you have to pee, pee now. Pee before watching this video. I take no responsibility for your wardrobe, dry cleaning bills, or anti-social behavior. Consider yourself forewarned. Idea Champions More Christmas cheer Buy something already...
Posted in The Heart of Innovation on January 6, 2012 11:10 AM
The One For Whom You CreatePoets, lose your pens, Painters, toss your brushes in the sea, Musicians, give your instruments away, then go for a long walk. When you're done, keep walking, notice the beauty all around you. Don't try to remember a single thing,...
Posted in The Heart of Innovation on January 4, 2012 09:53 PM
Top Innovation Bloggers of 2011Well, I've got good news and great news to share with you. First the good news: I was just voted the #1 innovation blogger in the world in a contest sponsored by Innovation Excellence, the #1 innovation blog in...
Posted in The Heart of Innovation on January 2, 2012 02:11 PM
How Do You Get Teenagers to Clean Up Their Room?While it is true that this blog is the third most popular innovation blog in the world, and while it is also true that, last year, I was voted the #1 innovation blogger in the world, both of these...
Posted in The Heart of Innovation on December 30, 2011 11:26 PM
The Selective Attention TestIdea Champions Free the Genie...
Posted in The Heart of Innovation on December 27, 2011 05:13 PM
Intro to Divergent ThinkingSir Kenneth Robinson makes a lucid, three-minute case for the power of divergent thinking and offers a surprising factoid (which intuitively you already know). Thanks to Scott "Divergent" Cronin for the heads up. Idea Champions...
Posted in The Heart of Innovation on December 25, 2011 11:51 PM
Merry i-Christmas from the Heart of Innovation!Idea Champions...
Posted in The Heart of Innovation on December 25, 2011 12:05 AM
Treat Crazy Ideas With RespectThe next time somebody approaches you with a "crazy" idea, pause before putting them down. Instead of looking for what's wrong, look for what's right. See if you can find a hidden jewel in the idea, a principle, an essence...
Posted in The Heart of Innovation on December 23, 2011 07:44 PM
Water the Seed of FascinationThe reason why many of us do not get inspired ideas is because we are not inspired. The reason we are not inspired is because we do not follow our fascinations. The reason we do not follow our fascinations is...
Posted in The Heart of Innovation on December 21, 2011 11:19 PM
The Atlassian FedEx Day Goes GlobalAtlassian is a very successful Australia-based software company founded in 2002. It has 400+ employees, with 125 of them in San Francisco. It also has more than 17,000 satisfied clients including Google, Netflix, Facebook, Twitter, Skype, LinkedIn, Pixar, Adobe,...
Posted in The Heart of Innovation on December 16, 2011 07:21 PM
The Fork in the RoadWhen you come to a fork in the road, how do you know which way to go? How do you decide? Do you have a way to tune in? To yourself? To your team? To your customers? If you don't,...
Posted in The Heart of Innovation on December 16, 2011 04:12 PM
The Ten Most Popular Postings on This Blog in 2011Here's a fascinating factoid: The 10 most popular postings on this blog in 2011 all had numbers in their headline. Hmmm... Seems like people are looking for lists and distilled down wisdom -- portals to understanding that somehow quantify the...
Posted in The Heart of Innovation on December 15, 2011 01:00 AM
The Best Practice of LoveA few weeks ago, my wife and I had a huge fight. A doozy. The Superbowl of all fights. If you're married -- or ever were -- I'm sure you've had at least one of these. Probably more. You think...
Posted in The Heart of Innovation on December 14, 2011 11:58 PM
The 64 Qualities of an Innovator PollEver wonder what it really takes to innovate -- what specific, inner qualities a human being needs to be in touch with in order to actually create something new and wonderful in this world? Well, we have, too, which is...
Posted in The Heart of Innovation on December 14, 2011 04:06 PM
Before Decision, Get a Vision!Yo! 2012 is right around the corner. Have you envisioned what you want to create yet? Have you unplugged from your short-term focus to consider the long-term? If not, what can you do, this week, to imagine and conceive bold...
Posted in The Heart of Innovation on December 13, 2011 05:09 PM
Shining Eyes and Open HeartsBen Zander is the most extraordinary speaker/presenter/catalyst I've ever had the good fortune to experience other than my teacher, Prem Rawat. I first heard Ben at HSM's World Business Forum, in NYC. He entranced 4,000 business people for two...
Posted in The Heart of Innovation on December 12, 2011 09:41 PM
Be An Innovation Samurai!If you expect to innovate in 2012, you will need to be more like a Samurai and less like a Slacker. Towards that end, here are the seven classic virtues of a Samurai. Food for thought... and action! 1. Rectitude...
Posted in The Heart of Innovation on December 10, 2011 12:02 AM
Give the Gift of CreativityIf you want to avoid the Holiday shopping hassle and are looking for some non-traditional gifts that will get your loved ones' creative juices flowing, you're in the right place. This place. Here. Now. All you need to do is...
Posted in The Heart of Innovation on December 9, 2011 02:11 PM
Free Your Genie Before 4:00 TodayHere is Idea Champions pre-Christmas, post Thanksgiving gift to you -- a two week free trial of our very cool, online Free the Genie app -- a simple, user-friendly, low-calorie, high bandwidth, fun, engaging, gluten-free way to stir your...
Posted in The Heart of Innovation on December 9, 2011 12:48 AM
The Movement With No NameIdea Champions...
Posted in The Heart of Innovation on December 7, 2011 10:22 AM
Product Development Technique #14Conventional wisdom has it that the best time to name a new product is after you create it. Unconventional wisdom has it the other way around: first you give your product a name, then you create it. With this...
Posted in The Heart of Innovation on December 5, 2011 09:51 PM
Buy Local, Bye Bye Wal-MartAnother innovative approach Idea Champions Thanks to Val Vadeboncoeur for the heads up...
Posted in The Heart of Innovation on December 2, 2011 02:14 PM
All Hands on Deck!Look around you. This is not the time for lone wolves, closet geniuses, unaffiliated mavericks, out-of-orbit freelancers, hidden agendas, sole proprietors, superstars, cranky collaborators, or hyper independent dreamers. Sorry. Wrong decade. Now is the time for alliances, partnerships, collaborations, and...
Posted in The Heart of Innovation on November 29, 2011 10:12 AM
Business As Usual?Cartoon...
Posted in The Heart of Innovation on November 27, 2011 11:44 PM
The Danger of a Single IdeaInnovation Kit Free the Genie cards Duck!...
Posted in The Heart of Innovation on November 26, 2011 08:43 PM
The Upturn Is Upon Us!Let me be the first to declare that, despite the gloomy pronouncements of the naysaying media, there is a glorious upturn upon us. Yes, it's true. That is, IF you are willing to shift your focus just a bit...
Posted in The Heart of Innovation on November 22, 2011 10:00 PM
The Architecture of Great SpeechesVery interesting presentation. Nancy Duarte has demystified the hidden structure of great speeches, using Steve Jobs and Martin Luther King speeches as examples. If you are a public speaker or aspire to deliver keynote presentations, this is a very...
Posted in The Heart of Innovation on November 22, 2011 09:00 PM
I Am Asking for Your VoteDear Heart of Innovation Readers: If you believe I have added any value to the field of innovation/creativity this year, I humbly ask for your support. I have just been nominated by a leading speakers bureau as a "Top...
Posted in The Heart of Innovation on November 22, 2011 09:13 AM
Creativity Rated #1 Leadership Quality in Global IBM PollCreativity is now considered the most important leadership quality for success in business, outweighing even integrity and global thinking, according to a much-referenced recent study by IBM. The study is the largest known sample of one-on-one CEO interviews, with over...
Posted in The Heart of Innovation on November 21, 2011 10:48 AM
Henry Miller on ConfusionThe value of confusion Idea Champions...
Posted in The Heart of Innovation on November 20, 2011 09:37 PM
Your Message For the DayFree the Genie Idea Champions Ingenious Leadership...
Posted in The Heart of Innovation on November 19, 2011 11:43 PM
The Perfect Woodstock GetawayNeed a break? Want to get away for the weekend? Interested in visiting Woodstock, NY? Then stay at our fabulous Blue Pearl Guest Cottage. Just a 12 minute walk from town. Renew! Refresh! Revitalize! Idea Champions...
Posted in The Heart of Innovation on November 17, 2011 11:43 PM
The Democratization of CreativityWhaddya think? Idea Champions...
Posted in The Heart of Innovation on November 16, 2011 08:34 AM
Virtual Brainstorm Facilitation TrainingLet me take a wild guess: The brainstorming sessions you attend (or lead) leave something to be desired. You keep hoping they'll get better, but they don't. There's too much idea killing. Too much wheel spinning. Too much sound...
Posted in The Heart of Innovation on November 15, 2011 04:41 PM
Obvious to You, Amazing to OthersDerek Sivers, Founder of CD Baby, used to live one street away from me in Woodstock, NY. I saw him only once, walking on the road. Now here he is on YouTube. Yo, Derek! Thanks for this! So true......
Posted in The Heart of Innovation on November 13, 2011 12:01 AM
Jesse Rocks!Idea Champions My keynotes...
Posted in The Heart of Innovation on November 12, 2011 12:25 AM
Culture of Innovation Rule #1If you want to create a sustainable culture of innovation, you will first need to find a way to animate the buoyant energy lurking within each member of your workforce. If you skip this step, you will never hit...
Posted in The Heart of Innovation on November 7, 2011 12:41 AM
Going Beyond Digital DistractionNOTE: The following piece is authored by Sarah Jacob, a new member of the Heart of Innovation blogging team. Sarah will be focusing on all things digital and the launching of Idea Champions new Virtual Innovation University -- a...
Posted in The Heart of Innovation on November 6, 2011 06:23 AM
This Just In! The Turbo Encabulator!There's a reason why the expression "ideas are a dime a dozen" is so popular. Because it's true. Everyone and their mother has ideas. Where the rubber meets the road is HOW those ideas are communicated. When it's done well,...
Posted in The Heart of Innovation on October 28, 2011 08:39 PM
Innovating Is Just Like DancingWhatever your innovation goals are for 2012 -- take a cue from the Nicholas Brothers. If you can innovate as well as they can dance, you are home free. Check out their timing, synchronicity, flexibility, creativity, and style -- all...
Posted in The Heart of Innovation on October 24, 2011 03:27 PM
Who Says Miss America Candidates Don't Know Their Stuff?This is a spoof on the goofy ways in which Miss America candidates have answered serious questions in the past. Very funny. Idea Champions...
Posted in The Heart of Innovation on October 21, 2011 06:04 AM
Drive Fear Out of the Workplace!As I understand it, Peter Drucker (world class management guru) was totally committed to driving fear out of the workplace. He knew (as you do, on a good day) that you cannot have a successful business if fear is running...
Posted in The Heart of Innovation on October 20, 2011 10:25 AM
Stocks Are Not the Only Thing That AppreciateI have been an innovation consultant since 1986 and have worked with hundreds of organizations in more than 15 industries. The products and services of my clients have all been different -- as have their acronyms, mission statements, and cafeteria...
Posted in The Heart of Innovation on October 19, 2011 01:24 PM
100 Reasons to Go WithinSince the beginning of time, and even last Thursday, there have always been inner-directed people living on planet Earth -- sincere seekers of truth who realized that the business of life wasn't necessarily a life of business. They wanted more...
Posted in The Heart of Innovation on October 18, 2011 11:58 PM
We Want Your Big Fat Opinions!There are a few things that readers of this blog have in spades: curiosity, passion, a fascination for innovation, and a good sense of humor. There is one thing they don't have (or, at least, not much of -- and...
Posted in The Heart of Innovation on October 16, 2011 12:06 AM
John Lennon on LifeInnovators: You may be conjuring up an unbelievably cool future product or service, but please remember that THIS MOMENT is precious. Be present with your wife, husband, children, friends, neighbors, customers, clients, and self. Smell the flowers! Idea Champions...
Posted in The Heart of Innovation on October 13, 2011 11:04 PM
The Power of Positive FeedbackMost high level executives do not expect a lot of recognition from others. Nor do they give a lot of recognition to others. Many managers are like the guy who, when his wife complains that he doesn't tell her he...
Posted in The Heart of Innovation on October 12, 2011 08:53 AM
Steve Jobs on Life, Death, and LoveAll of us at Idea Champions are deeply saddened by the passing of Steve Jobs, a man who has made an extraordinary contribution to planet Earth. Here's one of his pearls of wisdom: "Your time is limited, do don't...
Posted in The Heart of Innovation on October 6, 2011 11:42 PM
Meet Me at the World Business ForumHey everyone... I'm going to be at the World Business Forum, in NYC, this Wednesday and Thursday (October 5-6) as a "guest blogger." If you are attending and want to connect, seek me out. I'll be sitting in the...
Posted in The Heart of Innovation on October 4, 2011 02:16 PM
Mozart on GeniusIdea Champions...
Posted in The Heart of Innovation on October 3, 2011 11:40 PM
Go After What You WantHere's to the Crazy Ones Idea Champions...
Posted in The Heart of Innovation on September 30, 2011 11:57 PM
Everyone's a Genius, But....If you want to create a culture of innovation in your organization, make sure you are matching people to projects that have passion for and have enough competence to succeed in. If you're sensing that "things" aren't going all...
Posted in The Heart of Innovation on September 30, 2011 11:10 AM
How Many of Your Thoughts Are Original?...
Posted in The Heart of Innovation on September 30, 2011 12:06 AM
The Creative Adult...Idea Champions...
Posted in The Heart of Innovation on September 29, 2011 04:06 PM
The Six Sigma BluesOne of my favorite clients of all time was a key manager in a prominent Fortune 500 company. She was smart. She was funny. She was creative. And she was kind. Then her company adopted Six Sigma. I couldn't...
Posted in The Heart of Innovation on September 26, 2011 10:10 PM
Even Michelangelo's David Started Out as a BlockStuck? Confused? Blocked? Get over it by printing out this posting, filling in the blanks, and then reading your story aloud. Works wonders! Better than therapy! Cheaper than Prozac! "Boy, am I blocked! I haven't felt this bad since...
Posted in The Heart of Innovation on September 26, 2011 01:30 AM
22 Reasons Why We Love Lists1. Lists simplify. 2. Lists promise instant knowledge. 3. Lists provide choices. 4. We are all victims of information overload. Lists help us make sense of the world. 5. Lists make it seem as if the list maker knows...
Posted in The Heart of Innovation on September 24, 2011 05:04 PM
Catalyze This!Every once in a while one of our clients really gets it. And when I say "it", I am not referring to stock options, narcolepsy, or the Nobel Prize. The "it" I am referring to is the meme, the mojo...
Posted in The Heart of Innovation on September 23, 2011 11:16 PM
Humor in the WorkplaceWonderful video about the power of humor in the workplace, featuring a (possible) new client of ours, Peppercom. What's in a name? Consultant outsources sleep Quotes on play, humor, and creativity Our clients speak...
Posted in The Heart of Innovation on September 21, 2011 02:51 PM
Intuit! Then Do It!What is your intuition telling you about your most fascinating project? Idea Champions...
Posted in The Heart of Innovation on September 19, 2011 10:47 PM
Picasso on the Act of CreationYes, sometimes things have to fall apart before they can reform themselves into something new and sustainable. Idea Champions...
Posted in The Heart of Innovation on September 15, 2011 05:43 AM
THANK Tanks, Not THINK TanksI'd like your feedback on a new idea of mine which I have playfully named THANK TANKS (with the help of one of my FB friends). The idea, still rough, is for organizations to provide their employees with a practical...
Posted in The Heart of Innovation on September 14, 2011 12:41 PM
Go Beyond Logic and AnalysisIdea Champions More Einstein quotes...
Posted in The Heart of Innovation on September 12, 2011 11:10 PM
The Case for LaughterThere's a reason why AHA and HAHA are almost spelled the same... Clarence Darrow Idea Champions...
Posted in The Heart of Innovation on September 12, 2011 10:43 PM
Out of the Ashes, Breakthrough!I am thrilled to publish the following article by Steve Cronin, a brilliant inventor who attended one of my innovation trainings ten years ago to the day. Thanks, Steve, for stepping up and speaking your truth. Keep on innovating! "Almost...
Posted in The Heart of Innovation on September 11, 2011 01:10 AM
Steve Martin on Presentation SkillsNow... if we can only get Steve Martin to facilitate our new presentation skills course. Idea Champions...
Posted in The Heart of Innovation on September 10, 2011 03:48 PM
Be Glad Your Ideas Are FoolishIdea Champions...
Posted in The Heart of Innovation on September 8, 2011 10:40 PM
The Beauty of Invisible LaborWhat is work, anyway? Too many of us devote ourselves to looking busy when, in fact, the breakthroughs often come when nothing seems to be happening. Victor Hugo Idea Champions...
Posted in The Heart of Innovation on September 7, 2011 10:25 PM
Innovators Don't Only Dream, They Remember Their DreamsMany great breakthroughs have come in dreams. Rene Descartes got the concept for the Scientific Method in a dream. Elias Howe came up with the final design for the lock stitch sewing machine in a dream. August Kekule arrived at...
Posted in The Heart of Innovation on September 6, 2011 08:18 PM
I Don't Just Write This Blog, I Talk, Too -- As in Keynote PresentationsI am happy to announce that Core Speaker's Agency has stepped up to the plate and taken me on as one of their featured keynote speakers in the field of innovation. I am also very ably represented by Speaker's...
Posted in The Heart of Innovation on September 6, 2011 04:23 PM
99% of Success is Built on FailureOr as Thomas Watson, former CEO of IBM once said, "Hurry up and make your first 500 mistakes." Your move... Charles Kettering Idea Champions Rethinking Failure...
Posted in The Heart of Innovation on September 5, 2011 04:26 PM
Steve Jobs' Large VisionWhat is your large vision? What difference do you want to make? Idea Champions...
Posted in The Heart of Innovation on September 4, 2011 03:29 AM
Express Your Ideas!BTW, Rollo May wrote one of the best books on the roots of creativity that I have ever read. Very compelling. It's a classic: The Courage to Create. Idea Champions...
Posted in The Heart of Innovation on September 3, 2011 02:35 PM
Building Innovation CapabilitiesMost Heart of Innovation readers only know about Idea Champions from what they read on this blog. They do not necessarily know what we DO when we're not writing this blog. If this describes you, here -- in the words...
Posted in The Heart of Innovation on September 2, 2011 09:43 AM
The Wisdom of InsecurityWhat a perfect quote for these insecure times! Last week Hurricane Irene blew through the Catskill Mountains, where I live. Whole towns were washed away. One day your house is standing. The next day it's not. Same goes for...
Posted in The Heart of Innovation on September 2, 2011 09:30 AM
Dizzy's WisdomTake heed, oh aspiring innovators. Often, less is more... Idea Champions...
Posted in The Heart of Innovation on August 28, 2011 08:57 PM
The Creative ImpulseExcerpted from this slide show Idea Champions...
Posted in The Heart of Innovation on August 27, 2011 12:33 AM
Create More Time to InnovateI-Squared View more presentations from Mitch Ditkoff If you are one of millions of people who want to innovate IF ONLY YOU HAD THE TIME -- the above slide show is for you. It's a simple exercise to help...
Posted in The Heart of Innovation on August 23, 2011 11:27 AM
INNOVATORS: Be Who You Are!Idea Champions Awake at the Wheel Image...
Posted in The Heart of Innovation on August 19, 2011 01:58 PM
Greetings from Our Chief Fire StarterGreetings! My name is Og, Idea Champions' CFS (Chief Fire Starter). I'm in charge of helping our clients ignite new possibilities. I just wanted to take this opportunity to let you know that the economic downturn has not, in any...
Posted in The Heart of Innovation on August 16, 2011 02:46 AM
Cultivating Innovation Where You Work"Organizations are like gardens, not machines. We keep bringing in mechanics, when what we need are gardeners." - Peter Senge If you want to establish a culture of innovation, there are three things you need to know: 1. It's possible...
Posted in The Heart of Innovation on August 11, 2011 09:04 AM
The Write StuffI don't usually use this space to promote my friends, but today I'm going to make an exception. My good buddy, Carl Frankel (Princeton graduate, Kingston, NY resident, journalist/writer extraordinaire) has just decided to offer his services as a...
Posted in The Heart of Innovation on July 31, 2011 04:25 PM
The Big To Dowww.wopg.org...
Posted in The Heart of Innovation on July 26, 2011 09:43 PM
Musing on Virtual CollaborationThere's an infinite amount of extraordinary experiences you can manifest when you have an inspired vision, the right technology, and committed people willing to go for it. Turn up the volume! How can you collaborate virtually to create big time...
Posted in The Heart of Innovation on July 19, 2011 09:12 PM
You May Know Where Good Ideas Come From, But Do You Know Where Babies Come From?...
Posted in The Heart of Innovation on July 18, 2011 09:10 AM
Unleash Your Inner Genie, VirtuallyIn olden times (pre-Starbucks, pre-Twitter, pre-Lady Gaga), the quickest way to get your wishes fulfilled was to rub a magic lamp and wait for the genie to appear. Times have changed. Now you need a life coach and a...
Posted in The Heart of Innovation on July 17, 2011 12:32 AM
We Need More Poetry!Poetry, like looking up at the moon instead of down at a Blackberry, is all too rare these days. We need more poetry! We need more poets! We need more business people willing to express their "softer" side on the...
Posted in The Heart of Innovation on July 15, 2011 02:10 AM
Where Good Ideas Come FromThe Idea Lottery...
Posted in The Heart of Innovation on July 11, 2011 12:44 AM
Introducing WhatifyWhatify.org, a very cool online innovation magazine, has just published my Six Sides of the So-Called Box article (also, by the way, available as an interactive keynote, workshop, or cheese grater). Check it out, along with a lot of...
Posted in The Heart of Innovation on July 8, 2011 11:21 AM
Dan Pink on Motivation 3.0Here's a refreshing six-minute interview with Dan Pink (author of Drive and A Whole New Mind) on what it takes for organizations to go from Motivation 2.0 to Motivation 3.0 In other words, how to move towards a workplace...
Posted in The Heart of Innovation on July 2, 2011 09:28 AM
The Soldier and the Creativity TrainingI knew I was in trouble the moment he smiled. All I could see were four metal teeth -- the front ones -- the ones people use to bite things. Like an apple. Or the head of an outside...
Posted in The Heart of Innovation on June 27, 2011 04:43 AM
The Hero CultureThe hero culture is alive and well in many organizations. Riding in on a white horse to rescue the company from a downward spiral, occasioned by a history of poor decisions, will win you lots of recognition and rewards. On...
Posted in The Heart of Innovation on June 8, 2011 10:34 AM
Playing with Parkinson'sParkinson's disease has limited the way legendary jazz guitarist Sangeeta Michael Berardi plays, but not his desire to keep making music any way he can. Now, 11 years after his diagnosis and no longer the technical virtuoso he once...
Posted in The Heart of Innovation on May 21, 2011 10:07 PM
I Breathe, I Blog, I SpeakGuess what? I don't just write this blog. I speak! Yes, I speak. I really do. As in give keynotes to large audiences who want to get out of the box and raise the bar for innovation. People who...
Posted in The Heart of Innovation on May 18, 2011 11:59 PM
A Gift for the Parents of TeensIdea Champions Teens End Terrorism!...
Posted in The Heart of Innovation on May 16, 2011 12:04 AM
Are You My Kinetic Type or Is That a Motion Graphic in Your Pocket?If a picture is worth a thousand words, then what's a moving picture worth -- or better yet, the word "moving" that's moving? I am speaking of the fabulous world of kinetic type -- sometimes called motion graphics --...
Posted in The Heart of Innovation on April 30, 2011 12:39 AM
If Only He Had Come to Us Sooner!Our brainstorming sessions Our facilitation training Our innovation workshop Our interactive keynotes...
Posted in The Heart of Innovation on April 29, 2011 12:43 AM
How to Change Your PersonaDo you know why Halloween is such a popular holiday in America? Because people get permission to be somebody else for a night. Wearing a costume makes it easier for people to think and act differently -- one the simplest...
Posted in The Heart of Innovation on April 28, 2011 09:56 PM
The Magic of Webinars?Find out more...
Posted in The Heart of Innovation on April 27, 2011 11:56 PM
Chubb Business School Rocks!NOTE: This is the first in a series of posts about Idea Champions clients who are walking the talk and making great strides towards establishing a sustainable culture of innovation. When Mary Ann Heenehan became Program Manager of the...
Posted in The Heart of Innovation on April 23, 2011 11:55 PM
The Scoop on Google's 20% TimeHere's a nice post from Scott Berkun that demystifies some of the hype and hoopla about Google's "20% time" -- the much talked about practice of the high tech giant that gives their employees permission to spend 20% of...
Posted in The Heart of Innovation on April 21, 2011 01:40 AM
How the Ivy League is Killing InnovationHere's a wonderful article, just published in Bloomberg Business Week that raises a very curious paradox -- why academics are teaching innovation. Authors G. Michael Maddock and Raphael Louis Viton state their case clearly, cleanly, and with just enough of...
Posted in The Heart of Innovation on April 16, 2011 07:11 PM
It's Never Too Late to CreateI sometimes run into people who tell me that their best creative days are behind them -- that they could have accomplished great things if only they had started sooner and that they are "too old" to take on...
Posted in The Heart of Innovation on April 14, 2011 10:53 PM
Who Says Seniors Aren't Innovative?PS: Stay tuned. Later today, we'll be posting an inspiring article on Creativity Late in Life -- great examples of how elders have done some of their most creative work during their "golden years." Who We Are...
Posted in The Heart of Innovation on April 14, 2011 01:37 PM
The Trouble With ExpertsWhen somebody asks if you can do something, pause for a moment before saying "NO." Your first thought may be "that's impossible," but upon reflection you can probably figure out how to pull it off. Indeed, there is a very...
Posted in The Heart of Innovation on April 5, 2011 03:53 AM
Getting Out of the Organizational BoxLast Thursday, I had an opportunity to be the keynote speaker at the Ethical Sourcing Forum, in NYC, a conference sponsored by Intertek, a world class organization dedicated to "helping customers improve performance, gain efficiencies in manufacturing and logistics,...
Posted in The Heart of Innovation on April 4, 2011 03:40 PM
VIRTUAL TEAMWORK CARDSIf you are looking for a simple way to improve teamwork in your organization, click on the "We're All In This Together" banner in the sidebar. What you'll get is a series of 53 Teamwork Cards newly published by...
Posted in The Heart of Innovation on March 26, 2011 12:26 AM
Water for the ThirstyHere's a real-world innovation that inspires: More than 180 bloggers from around the globe are uniting today (World Water Day) to raise $10,000 and bring clean drinking water, each year, to 3,600 people in India. The project is a brainchild...
Posted in The Heart of Innovation on March 22, 2011 06:11 PM
Peeking Into the Future...Idea Champions Innovation Keynotes...
Posted in The Heart of Innovation on March 21, 2011 09:24 PM
Products of Our ImaginationWe now interrupt this highly inspiring, thought provoking, mostly unmonetized innovation blog to pay the bills. If you are looking for a simple way to think outside the box and spark some real innovation in your company, take a...
Posted in The Heart of Innovation on March 19, 2011 02:27 PM
Music to My Ears"I can't understand why people are frightened of new ideas. I'm frightened of the old ones." - John Cage...
Posted in The Heart of Innovation on March 11, 2011 06:34 PM
The 30 Most Popular Blog PostingsIn case you haven't noticed it yet, the Heart of Innovation's most popular blog postings (as rated by Postrank) are now conveniently at your disposal in the sidebar under the creatively named headline "Most Popular Postings." So, if you are...
Posted in The Heart of Innovation on March 9, 2011 02:18 PM
Cut-to-the-Chase CoachingEvery once in a while a really good deal comes along. Like the one described below, for example... If you're committed to "living the life of your heart's desire," could use a little coaching, but don't have the moolah...
Posted in The Heart of Innovation on March 5, 2011 04:04 PM
What, Exactly, IS the Box?"Innovation" is the holy grail for most organizations. Everyone wants it. Everyone talks about the need to "get out of the box" and do something different. But there's a huge gap between the rhetoric and the reality. The reasons are...
Posted in The Heart of Innovation on March 3, 2011 10:40 AM
Got the Process Improvement Blues?More Cartoon...
Posted in The Heart of Innovation on March 2, 2011 01:14 PM
The 1-Step Program for IdeaholicsI'm sure you've heard about the 12-step program. If you haven't done it yourself, you probably know someone who has. But have you heard about the 1-step program? Probably not. It's not for alcoholics. It's for ideaholics -- that is,...
Posted in The Heart of Innovation on February 28, 2011 08:28 AM
Creativity Late in LifeIsn't this awesome? It's one of a series of paintings by Scott Cronin -- a self taught artist who began his image making career at the age of 50! If you have an unexpressed artistic passion, do not give up...
Posted in The Heart of Innovation on February 9, 2011 02:36 PM
36 Awesome Quotes on Time1. "Time is a created thing. To say 'I don't have time' is to say 'I don't want to.'" - Lao Tzu 2. "To achieve great things, two things are needed; a plan, and not quite enough time." - Leonard...
Posted in The Heart of Innovation on January 27, 2011 09:57 AM
Obama's State of the Union WordCloudSize of the words indicate frequency of use. Thanks to Jean Marie Bonthous for the heads up. Create your own word cloud....
Posted in The Heart of Innovation on January 26, 2011 10:21 PM
The Genie Is a Leprechaun TodayWhen was the last time you saw a genie dressed like a leprechaun? Probably not in this lifetime. Well, thanks to my awesome 16 year old son, Jesse, and his trusty sidekick, Photoshop, the last time is now just...
Posted in The Heart of Innovation on January 24, 2011 09:36 PM
Creativity as Applied ImaginationLucid exposition on creativity by Sir Kenneth Robinson. (Hint: it's not just about thinking stuff up. It's about DOING things...) My kick asss on creativity Close the gap between thought and action...
Posted in The Heart of Innovation on January 19, 2011 01:07 AM
Do You Really Need More?An investment banker was standing at the pier of a small coastal village when a small boat with just one fisherman docked. Inside the small boat were several large yellow fin tuna. The banker complimented the fisherman on the quality...
Posted in The Heart of Innovation on January 4, 2011 08:53 AM
The BEST OF The Heart of Innovation Blog for 2010Here are the 25 most popular postings on Idea Champions' blog for 2010. As you'll notice, lists are popular. People love lists. 10.0 Thought Leaders Now Being Replaced By Feeling Leaders 10.0 The Four Currents of a Culture of Innovation...
Posted in The Heart of Innovation on December 30, 2010 06:34 PM
NEW FOR 2011: Virtual Coaching for Innovators and Creative ThinkersI've been noticing recently that there are a lot of aspiring innovators, entrepreneurs, intrapraneurs, and closet geniuses "out there" who are working in isolation. They've got great ideas and the enthusiasm to turn their great ideas into something real, but...
Posted in The Heart of Innovation on December 30, 2010 09:43 AM
Whaddya Gonna Call It?There is something you've created (a business? a book? a product? a service?) that is great, but has the wrong name. I mean, the name is OK. It sorta works, but it lacks, shall we say, mojo? Indeed, there...
Posted in The Heart of Innovation on December 24, 2010 06:40 PM
The Top 10 Reasons Why Some CEOs Sabotage InnovationThere's a huge gap between CEOs saying they want their companies to innovate and actually acting in a way consistent with what they say. This lack of congruence drives internal change agents crazy, catatonic, or out the door. At...
Posted in The Heart of Innovation on December 19, 2010 11:47 PM
Who's Really Innovative?Here's a real treat: Gary Hamel's Who's Really Innovative? article recently published on (in?) the Wall Street Journal blog. Once again, the lucid, straight shooting, and refreshing Hamel, hits a home run -- taking on the phenomenon of annual...
Posted in The Heart of Innovation on December 18, 2010 07:44 PM
Noodle on This TodayI know there is something you really want to do that feels a bit risky. A new venture? Speaking your truth? Going back to square one? Well, guess what? Now's the time. No more stalling. No more over-analyzing. No...
Posted in The Heart of Innovation on December 18, 2010 01:50 PM
Get the Creative Juices Flowing!Looking for a simple way to get the creative juices flowing? Take a tip from Mark Minnichelli, of BASF -- a contented user of our Free the Genie cards. "We've been using Free the Genie within our business for...
Posted in The Heart of Innovation on December 17, 2010 09:25 AM
Singapore Airlines Rocks!I just flew 19 hours from Newark to Singapore on Singapore Airlines. In a nutshell, here's the difference between Singapore Airlines and all the other airlines....
Posted in The Heart of Innovation on December 17, 2010 07:22 AM
Time for Your Elevator Speech!OK. Let's cut to the chase. Time is passing, eh? You've got a BIG IDEA, but it ain't worth squat if it's only in your head. You've to get it out into the world. Nor more procrastinating! You need...
Posted in The Heart of Innovation on December 10, 2010 10:49 PM
Speed Is Good (but only sometimes)Is it just me or does it seem as if things are speeding up? I keep noticing that my clients are moving faster and faster -- from one meeting to the next, one project to the next, one day to...
Posted in The Heart of Innovation on December 10, 2010 01:00 PM
What You Can Learn from the Bloody MaryIn 1939, a Russian immigrant owned the rights to distribute vodka in the U.S. His efforts bombed, big time. Americans weren't interested in a colorless, odorless alcohol. Depressed, he sold the rights to Heublein, who asked themselves: "What can we...
Posted in The Heart of Innovation on December 3, 2010 01:39 PM
Immerse Yourself!You are trying to boil water, but keep taking the lid off to see if it's boiling. Not a good idea. If you really want a breakthrough, immerse yourself! Unplug from the distractions and focus on what you really...
Posted in The Heart of Innovation on November 28, 2010 04:24 AM
Virtual Innovation CoachingAspiring innovators have a lot going for them -- big ideas, inspiration, and the willingness to work hard. What they usually don't have is time, meaningful feedback, and the knack for discovering elegant solutions on the fly. Why? Because they...
Posted in The Heart of Innovation on November 26, 2010 06:19 PM
The Wisdom of Steve Jobs"Your time is limited, so don't waste it living someone else's life. Don't be trapped by dogma -- which is living with the results of other people's thinking. Don't let the noise of other's opinions drown out your own inner...
Posted in The Heart of Innovation on November 23, 2010 03:16 PM
Friends, Roamers, and Countrymen!A few days ago, I was nominated by a leading speaker's bureau as one of the top speakers in the field of innovation and creativity. Now the fun begins, or should I say "the voting." I can't promise I will...
Posted in The Heart of Innovation on November 12, 2010 12:27 AM
Minimize DistractionsCreativity is free. It doesn't cost a thing. You don't need to pay a penny for it, but you do need to pay something -- and that is your attention. How can you expect to create something awesome if...
Posted in The Heart of Innovation on November 11, 2010 05:21 PM
Build a Business Case!Attention, right brainers! You obviously have a great idea. I know you are pumped, excited, fascinated, juiced, and convinced your idea is the next Facebook or yoyo or whatever. But it's not enough for YOU to be convinced. If...
Posted in The Heart of Innovation on November 8, 2010 03:30 PM
Fast Forward to 2100While no one really knows what the future holds, it's always useful to do a bit of projecting. Imagine it's 90 years from now. and the project you are most committed to is in full swing, being enjoyed by...
Posted in The Heart of Innovation on November 3, 2010 05:00 PM
IDEATION 2020: Just-in-Time Brainstorm Facilitation CoachingIn honor of the year 2020 and the classic meme it represents (i.e. clear vision), Idea Champions is thrilled to announce the launch of an exciting new offering -- an elegant way for its time-crunched, Conducting Genius graduates to...
Posted in The Heart of Innovation on November 2, 2010 03:12 PM
Live Your MissionInnovation is really a lot simpler than you think. If you can tune in to your mission -- or what some people would call "your life's work", innovation is like breathing. It becomes a natural expression of your innate...
Posted in The Heart of Innovation on October 28, 2010 10:48 PM
Follow Your FeelingHere's the deal: You know what to do. You really do. There is something within you that is totally tuned in. You don't need another focus group. You don't need more data. You don't need another meeting. All you...
Posted in The Heart of Innovation on October 27, 2010 07:14 AM
Be In the Present, Invent the FutureDo you see the white space that contains these words? A few minutes ago, it was empty, blank, nothing was in it. Zero. Zippo. Zilch. Your future is the same way. As well as the company you work for...
Posted in The Heart of Innovation on October 26, 2010 10:54 PM
Helping Our Kids Be More CreativeThis is fabulous 11-minute presentation, by Sir Kenneth Robinson, on the need for our educational system to change its paradigm. Ken notes some great research, towards the end of the video, about the difference between divergent thinking and creativity. Idea...
Posted in The Heart of Innovation on October 18, 2010 08:55 AM
Does This Blog Posting Belong Here?I'm not sure what this pie graph has to do with this blog, but so what. YOU might make the connection. Of course, it's always possible that there is no connection. Oh well, at least you might get a chuckle...
Posted in The Heart of Innovation on October 13, 2010 09:04 AM
Are You a Marketing Wizard?I may be the President of a successful innovation consultancy. I may have been voted the #1 innovation blogger. But that doesn't make me a skillful marketer of my company's products and services. I'm not. Which is why I'm...
Posted in The Heart of Innovation on October 12, 2010 12:11 AM
Results of Our Innovation Study*Idea Champions is pleased to announce the results of our 10 year, longitudinal research project. More than 750,000 people were surveyed. Or maybe it was 7. We're not totally sure. 50 Ways to Foster a Culture of Innovation The Four...
Posted in The Heart of Innovation on October 11, 2010 10:24 PM
Why Car Alarms Don't WorkEver hear a car alarm go off and had the same reaction as the "green people" below? Well... now's your chance to think of a better solution. The person who submits the coolest idea to Idea Champions by October 31st...
Posted in The Heart of Innovation on October 10, 2010 08:30 AM
It's Time to Go For It!You need a breakthrough. I know you do. You need a quantum leap. Forget about incremental improvement for the moment. Go for something big and bold. Stop wimping around. Stick your neck out. (The card to your left is...
Posted in The Heart of Innovation on October 8, 2010 03:46 PM
True Blue Sky ThinkingIn 1989, Gary Kasparov, the Soviet Union Grand Chess Master, played a two game match against "Deep Blue," the reigning supercomputer of the time. Kasparov won easily. When asked by the media what his competitive advantage was, he cited two...
Posted in The Heart of Innovation on October 6, 2010 11:43 PM
Create an Innovation PortfolioOne of the biggest obstacles to innovation in most organizations is the addiction to short-term results. Hustling, speed, and fire fighting rule the day -- resulting in the kind of over-caffeinated efforts that make everyone cranky. Focusing on your next...
Posted in The Heart of Innovation on October 6, 2010 09:37 AM
Getting Higher in the BlogosphereTa da! Whoop! Whoop! Drum roll, please... Idea Champions is happy to announce that our semi-fearless President, Mitch Ditkoff, has just been voted the #1 innovation blogger in a contest sponsored by the #1-rated innovation blog, Blogging Innovation. A big...
Posted in The Heart of Innovation on September 24, 2010 09:21 AM
Unity Takes TwoMitch Ditkoff and I have an interesting mercurial chemistry when we get together. Certain things get completed when we riff and improvise. He and I, and the rest of the Idea Champions crew, have all been talking about what creates...
Posted in The Heart of Innovation on September 23, 2010 11:08 PM
Where Good Ideas Come FromWonderful TED video of Steven Johnson waxing poetic on where good ideas come from. I especially like his take on "the liquid network" and "the slow hunch." 18 minutes worth. 14 Ways to Get Breakthrough Ideas...
Posted in The Heart of Innovation on September 23, 2010 07:31 AM
What Inspires You?For the past 25 years I've been studying the phenomenon of "innovation" -- trying to discover what catalyzes it and what gets in the way. One of the things I've learned is this: innovation is intimately tied to inspiration. And...
Posted in The Heart of Innovation on September 13, 2010 11:19 PM
One Stop Shopping for Great Innovation QuotesSeems like our past postings on quotes have been a big hit in the blogosphere (and maybe New Jersey). So, here ya go -- links to all the cool quotes posted on The Heart of Innovation in the past year....
Posted in The Heart of Innovation on September 1, 2010 01:06 PM
WOW! First Review of Free the GenieHere is a wonderfully comprehensive review of Free the Genie (our new, online brainstorming tool), by Chuck Frey, of Innovation Tools -- one of the leading innovation portals on the web. If you are looking for an engaging way...
Posted in The Heart of Innovation on August 12, 2010 07:59 AM
35 Creative Thinking TechniquesThose of us at Idea Champions have been designing and facilitating creative thinking sessions for a wide range of organizations since 1986. We've worked with left-brained people, right-brained people, and air-brained people -- all of whom have been interested...
Posted in The Heart of Innovation on August 11, 2010 07:24 PM
Getting Down to the Business of CreativityHere's a terrific article on creativity, based on the work of three Harvard researchers/professors. According to Teresa Amabile's research, "inner work life" is one of the biggest determinants of creative output. In other words, a positive mood is a...
Posted in The Heart of Innovation on August 10, 2010 05:35 AM
Give Your Workforce More Time to Innovate!During the past few years I've noticed a curious paradox heading its ugly rear among business leaders tooting the horn for innovation. On one hand they want the rank and file to step up to the plate and own the...
Posted in The Heart of Innovation on July 23, 2010 08:05 PM
Top 100 Amazon Reviewer Favorably Compares "Awake at the Wheel" to "Who Moved My Cheese?"Nice review of my book from Thomas Duff, Top 100 Amazon reviewer: Awake at the Wheel: Getting Your Great Ideas Rolling (in an Uphill World) can, in my opinion, be compared to the classic "Who Moved My Cheese?". Ditkoff...
Posted in The Heart of Innovation on July 21, 2010 03:11 PM
Thought Leaders Now Being Replaced By Feeling LeadersA few weeks ago I attended the World Innovation Forum in NYCMy big insight? Thought leaders will soon be a thing of the past. In their place? Feeling leaders -- business savants who have made the journey from head to...
Posted in The Heart of Innovation on July 12, 2010 12:57 AM
INTENTION: The Root of CreativityIf creativity is the flower of a human life, then intention is the root. Indeed, there are many bipeds among us who believe that without intention, there can be no creativity. More than its second cousins -- hope, wish, dream,...
Posted in The Heart of Innovation on July 3, 2010 02:19 AM
Six Ways to Go Beyond Your AssumptionsIf you want to innovate, the first thing you'll need to do is check your assumptions -- those arbitrary lines you've delicately drawn in the sand. The so-called "box" people say they want to get out of? Nothing more than...
Posted in The Heart of Innovation on June 28, 2010 06:56 AM
Breakthrough As an Accident Waiting to HappenContrary to popular belief, breakthroughs are less about the act of inventing new things than they are the art of recognizing "happy accidents" -- those unexpected moments when an elegant solution reveals itself for no particular reason. The discovery of...
Posted in The Heart of Innovation on June 20, 2010 11:45 PM
All Ducks Do Not Walk in a RowBreakthrough results are not always the result of a revolutionary Eureka moment. Quite the opposite. They are often the result of doubt, confusion, ambiguity, and experiments that go awry. When Thomas Edison was asked how it felt to fail 800...
Posted in The Heart of Innovation on May 24, 2010 09:55 AM
Get on the Stick!Source...
Posted in The Heart of Innovation on May 8, 2010 03:37 PM
iPhone, Therefore I AmGot iPhone? Want something more interesting than just the weather and the location of your nearest Starbucks? If so, download Cards of Destiny -- especially if you want some fascinating insights into who you are in the grand scheme...
Posted in The Heart of Innovation on May 4, 2010 11:58 PM
Definitions of InnovationI just googled "definitions of innovation" and came up with 5,240,000 choices. Good luck reading them. For now, here are 10 I've gathered over the years that I like. How about you? And if you have a better one, let...
Posted in The Heart of Innovation on May 4, 2010 01:05 PM
Shameless Self-Promotion #23It's recently dawned on me that a lot of the readers of this blog have no clue what the authors of this blog actually do -- or what companies we (Idea Champions) have helped along the way. So... in case...
Posted in The Heart of Innovation on April 14, 2010 01:31 PM
The Art of Good Decision MakingA good decision that everyone owns and supports is better than a great decision that is only owned by the boss. Even when the boss's conviction about a desired direction or solution is warranted, it is often insufficient to ensure...
Posted in The Heart of Innovation on March 31, 2010 12:28 AM
Honor Thy Father and MotherI am an innovation consultant. But I am also a son -- or at least was a son. My last remaining parent, my father, died on July 14th, at 94. During the last days of his life, it became...
Posted in The Heart of Innovation on March 21, 2010 08:15 AM
Create Something Before People Know They Need It!Here's a juicy definition of innovation from the almost omnipresent Guy Kawasaki. (Excerpted from a recent interview by Diann Daniel of CIO.com) "Innovation is creating something before people know they need it. The process involves building upon the work of...
Posted in The Heart of Innovation on March 21, 2010 12:23 AM
Real Innovation in Health CareIf your organization is interested in raising the bar for innovation and maximizing the creativity of its workforce, you might be interested in the following comment we just received from AtlantiCare's President of Health Care Services, Don Parker... "AtlantiCare...
Posted in The Heart of Innovation on March 15, 2010 11:01 AM
The Third Eye of the BrainstormNowhere in the human psyche is the conflict between the need for independence and the need for support more pronounced than in the creative act, especially the very specific act of generating new ideas in a group -- an activity...
Posted in The Heart of Innovation on March 4, 2010 12:03 AM
Go Beyond Your Inhibitors to CreationFor the past 25 years I've been fascinated by the phenomenon of why SOME people succeed with their creative ventures and OTHERS don't. There is no simple answer, of course, but there are definitely indicators. If you are interested in...
Posted in The Heart of Innovation on March 1, 2010 08:25 AM
You Decide the Value of Our ServicesTen months ago, I heard an intriguing report on the radio. Seems like the Java Street Cafe in Kettering, Ohio, slammed by the economic meltdown, had erased all prices from its menu and was letting customers decide what they wanted...
Posted in The Heart of Innovation on February 21, 2010 10:49 AM
The Rise of the Innovation NinjasEvery once in a while I come across a quote or excerpt from an article that I want to immediately post on the windshield of every client of mine. It cuts to the chase and lucidly states what I've been...
Posted in The Heart of Innovation on February 21, 2010 12:57 AM
SOS from Mexico!If you are reading this, please help me. I need your help! For the past eight days, I've been in Mexico, being deprogrammed. My captors are quite clever -- latino ninjas, I believe. They never show their faces. But they...
Posted in The Heart of Innovation on February 13, 2010 12:58 AM
Facilitating a Brainstorm Session Is Like Going to a CasinoFacilitating a brainstorm session is like going to a casino. You show up, find your favorite game, place your bet, and pray for luck. Sometimes you win. Most of the times, you lose. And the odds are always stacked against...
Posted in The Heart of Innovation on January 27, 2010 09:41 PM
The Back End of InnovationHere's a very lucid and well-written article by Rowan Gibson on the importance of getting your company's back end of innovation together. Rowan's rant is consistent with my own experience. It also provokes you to consider one of the ultimate...
Posted in The Heart of Innovation on January 17, 2010 03:29 PM
Need a Breakthrough in 2010?Whenever Aladdin wanted a wish fulfilled, he rubbed a magic lamp to invoke the genie. You? What do you have? I'll tell you what you have. You ALSO have a genie, but yours is virtual. No need to rub....
Posted in The Heart of Innovation on December 28, 2009 04:54 PM
Invent, Iterate, Improve, and InnovateWhat you can learn about innovation from the long and semi-glorious history of the zipper. We can help The X Factor Innovate, Schminnovate...
Posted in The Heart of Innovation on December 15, 2009 09:34 PM
Frequently Asked QuestionsOK. Confession time. I've never liked FAQs. They always seemed so predictable. So boring. So customer-servicey. That's why I wrote this. Makes FAQs more fun to read. (Don't bail out too soon. It builds). Well, I guess you'll be the...
Posted in The Heart of Innovation on December 3, 2009 03:15 AM
Vote for Me Today!GOOD NEWS! I've just been nominated as a "Top 5 Speaker" in the field of innovation & creativity by a prestigious speaker's bureau. Now the fun begins... and the voting. If you have 30 seconds and feel that I...
Posted in The Heart of Innovation on November 29, 2009 08:39 AM
The Top 100 Learning Tools of 2009Here are the top 100 netcentric learning tools as compiled by Jane Hart, social learning consultant and all around bright light. Jane surveyed 278 top learning professionals to generate this list, so a good deal of thought and consensus has...
Posted in The Heart of Innovation on November 17, 2009 05:28 PM
Here Come the 15-Year Olds!Tom Peters once said that unless 20% of a company's workforce was under the age of 20, they didn't have a chance. I totally agree -- especially now that my kids, Jesse and Mimi, are 15 & 12. Their...
Posted in The Heart of Innovation on November 11, 2009 05:12 PM
Twitter Gets ItStop beating your head against the wall trying to conjure up great, new products and services. Get your customers into the act! Take a tip from Twitter, who has found a number of ways to access -- and execute --...
Posted in The Heart of Innovation on October 27, 2009 01:09 PM
The CommissionerMost artists hate marketing. This I understand. After all, painting is their passion, not business. That's why they accept commissions. Instead of painting on spec, there's a paying client in the wings. Historically, most commissions have been for portraits....
Posted in The Heart of Innovation on October 26, 2009 08:02 PM
The Perfect Woodstock GetawayNeed a break? Looking for a relaxing weekend in a beautiful setting, with mountain views, just a 10 minute walk from the center of Woodstock? Come to the Blue Pearl, just two hours north of NYC. See the flowers...
Posted in The Heart of Innovation on October 25, 2009 10:11 PM
Rapping Southwest Airlines Flight DudeHallelujah! Finally an airline gets it right! I am definitely flying Southwest sometime soon. (What can YOUR business do to spice up it's communication -- delivering an old message in a new way?) A different kind of FAQ...
Posted in The Heart of Innovation on October 22, 2009 12:52 AM
Let Your Boss Have the First SayA sales rep, a clerk, and their manager are on the way to lunch when they find an antique oil lamp on the side of the road. They rub the lamp and a Genie appears. "Thank you for releasing...
Posted in The Heart of Innovation on October 21, 2009 02:43 PM
The FUNdamentals of InnovationOK. Here's a clue. If you want to create a product or service that makes a difference in the world, consider making it more FUN. "The creation of something new is not accomplished by the intellect, but by the play...
Posted in The Heart of Innovation on October 15, 2009 07:36 AM
Adapt Like an Iguana"It is not the strongest of the species that survives, nor the most intelligent that survives. It is the one that is the most adaptable to change." - Charles Darwin We can help...
Posted in The Heart of Innovation on October 13, 2009 06:35 PM
What You Can Learn from MimiThis is my daughter, Mimi. She is 12 years old and very flexible. I'm guessing your business is more than 12. I'm also guessing your business is not as flexible as my daughter (even if it's less than 12)....
Posted in The Heart of Innovation on September 25, 2009 01:39 AM
Teenage Manifesto from My SonWe interrupt this blog to bring you the most recent manifesto from my 15-year old son. If you have a teenager (or will), the following epistle will be worth the 3 minutes it will take to read. "There are...
Posted in The Heart of Innovation on September 14, 2009 11:39 PM
We're #1 AND #2!We are happy to announce that Online College Degree has chosen to feature two of Idea Champions' creative thinking tools as #1 and #2 on their list of 100 Excellent Online Tools to Feed Your Creativity. There's lots of other...
Posted in The Heart of Innovation on September 2, 2009 07:44 AM
The Top Ten Learning Tools on the WebClick here for the Top Ten Learning Tools on the web as compiled by the fabulous Jane Hart, Social Media and Learning Consultant. If you've never seen Jane's E-Learning Pick of the Day site, check it out immediately (or at...
Posted in The Heart of Innovation on August 10, 2009 01:30 AM
Jump Start Innovation in 7 MinutesI begin this blog posting with a big, fat assumption -- that you, dear reader, are involved in some kind of project, venture, or team that's committed to innovation, growing your business, or breakthrough results. I'm also assuming that your...
Posted in The Heart of Innovation on July 15, 2009 10:32 AM
No Strings AttachedTired of going to long, boring conferences that promise to give you the "competitive edge," tool you up with the latest best practices, and supercharge your ability to see the future clearly? Of course you are. And so, in the...
Posted in The Heart of Innovation on July 7, 2009 11:08 PM
The Single Sock TheoryDear Movers and Shakers: We now interrupt this blog with an official announcement of the first annual WHAT HAPPENS TO THE SINGLE SOCKS? contest. While we all have our differences, there is one thing we all have in common and...
Posted in The Heart of Innovation on July 2, 2009 06:58 PM
I'm Giving Away the FarmTired of big fat business books that cost $26.95 and take way too long to say what you already know? Well then, here's a much simpler, less expensive way to spark innovation, creativity, and fire in the belly. Online it...
Posted in The Heart of Innovation on June 29, 2009 12:35 AM
Go Beyond the Usual Suspects!Most organizations brainstorm. The brainstormers, however, tend to be the same old "usual suspects" -- the self-declared creatives, content experts, decision makers, stakeholders, and senior officers. Bad idea. Brilliance can come from anywhere in an organization. That is, IF you...
Posted in The Heart of Innovation on June 17, 2009 08:00 PM
Awake at the Wheel Lives!"I don't usually post reviews of my book on this blog (seems too self-serving), but I couldn't resist with this one. It was just posted on Amazon by Paul Roth and captures a big piece of the book's DNA....
Posted in The Heart of Innovation on June 15, 2009 06:17 PM
STICKY IDEA: Post-It EntertainmentIf you can spell "innovation," you've probably heard the story about the origins of the post-it note -- how it was an accident in one of 3M's labs and how Art Frye and others saw a market for something that...
Posted in The Heart of Innovation on May 9, 2009 11:26 AM
Smoke Signals in CyberspaceHey innovation-seeking humanoids! Back in my day, whenever we wanted to get the word out, it was dirt simple. Smoke signals was the name of the game. Or maybe a primal scream or two. We didn't have no email, no...
Posted in The Heart of Innovation on May 8, 2009 07:58 AM
Seeing Through the Eyes of a ChildTonight, I came home from a meeting, and the image above was waiting for me in my inbox. Somehow, when I was gone, my 14-year old son figured out how to do this. (That's him). I will ask the...
Posted in The Heart of Innovation on May 5, 2009 12:37 AM
Generation "F" vs. the Fortune 500This just in from Gary Hamel. "The experience of growing up online will profoundly shape the workplace expectations of "Generation F" -- the Facebook Generation. At a minimum, they'll expect the social environment of work to reflect the social context...
Posted in The Heart of Innovation on March 25, 2009 10:57 PM
Got Innovation Process?If you want to create a river, you will need two things: flowing water and two river banks. If you want to create a culture of innovation, you will also need two things: new ideas and the organizational structures to...
Posted in The Heart of Innovation on March 18, 2009 01:34 PM
USA! USA! We're # 8!America may the world's biggest consumer of Frappucinos, but we're #8 in innovation, according to a joint study of 110 countries by the Boston Consulting Group, National Association of Manufacturers, and the Manufacturing Institute. But hey, if you don't really...
Posted in The Heart of Innovation on March 13, 2009 02:33 AM
14 Ways to Get Breakthrough IdeasIs there a secret to coming up with a breakthrough idea? No, there isn't. But there are things you can do to increase the likelihood. Here are 14, excerpted from my ChangeThis Manifesto, available here for downloading. 1. Follow your...
Posted in The Heart of Innovation on March 3, 2009 03:24 AM
Creatvity DemystifiedWant to know one of the little known secrets of creativity? Making new connections between seemingly unrelated elements. There. That's it. Plain and simple. Drive in banking? Nothing more than the combination of cars and banking? MTV? The novel connection...
Posted in The Heart of Innovation on February 24, 2009 11:39 PM
Awake at the Wheel wins Silver Medal in the Axiom Business Book Awards!This just in! Awake at the Wheel, my book on what it takes to originate, develop, and manifest BIG IDEAS has just won a Silver Medal in the Axiom Business Books Awards competition (Business Fable category). Needless to say,...
Posted in The Heart of Innovation on February 20, 2009 11:38 PM
Hamster Burial Kits and 998 Business IdeasIdeas are a dime a dozen. The money is in the execution. Need proof? For Seth Godin's Alternative MBA program, this week nine forward thinking (and very prolific) wizards each came up with 111 business ideas. But ideas are only...
Posted in The Heart of Innovation on February 12, 2009 09:39 PM
"Adversity reveals genius, prosperity conceals it." -- HoraceOK, movers and shakers, business leaders, entrepreneurs, creative thinkers, and other assorted humanoids adversely affected by the crumbling global economy... it's time to embrace the fact that the difficulties you're facing actually have a SILVER LINING. The old forms are...
Posted in The Heart of Innovation on February 5, 2009 12:07 PM
ONLINE POLL: Raising the Bar for Extraordinary Teamwork in 2009If you are committed to accomplishing extraordinary results, chances are good that you will need to collaborate with others. Your ideas and dedication, no matter how inspired they may be, will never be enough by themselves. It takes a village....
Posted in The Heart of Innovation on January 26, 2009 09:25 AM
Humanizing the WorkplaceIt's really not my nature to be this effusive about other people's books, but Gary Hamel's newest offering, The Future of Management, is a 15 on a scale of 1-10. Lucid. Authentic. Compelling. And very well-written. Gary and his co-author,...
Posted in The Heart of Innovation on January 21, 2009 11:29 PM
The Beauty of What's in Front of YouA man sat at a metro station in Washington DC and started to play the violin; it was a cold January morning. He played six Bach pieces for about 45 minutes. During that time, since it was rush hour,...
Posted in The Heart of Innovation on January 15, 2009 10:06 PM
10 Reasons to Design a Better Corporate CultureIf your organization is committed to creating a corporate culture that is conducive to growth, innovation, and high employee morale, take a look at this insightful article from Harvard Business School's Working Knowledge Newsletter. The article won't tell you how...
Posted in The Heart of Innovation on January 5, 2009 10:47 AM
Welcome to the Ogosphere!Greetings! My name is Og, hero of Mitch Ditkoff's book about what it really takes to get a big idea out of your head and into the world. Back in my day, there was no such thing as an internet....
Posted in The Heart of Innovation on December 31, 2008 07:01 PM
The Power of a Single IdeaTake a look at what one person, with a good idea and a lot of chutzpah, can do. It's MATT, a self-described "32 year old deadbeat from Connecticut" who travelled to 42 countries on 7 continents in 6 months and...
Posted in The Heart of Innovation on December 22, 2008 02:06 PM
METAPHOR: A Bridge Over Deep WatersAll of the creative thinking techniques we teach at Idea Champions are based on the innate capacity of the human mind to make connections, find patterns, and imagine alternatives. One of these techniques involves using metaphors to give us insight...
Posted in The Heart of Innovation on December 17, 2008 11:11 PM
Juggling, Creativity, and the BeatlesTwenty years ago, we got our first big contract by teaching AT&T's Director of Training and Development how to juggle in five minutes. (The man had been trying for 25 years). After we taught him, he looked at us and...
Posted in The Heart of Innovation on December 14, 2008 02:37 PM
How do you get to Carnegie Hall?We are what we repeatedly do. Excellence then is not an act, but a habit. - Aristotle When I was in high school, I entertained the possibility of a career in music. I practiced the trumpet every single day for...
Posted in The Heart of Innovation on December 8, 2008 03:19 PM
Forget About the Box, Get Out of the Cave!See the caveman to your left? That's Og. He's the protagonist of my new book, Awake at the Wheel: Getting Your Great Ideas Rolling (in an uphill world). The word "protagonist" is not in Og's vocabulary. Even I don't use...
Posted in The Heart of Innovation on November 13, 2008 11:37 AM
Metaphors Be With You!If you want to originate breakthrough business solutions, you will need to think differently than you usually do. In a phrase, you will need to "get out of the box." But how? How does a person go beyond the boundaries...
Posted in The Heart of Innovation on November 11, 2008 07:40 AM
Baking the Change and Innovation CakeLast night, my 11-year old daughter, Mimi, and her good friend, Zoe, stayed up late to watch the election results. After Obama was declared the winner, they baked a cake in his honor and, in the morning, frosted it....
Posted in The Heart of Innovation on November 5, 2008 10:22 AM
"It's No Time to Forget About Innovation"Writing in the New York Times, Janet Rae-Dupree reminds us that even or especially in times "of corporate belt-tightening," companies reduce their efforts to strengthen innovation at their own risk. She quotes Jon Fisher, a business professor, serial entrepreneur, and...
Posted in The Heart of Innovation on November 4, 2008 04:17 PM
Idea Champions' Creativity Tools Declared "Awesomest" Tools on the WebMany thanks to gottAquirk for acknowledging us for having the "awesomest" creativity tools on the web. Of the nine tools they cited, our Jump Start and Idea Lottery tools were ranked #1 and #2. (By the way, the Idea Lottery...
Posted in The Heart of Innovation on October 31, 2008 09:47 AM
Idea Champions' Economic Bailout Package for U.S. CorporationsIt's Fall in America, usually a very beautiful season, with leaves turning color and Thanksgiving just around the corner. But there's something else in the air these days -- and that is a savage economic downturn. It's not just the...
Posted in The Heart of Innovation on October 29, 2008 11:25 AM
Song and Dance and Innovation ManI once attended a talk by Mike Vance, Walt Disney's "head of idea and people development," way back in the day. One of the many interesting points that Vance made back then, in his rapid-fire Midwestern twang, was "Ask a...
Posted in The Heart of Innovation on October 28, 2008 02:25 AM
TV or Not TVThe 2 minute video below is the first in a series of Idea Champions' public service announcements -- our small attempt at giving back to society. Feel free to forward the link to any TV-watching family members or neighbors of...
Posted in The Heart of Innovation on October 24, 2008 03:16 PM
Second Chance to Enter the First Annual Word of Mouth Praise PollAll human beings -- even the most cynical ones amongst us -- have had the experience of praising something at one time or another. For some of us, it may have been a restaurant, movie, or vacation spot. For others,...
Posted in The Heart of Innovation on October 19, 2008 04:08 PM
It's Never Too Late to Be CreativeGrandma Moses started painting at 64. Frank Lloyd Wright designed the Guggenheim museum at 91. Mary Baker Eddy began the Christian Science Monitor at 87. My wife, Evelyne Pouget, began painting at 40 -- and with absolutely no formal...
Posted in The Heart of Innovation on October 18, 2008 10:39 AM
Your Second Chance to Enter the First Annual Multiple Uses of a Ping Pong Ball ContestTA DA! It's time to win free stuff! All you need to do is read the following starter list and submit your own ideas. Idea Champions will award prizes in the following categories: 1) Most creative; 2) Funniest; 3) Biggest...
Posted in The Heart of Innovation on October 17, 2008 02:19 PM
Doing the Seeming ImpossibleOK. Here's a wake up call for all of us who think our life or work challenges are impossible. Click below to see what this chap accomplished, then ask yourself whether or not what YOU'RE trying to accomplish (i.e. invent...
Posted in The Heart of Innovation on September 6, 2008 08:35 AM
Innovation Slush FundsNortel, the fiber optics giant, allocates pools of money (or "innovation slush funds") at different organizational levels for any idea a manager thinks has great potential, but doesn't want to be accountable for the bottom-line result. Very cool. A client...
Posted in The Heart of Innovation on August 30, 2008 09:30 PM
CREATIVE THINKING TECHNIQUE: The Daily MuseIn the 21st century, it is no longer considered radical to believe that thought shapes the future. This is something that has been proven again and again in experiment after experiment. And it is precisely for this reason that...
Posted in The Heart of Innovation on August 6, 2008 06:17 AM
A Truly Stand Up Guy (Kawasaki) Acknowledges This Blog on ALLTOPThis just in! Heart of Innovation has just been noted on Guy Kawasaki's ALLTOP website as one of the top innovation blogs. ALLTOP (which we just discovered about seven minutes ago) is a very cool resource for anyone wanting...
Posted in The Heart of Innovation on August 3, 2008 11:08 PM
INNOVATION SCHMINNOVATION: Give Peace a Chance!Yes, we're all interested in innovation and that's a good thing, but if innovation doesn't lead to something more than increased marketshare, profits, and stuff to consume, we're in big trouble. Here's a very cool, new video by Stuart Hoffman...
Posted in The Heart of Innovation on August 3, 2008 09:56 AM
50 Ways to Foster a Culture of InnovationI hear a lot of talk, these days, about how important it is for organizations to establish a sustainable culture of innovation. I agree. It is important. The key is to close the gap between the hot talk on...
Posted in The Heart of Innovation on July 29, 2008 05:28 PM
The First Annual Last Words Contest"I wish I had drunk more champagne." With these last words, John Maynard Keynes, the famous British economist, passed into the Great Beyond. Way to go Johnny! Conrad Hilton, grandfather of Paris and founder of one of the world's most...
Posted in The Heart of Innovation on July 18, 2008 02:57 PM
Need a Breakthrough?Tired of rubbing that magic lamp you bought on ebay, hoping for a genie to appear? Need a big breakthrough on a project of yours? Look no further. You've come to the right place. And you won't need to rub...
Posted in The Heart of Innovation on July 13, 2008 05:18 PM
Ideas for Other PeopleI have an odd ability to come up with ideas for other people when I'm not really trying. Book and song titles are my specialties. Often the ideas are so intriguing, I try to convince myself to do something with...
Posted in The Heart of Innovation on July 12, 2008 08:51 PM
The 30 Second Summer Blog for People on the Go78% of all people who log onto the Idea Champions website spend less than 30 seconds there. It's probably the same for this blog. Short and sweet is the name of the game these days. And so... for the rest...
Posted in The Heart of Innovation on July 11, 2008 09:42 PM
More On Where and When You Get Your Best IdeasA big thanks to Chuck Frey of Innovation Tools for his June 26th posting on our just-released poll results re: "Where and When People Get Their Best Ideas?" Chuck notes the top ten catalysts: 1. When you're inspired 2. Brainstorming...
Posted in The Heart of Innovation on June 29, 2008 11:14 AM
POLL RESULTS: Where and When Do You Get Your Best Ideas?Einstein used to get his best ideas while shaving. Mozart used to exercise before composing. The Scientific Method came to Rene Descartes in a dream. One of our clients gets her best ideas when blow drying her hair. Fascinated by...
Posted in The Heart of Innovation on June 25, 2008 03:53 PM
Getting All GoogleyInteresting summary of Google CEO's speech to the Economic Club of Washington this Monday. Among other things, Schmidt talked about his company's attempts to innovate, including allowing engineers to use 20 percent of their time to work on projects of...
Posted in The Heart of Innovation on June 10, 2008 03:58 PM
AWAKE AT THE WHEEL: Getting Your Great Ideas Rolling (in an uphill world)Ta da! After seven years, 22 rejections, multiple rewrites, 2 agents, and a whole lot of looking at myself in the mirror, here it is: the publication of my new book, AWAKE AT THE WHEEL: Getting Your Great Ideas...
Posted in The Heart of Innovation on June 1, 2008 06:05 AM
"The Business of Life is Not a Life of Business."Yes, it's true. The business of life is not a life of business. And only when you realize that, will your business (and your life) really flourish. Research has shown that business people are more creative when they are happy....
Posted in The Heart of Innovation on May 21, 2008 04:57 PM
Doing More With LessIdea Champions is happy to announce the launching of DOING MORE WITH LESS -- the perfect, cost-effective intervention to help your company keep innovating (while cutting costs) during recessionary times. (You may need to tighten your belts, but you don't...
Posted in The Heart of Innovation on May 20, 2008 03:22 PM
LIVE! On the Web! Streaming Interview with Mitch Ditkoff: May 22If you are a coach, manager, business leader, trainer, therapist, change agent, light bearer, or simply feel the need for some inspiration, log onto my interview with Lynn Kindler, of CoachingCommons.org next Thursday, May 22, 3:00 PM (EDT). Click here...
Posted in The Heart of Innovation on May 19, 2008 05:26 PM
The Inner GameIf you missed Tim Gallwey's classic Inner Game of Tennis the first time around, now's your chance to get it. Tim's book, the best selling sports psychology book in U.S. publishing history, is about as good as it gets....
Posted in The Heart of Innovation on May 19, 2008 03:43 PM
BOOK REVIEW: Growing Great EmployeesI love this management development book by Erika Andersen. It's simple. It's beautifully written. And it's very useful. It's clear that Erika is talking from her real-world experience and not the jive zone of wannabee consultants. It's rare to...
Posted in The Heart of Innovation on May 15, 2008 10:42 PM
Blog Talk Radio InterviewOK. It's official. My new book, Awake at the Wheel, hit the bookstores yesterday. In celebration of its coming out, Wayne Hurlbert of BlogTalkRadio, did a 60 minute interview with me last night. Click here, if you want to listen....
Posted in The Heart of Innovation on May 2, 2008 01:00 PM
Got The Email Blues?At least once a week, one of my friends or one of my clients complains about email -- how they get too much of it and how too much of what they get is spam. I feel their pain. I...
Posted in The Heart of Innovation on April 29, 2008 01:40 AM
24,000 Year Old Cave Man Invites You to a Book Signing in WoodstockSee that Neanderthal to your left? That's Og, the mythical inventor of the wheel and the hero of Mitch Ditkoff's new book which hits the book stores on May 1. In honor of Og, I am inviting you to the...
Posted in The Heart of Innovation on April 18, 2008 07:58 PM
The Big GameLast night I watched the NY Giants beat the Green Bay Packers 23-20 in an NFL championship football game. I watched it with eight friends. As always, we had a fantastic time -- an experience that our wives (no...
Posted in The Heart of Innovation on January 21, 2008 01:30 AM
Give Everything You HaveIf you are looking for a breakthrough in 2008 -- whether it's in the realm of innovation, collaboration, business, or personal relationships, allow me to offer you one simple piece of advice: give everything you have. Yup. Go all the...
Posted in The Heart of Innovation on January 2, 2008 10:17 PM
Seeing Innovation ClearlyThere's an old Indian adage that goes something like this: "When a pickpocket meets a saint, all he sees are pockets." Psychologists summarize this phenomenon in three words: "Motivation affects perception." In other words, if you're hungry when driving...
Posted in The Heart of Innovation on December 30, 2007 02:43 AM
ANNOUNCING: The Winners of Our First Annual Blog Contest!Ta da! It's official! We have a winner! Actually, we have five winners and a bonus sixth -- the first people to respond to our Dec. 17th 30 Second Blog Contest. And they are, in the exact order they...
Posted in The Heart of Innovation on December 28, 2007 01:29 AM
Millions and Billions: The Probability of Terrestrial LifeThe late science popularizer Carl Sagan once urged his readers and viewers to contemplate the millions of galaxies in the universe and consider the probability of extraterrestrial life existing somewhere outside our own planet. Today we live in a revised...
Posted in The Heart of Innovation on December 23, 2007 08:33 PM
Time to Catch the BubblesA few years ago I found myself standing in my closet, madly searching for clean clothes in a last minute attempt to pack before yet another business trip, when I noticed my 4-year old son standing in the entrance....
Posted in The Heart of Innovation on December 22, 2007 12:50 AM
The 30 Second Blog ContestIf you are one of the first five people who leave a comment in response to this blog posting, you win a free copy of Mitch Ditkoff's newly published book on what it takes to manifest bold new ideas, Awake...
Posted in The Heart of Innovation on December 17, 2007 07:39 PM
Create In-House Start UpsIf your organization is finding it slow going cranking up its innovation machine, take a tip from the world of high tech. Teradyne, a manufacturer of testing equipment for semiconductor chips, phone networks, and software, has found a way...
Posted in The Heart of Innovation on December 15, 2007 12:22 AM
The Best Ideas Poll: 2007Einstein got his best ideas while shaving. Mozart used to exercise before composing. Rene Descartes came up with the Scientific Method in a dream. Three geniuses. Three totally different catalysts for breakthrough thinking. How about you? Where and when...
Posted in The Heart of Innovation on September 11, 2007 10:37 PM
Einstein Tip of the WeekIf you find yourself working closely with predominantly left-brained, analytical, logical, linear, rational, data hungry, bottom-line focused business people, and you're sensing there is precious little openness to the state of mind affectionately known as "receptivity," you may find it...
Posted in The Heart of Innovation on August 1, 2007 11:57 PM
InnovationTools' "Quote of the Week" is from MitchIn a nice and unexpected coincidence with the kickoff of our blog here, the Quote of the Week in the current InnovationWeek newsletter is from our own Mitch Ditkoff, President and co-founder of Idea Champions. The newsletter is published by...
Posted in The Heart of Innovation on July 26, 2007 07:12 PM
Talking Innovation: 3M's Secret WeaponWhen talking (or blogging) about practical innovation in the corporate world, there's no better place to start than 3M, a company whose name has become synonymous with the word. 3M is committed to 30% of its revenues coming from recently...
Posted in The Heart of Innovation on July 24, 2007 06:45 PM
WelcomeWelcome to the Heart of Innovation, Idea Champions' new blog – a place to slow down, take a breath, and spark new possibilities.
Posted in The Heart of Innovation on July 23, 2007 05:27 PM
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How Has the Practice of Knowledge Changed My Life for the Better?"Self-Knowledge is a route to personal peace... Practicing it enables me to stay centered and grounded... With Knowledge, there's no need to be anywhere else or think anything else. No need for an awareness of anything other than the...
Posted in The Heart of the Matter on April 14, 2024 10:59 AM
The Glass of WaterI first heard the following story many years ago from Prem Rawat. I loved it then and I love it now, as it brings me back to a simple place of appreciation for life What follows is my retelling...
Posted in The Heart of the Matter on March 30, 2024 08:36 AM
Michelangelo's ReplyWhen asked how he created his iconic statue, DAVID, Michelangelo, as the story goes, said the following: "I simply took away everything that wasn't." The statue, you see, was ALWAYS in the stone. All it took was the sure...
Posted in The Heart of the Matter on March 24, 2024 04:53 PM
"What Ever Happens, Don't Stop Being Thankful for Being Here"...
Posted in The Heart of the Matter on March 16, 2024 11:37 PM
The EpitaphNow 76 and increasingly approaching the expected lifespan of an American male, I wonder from time to time what inscription I would want on my tombstone -- something not quite as goofy as WC Fields' ("I'd rather be in...
Posted in The Heart of the Matter on February 10, 2024 03:13 PM
New Release by Stuart HoffmanIf you are a lover of music, life, possibility, aspiration, soulfulness, hope, peace or joy, Stuart Hoffman's new song, "Us All" is most definitely worth a listen. The vocalist on the song is the very soulful Lisa Frazier --...
Posted in The Heart of the Matter on February 6, 2024 07:03 AM
Tidal, Volcanic and UncontainableThere is something within every human being that is timeless, universal, and divine. This something has been called by many names since language first began, but it does not need a name in order to exist. Indeed, it existed long...
Posted in The Heart of the Matter on January 10, 2024 05:51 AM
Still Feeling Cranky?Based on my observations over the past six decades, there seems to be a big fat concept that is very common among peace-seeking individuals -- well-meaning, heart-centered people engaged in some kind of "consciousness practice". When push comes to shove...
Posted in The Heart of the Matter on January 4, 2024 11:58 AM
Once Upon a Time There Was No TimeOnce upon a time there was no time. No time and no space. No heroes, no plot, no drama, no obstacles, no twists, no turns, no hero's journey, no redemption, nothing to learn, nowhere to go, and no one needing...
Posted in The Heart of the Matter on December 9, 2023 09:49 PM
THE CHALLENGE OF COMMUNICATING THE INEFFABLEEver since I received the gift of Self-Knowledge from Prem Rawat in 1971, I have been trying, in various ways, to communicate something about the experience he reveals, how the practice of what he teaches benefits a person's life,...
Posted in The Heart of the Matter on November 21, 2023 11:05 AM
Paint Outside the Boxes"Weve been given the opportunity to express ourselves -- to paint beautiful pictures with the strengths we have inside. Each new morning, we can choose to be the most fantastic version of ourselves. Ignore the numbers. Paint outside the...
Posted in The Heart of the Matter on November 17, 2023 12:06 PM
The Hostage SituationA few days ago, Rabbi Zoe B. Zak from Temple Israel of Catskill asked me to write something for tonight's Sabbath service -- something that spoke to the hostage situation in Israel. This gave me pause and one more opportunity...
Posted in The Heart of the Matter on November 11, 2023 02:13 PM
The Miraculous Border CrossingWhat follows is a chapter of a memoir-in-process by Joan Apter about her four-year overland-to-India adventure: 1967 to 1971 -- one that led her to the home of Prem Rawat (known as "Maharaji" at that time) when he was...
Posted in The Heart of the Matter on November 4, 2023 07:58 AM
Fill Your Bucket Now and DrinkEverything on the outside changes -- our lives a kind of time lapse photography from the moment we are born to the moment we exit, stage left. A seed is planted. It sprouts. It flowers. Bees come. Night comes....
Posted in The Heart of the Matter on October 17, 2023 12:17 AM
Going Beyond WordsThis just in! This morning, after breakfast, I began writing an article about the challenge of communicating anything meaningful via words -- how to give voice to the ineffable, how to give shape to that which has no form,...
Posted in The Heart of the Matter on October 9, 2023 01:45 PM
When the Red Sea PartsTwo days ago I had a very interesting experience upon walking into the town of Catskill for my morning coffee and scone. Halfway there, I started feeling like I was on my death bed -- the time of life...
Posted in The Heart of the Matter on October 4, 2023 08:40 AM
WRITTEN LAST YEAR AT AMAROOWhat follows is something I wrote at Prem Rawat's five-day "Focus 5" retreat in Amaroo, Australia last year. (It just popped up on Facebook, so I thought I would share it with you now.) I hope it communicates a...
Posted in The Heart of the Matter on September 24, 2023 11:25 AM
Sweeping the PathAs a middle class American male with a healthy dose of resistance to household chores, the broom has never been one of my favorite tools. While I've certainly appreciated its timeless design and universal appeal, the act of sweeping...
Posted in The Heart of the Matter on September 17, 2023 06:09 AM
Quotes on LongingAll of us long for something -- the almost insatiable thirst of the spirit for union, expression, and the experience of love beyond words. What do you long for? "There is a space between man's imagination and man's attainment...
Posted in The Heart of the Matter on August 28, 2023 09:01 PM
You are Invited to Subscribe to My Facebook Group, "Unspoken Word"If you have been enjoying "The Heart of the Matter," there is a very good chance you will also enjoy my newly launched Facebook group, "Unspoken Word." There you will find a wide range of poetry, readings, and quotes...
Posted in The Heart of the Matter on August 12, 2023 06:43 AM
It's Not That Difficult a QuestionPrem Rawat has been speaking to people, all over the world, about peace, for the past 53 years or so. He is always in great demand and his audiences, in India, have sometimes been as large as 300,000. So,...
Posted in The Heart of the Matter on July 21, 2023 08:50 PM
Adapt, Flow, Change & Respond"It is not the strongest of the species that survives, nor the most intelligent that survives. It is the one that is most adaptable to change." - Charles Darwin I don't think anything in my life has completely prepared...
Posted in The Heart of the Matter on July 18, 2023 05:37 AM
The Simplicity of Breath...
Posted in The Heart of the Matter on July 13, 2023 02:58 PM
Unexpected Tears of JoyThere are times, these days, when I am driving in my car or sitting at my kitchen table late at night, alone, when my eyes fill with tears -- not tears of sadness, tears of joy. Inundated by a...
Posted in The Heart of the Matter on July 4, 2023 06:52 AM
Sorry, No RitualsPrem's new book...
Posted in The Heart of the Matter on June 30, 2023 03:57 PM
The Relaunch of PremRawat.comIf you google the word "peace" you will, in less than a second, be presented with 2 billion ways to learn more about it. I'm sure many of them will take you to great places -- informative, engaging, and...
Posted in The Heart of the Matter on June 22, 2023 07:01 AM
Inspiring Cows"Practice," it has been said, "makes perfect". Practice, indeed, is how human beings translate theory into action. Practice is how any of us get good at anything. Of course, there are a million of ways to practice. In a...
Posted in The Heart of the Matter on June 17, 2023 06:25 PM
The Name GameI first heard about Prem Rawat in 1971. He was 13 then and known as "Maharaji." I was 24 and known as "Ditty." A long-haired, seeker of Truth, I was astounded by what this young boy from India had...
Posted in The Heart of the Matter on June 6, 2023 07:21 AM
The "D" WordMost people who accomplish anything extraordinary in their life usually put in a lot of hard work towards that end. They know, from experience, that going beyond the status quo requires effort -- lots of effort. Entrepreneurs, for example,...
Posted in The Heart of the Matter on May 26, 2023 12:41 PM
My Tray of Hors D'oeuvres Is EmptyI have been a student of Prem Rawat since 1971. For the past 52 years, inspired by the feeling of deep peace and gladness he has awakened in me, I have been attempting, in various unsuccessful ways, to describe...
Posted in The Heart of the Matter on May 15, 2023 11:15 PM
IPHONE, THEREFORE I AM?One of the curious things about the so-called 'spiritual life" is the palpable gap between theory and practice. On one hand, practitioners, in their effort to keep themselves in a positive state of mind, usually maintain an image of...
Posted in The Heart of the Matter on May 11, 2023 11:58 PM
RUMI AND THE DODGE DARTOne of the amazing things about life is that every moment has, contained with it, the potential to spark an awakening -- a meaningful, memorable, life-changing insight about ourselves with the potential to take us to higher ground. And...
Posted in The Heart of the Matter on April 27, 2023 12:05 PM
Today is the Launch of "Unspoken Word: Love, Longing & Letting Go"Dear Friends: If you have been reading Heart of the Matter , there is a very good chance you will enjoy my just-published book of poetry dedicated to Prem Rawat, "Unspoken Word: Love, Longing & Letting Go." Today is...
Posted in The Heart of the Matter on April 21, 2023 09:10 PM
"Unspoken Word: Love Longing & Letting Go" Just Published!I am happy to announce that my new book of poetry, dedicated to Prem Rawat, is now available on Amazon. The cost? Four cappuccinos worth, but the buzz lasts a lot longer. You may want to check out the...
Posted in The Heart of the Matter on April 14, 2023 04:38 PM
The UmbrellaPremRawat.com...
Posted in The Heart of the Matter on March 30, 2023 12:19 PM
On Simplicity"Life is really simple, but we insist on making it complicated." -- Confucius "If you can't explain it to a six-year old, you don't understand it yourself." -- Albert Einstein "It is not a daily increase, but a daily...
Posted in The Heart of the Matter on March 25, 2023 06:09 AM
Last Night I Googled LongingLast night I googled longing. What I found surprised me. Ninety-five percent of the images were women: Women dreaming. Women staring out windows. Women brushing their golden hair beneath the full moon. Oh... and lots of Goddesses, too. Where...
Posted in The Heart of the Matter on March 10, 2023 11:07 PM
What People Find Compelling About Prem Rawat's StorytellingPrem Rawat is considered by many to be master storyteller. Indeed, his most recent book, Hear Yourself: How to Find Peace in a Noisy World, is filled with some of his favorite and most entertaining stories. Below are a...
Posted in The Heart of the Matter on March 3, 2023 02:21 PM
Wisdom Quotes from Prem Rawat's New Book: Part 2Here is the second in a series of third-party quotes from Prem Rawat's new book, Hear Yourself: How to Find Peace in a Noisy World. The post includes inspiring quotes from the following savants throughout history: Aristotle, Albert Einstein,...
Posted in The Heart of the Matter on February 22, 2023 11:27 AM
For MaureenEDITOR'S NOTE: This just in from Larry Lefkowitz: Today is the second anniversary of the passing of Maureen, my dear wife and companion of 42 years. She was a remarkable gift and brightly reflected the foundational love that lives...
Posted in The Heart of the Matter on January 30, 2023 11:38 PM
The Mind Does Not Understand What the Heart ExperiencesAs time rolls by and I continue noodling on this wonderful opportunity called "life", I am increasingly realizing that the MIND has very little capacity to understand what the HEART experiences. The heart experiences ecstasy, unconditional love, and the...
Posted in The Heart of the Matter on January 30, 2023 03:12 PM
A Social Media ExperimentDuring the past two months I have been conducting an experiment on social media and it has been going quite well. I've decided to curate the best of my writing and publish it on Medium -- an online platform...
Posted in The Heart of the Matter on January 22, 2023 11:46 PM
The OrangeEvery spiritual tradition in the world has its own collection of rites and rituals that make up the warp and woof if it's particular path. These rites and rituals, the origins of which are not always understood, give its...
Posted in The Heart of the Matter on January 20, 2023 12:59 PM
The Book My Daughter Asked Me to Write Begins on April 6One year ago, I asked my darling daughter, Mimi (24 at the time), what my next book should be about. In a flash, she looked into my eyes and said, "A book of wisdom from a father two his...
Posted in The Heart of the Matter on January 9, 2023 08:36 AM
Snow Day!Growing up in New York, there were three things I found utterly amazing: the accents of people from other places, baseball, and snow days. If you're from California, Mexico, or Hawaii, you probably know what the first two are...
Posted in The Heart of the Matter on December 17, 2022 06:01 PM
What a Good Educator Does"I don't know you. I don't know your name. But I do love you because you are a human being. That is sufficient for me to open up my heart and bring forth to you all that I know."...
Posted in The Heart of the Matter on December 4, 2022 10:06 AM
Are You Still Grateful on the Day AFTER Thanksgiving?It's easy to be grateful on Thanksgiving. But what about the other 364 days of the year? Are we grateful then? Maybe this will help. (And be sure to note the link at the bottom of the post....
Posted in The Heart of the Matter on November 25, 2022 02:59 PM
If You Enjoy Reading What I WriteIf you enjoy my writing, I invite you to click on any one of the six links below. These are the six most popular posts of mine on MEDIUM -- an online platform where I am publishing daily. If...
Posted in The Heart of the Matter on November 18, 2022 08:13 AM
The Shortest Pilgrimage (and the rebooting of my MEDIUM blog)Good news! After a long hiatus, I have rebooted my blog on MEDIUM -- a very lovely online platform where the best of my writing is being published. I will be posting one piece daily. Feel free to subscribe....
Posted in The Heart of the Matter on November 13, 2022 04:48 AM
Reboot Your Consciousness in Six Minutes or LessHere are five brief video clips of Prem Rawat waxing poetic on a variety of essential life topics. Excerpted from the Practical Peace Library from his website. You, emanating you (1:39) Fear destroys You (5:53) How do you want...
Posted in The Heart of the Matter on November 12, 2022 09:57 PM
I Thought I Was a Small, But I'm a MediumGreetings! It's me, Mitch Ditkoff. I hope this brief post finds you in good health, good spirits, and enjoying life to the fullest. If you have enjoyed any of my writing over the years, you might also enjoy the...
Posted in The Heart of the Matter on October 18, 2022 03:24 PM
A Request for Your BrillianceI am happy to announce that I will be publishing my fourth book of poetry in early 2023. The title? "Unspoken Word: Poetry of Love, Longing and Letting Go." Yes, I am psyched about getting these poems out into...
Posted in The Heart of the Matter on September 16, 2022 08:23 AM
ON MY WAY BACK FROM AMAROO: Knowledge in ActionHere is the beginning of a real life "Knowledge in Action" story about my mythic journey back home from Amaroo -- beginning with the curious phenomenon of my first leg of the return flight from Brisbane to Sydney NOT...
Posted in The Heart of the Matter on September 14, 2022 09:49 AM
Checking in from Amaroo: Day TwoOkie dokie. It is some time in the very early morning here, but I cannot tell you what time, specifically, because I never changed the time zone on my iPhone, nor do I want to turn my iphone on....
Posted in The Heart of the Matter on September 6, 2022 04:39 PM
An Invitation for People Attending the Amaroo Event in September"We've been given the opportunity to express ourselves -- to paint beautiful pictures with the strength we have inside. Each new morning, we can choose to be the most fantastic version of ourselves. Ignore the numbers. Paint outside the...
Posted in The Heart of the Matter on July 22, 2022 05:09 AM
The Beauty of AmarooAmaroo-2016 from Inscapes on Vimeo. Inspiring Amaroo slide show and sound track created by Gary Bandzmer and friends in 2016. If you are thinking of attending this year's Amaroo gathering with Prem Rawat in September, but haven't registered yet,...
Posted in The Heart of the Matter on July 20, 2022 02:35 PM
Prem Rawat's Livestreamed Milan Knowledge Review"Your need for joy, to be fulfilled -- for that you have to turn inside. That's where you will find it -- in you!" - Prem Rawat The human need for joy and fulfillment is universal, independent of nationality,...
Posted in The Heart of the Matter on July 19, 2022 02:16 PM
Lost and FoundThis just in from Irene Woodhead in the UK -- a beautiful story of a life-changing moment in her life from 1979. We had just sold our house in Cornwall (UK) so were flush with money, unlike the previous...
Posted in The Heart of the Matter on July 17, 2022 12:28 PM
Excerpts of Prem Rawat's Glastonbury "Key of Avalon" Acceptance SpeechJust published on PremRawat.com. Photo: Courtesy of TimelessToday...
Posted in The Heart of the Matter on July 15, 2022 02:02 PM
Focus on What's RightOne day Albert Einstein wrote on a black board: 9 x 1 = 9 9 x 2 = 18 9 x 3 = 27 9 x 4 = 36 9 x 5 = 45 9 x 6 = 54...
Posted in The Heart of the Matter on July 12, 2022 02:23 PM
Your Best SelfPrem Rawat's Official YouTube channel The benefits of practicing Self-Knowledge...
Posted in The Heart of the Matter on July 3, 2022 10:53 AM
A Simple Way to View New Content on PremRawat.comOK. I know you're busy. You know you're busy. Even people who don't know you know you're busy. Which is why I am offering you this easy peasy way to check out the latest postings on PremRawat.com. All you...
Posted in The Heart of the Matter on July 2, 2022 10:32 AM
1971 Glastonbury Expressions from 15 People Who Were ThereJust published on PremRawat.com, 15 expressions from people who attended the 1971 Glastonbury Festival -- the one where Prem Rawat, as a 13-year old boy newly arrived in the West from India, spoke from the Pyramid Stage to 12,000...
Posted in The Heart of the Matter on June 30, 2022 02:49 PM
A Song Being SungSoon coming! A new song by Stuart Hoffman, Stephen Rivera, and yours truly. That and the back story of how the lyrics came to be quite unexpectedly. PremRawat.com...
Posted in The Heart of the Matter on June 22, 2022 10:04 PM
Prem Rawat Receives the "Key of Avalon" Award from the Town of GlastonburyRead all about Prem Rawat receiving the "Key of Avalon" from the town of Glastonbury -- commemorating 50+ years of service to humanity. PremRawat.com Photo: Courtesy of TimelessToday...
Posted in The Heart of the Matter on June 21, 2022 09:38 PM
The Latest and Greatest from PremRawat.comIf you haven't logged onto PremRawat.com in a while, you've missed a wide variety of informative and inspiring content. What follows are links to some of what's been posted since November, 2021. Upcoming articles include coverage of the May...
Posted in The Heart of the Matter on May 30, 2022 06:45 AM
Update on Hear YourselfHere's an update on Prem Rawat's bestselling book, "Hear Yourself." Just published on PremRawat.com, the article includes information on how you can help get the word out, download the audio book version and/or give it away to friends. To...
Posted in The Heart of the Matter on May 26, 2022 07:33 AM
Why I Am Flying 27 Hours to Amaroo in SeptemberOn September 1st, I will travel 27 hours to Amaroo (Australia) to spend five days with Prem Rawat and 3,500 other people at an outdoor celebration of love. When I tell some of my friends, they look at me...
Posted in The Heart of the Matter on May 3, 2022 08:30 AM
Prem Rawat on Self-KnowledgePrem Rawat doesn't just talk about personal peace. He offers people a practical experience of how to access it within themselves. He calls this experience "self-knowledge" and it is, quite simply, the core of his message. In the months...
Posted in The Heart of the Matter on May 2, 2022 02:37 AM
New and Improved FAQs Just Published on PremRawat.comIf you have questions about Prem Rawat and the inner knowing he helps people discover, the new FAQ section on his website will be a good resource for you. If you still have questions or want to send him...
Posted in The Heart of the Matter on April 18, 2022 07:47 AM
Quarantining the MindThe practice of quarantine began during the 14th century in an effort to protect coastal cities from plague epidemics. Ships arriving in Venice from infected ports were required to sit, at anchor, for 40 days before landing. This word...
Posted in The Heart of the Matter on April 13, 2022 07:12 AM
THE FINGER SNAP, part 2Here is a 4:20 excerpt from my forthcoming audiobook about a life-changing encounter I had with Prem Rawat a few years ago. I learned a lot from him (and myself) in that brief exchange -- something deep, timeless, and...
Posted in The Heart of the Matter on April 4, 2022 04:24 PM
Beacon in the StormWonderful new song by Stuart Hoffman, Jennifer Edwards, and Tony Cardo. Vocals by Stephen Rivera. Fuzzbee Morse on bass and guitar. Jerry Marotta on drums and percussion. Available on Bandcamp for downloading. And while you're at it, learn more...
Posted in The Heart of the Matter on April 2, 2022 10:14 PM
Peace Comes to Street Gangs of EcuadorWow. All I can say is wow. More about this here -- an interview with Paul Murtha, the out-of-the-box gent who played such a vital role in helping The Bloods and Latin Kings of Ibarra find common ground, go...
Posted in The Heart of the Matter on April 2, 2022 11:40 AM
How Has the Practice of Knowledge Changed Your Life for the Better?Dear Friends: I have an invitation for you -- one I hope you will find inspiring. Here goes: For those of you who have received Knowledge from Prem Rawat, in 35 words or less, please email me a testimonial...
Posted in The Heart of the Matter on March 23, 2022 05:09 AM
We All Need More CourageLet's face it. These are challenging times for all of us. As if Covid-19 wasn't enough to rattle our bones, now there is the Russian invasion of Ukraine and millions of refugees seeking shelter, not to mention climate change,...
Posted in The Heart of the Matter on March 21, 2022 11:05 AM
The Source of AgitationPremRawat.com...
Posted in The Heart of the Matter on March 16, 2022 01:12 PM
Photos and Excerpts from Prem Rawat's 50th Anniversary EventsClick here to see photos and excerpts from Prem Rawat's 50th Anniversary Celebration events in Los Angeles and Birmingham -- part of the Event Gallery section of PremRawat.com...
Posted in The Heart of the Matter on March 4, 2022 09:45 AM
On GratitudeToday, during Prem Rawat's Gather for Peace live stream, he asked a very powerful question: "Are we becoming better human beings?" Soon after, he went on to mention that "a better person was a person who is full of...
Posted in The Heart of the Matter on February 13, 2022 08:10 PM
The Gift That Keeps on GivingThis just in from Carmen Queitsch, a woman who was given a copy of Hear Yourself, a few weeks ago by her friend, Kirk Laidlaw, when she lived on Salt Springs Island -- one of the Gulf Islands in...
Posted in The Heart of the Matter on February 4, 2022 11:52 PM
The Hall of Regret?This just in from Alla Rogers: In Egyptian mythology, there is a moment when a soul passes from this world into the next. In the Hall of Final Judgment, the soul stands before the God Osiris, the ruler of...
Posted in The Heart of the Matter on February 4, 2022 06:16 PM
Success is Enjoying LifeHere is a remarkable piece by Sushila Wood, her recent update on her husband, Michael's GoFundMe page. Last year, Michael had a stroke. Since then, he and his family have been in the process of adapting, adjusting, and recovering....
Posted in The Heart of the Matter on February 2, 2022 08:02 AM
Michael Bolton's Review of Prem Rawat's New BookMichael singing To Love Somebody...
Posted in The Heart of the Matter on January 31, 2022 09:47 PM
A Review of Prem Rawat's New Book from Someone Who Knew Nothing About HimNOTE: A few months ago, as an experiment, I posted a message on my Facebook page inviting anybody living in the US who wanted a free copy of Prem Rawat's new book (and didn't know much about him) to...
Posted in The Heart of the Matter on January 30, 2022 08:31 PM
Prem Rawat QuotesThe quote above is one of many juicy ones from Prem Rawat's new book, "Hear Yourself: How to Find Peace in a Noisy World." Here's a simple way to view and download others from the book. Simply scroll down...
Posted in The Heart of the Matter on January 24, 2022 12:04 PM
One Person at a TimeJust published on PremRawat.com -- a fascinating story about Prem Rawat's father, Shri Hans Ji Maharaj....
Posted in The Heart of the Matter on January 20, 2022 04:54 PM
The Latest from PremRawat.comIf you are interested in Prem Rawat's message of peace, one good resource for you is his website. What follows are some recent postings in case you missed them. If you find any particularly moving, please feel free to...
Posted in The Heart of the Matter on January 20, 2022 10:51 AM
The Seventh Noun"A rose by any other name would smell as sweet." -- William Shakespeare I first heard about Prem Rawat in 1971. He was 13 then and known as "Maharaji." I was 24 and known as "Ditty." A long-haired, earnest...
Posted in The Heart of the Matter on January 19, 2022 11:24 AM
The Wisdom Quotes of Hear Yourself: Part 3Just published on PremRawat.com -- the third in a series of wisdom quotes from Prem's new book, "Hear Yourself." This post includes quotes from Kabir, Benjamin Franklin, John F. Kennedy, Lalla Ded, Rabia al Basri, Tulsidas, Simone Weil, Ganesh,...
Posted in The Heart of the Matter on January 18, 2022 09:56 AM
Give the Timeless Gift of Inspiration, Peace, and Self-DiscoveryIf you are thinking of what to buy a friend, family member, neighbor, or co-worker for their birthday, consider giving them a subscription to TimelessToday -- a great way to access Prem Rawat's multi-lingual livestreams, on demand videos, recorded...
Posted in The Heart of the Matter on January 15, 2022 11:49 AM
PREM RAWAT: "Paint the Most Dazzling Version of Who You Are.""We've been given the opportunity to express ourselves -- to paint beautiful pictures with the strengths we have inside. Each new morning, we can choose to be the most fantastic version of ourselves. Ignore the numbers. Paint outside the...
Posted in The Heart of the Matter on January 13, 2022 11:51 AM
The Wisdom Quotes of Prem Rawat's New Book: Part 1Click here for a sampling of third-party wisdom quotes that Prem Rawat cites in his new book, Hear Yourself: How to Find Peace in a Noisy World. People quoted include: Albert Einstein, Socrates, Rumi, Isaac Asimov, Kabir, Marcus Aurelius,...
Posted in The Heart of the Matter on January 11, 2022 12:46 PM
The Information Overload PhenomenonClick here for a new article on information overload just published on PremRawat.com. Please feel free to forward it to friends of yours you think might find it useful. PremRawat.com...
Posted in The Heart of the Matter on January 10, 2022 08:53 AM
Giving the Gift of OurselvesEvery year, about two days before Christmas, I experience something I am not particularly proud of. Thinking about the gifts I've bought for my wife and kids, I get the feeling that I don't have enough for them. This...
Posted in The Heart of the Matter on December 23, 2021 07:26 AM
12 Ways to Learn More About the Message of Prem RawatIf you or someone you know are looking for ways to learn more about Prem Rawat and his message of peace, all you need to do is click this link. Once done, you'll find yourself on a newly created...
Posted in The Heart of the Matter on December 21, 2021 11:46 PM
What Does Peace Mean to You?A few days ago, I emailed this slide show to some friends of mine and asked them to let me know what "PEACE" means to them. Many responded to my request -- each with their own unique description of...
Posted in The Heart of the Matter on December 16, 2021 06:19 AM
Season's Greetings from Ira MeyerAnd now for something a little bit different from The Heart of the Matter: Two days ago, in my inbox, I received Ira Meyer's 2021 Holiday card and letter. I found it so inspiring that I asked Ira if...
Posted in The Heart of the Matter on December 13, 2021 10:15 PM
The Practical Peace LibraryThis is the first of an 18-part series to be published over the next few months on this blog. Each post will feature a different set of short, topical videos and audios featured in the Practical Peace Library on...
Posted in The Heart of the Matter on December 5, 2021 01:00 AM
Looking Back, Looking Ahead, and Looking WithinOne week from now it will be 50 years since I received the gift of Self-Knowledge from Prem Rawat. Even though I write a lot, I have no words to express the kind of gratitude I have for this...
Posted in The Heart of the Matter on November 12, 2021 07:19 AM
A REQUEST FOR YOUR INPUTTHIS JUST IN! I am writing an article, for PremRawat.com on the amazing rise Audio Books and I am interested to know if you have any specific themes you'd like to see me address. If so, lay them on...
Posted in The Heart of the Matter on November 9, 2021 02:51 PM
We Are All Here for Just a Brief Moment in TimeWe are all here for just a brief moment in time. Very brief. Now you see it, now you don't. A wisp of smoke... a flash of light... a guest appearance. But while we are -- HERE, that is --...
Posted in The Heart of the Matter on November 8, 2021 09:33 AM
INTRODUCING A GREAT NEW SONG: "Can't Stop This Love""Music is the universal language of mankind." - Henry Wadsworth Longfellow "Spread love everywhere you go. Let no one ever come to you without leaving happier." - Mother Theresa Love and music. Music and love. Hooray for them both...
Posted in The Heart of the Matter on October 19, 2021 07:44 PM
MY REVIEW OF PREM RAWAT'S WONDERFUL NEW BOOKIt has often been said that life doesn't come with an instruction manual, though some first-time parents, in major need of help, have been known to read at least a few books towards that end. Wouldn't it be great...
Posted in The Heart of the Matter on October 18, 2021 01:50 PM
The Ten Commandments for Visiting an Ashram or Spiritual RetreatDuring the past four decades, a curious phenomenon has swept this nation. Inspired by the teachings of several Master souls from the East, an unusually large number of ashrams and retreats have made their appearance on the scene --...
Posted in The Heart of the Matter on October 16, 2021 05:57 PM
THERE IS A LITTLE BOY IN METhere is a little boy in me making snow angels in the sky, mouth open, tongue out, waiting to taste whatever it is that is floating down to him from on high. This little boy wasn't born, but has...
Posted in The Heart of the Matter on October 15, 2021 08:51 AM
A Simple Way to Learn More About Prem Rawat's Message of PeaceRecently, a bunch of friends of mine, newly intrigued by the message of Prem Rawat, have asked me how they can learn more about him -- inspired as they've been by reading his new book, HEAR YOURSELF. One simple...
Posted in The Heart of the Matter on October 12, 2021 06:09 AM
What Has Already HappenedEvery once in a while, something happens in my life that leaves me totally stunned, amazed, and electric with life. All of us have had these moments, somewhere along the line -- small, medium, and large. Sometimes we remember...
Posted in The Heart of the Matter on October 9, 2021 03:47 AM
HEAR YOURSELF Makes It to the New York Times Best Seller ListClick here to read the full story about Prem Rawat's new book making it to the New York Times Best Seller list. Good news travels fast. Buy the book...
Posted in The Heart of the Matter on October 7, 2021 04:21 PM
Catch the Trade WindsPremRawat.com...
Posted in The Heart of the Matter on October 6, 2021 01:34 AM
FOLLOW YOUR DIFFERENT: New Podcast Interview with Prem RawatClick here for a wonderful podcast interview with Prem Rawat. This is the first interview I've ever heard the interviewer refer to Prem as "Bro". Here comes the Golden Age! PremRawat.com...
Posted in The Heart of the Matter on October 1, 2021 04:57 PM
Cliffhanger in BrightonOn October 9th, Prem Rawat will be speaking at an Author Event in Brighton, England, in honor of his new, best-selling book, Hear Yourself: How to Find Peace in a Noisy World. I won't be there (boo hoo!) but I...
Posted in The Heart of the Matter on September 28, 2021 12:53 AM
Musings on LoveFrom what I can tell, most people, in this life, somewhere along the line, have had a lover -- a person with whom their experience of life and themselves was both profoundly heightened and deepened. Somehow, in their lover's...
Posted in The Heart of the Matter on September 26, 2021 08:42 AM
Good News Travels FastOrder the book here...
Posted in The Heart of the Matter on September 24, 2021 06:34 PM
The Perfect BurpAn hour before I received the gift of Knowledge from Prem Rawat in 1971, I found myself sitting in a large room with a bunch of other people also waiting to receive Knowledge. Sitting on pillows, we had spent...
Posted in The Heart of the Matter on September 15, 2021 09:14 PM
A DREAM?I just woke up, five minutes ago, from a dream in which some kind of celestial force, a conscious beingness, granted everyone on Earth immunity from pain, suffering, and ignorance -- a kind of universal amnesty. All bets were...
Posted in The Heart of the Matter on September 8, 2021 09:41 AM
Be a Human BeingPremRawat.com...
Posted in The Heart of the Matter on September 6, 2021 12:10 PM
ENJOY THE RIDE!Some years ago, I heard Prem Rawat say something that I will never forget. It's at least 20 years later now and I still very much remember what he said and the message being conveyed beyond the words, speaking,...
Posted in The Heart of the Matter on September 5, 2021 12:53 AM
The Grassroots Effort to Promote Prem Rawat's New BookIf you are excited about the September 14th launch of Prem Rawat's new book, Hear Yourself, please tell your friends, neighbors, and any strangers you might meet. Click on the links below to see what support materials are available....
Posted in The Heart of the Matter on September 4, 2021 08:25 AM
Listen to Life's Essentials PodcastsEvery week, Prem Rawat does a Life's Essential podcast. Very inspiring, timely, and entertaining, too. Click here for access to all 67 episodes....
Posted in The Heart of the Matter on September 3, 2021 01:49 PM
SHINE!This is Alex Romero. He shines shoes at the Denver Airport. I met him 30 minutes ago as I was making my way to Gate 54 and realizing what bad shape my shoes were in. That's when I asked...
Posted in The Heart of the Matter on September 2, 2021 12:48 PM
FINDING PEACE IN A NOISY WORLD: LA LiveStream with Prem RawatThe time has finally arrived, with the excitement brewing for months in anticipation of the release of Prem Rawat's latest book, HEAR YOURSELF: How to Find Peace in a Noisy World. In this warm, wise book, Prem Rawat teaches...
Posted in The Heart of the Matter on August 31, 2021 11:50 PM
Intelligent ExistenceIntelligent Existence is a newly created educational division of TimelessToday that develops and facilitates transformational learning programs. I had the good fortune to attend a recent pilot of it in Denver on August 28th. It was very inspiring, refreshing,...
Posted in The Heart of the Matter on August 31, 2021 07:38 PM
The Year of Living Creatively"The privilege of a lifetime is being who you are." - Joseph Campbell During the past 50 years, quite a few researchers, social scientists, and psychologists have written passionately about the creative process, offering a number of models to...
Posted in The Heart of the Matter on August 12, 2021 03:05 PM
What Makes You Truly Happy?...
Posted in The Heart of the Matter on August 2, 2021 08:22 PM
LOVER TO MEClick this link to listen to "Lover to Me". Richie Ingui: Lead Vocals Charlie Ingui: Bridge and Background Vocals Kim O'Leary: Background Vocals Fuzzbee Morse: Produced, arranged, bass, keyboards, guitar, drums & vibes. Ronnie Margolis: Cymbals & hi-hat Recorded...
Posted in The Heart of the Matter on July 29, 2021 10:12 PM
Words of LoveI want to give a big shout out to Prem Rawat for the past 50 years of inspiration, wisdom, laughter, and love. His July 17th talk at the Dolby Theater in Los Angeles was a total delight. I've met...
Posted in The Heart of the Matter on July 24, 2021 07:42 AM
Prem Rawat in Six Minutes or LessLots of people I know are intrigued about Prem Rawat and his message of peace. Their interest to find out more is alive and well, but their lives are busy and they don't always have the time to follow...
Posted in The Heart of the Matter on July 7, 2021 03:16 AM
A LITTLE HEAVENPremRawat.com...
Posted in The Heart of the Matter on June 20, 2021 03:31 AM
Choose Every DayPhoto: Ira Meyers...
Posted in The Heart of the Matter on June 14, 2021 09:52 AM
FLYPremRawat.com...
Posted in The Heart of the Matter on June 12, 2021 10:54 AM
FOCUS!PremRawat.com...
Posted in The Heart of the Matter on May 27, 2021 10:11 AM
THIS IS THE PERFECT MOMENTThese days, I am doing a lot of reflecting. "Unhurried consideration," is how the dictionary defines it. "To think deeply or seriously about," which, I might add, is not the same thing as being "nostalgic" as some people might...
Posted in The Heart of the Matter on May 12, 2021 07:49 AM
FEELPremRawat.com...
Posted in The Heart of the Matter on May 10, 2021 10:11 PM
Be Free of ExpectationsPremRawat.com...
Posted in The Heart of the Matter on May 9, 2021 11:06 AM
Alive and Well in AmarooWritten three and a half years ago in Australia. The feeling continues... It is 4:49 am and I am sitting on a wooden bench just a 60-second walk from the tent that has been my home for the past...
Posted in The Heart of the Matter on May 9, 2021 07:56 AM
The Heart's EmbracePremRawat.com...
Posted in The Heart of the Matter on May 8, 2021 06:08 PM
The Year of Living CreativelyGreetings, Mitch Ditkoff here, author of this blog and happy dust particle. If you are feeling called to create something new and beautiful in your life (or the world), you might be interested in participating in my Year of...
Posted in The Heart of the Matter on April 18, 2021 11:01 AM
HEAR YOURSELF: How to Find Peace in a Noisy WorldGood news! Prem Rawat's new book, Hear Yourself, is now available, on Amazon for pre-order. Kindle, Audible, and hard cover editions are available. Release date: September 14th. Treat yourself to some good news. Prem has a unique way of...
Posted in The Heart of the Matter on March 21, 2021 10:21 PM
The Art of Self-Reflection"By three methods we may learn wisdom: First, by reflection, which is noblest; Second, by imitation, which is easiest; and third by experience, which is the bitterest." - Confucius "In order to be open to creativity, one must have...
Posted in The Heart of the Matter on March 5, 2021 03:43 PM
THE LETTERWhen asked to explain his highly abstract Theory of Relativity, Albert Einstein made it comprehensible in just two sentences. "Put your hand on a hot stove for a minute," he said, "and it seems like an hour. Sit with...
Posted in The Heart of the Matter on March 4, 2021 10:12 PM
The First in a Series of Prem's Quotes on Self-Knowledge (excerpted from "Hear Yourself")Prem Rawat doesn't just talk about personal peace. He offers a practical way to access it. He calls this experience "self-knowledge" and it is the core of his message. What follows are excerpts from his new book that will...
Posted in The Heart of the Matter on February 7, 2021 03:57 PM
FLASHBACK SATURDAY: Amaroo Excerpts -- 9/19/169/19 video excerpts on TimelessToday THE PHOTOGRAPHERS Michael B Wood Ira Meyer Thom Adorney...
Posted in The Heart of the Matter on February 6, 2021 05:41 AM
FLASHBACK FRIDAY: Prem Rawat Excerpts from AmarooExcerpts from 9/7/15 Excerpts from 9/8/15 Excerpts from 9/9/15 Excerpts from 9/10/15 PremRawat.com Words of Peace Global The Prem Rawat Foundation Rawat Creations TimelessToday Amaroo Photos: Chris Corbett #3, 6, 19, 23 Photo #12: Ira Meyer...
Posted in The Heart of the Matter on February 6, 2021 03:20 AM
The Sacred Space Between...
Posted in The Heart of the Matter on February 1, 2021 09:32 PM
20 Questions to Contemplate in the Age of CoronavirusYes, we are all looking for answers these days. For sure. But the answers are more likely to come if we have tuned into the right questions to ask. Check out the 20 below. Maybe there is one here...
Posted in The Heart of the Matter on January 20, 2021 09:57 PM
The Plane TruthEvery once in a while, something Prem Rawat says penetrates me to the core of my being -- a kind of radioactive isotope planted in me that continues radiating from the inside out for the rest of my life....
Posted in The Heart of the Matter on December 12, 2020 08:16 PM
THE MASKAll my life I have tried to remove the mask -- that which separates me from others and myself, the face I show to be seen, the shield and the sword. Now I am being asked to put another...
Posted in The Heart of the Matter on November 29, 2020 02:10 PM
THIS IS IT!THIS IS IT, FOLKS. This. Is. It. Right now. Right here, wherever we happen to be at the time. The past is over. The future is a dream. And while it's absolutely fine and sometimes necessary to plan, planning...
Posted in The Heart of the Matter on November 20, 2020 10:13 AM
Long Before WordsBeing of the Jewish persuasion, I'm not exactly the kind of person given to confession, but allow me the ecumenical luxury of confessing at least one thing in this first paragraph of what may well turn out to be...
Posted in The Heart of the Matter on November 8, 2020 09:46 PM
Prem Rawat in 3 Minutes or LessThere's a lot of things you can do in three minutes. You can check your email. You can channel surf. And you can boil an egg. You can also watch one of videos below featuring Prem Rawat talking about...
Posted in The Heart of the Matter on September 12, 2020 06:06 AM
Who Can I Share My Joy With?PremRawat.com...
Posted in The Heart of the Matter on August 31, 2020 04:17 AM
The Many Faces of LoveThere are many forces at work, in our lives, that defy logic and the mind's ability to comprehend. These forces have been variably referred to, over the years, as serendipity, synchronicity, grace, lila, karma, God's play, maya, and the...
Posted in The Heart of the Matter on July 12, 2020 10:28 PM
Light Reading for Tough TimesThe famous actor, Peter Ustinov once said something I will never forget. "Comedy is just a funny way of being serious." Bingo! And one of the reasons why it was often the court jester who had the ear of...
Posted in The Heart of the Matter on July 10, 2020 11:34 AM
BRILLIANT!This 15-minute talk by Prem Rawat, from his recent series of Lockdown talks, is absolutely brilliant. If you're wondering why the world is having such a hard time these days -- and what the simplest solution for its troubles...
Posted in The Heart of the Matter on June 27, 2020 09:54 PM
LOCKDOWN DAY 90: "You Have Everything You Need"Prem Rawat speaking at the Wolston Correctional Centre in Wacol, Queensland, Australia. 18 minutes. Very powerful. "You have everything you need." The entire Lockdown series -- 90 talks...
Posted in The Heart of the Matter on June 22, 2020 03:43 AM
The GlanceWhat he sees is who I am and who I am now seizes me in this warm embrace of his glance, my heart a lotus opening, a dewdrop hanging from a spider web at dawn. What do you call...
Posted in The Heart of the Matter on June 7, 2020 12:19 AM
The Sudden Glass of Orange JuiceThere is an expression in poker called "going all in" which I've always loved. It refers to the moment when a poker player pushes all of his chips into the middle of the table, letting everyone know that he...
Posted in The Heart of the Matter on May 30, 2020 09:19 AM
A 15 Minute Oasis For YouGot 15 minutes? If so, you might enjoy this presentation of Prem Rawat's. In my estimation, Prem is one of the brightest lights on the planet these days. Big perspective. Heartfelt. Encouraging. Inspiring. Wise. And a great sense of...
Posted in The Heart of the Matter on May 22, 2020 10:05 PM
The Tourist SyndromeA few years ago, I went to Istanbul for a vacation. Never having been to Turkey, I was excited to explore a new culture, which I did with great relish -- and a whole lot of hummus. Of all...
Posted in The Heart of the Matter on May 20, 2020 12:06 PM
It's Just a Matter of Paying AttentionPrem Rawat's 50th Lockdown talk. 50! When this series began, I thought it might max out at 20. Another concept bites the dust. Might it go to 100? 200? Who knows? What I DO know is this is a...
Posted in The Heart of the Matter on May 11, 2020 04:32 AM
Vinny from BrooklynSo there I am, in 1988 or whatever, sitting in my office in Brooklyn (and when I say "office", I mean the too small second bedroom in my funky, railroad apartment) when the phone rings. Since it's a business...
Posted in The Heart of the Matter on May 8, 2020 03:26 AM
"YOU ARE NOT YOUR PROBLEMS"Prem Rawat speaking in Soweto, South Africa -- the 45th episode in his recent series of Lockdown talks (23 minutes). PremRawat.com Photo: Tim Goedhart, Unsplash...
Posted in The Heart of the Matter on May 7, 2020 10:30 AM
The Insecurity of SecurityOne of the things that fascinates me about being in relationship with Prem Rawat is the phenomenon of becoming increasingly conscious of what gets in the way of me being able to enjoy his gift of Knowledge. The "weeds...
Posted in The Heart of the Matter on May 6, 2020 04:45 AM
Rolling Around on the Floor, Laughing, Laughing, LaughingWhen I was 13, living in the suburbs of New York, there were three things I wanted to be when I grew up: a major league baseball player, a writer, and much taller. At no time during my adolescence...
Posted in The Heart of the Matter on May 4, 2020 09:54 AM
It's Time for PatiencePatience is defined as the ability to bear provocation, misfortune, or pain without complaint, loss of temper, or irritation -- the knack for going beyond restlessness or annoyance when confronted with delay. Well, then, what better time to practice...
Posted in The Heart of the Matter on May 1, 2020 08:58 PM
READ IT & LEAP: Splitting the ArrowIf you haven't yet had a chance to read Prem Rawat's Splitting the Arrow, a wonderful book of stories, commentaries, and excerpted talks of his, what better time than lockdown? Here's a review of the book on the TimelessToday...
Posted in The Heart of the Matter on April 26, 2020 09:40 AM
LOCKDOWN 33: A Weak "I" Cannot Understand the Concept of "We"There's a lot of things you can do in 20 minutes -- go for a walk, stare out a window, or take a nap. For now, may I suggest you click this link and feast on Prem Rawat's Lockdown...
Posted in The Heart of the Matter on April 23, 2020 11:11 AM
"Know How to Turn Inside"Inspiring 14-minute Metro FM interview of Prem Rawat in South Africa. Photo: Courtesy of TimelessToday...
Posted in The Heart of the Matter on April 21, 2020 09:13 PM
LOCKDOWN TALK #30: The Drunk King on the Drunk ElephantHere is the 30th in a series of talks by Prem Rawat in response to these challenging times of the Coronavirus. This one features a story Prem hadn't told in quite a while -- the one about a drunk...
Posted in The Heart of the Matter on April 21, 2020 12:12 PM
TIM HAIN: My Father's ChildHere is the fifth in a series of songs from people inspired by Prem Rawat -- this one from the one and only, Tim Hain. The first in the series The second in the series The third in the...
Posted in The Heart of the Matter on April 21, 2020 11:50 AM
My Sister, Prem Rawat, and MeI first heard about Prem Rawat when I was 23 and he was 13. At that time, he was known as "Maharaji" and I was known as "Ditty." Though he was barely a teen, I found him to be...
Posted in The Heart of the Matter on April 18, 2020 05:50 PM
The Three Faces of GodWhen my mother and father, Sylvia and Barney, decided to sell their house on Long Island -- the one I grew up in -- and move to Florida, they invited my sister and me to take anything we wanted...
Posted in The Heart of the Matter on April 18, 2020 04:54 PM
An Intro to the Wisdom SystemRecently, Dr. John Horton, via Skype, had a very informative and inspiring conversation with Prem Rawat about Covid-19, part of Prem's recent series of Lockdown talks. It's nine minutes long. Here it is. What follows are excerpts from a...
Posted in The Heart of the Matter on April 15, 2020 12:14 AM
A Song for Silent HeroesThis just in from Stuart Hoffman (music), Jennifer Edwards (lyrics), and Stephen Rivera (vocals) -- a song of praise to the unsung, silent heroes everywhere whose selfless efforts are saving lives, raising spirits, and being of service to so...
Posted in The Heart of the Matter on April 13, 2020 08:10 AM
Grateful for Another ChanceSitting here in semi-isolation in an AirBB in Epping, Australia (where?), I am feeling particularly grateful to Prem Rawat whose endless guidance, encouragement, graciousness, care, humor, love, storytelling, and wisdom continues to buoy me up at a time when...
Posted in The Heart of the Matter on April 12, 2020 09:21 AM
A Free Online Tool to Spark Some Big Ideas & Breakthroughs For YouIf you have found your way to this blog, there's a good chance you have a rich inner life. Your commitment to "know thyself" has probably served you well during these tough times of the Coronavirus. Outwardly, things may...
Posted in The Heart of the Matter on April 7, 2020 08:19 AM
LOCKDOWN #12: Resting and Boosting Your Immune SystemPrem Rawat continues his series of daily talks in response to the Coronavirus situation. Also includes a very informative conversation between Prem and Dr. John Horton. HINT: Boost your immune system, decrease your fear. Photo: Courtesy of TimelessToday...
Posted in The Heart of the Matter on April 2, 2020 10:13 AM
LOCKDOWN #10: Be Like WaterHere is the tenth in a series of Prem Rawat's talks in response to the challenges so many people are facing in this time of the Coronavirus. His request for people to be fluid and adaptive, like water, I...
Posted in The Heart of the Matter on March 31, 2020 03:10 AM
LOCKDOWN #8: Give Everybody Space. Give Everybody RespectPrem Rawat's most recent response to what it takes to thrive during these challenging Coronavirus times. Photo: Courtesy of TimelessToday...
Posted in The Heart of the Matter on March 29, 2020 02:21 AM
LOCKDOWN #6: An Incredible Reset to Get Back to the BasicsHere's Prem Rawat's Lockdown #6 talk in response to the Coronavirus challenge we are all facing. Inspiring. Encouraging. Timely. And timeless, too. Photo: Courtesy of TimelessToday...
Posted in The Heart of the Matter on March 27, 2020 04:30 PM
PREM RAWAT: Lockdown Talk #4Here's the fourth in a series of spontaneous talks by Prem Rawat -- his noble effort to spread some love, inspiration, and perspective at a time when a whole lot of other things are spreading on planet Earth. I...
Posted in The Heart of the Matter on March 25, 2020 05:53 AM
PREM RAWAT: Lockdown Talk #3Prem Rawat's daily talk in response to the Coronavirus challenge. Words of wisdom, perspective, and one more chance to connect with your own courage and clarity. PHOTO: Courtesy of TimelessToday...
Posted in The Heart of the Matter on March 24, 2020 11:10 PM
LOCKDOWN #2: It's Not What We're Faced With, But How We Handle ItHere's the second in a series of talks by Prem Rawat in response to the coronavirus calamity we are all facing. Somehow, he's able to step back and see the big picture, providing a healthy perspective for unhealthy times....
Posted in The Heart of the Matter on March 24, 2020 08:35 AM
LOCKDOWN: A Message About Courage & Clarity from Prem RawatHere is a message from Prem Rawat about the need for courage and clarity during these difficult times -- the first in a series of talks he will be giving in support of each and every one of us....
Posted in The Heart of the Matter on March 23, 2020 02:19 PM
A Dream about StorytellingI had a wonderful dream last night. I was in my hometown (wherever that was) and felt a need to go to the local library. When I walked in, I noticed that Prem Rawat was sitting at a low...
Posted in The Heart of the Matter on March 22, 2020 06:06 PM
A Call for Silver Lining StoriesMother Teresa once said, "If you can't feed a hundred people, then feed just one." Towards that end, I am inviting you and anyone else reading this post, to send me ONE "silver lining story" you've heard (or been...
Posted in The Heart of the Matter on March 17, 2020 12:57 PM
58 Inspiring Quotes on Peace"Peace comes from within. Do not seek it without." - Buddha "There is no path to peace. Peace is the path." - Mahatma Gandhi "When the power of love overcomes the love of power, the world will know peace."...
Posted in The Heart of the Matter on February 28, 2020 11:35 PM
Three Yogis in a CaveSo there are these three yogis meditating in a cave. They've been there for ten years -- in total silence the entire time. Absolutely still. Absolutely focused. Living on air alone. Then one day, in the tenth year of...
Posted in The Heart of the Matter on February 21, 2020 10:34 PM
Think About It, But Not Too LongThe world is an illusion, but you have to act as if it's real." - Krishna...
Posted in The Heart of the Matter on February 4, 2020 02:33 AM
FOCUS!...
Posted in The Heart of the Matter on February 2, 2020 12:48 AM
The Birthday GiftTwenty four hours before Prem Rawat's birthday this year, I made my way to the nearest San Miguel FedEx store, first thing in the morning -- the place where I had shipped my birthday gift to him just two...
Posted in The Heart of the Matter on January 26, 2020 02:43 PM
Real Forgiveness"Forgiveness," it has been said, "is the fragrance flowers give off when they have been trampled on" -- an ennobling sentiment, for sure, though, of course, much easier said than done. Who of us hasn't been hurt, wounded, or...
Posted in The Heart of the Matter on January 21, 2020 05:18 PM
The Question of the DayPremRawat.com TimelessToday.com...
Posted in The Heart of the Matter on January 16, 2020 02:59 PM
The Power of Music, Love, Collaboration, and CommunityHappy Holidays and a big thank you for being a reader of Heart of the Matter. I very much appreciate your open-mindedness, open-heartedness, and all around good vibes. This blog, which began on a wing and a prayer in...
Posted in The Heart of the Matter on December 19, 2019 11:52 PM
If You Have Fundraising Experience and Want to Make a DifferenceThe dedicated people who volunteer for WAFA (Water Air Food Awards) -- a non-profit NGO headquartered in Copenhagen, have a dream -- that all people on planet Earth will have access to clean water, clean air, and healthy food....
Posted in The Heart of the Matter on December 16, 2019 11:23 PM
Are Your Looking for a Cool Way to Make a Difference in the World?The dedicated people who volunteer for WAFA (Water Air Food Awards), a non-profit NGO headquartered in Copenhagen, have a dream -- that all people on planet Earth will have access to clean water, clean air, and healthy food. If this...
Posted in The Heart of the Matter on December 11, 2019 04:09 PM
Home Is Where the Heart IsWhen I was a small boy, I used to look up at the sky a lot, sigh, and think one basic thought: "I want to go home." Though my parents tried their best to love me (allowance! grilled cheese!...
Posted in The Heart of the Matter on December 4, 2019 02:44 PM
ANTHEMS ON THE RISE TAKES OFFDominos delivers pizzas (547 million per year). FedEX delivers packages (3 billion per year). And Anthems on the Rise delivers custom songs (one, so far, this year). One? Just one? Yes. But what a one it is -- One...
Posted in The Heart of the Matter on November 23, 2019 01:24 AM
Michelangelo's ReplyWhen asked how he created his iconic statue, David, Michelangelo's response pretty much sums up one way in which Prem Rawat has helped me become a human being. "I simply took away everything that wasn't." The statue, you see,...
Posted in The Heart of the Matter on October 24, 2019 07:29 PM
The Sixth NounI first heard about Prem Rawat in 1971. He was 13 then and known as "Maharaji." I was 24 and known as "Ditty." A long-haired, earnest seeker of the Truth, I was astounded by what this young boy from...
Posted in The Heart of the Matter on October 18, 2019 08:12 AM
What RemainsAs I sort through 25 years of possessions, preparing to sell my Woodstock home -- infused, as it is, with the many memories of birth, death, fire, celebration, ecstasy, devotion, countless guests, exaltations, rites of passage, madness, dreams, dancing,...
Posted in The Heart of the Matter on October 14, 2019 05:25 PM
The Clear PathPremRawat.com...
Posted in The Heart of the Matter on October 4, 2019 02:32 AM
Back to the GardenI'm sure there was a time back in the Garden of Eden before the biting of fruit, naming of lizard, and placing of fig leaf, when Adam turned to Eve or Eve turned to Adam and, in the delightful...
Posted in The Heart of the Matter on September 23, 2019 03:33 AM
Give Everything You Have...
Posted in The Heart of the Matter on September 22, 2019 12:04 AM
How Young Children See LoveA group of professionals asked a bunch of 4 - 8 year-olds, "What does love mean?" The answers they got were broader and deeper than anyone could have imagined. Take a look... "When my grandmother got arthritis, she couldn't...
Posted in The Heart of the Matter on September 8, 2019 02:21 PM
Creating a Stage Upon Which the Heart Can DanceIn my life, I've had the good fortune of having some extraordinary coaches -- people who had the knack for being able to bring out the best in me and spark meaningful insights and behavior change. Bill Stevenson, for...
Posted in The Heart of the Matter on August 30, 2019 01:13 AM
Prem Rawat's New Book To Be Released on September 1stGlobal peace ambassador, Prem Rawat, has spent his entire life traveling the world to deliver one timeless message: Peace is Possible. Conflict, he explains, takes place at three levels: between countries, between people, and finally within each of us...
Posted in The Heart of the Matter on August 28, 2019 11:46 PM
The Impact of a Living MasterFriends sometimes ask me what the impact is of having a living Master, or, in my case, Prem Rawat. Every once in a while, in response to their questions, I try my best to quote from one of his...
Posted in The Heart of the Matter on August 23, 2019 11:48 PM
The Beautiful Stillness After Prem Rawat SpeaksAfter great performers come to the end of a performance, it is not uncommon for grateful audiences to give them a standing ovation. They clap, they cheer, they focus all their attention on the one who has just opened...
Posted in The Heart of the Matter on August 21, 2019 09:29 PM
Being HumanTimelessToday.com PremRawat.com...
Posted in The Heart of the Matter on August 4, 2019 12:04 PM
The Pause that RefreshesFeel free to download and repost Calligraphy by Barbara Bash...
Posted in The Heart of the Matter on August 1, 2019 09:43 AM
THE SAINT FRANCIS PRAYERIf you happen to be feeling overwhelmed at the moment, unappreciated, neglected, ignored, unloved, unsettled, diminished, disappointed, disillusioned, disgruntled, or just plain dissed, the following words from Saint Francis -- spoken over 800 years ago -- may be just...
Posted in The Heart of the Matter on July 28, 2019 09:13 PM
One Person at a TimeMy teacher, Prem Rawat, is a marvelous storyteller. From what I can gather, he tells three kinds of stories: 1) Jokes, which are the shortest kind of story there is; 2) Classic teaching tales that have been told for...
Posted in The Heart of the Matter on July 19, 2019 05:03 AM
Whatever It TakesIllustration: GapingVoid...
Posted in The Heart of the Matter on July 12, 2019 01:47 PM
PREM RAWAT'S PRACTICAL PEACE LIBRARY: Short Videos and AudiosHere it is...
Posted in The Heart of the Matter on July 1, 2019 02:28 PM
THE SPRICE OF FREEDOM: A 5-Year Journey from Darkness to LightNOTE: It is with a heavy heart that I am sharing the news that dear, sweet Sprice Drury has passed on. What a special soul she was -- full of love and devotion and playfulness and such a commitment...
Posted in The Heart of the Matter on June 29, 2019 12:56 AM
What Do You Want?PremRawat.com...
Posted in The Heart of the Matter on June 23, 2019 07:02 PM
The Beautiful Sadness of LongingThere is a beautiful kind of sadness -- one most people think they shouldn't feel -- that needs to be celebrated. Or, if not celebrated, then at least welcomed like the evening's last beggar at your door. This sadness...
Posted in The Heart of the Matter on June 2, 2019 03:29 AM
ANNOUNCING the Release of Prem Rawat's "Peace Is Possible"Prem Rawat's new book, Peace Is Possible will be published on September 1st, but it is available now for pre-order on Amazon. Here is the description of the book on Amazon: "Global peace ambassador, Prem Rawat, has spent his...
Posted in The Heart of the Matter on May 30, 2019 06:47 AM
The 2019 Golden Garden PartyClick here to read more about the fabulous Golden Garden Party in Asheville, NC -- a fundraiser for TPRF's Food for People program. Even if you don't live in Asheville you can participate by buying raffle tickets or making...
Posted in The Heart of the Matter on May 27, 2019 08:18 AM
Focus!PremRawat.com...
Posted in The Heart of the Matter on May 16, 2019 11:47 PM
Begin Your Day With Focus...
Posted in The Heart of the Matter on May 5, 2019 10:58 PM
The Case for Doing NothingFabulous article in the NY Times about the power and glory of doing nothing. Hooray! Thanks to Booth Dyess for the heads up. PS: Very much related to something Lao Tzu once said: "The foolish man is always doing,...
Posted in The Heart of the Matter on May 2, 2019 09:49 AM
Being Human...
Posted in The Heart of the Matter on April 28, 2019 04:54 PM
Roses...
Posted in The Heart of the Matter on April 24, 2019 04:36 PM
The Gift of PassionPremRawat.com...
Posted in The Heart of the Matter on April 14, 2019 06:17 PM
MY AMAROO QUESTIONEvery once in a while, something happens in my life that blows my mind, opens my heart and brings me back to square one -- though I am not all that sure about the geometry. Maybe it's a circle...
Posted in The Heart of the Matter on April 14, 2019 01:31 PM
I Used to Write Love Poems...
Posted in The Heart of the Matter on April 2, 2019 08:32 PM
Poetry Unread in 39 YearsLast night, while cleaning out my home office in preparation for selling my house, I found an old notebook filled with bits of poetry -- words I had written 39 years ago during the time I lived in one...
Posted in The Heart of the Matter on March 31, 2019 08:37 AM
What Storytelling Themes Most Intrigue You?IF YOU HAVE THREE MINUTES TO SPARE, please respond to my new online storytelling poll. I will be launching a series of Wisdom (storytelling) Circles in Woodstock, NY on April 10th and am curious to find out what storytelling...
Posted in The Heart of the Matter on March 28, 2019 05:33 PM
We Were Made For These Times!What follows is an extraordinary call of the heart by Clarissa Pinkola Estes. Not only is it worth reading, it's worth reading aloud -- so you hear it and feel it as well as see it. Then, you get...
Posted in The Heart of the Matter on March 8, 2019 02:44 PM
Last Night, I Had a DreamIn the dream, someone told me that Prem Rawat was going to have an event within driving distance of where I lived. This very much inspired me and I began making preparations to go. I got my ticket, but...
Posted in The Heart of the Matter on February 27, 2019 02:22 PM
Six Years with the Bloods of IbarraWhat follows is in interview with Paul Murtha -- the Director of Mountains of Hope Foundation in Ecuador and Coordinator for Calle Paz y Respeto, the legalized entity for the Ibarra Bloods gang. His six years of work with...
Posted in The Heart of the Matter on February 21, 2019 11:46 PM
Is That So?Once upon a time, many years ago, before the invention of Starbucks, Velcro, or Fructose, there lived a humble monk in a remote monastery in China. His name was Wan Loo and he was much beloved by everyone he...
Posted in The Heart of the Matter on February 20, 2019 10:56 PM
What Is Wisdom? Who Is Wise?All people, at sometime in their lives, aspire to be wise. But what is wisdom, really? I don't know. But here's what some sages, throughout the years, have said about it. Food for thought and beyond thought for you...
Posted in The Heart of the Matter on February 13, 2019 08:31 AM
When I Grow Up...TimelessToday Illustration: gapingvoid...
Posted in The Heart of the Matter on February 12, 2019 12:55 PM
The Old Yogi in the ForestOnce upon a timelessness there lived a great yogi, alone, deep in the forest of a faraway land. How long he had lived there, no one knew, not even him, living in the moment as he was. The forest...
Posted in The Heart of the Matter on February 10, 2019 08:10 PM
The Students of Prem Rawat SpeakSix years ago, I posted the following question on Facebook: "If you are a student of Prem Rawat, what would you say is the one thing you've heard him say, over the years, that has had the most impact...
Posted in The Heart of the Matter on February 7, 2019 11:37 PM
On Maintaining a Positive, Healthy MindsetYesterday, I posted the above graphic on my Facebook page and asked people to share one way they stay in a positive, healthy mindset. Here are the replies: Claudia Neuman Watts: "Practice having fun." Mary Mcmanus: "No matter what...
Posted in The Heart of the Matter on February 7, 2019 10:34 AM
An Interview with Stuart HoffmanThe following is an interview with singer/songwriter/composer/ Stuart Hoffman, a long time friend of Heart of the Matter and all-around awesome human being. It is the first in a series of interviews with Heart of the Matter readers with...
Posted in The Heart of the Matter on February 5, 2019 10:27 AM
THIRSTThere is something within each and everyone of us that is timeless, universal, and divine -- a call from the great Beyond that is paradoxically fully present at the same time....
Posted in The Heart of the Matter on January 31, 2019 09:28 PM
Amadeus in the House...
Posted in The Heart of the Matter on January 28, 2019 10:16 AM
Joan Apter Needs Our SupportOur good friend and all around awesome human being, Joan Apter, is reaching out to her community for support as she enters into the process of addressing one more health challenge that is upon her. Click here to read...
Posted in The Heart of the Matter on January 22, 2019 11:41 AM
The Long Walk Up the HillExcerpts from 9/7/15 Excerpts from 9/8/15 Excerpts from 9/9/15 Excerpts from 9/10/15 Excerpts from 9/11/15...
Posted in The Heart of the Matter on January 15, 2019 12:54 AM
When the Rain BeginsStuart Hoffman, Jennifer Edwards, and Stephen Rivera have joined their considerable forces to create an extraordinary anthem to love, hope, and possibility. Wow! When the Rain Begins is already a classic. Turn up the volume, turn off the news,...
Posted in The Heart of the Matter on January 10, 2019 01:01 AM
Sushila Wood's Lifelong Journey of Learning Continues to UnfoldED NOTE: This just in from aspiring Waldorf educator, mother of three, and long-time student of Prem Rawat, Sushila Wood... Herein I commence the new year tradition of letter writing, carrying a small flame of what once was our...
Posted in The Heart of the Matter on January 2, 2019 06:48 PM
Kathleen Cook Needs Our SupportKathleen Cook is in need of our support. Please click here to learn more about her current health/life challenge as described on her GoFundMe page just launched by Joan Apter. No donation is too small. This is chance for...
Posted in The Heart of the Matter on January 1, 2019 12:55 PM
Who Can I Share My Joy With?TimelessToday PremRawat.com Photograph: unsplash-logoNathan Dumlao...
Posted in The Heart of the Matter on December 28, 2018 06:40 PM
Mother Teresa SpeaksIf you are kind, people may accuse you of selfish, ulterior motives; Be Kind Anyway. If you are successful, you will win some false friends, and some true enemies; Be Successful Anyway. If you are honest and sincere, people...
Posted in The Heart of the Matter on December 26, 2018 04:27 AM
Practice Being HumanTimelessToday...
Posted in The Heart of the Matter on December 20, 2018 03:04 AM
When People Are at PeacePremRawat.com...
Posted in The Heart of the Matter on December 9, 2018 01:18 AM
Carry a Lot of MatchesWords of Peace Global...
Posted in The Heart of the Matter on November 19, 2018 10:27 PM
Put the Glass Down...
Posted in The Heart of the Matter on November 18, 2018 09:43 PM
No Mud, No LotusTimelessToday Words of Peace Global PremRawat.com Photo...
Posted in The Heart of the Matter on November 18, 2018 08:59 PM
Some Might Call It DancingUnspoken Word...
Posted in The Heart of the Matter on November 10, 2018 12:04 PM
An Invitation for YouIf you enjoy this blog, there is a good chance you will also enjoy my lesser-known Facebook group BEING A CREATOR ON PLANET EARTH. Simply put, it's a destination for anyone aspiring to create something new and wonderful in...
Posted in The Heart of the Matter on November 4, 2018 01:46 AM
They Are Still Laughing...
Posted in The Heart of the Matter on November 3, 2018 05:17 PM
Find New Blessings!Illustration: gapingvoid.com...
Posted in The Heart of the Matter on October 31, 2018 07:15 PM
Words to the WiseClick here if you breathe Click here if you know someone who breathes Do not click this link...
Posted in The Heart of the Matter on October 28, 2018 03:12 AM
Right Now...
Posted in The Heart of the Matter on October 25, 2018 07:12 PM
Perceived Reality vs. Real RealityTimelessToday PremRawat.com...
Posted in The Heart of the Matter on October 16, 2018 09:26 AM
THE WRITE STUFF (and you!)Greetings! Mitch Ditkoff, here -- author of Heart of the Matter for the past ten years. If you have been enjoying this blog and any other writing of mine, I invite you to consider contributing to my newly launched...
Posted in The Heart of the Matter on October 11, 2018 12:05 PM
EXPLORING THIRSTThere is something within each and everyone of us that is timeless, universal, and divine -- a call from the great Beyond that is paradoxically fully present at the same time....
Posted in The Heart of the Matter on October 8, 2018 09:28 PM
Simplify!...
Posted in The Heart of the Matter on October 4, 2018 12:19 AM
Beyond WordsInspired by the recent five-day event at Amaroo and being on the unexpected receiving end of Prem Rawat's kind words about my writing, I have decided to take it up a notch and offer my services to anyone who...
Posted in The Heart of the Matter on September 30, 2018 11:24 PM
PeaceCast LIVE! NOW! TUNE IN!GOOD NEWS! In honor of the International Day of Peace PeaceCast, is now LIVE -- steaming inspired peace-themed videos in both English and Spanish. Hats off to Michele Spinella and her team of highly dedicated volunteers to put out...
Posted in The Heart of the Matter on September 21, 2018 12:44 AM
Amaroo Press CoverageNice press coverage of Prem Rawat's recent five-day Amaroo event in Australia. PremRawat.com...
Posted in The Heart of the Matter on September 16, 2018 07:09 PM
The Morning AfterWell... it's time to pack up and head for the airport after five extraordinary days with Prem Rawat. I'm not going to quote him, summarize his talks, or attempt to retell his stories. Out of context, something gets lost...
Posted in The Heart of the Matter on September 15, 2018 10:24 PM
Prem Rawat Excerpts: Amaroo, 9/8/15Excerpts from 9/7/15 PremRawat.com Words of Peace Global The Prem Rawat Foundation Rawat Creations PHOTOS #17 & #19: Chris Corbett...
Posted in The Heart of the Matter on September 3, 2018 11:29 PM
The Nature of the GiverPremRawat.com...
Posted in The Heart of the Matter on August 28, 2018 11:05 PM
Love Is the BridgeTimelessToday PremRawat.com...
Posted in The Heart of the Matter on August 19, 2018 08:26 PM
Breaking the Sugar HabitMany years ago, in India, a young boy was obsessed with eating sugar. When he woke up in the morning, all he wanted was candy. After lunch, all he wanted was chocolate. And just before he went to bed,...
Posted in The Heart of the Matter on August 14, 2018 12:28 AM
Prem Rawat Excerpts, 9/9/15Excerpts from 9/7/15 Excerpts from 9/8/15 PremRawat.com Words of Peace Global The Prem Rawat Foundation Rawat Creations AMAROO PHOTOS by Steve Brenman: #3, 7, 10, 13, 15, 18...
Posted in The Heart of the Matter on August 13, 2018 11:41 PM
STORYTELLING FOR THE REVOLUTION available as an ebookGOOD NEWS! My new book, Storytelling for the Revolution, is now available for downloading as an ebook from Amazon. $9.99. Paperback also available. If you are interested in the power of personal storytelling to build community, open minds, transmit...
Posted in The Heart of the Matter on August 10, 2018 11:27 PM
AMAROO EXCERPTS: 9/20/16TimelessToday Words of Peace Global The Prem Rawat Foundation PremRawat.com Rawat Creations Photographers: Michael Wood Thom Adorney Illustrator: Lisa Dietrich...
Posted in The Heart of the Matter on August 8, 2018 05:28 PM
What Do You Have to Say?Well... what is it? Leave a comment below... Illustration: gapingvoid TimelessToday PremRawat.com...
Posted in The Heart of the Matter on August 2, 2018 12:13 AM
What Have I Accomplished?As I dive deeper into the eighth decade of my life I find myself at a curious crossroads -- the intersection of WHO and WHAT, one of those strange intersections far out of town where the sagebrush rolls and...
Posted in The Heart of the Matter on July 30, 2018 08:16 PM
A Different Kind of WallA different kind of wall...
Posted in The Heart of the Matter on July 9, 2018 07:58 AM
The Finger SnapTwo years ago, I traveled from Woodstock to Malibu to work with Prem Rawat, for a few days, on a project he was very passionate about -- the launch of his new enterprise, Rawat Creations. More specifically, he was...
Posted in The Heart of the Matter on July 6, 2018 04:30 AM
My New Book is Now on Amazon!I am thrilled to announce that my new book, Storytelling for the Revolution, is now available on Amazon. If you are a fan of storytelling, insight, wisdom, love, choice, humor, learning, breathing, the human condition, or this blog, there...
Posted in The Heart of the Matter on July 5, 2018 06:28 AM
Prem Rawat, Amaroo, 9/10/15Excerpts from 9/7/15 Excerpts from 9/8/15 Excerpts from 9/9/15 PremRawat.com Words of Peace Global The Prem Rawat Foundation Rawat Creations AMAROO PHOTOS: Chris Corbett, #6, 9, 11, 12, 14, 15...
Posted in The Heart of the Matter on July 3, 2018 06:07 PM
On ForgivenessTimelessToday PremRawat.com...
Posted in The Heart of the Matter on June 24, 2018 09:17 AM
IT'S NOT ALL THAT DIFFICULT A QUESTIONMy long-time teacher, Prem Rawat, has been speaking to people, all over the world, about peace, for the past 48 years or so. He is always in great demand and his audiences, in India, have sometimes been as large...
Posted in The Heart of the Matter on June 7, 2018 08:06 PM
The Golden Garden Party XlIf you are anywhere near Fairview, NC (close to Asheville) on June 16th, please consider attending the 11th annual Golden Garden Party -- a fabulous benefit event to support the humanitarian work of The Prem Rawat Foundation (TPRF). In addition...
Posted in The Heart of the Matter on June 1, 2018 05:24 AM
That's Why This Precise Moment is Called "The Present"Timeless Today...
Posted in The Heart of the Matter on May 18, 2018 12:30 PM
The Bigger the Circle of Darkness, the Bigger the Circle of LightYes, these are difficult times we find ourselves in. And yes, the political discourse is toxic. But at the same time, there is much to be thankful for -- people, everywhere, unwilling to sit back and let darkness rule, stepping...
Posted in The Heart of the Matter on May 14, 2018 09:56 PM
Relax, Enjoy!TimelessToday...
Posted in The Heart of the Matter on May 3, 2018 08:37 PM
The Relaunch of PremRawat.comWant to stay focused on your journey towards inner peace? Get the latest news and content from around the globe? Introduce friends to the world of Prem Rawat? The new PremRawat.com website is the place to go. Enjoy a...
Posted in The Heart of the Matter on April 28, 2018 01:40 AM
Update on Kim O'Leary's MusicIf you are reading this, there is a good chance you know the music of Kim O'Leary. Kim has been inspiring people for many years with her soulful songs of love, longing, and life. Here, in Kim's own words,...
Posted in The Heart of the Matter on April 23, 2018 08:57 AM
Prem Rawat Excerpts: Amaroo, 9/7/15PremRawat.com Words of Peace Global The Prem Rawat Foundation Rawat Creations...
Posted in The Heart of the Matter on April 22, 2018 05:20 PM
A Six Pack of KabirFriend, hope for the Guest while you are alive. Jump into experience while you are alive! Think... and think... while you are alive. What you call "salvation" belongs to the time before death. If you don't break your rope...
Posted in The Heart of the Matter on April 22, 2018 03:55 PM
The Scorpion and the SaintAdapted from a story I first heard from Prem Rawat many years ago. Once a upon a time a traveling saint, on his yearly pilgrimage to the Holy Land, found himself being approached by a small group of agitated...
Posted in The Heart of the Matter on April 13, 2018 07:50 AM
New Music from Manuel ImanI have been a big fan of Manuel Iman's classical and jazz guitar music for many years. His CD's are in steady rotation in my home. Always uplifting. The only time I ever jammed with him was at Prem...
Posted in The Heart of the Matter on April 11, 2018 02:37 PM
On Being an Instrument of PeaceAnother instrument of peace...
Posted in The Heart of the Matter on April 10, 2018 08:55 AM
Doing Something That Matters?Illustration: gapingvoid Website that matters Workshop that matters...
Posted in The Heart of the Matter on March 31, 2018 04:51 PM
Enjoy Every Day...
Posted in The Heart of the Matter on March 30, 2018 11:14 PM
What Do You Practice?The Pleasanton Express, a Texas newspaper just quoted Prem Rawat -- an inspiring quote about the power of practice. TimelessToday...
Posted in The Heart of the Matter on March 27, 2018 08:03 PM
21 Quotes on Appreciation1. "There is more hunger for love and appreciation in this world than for bread." - Mother Theresa 2. "If the only prayer you said in your whole life was, 'thank you,' that would suffice." Meister Eckhart 3. "The...
Posted in The Heart of the Matter on March 24, 2018 11:21 PM
I Came Here to Be InspiredIllustration: gapingvoid.com An inspiring website What you get when you google "inspiration"...
Posted in The Heart of the Matter on March 22, 2018 12:06 AM
Mother Teresa Speaks"Spread love everywhere you go. Let no one ever come to you without leaving happier." "I have found the paradox, that if you love until it hurts, there can be no more hurt, only more love." "I was once...
Posted in The Heart of the Matter on March 9, 2018 05:09 AM
A Bag of Small Red BerriesToday, I was sitting in Mesa Grande, the cafe I most love to frequent in San Miguel, when I noticed an old, weathered woman entering the place. Dark skinned, wrinkled, and small, she was moving very slowly across the...
Posted in The Heart of the Matter on February 19, 2018 05:31 PM
I Exist As I AmTimelessToday...
Posted in The Heart of the Matter on February 9, 2018 11:14 PM
Your Favorite Story?What is your favorite story of all time? And why? TimelessToday...
Posted in The Heart of the Matter on February 4, 2018 01:52 PM
The TimelessToday AppTimelessToday is now available as an app on your Smartphone. Works with iPhone and Androids. A great way to get a daily dose of inspiration and stay in touch with a wonderful message of peace. You do not need...
Posted in The Heart of the Matter on February 2, 2018 10:57 AM
What I Have UnderstoodThe one who inspires my poetry Full Moon at Sunrise Storytelling at Work...
Posted in The Heart of the Matter on January 25, 2018 11:36 AM
Be Empty Like the Sky' TimelessToday...
Posted in The Heart of the Matter on January 11, 2018 08:16 PM
Your Homework for the DayTimelessToday...
Posted in The Heart of the Matter on December 14, 2017 05:43 PM
After Seeing Prem Rawat in LAHere's one thing I experience after seeing Prem Rawat, who I just had the good fortune to see at the LA event in celebration of his 60th birthday: After being in his presence, there is nowhere to go. Nowhere...
Posted in The Heart of the Matter on December 12, 2017 07:36 AM
PREM RAWAT'S New App Launched on TimelessToday!Today, at the Los Angeles event, Prem Rawat launched his cool, new TimelessToday app -- one that includes video, audio, updates on events, a way to make playlists, and all kinds of other goodies. Last year, Prem's message was...
Posted in The Heart of the Matter on December 11, 2017 09:47 PM
PREM RAWAT Livestream from LAThis is the link to view or listen to the livestream of Prem Rawat's December 9-10 event in Los Angeles. If you can't make it, the livestream is the next best thing. Video: $60. Audio: $20 Yes, it is...
Posted in The Heart of the Matter on December 8, 2017 03:17 PM
The Flower from the SkyIn the early 1980's, as a young spiritual seeker, I attended one of Baba Ram Dass' presentations in Boston. It was a very wonderful evening. Lots of inspiration was shared. Lots of wisdom. And lots of laughter. At one...
Posted in The Heart of the Matter on November 22, 2017 05:12 PM
You Want a Miracle?PremRawat.com Words of Peace Global...
Posted in The Heart of the Matter on November 15, 2017 04:42 PM
What Is a Student?...
Posted in The Heart of the Matter on November 4, 2017 04:08 PM
The Divine is Touching Us BothTimelessToday...
Posted in The Heart of the Matter on October 24, 2017 01:48 PM
SPOKEN WORD and ENCHANTING MUSIC FOR YOU: This Thirst!A collaboration between Stuart Hoffman and myself. His music. My spoken word. Enjoy!...
Posted in The Heart of the Matter on October 5, 2017 11:40 PM
The Biggest Global Crisis of All?There are a lot of crises going on around the world these days: the Environmental Crisis, the Refugee Crisis, the Water Crisis, the Monetary Crisis and many, many others. But the biggest crisis of them all, perhaps the root...
Posted in The Heart of the Matter on October 4, 2017 03:50 PM
I Take a Few Deep BreathsOn a good day I take a few deep breaths and feel God's primal tide inside me. A force of nature they are, coming from who knows where. They continue, these breaths, one slow motion wave at a time,...
Posted in The Heart of the Matter on September 25, 2017 03:44 PM
Honoring International Peace DayThe UN-sanctioned International Day of Peace Day is happening on September 21st -- an occasion for people, everywhere, to pause and reflect on what they can do help make peace a reality -- for themselves and others. If peace...
Posted in The Heart of the Matter on September 21, 2017 11:42 AM
Honoring the Soulful Music, Life, and Family of Richie InguiIf you are a long-time Heart of the Matter reader, there is a good chance you are familiar with the music of Richie Ingui -- an extraordinarily gifted singer and deep-hearted man who unexpectedly passed away this past winter....
Posted in The Heart of the Matter on September 4, 2017 04:31 PM
INSIDE PEACE: The PBS Broadcast Schedule for SeptemberClick here to see the upcoming PBS broadcast schedule for Inside Peace, the extraordinary documentary that follows a group of inmates doing hard time in a Texas prison as they embark on a journey of personal discovery while struggling...
Posted in The Heart of the Matter on August 30, 2017 03:33 PM
INSIDE PEACE ON PBS!Inside Peace trailer...
Posted in The Heart of the Matter on August 29, 2017 09:36 AM
NEW STUART HOFFMAN RELEASE: A Thousand Days With YouTa Da! Here is Stuart Hoffman's newest love song, A Thousand Days With You -- a single release from his upcoming CD. Dedicated to the one and only Jennifer Edwards. All proceeds go to the "Get Stuart Hoffman Out...
Posted in The Heart of the Matter on August 27, 2017 10:57 PM
A NEW KIM O'LEARY RELEASE: Dance Above the WireHooray! Here's a wonderful new song from Kim O'Leary. Kim is a total treasure and her music radiates love and longing. And an oldie, but goodie...
Posted in The Heart of the Matter on August 27, 2017 10:41 PM
Your Feedback is Humbly Requested"Comedy is simply a funny way of being serious." -- Peter Ustinov The author of this blog (that's me, folks, Mitch Ditkoff) is thinking about launching a new blog that features the healing, inspirational, and heart/mind-opening properties of humor. In...
Posted in The Heart of the Matter on August 21, 2017 02:06 PM
We Go High!Announcing the world premiere of WE GO HIGH, Jill Katz and Friends' new anthem to world peace. Enjoy! And please consider posting the link on FB and other social media sites. We very much need peace-themed counter-programming during these...
Posted in The Heart of the Matter on August 19, 2017 05:32 PM
New Releases from Timeless TodayHere they are Video clips Audio...
Posted in The Heart of the Matter on August 19, 2017 10:21 AM
INSIDE PEACE Launches a $25,000 Crowdfunding CampaignThe fine folks who created the award-winning documentary, Inside Peace, about the extraordinary impact of the Peace Education Program in a Texas prison have just launched a crowdfunding campaign to take the project to the next level. Click here...
Posted in The Heart of the Matter on August 2, 2017 09:22 AM
Poetry of the Hearthttp://www.amazon.com/Full-Moon-Sunrise-Poetry-Heart/dp/0615737498; margin-bottom:5px; max-width: 100%;" allowfullscreen> POETRY OF THE HEART: Mitch Ditkoff from Mitchell Ditkoff Best to view full screen...
Posted in The Heart of the Matter on July 30, 2017 03:29 AM
ON BEING YOURSELF: 25 Powerful Quotes to Contemplate"Be yourself; everyone else is already taken." - Oscar Wilde "Always be a first rate version of yourself and not a second rate version of someone else." - Judy Garland "The individual has always had to struggle to keep...
Posted in The Heart of the Matter on July 29, 2017 01:13 PM
The GiftTimelessToday...
Posted in The Heart of the Matter on July 23, 2017 10:31 AM
A Question to ContemplateTimelessToday.com...
Posted in The Heart of the Matter on July 21, 2017 02:16 PM
The Unsubscription PhenomenonI can almost always tell when someone is going to unsubscribe from this blog of mine. A fascinating phenomenon, indeed. I feel, sometimes, like Dylan when he went from folk to electric. Oh well, life is not a popularity...
Posted in The Heart of the Matter on July 18, 2017 05:04 PM
The Two WolvesOne evening an old Cherokee told his grandson about a battle that goes on inside people. He said, "My son, the battle is between two wolves inside us all. "One is Evil. It is anger, envy, jealousy, sorrow, regret,...
Posted in The Heart of the Matter on July 17, 2017 11:17 AM
HAFIZ: Becoming Human"Once a man came to me and spoke for hours about 'His great visions of God,' he felt he was having.He asked me for confirmation, saying 'Are these wondrous dreams true?' I replied, 'How many goats do you have?'...
Posted in The Heart of the Matter on July 13, 2017 08:56 AM
Timeless Today in da HouseNew releases Streaming video Listen...
Posted in The Heart of the Matter on July 9, 2017 03:44 AM
What a Wonderful World!TimelessToday Unspoken Word...
Posted in The Heart of the Matter on July 3, 2017 10:53 AM
What Have You Accomplished?As I gear up to enter the next decade of my life, I find myself at a curious crossroads -- the intersection of WHO and WHAT, one of those strange intersections far out of town where the sagebrush rolls...
Posted in The Heart of the Matter on June 26, 2017 07:53 AM
Chantal Piriz Needs Our SupportDear Friends: Just a brief note to let you know that Chantal Piriz, the extraordinary woman who, along with Roberto Piriz, began the Peace Education Program in Dominquez Prison, in San Antonio, is very much in need of our...
Posted in The Heart of the Matter on June 21, 2017 05:07 PM
Less Noise, More SpaceIllustration: gapingvoid Less noise, more space...
Posted in The Heart of the Matter on June 13, 2017 05:31 PM
Marvin Gaye Speaks!What's Going On TimelessToday...
Posted in The Heart of the Matter on June 10, 2017 12:46 PM
Four Loring Baker PoemsTHE JOY OF STILLNESS Perhaps there's nowhere left to go, Nothing more to plan, Time to sit on my own front porch In the afternoon's blond light, Listen to the garden sing And taste the joy of stillness As...
Posted in The Heart of the Matter on June 8, 2017 01:37 PM
Seek the One Beyond the VeilTimelessToday...
Posted in The Heart of the Matter on June 8, 2017 10:05 AM
The Reading...
Posted in The Heart of the Matter on June 5, 2017 06:17 PM
TIMELESS TODAY: New ReleasesNew releases...
Posted in The Heart of the Matter on May 28, 2017 04:44 PM
The Supreme Art of the TeacherTimelessToday...
Posted in The Heart of the Matter on May 27, 2017 12:08 PM
Simplify!...
Posted in The Heart of the Matter on May 25, 2017 08:47 PM
The Golden Garden PartyOn June 4th, just outside of Asheville, North Carolina, Ron and Rachel Clearfield will be hosting their 10th annual Golden Garden Party -- an inspiring fundraiser for TRPF's Food for People program. Everyone is invited. And that means YOU,...
Posted in The Heart of the Matter on May 23, 2017 08:13 AM
The Hidden Chest Now on Amazon"The Hidden Chest", a beautiful children's book, written and illustrated by Teresa Payne, was originally created as a gift of gratitude for Prem Rawat, inspired by one of his stories. Wadi, Prem's daughter, took the book on as a...
Posted in The Heart of the Matter on May 22, 2017 07:30 AM
New Releases from Timeless TodayNew releases...
Posted in The Heart of the Matter on May 15, 2017 05:53 PM
No ExcusesED NOTE: Last night, Paul Murtha emailed me the following inspired rant. Here it is, for your enjoyment -- deeply considered reflections on the gift of life that he is very much enjoying. Paul, by the way, is the...
Posted in The Heart of the Matter on May 10, 2017 07:35 AM
You Are Here!Inspiring, new releases on TimelessToday...
Posted in The Heart of the Matter on May 7, 2017 09:23 AM
An Iraq Veteran Speaks on PeaceClick here for a powerful, 4-minute video of an incarcerated veteran speaking about his discovery of inner peace via TPRF's Peace Education Program. The video, in a a very clear and compelling way, kicks off TPRF's Spring fundraising drive....
Posted in The Heart of the Matter on May 2, 2017 03:58 PM
Security is Mostly a SuperstitionTimelessToday...
Posted in The Heart of the Matter on May 2, 2017 01:53 PM
I Exist As I Am...
Posted in The Heart of the Matter on April 30, 2017 01:52 AM
MIAMI AUDIO of PREM RAWAT: Olympia Theater, 4/12/15Just released, on TimelessToday, a 60-minute downloadable audio of Prem Rawat, at the Olympia Theater, in Miami -- April 12, 2015. Also available: a 2:25 preview audio of his talk. TimelessToday Streaming video Short articles...
Posted in The Heart of the Matter on April 28, 2017 10:11 AM
Something Worth Listening ToAs children, the first time we spoke we were celebrated by our parents. But the first time we listened, no one said a thing. As a result, we all seem to be much better talkers than listeners. Listening, in...
Posted in The Heart of the Matter on April 27, 2017 01:45 PM
Read It and Leap!...
Posted in The Heart of the Matter on April 25, 2017 05:12 PM
What's New on Timeless Today?NEW RELEASES: Inspiration for everyone...
Posted in The Heart of the Matter on April 23, 2017 08:33 AM
New Releases on TimelessTodayClick here. Or, if you don't want to click there (because you don't like people telling you where to click), click here....
Posted in The Heart of the Matter on April 17, 2017 05:09 PM
The Best City in the World: SIMPLICITYTimelessToday...
Posted in The Heart of the Matter on April 7, 2017 09:07 PM
A Picture's Worth 1,000 Words...
Posted in The Heart of the Matter on April 5, 2017 08:52 PM
Happiness is the Holy GrailIllustration: gapingvoid TimelessToday You Get More Beautiful...
Posted in The Heart of the Matter on April 1, 2017 03:16 AM
Feeling SimplicityTimelessToday...
Posted in The Heart of the Matter on March 31, 2017 03:58 PM
41 Minutes of Cape Town Radio FunClick here for Part 3 of the Wild Wise Women Assembly Radio interview of Prem Rawat on May 9th, 2016. Engaging. Energetic. Casual. Inspiring. And profound. TimelessToday...
Posted in The Heart of the Matter on March 25, 2017 12:35 AM
There Is a Wall in MexicoWatercolor: Evelyne Pouget...
Posted in The Heart of the Matter on March 24, 2017 05:26 PM
NEW RELEASE: Love Today!You've heard of Lennon and McCartney. You've heard of Sonny and Cher. You've heard of Abbott and Costello. Now you're ready for Hoffman and Ditkoff and the world release of Love Today. Spread the good news. Forward it to...
Posted in The Heart of the Matter on March 21, 2017 01:42 AM
Stepping LivelyTimelessToday...
Posted in The Heart of the Matter on March 20, 2017 10:52 PM
Wild Wise Women Radio Interview with Prem Rawat (Parts 1-2)Click here for the first two parts of a very entertaining radio interview with Prem Rawat in Cape Town, South Africa. The final segment will be released next week. TimelessToday...
Posted in The Heart of the Matter on March 18, 2017 07:51 AM
Anti-Complaining Medicine...
Posted in The Heart of the Matter on March 17, 2017 12:35 AM
CAPE TOWN: Delightful Wise Wild Woman Interview of Prem RawatVery spunky 20-minute interview of Prem Rawat on Assembly Radio in Cape Town, South Africa. (The first in a series of three. Stay tuned!) TimelessToday...
Posted in The Heart of the Matter on March 12, 2017 11:45 AM
The Shortest PilgrimmageTimelessToday...
Posted in The Heart of the Matter on March 9, 2017 01:48 AM
New Releases on Timeless TodayNew releases for your enjoyment...
Posted in The Heart of the Matter on March 6, 2017 11:28 AM
REPORT FROM GHANA: "I'm a Star Because of Peace Education"Stone walls do not a prison make, especially when the inmates behind those walls find freedom within themselves. If you want to see what's possible when all hope seems to be gone, check this out. More about the Peace...
Posted in The Heart of the Matter on February 28, 2017 04:36 AM
There's No Time Like the PresentMore good reminders And some more TimelessToday...
Posted in The Heart of the Matter on February 24, 2017 03:28 PM
It Rhymes with RejoiceTimelessToday...
Posted in The Heart of the Matter on February 12, 2017 08:07 PM
The Timeless, Totally Terrific, and Tenacious Words of The Buddha"It is a man's own mind, not his enemy or foe, that lures him to evil ways." "You will not be punished for your anger, you will be punished by your anger." "It is better to conquer yourself than...
Posted in The Heart of the Matter on February 11, 2017 01:36 AM
Heart of the Matter's Top Ten PostsThe Heart of the Matter blog began nine years ago in January, 2008. Since that time, the 1,817 postings on the site have been viewed a total of 1,390,444 times. What follows are the ten most popular postings since...
Posted in The Heart of the Matter on February 9, 2017 06:34 AM
Your Morning Wake Up CallTimelessToday New releases Review of Timeless Today...
Posted in The Heart of the Matter on February 8, 2017 06:17 AM
A Website That Is TimelessThere are approximately one billion websites in the world, servicing the virtual needs of 3.6 billion people -- an astounding 40% of the earth's population. Given the fact that the average human being spends about three hours online, daily,...
Posted in The Heart of the Matter on February 7, 2017 05:31 AM
The Power of GratitudeHere is a collection of expressions of gratitude from people around the world who have experienced some of the benefits of Prem Rawat's message of peace via their participation in the Peace Education Program. About Prem Rawat TimelessToday...
Posted in The Heart of the Matter on February 5, 2017 12:59 PM
Martin Luther King Speaks"Darkness cannot drive out darkness; only light can do that. Hate cannot drive out hate; only love can do that." "Love is the only force capable of transforming an enemy into a friend." "I refuse to accept the view...
Posted in The Heart of the Matter on February 4, 2017 07:21 PM
Prem Rawat Radio Interview on KAYA FM in JohannesburgClick here for a lively December 6th South African radio interview with Prem Rawat, referred to by millions of people around the world, as a "Peace Ambassador." In this day and age of ultra-strange politics, terrorism, fake news, environmental...
Posted in The Heart of the Matter on February 4, 2017 08:43 AM
Buddha in da House!...
Posted in The Heart of the Matter on February 3, 2017 06:00 PM
My Open Letter to Donald Trump Published in the Huffington PostMy open letter to Donald Trump has just been published in the Huffington Post -- my attempt to light a candle instead of cursing the darkness. PLEASE NOTE: I can usually tell when Heart of the Matter subscribers are...
Posted in The Heart of the Matter on February 2, 2017 12:20 AM
When People Are at PeacePeaceQuotes music/slideshow PremRawat.com Words of Peace Global...
Posted in The Heart of the Matter on January 30, 2017 10:01 AM
Enjoy as Much as PossibleHeart of the Matter is happy to present a poem by one of it's long-time readers and all around great person, Janice Wilson. Let's be jolly, let's be merry in the face of the difficulties on earth, this is...
Posted in The Heart of the Matter on January 23, 2017 02:27 AM
Prem Rawat on South African RadioFree streaming audio of Prem Rawat's December 8th radio interview on South Africa's oldest radio station. 13 minutes. TimelessToday...
Posted in The Heart of the Matter on January 21, 2017 12:09 AM
Home Sweet Home...
Posted in The Heart of the Matter on January 18, 2017 10:20 PM
In the Beginning Was the Word (and then the Huffington Post)You may not know this, but during the last few years, the author of this blog has published seven articles in the Huffington Post about Prem Rawat, his books, and his message of peace. If you, perchance, missed any...
Posted in The Heart of the Matter on January 11, 2017 06:09 PM
Prem Rawat in SebokengPrem Rawat speaking in Sebokeng, South Africa, December 9th. Treat yourself to a New Year's Day present! TimelessToday...
Posted in The Heart of the Matter on January 1, 2017 12:23 PM
50th Anniversary Amaroo Gift Set Now Available on TimelessTodayGOOD NEWS! All nine of Prem Rawat's talks from the September event in Amaroo are now available for streaming on TimelessToday as part of a just-released 50th Anniversary Gift Set. These talks are also available as downloadable audio files....
Posted in The Heart of the Matter on December 24, 2016 08:28 AM
You See DifferencesPhoto: Ira Meyer...
Posted in The Heart of the Matter on December 21, 2016 03:02 PM
Update on TRPF's Fundraising CampaignMany readers of Heart of the Matter are very interested in the work of The Prem Rawat Foundation (TPRF), a non-profit organization whose mission is to address the fundamental human needs of food, water, and peace. Towards this end,...
Posted in The Heart of the Matter on December 13, 2016 09:25 AM
The Most Powerful Person in the World is the Storyteller"The most powerful person in the world is the storyteller. The storyteller sets the values, mission, and agenda of an entire generation that is yet to come." -- Steve Jobs While this may seem just a bit exaggerated, there...
Posted in The Heart of the Matter on December 7, 2016 08:01 PM
A New Book by Prem RawatFollowing the success of Prem Rawat's first book produced in Japan by Bunya Publishing in 2015, Splitting the Arrow, a second book of his was released in August -- a delightfully illustrated children's book, entitled The Pot with the Hole....
Posted in The Heart of the Matter on November 28, 2016 09:44 PM
An Unforgettable Night with Rabbi Shlomo CarlebachI am Jewish. My parents were Jewish. My grandparents were Jewish and all their parents and grandparents were Jewish. My father's father's name was "Abraham". His brother's name was "Moses". I was circumcised, went to Hebrew School, was bar...
Posted in The Heart of the Matter on November 12, 2016 12:56 PM
A Manifesto for a Simple Life...
Posted in The Heart of the Matter on November 5, 2016 05:49 PM
Roberto Piriz Needs Our HelpIf you are familiar with the work of the Peace Education Program in the Dominquez State Jail in San Antonio, TX, you are probably familiar with Roberto Piriz, the wonderful man who started that program, along with his wife,...
Posted in The Heart of the Matter on October 31, 2016 09:04 AM
We Are Never More Than a Minute Away from the Big BreakthroughI want to tell you a brief story about 60 seconds of my life, nine years ago, that felt like an eternity -- an experience that was so totally infused with meaning that I am still drinking from it's...
Posted in The Heart of the Matter on October 24, 2016 12:48 PM
Seven Videos from PremRawat.comHere are seven direct-to-camera videos of Prem Rawat -- all posted on his website and all less than 22 minutes each. Inspiring. Clear. And a simple way to tune into his universal message of peace. No Need to Measure...
Posted in The Heart of the Matter on October 15, 2016 11:03 AM
Entering the SweepstakesWhen I was a kid I used to enter Sweepstakes all the time. Here's how it worked: I'd be flipping through one of my parent's magazines when I'd see a huge, double-page spread with lots of smiling people having...
Posted in The Heart of the Matter on October 11, 2016 11:41 PM
Prem Rawat in MalaysiaThis just published in Malaysia's Star Online. Timeless Today...
Posted in The Heart of the Matter on October 10, 2016 04:32 PM
Knocking on Heaven's DoorNOTE: This is a piece I wrote seven years ago. Just stumbled across it today. Maybe it will be useful to you. Or inspiring. Or both. As I write this, I am sitting in the home of my 94-year...
Posted in The Heart of the Matter on October 9, 2016 11:48 PM
The Complexity of Love in 13 Untranslatable WordsSometimes, we FEEL something deeply, but don't necessarily have words for it. This sweet, four-minute video is all about this phenomenon -- featuring words, in different languages, for hard to communicate feelings about life and love. Can you relate?...
Posted in The Heart of the Matter on October 1, 2016 11:55 AM
At a Loss for WordsLast week, I flew from Newark to Australia to attend, along with 4,300 other people, a five-day celebration event with Prem Rawat. As always, it was a memorable adventure. Energizing. Inspiring. Enjoyable. And totally worth the effort -- me...
Posted in The Heart of the Matter on September 29, 2016 10:57 PM
Beneath the TreeLots of people think that if you have a Master all your love goes there -- leaving not much left for the other people in your life. This is not true. The love a Master awakens in a human...
Posted in The Heart of the Matter on September 28, 2016 01:47 AM
Prem Rawat in Amaroo: Day TwoA two-minute excerpt of Prem Rawat's September 20th talk at the recent Amaroo Celebration is now available for viewing on TimelessToday. The complete video is available to rent on the same site....
Posted in The Heart of the Matter on September 26, 2016 01:34 AM
The Paradox of Total EnjoymentHave you ever watched a really great movie and, as you're watching it, you are saying to yourself "I can't wait to watch this again", even though you are watching it NOW. Moved by how absolutely awesome the movie...
Posted in The Heart of the Matter on September 25, 2016 12:10 PM
A 2-Minute Amaroo Video ExcerptClick here for a two-minute video excerpt from Prem Rawat's opening talk at Amaroo. The full video can be rented and streamed for 30 days. TimelessToday...
Posted in The Heart of the Matter on September 25, 2016 11:46 AM
When the Fog LiftsTimelessToday Amaroo Video Stream Photos 1-8: Michael Wood...
Posted in The Heart of the Matter on September 24, 2016 06:04 PM
AMAROO 2016: A Comprehensive Report From the FieldTimelessToday Amaroo Video Stream: Day One Photo: Michael Wood...
Posted in The Heart of the Matter on September 23, 2016 04:03 AM
Amaroo Excerpts on TimelessTodayJust a brief note to let you know that excerpts of Prem Rawat's Amaroo talks will be posted on TimelessToday, not Heart of the Matter. Also, on TimelessToday, you will be able to access the video from the first...
Posted in The Heart of the Matter on September 22, 2016 04:02 PM
PLUM TREE (written in Amaroo)Today, I imagined everything I owned had reduced itself down to a singular plum tree -- the kind an 85-year old Japanese poet, sipping sake, likes to tend at the end of the day. This plum tree, this solitary...
Posted in The Heart of the Matter on September 21, 2016 04:40 PM
In Honor of the Amaroo Rain!It's raining in Amaroo, right now, so here is a song to celebrate the rain and the source of love within us all. Exquisite new song and slide show by Stuart Hoffman and Jennifer Edwards. Vocals by Stephen Rivera....
Posted in The Heart of the Matter on September 20, 2016 06:02 AM
Amaroo Update CorrectedGood news! Video excerpts of Prem Rawat's first Amaroo event will be posted very soon on TimelessToday. Please note that this video will not be available for downloading, but will be pay-per-view. The pricing structure will be defined in...
Posted in The Heart of the Matter on September 19, 2016 06:50 AM
Greetings from AmarooTimelessToday Photo: Thom Adorney...
Posted in The Heart of the Matter on September 18, 2016 01:28 AM
A PeaceCast of Millions!The news industry has a mantra -- one that most of its customers are not all that familiar with -- "if it bleeds, it leads." Translation? Bad news sells. Which is why the average online, click-through rate these days...
Posted in The Heart of the Matter on September 13, 2016 12:56 PM
A Laundry Room at AmarooWhen I was a young man, I had a big desire to have cosmic experiences. The more cosmic they were, the better. My assumption? That what I was experiencing, in my everyday life, wasn't quite "it" and I needed...
Posted in The Heart of the Matter on August 28, 2016 02:29 AM
Soaked!I wrote the following upon returning home from one of Prem Rawat's events, in Australia, a few years ago. People ask me what it was like being with you five days in a row. Here's what I tell them:...
Posted in The Heart of the Matter on August 19, 2016 10:18 PM
A Sign of the TimesHuffington Post review of SPLITTING THE ARROW More about the book on TimelessToday...
Posted in The Heart of the Matter on August 12, 2016 02:05 AM
PEACE DAY IS COMING!Peace Day is coming on September 21st -- a global phenomenon of millions of people stepping up, with one voice, to proclaim, in various ways, the need for peace on planet Earth. All around the world there will be...
Posted in The Heart of the Matter on August 11, 2016 01:43 AM
Ponder This for a MomentPremRawat.com...
Posted in The Heart of the Matter on August 10, 2016 08:30 AM
Prem Rawat's Recent Events in India with English TranslationChenai Surat Jaipur Kolkata New Delhi...
Posted in The Heart of the Matter on August 6, 2016 08:36 AM
Announcing the launch of my new blog: UNSPOKEN WORDI am happy to announce the launch of my new blog: UNSPOKEN WORD: THE POETRY OF LIFE -- short blasts of inspiration, reflection, and gratitude accompanied by photographs, illustrations, and paintings from my Facebook friends and other unusual suspects....
Posted in The Heart of the Matter on August 2, 2016 10:53 AM
TimelessToday Launches on July 31st, 10:30 am Indian Standard TimeTimelessToday launches on Sunday, July 31st at 10:30 am India Standard Time. I am not sure what time that is for YOU, but it's simple to find out. The launch is timed to celebrate the moment, 50 years ago,...
Posted in The Heart of the Matter on July 29, 2016 04:29 PM
KEEPING THE PEACE: Mexican Navy Integrates Peace EducationED. NOTE: The following article is reprinted from TPRF.org. It is also available in Spanish. The Mexican Navy is trying a new approach to domestic peacekeeping in the troubled city of Veracruz. The force recently incorporated the Peace Education...
Posted in The Heart of the Matter on July 24, 2016 04:12 PM
Facebook Poetry of the HeartTwo weeks ago I asked my FB friends to send me photographs they'd taken and really liked for me to accompany with some poetry inspired by the images they captured and set free. Here is the first wave......
Posted in The Heart of the Matter on July 21, 2016 06:14 PM
101 Things I've Learned So Far1. Everything I need is within me. 2. There is only NOW. The past is over. The future is a dream. 3. Love is the only game in town. 4. It's easy to forget. But it's also easy to...
Posted in The Heart of the Matter on July 7, 2016 09:14 AM
Amaroo, 2016Amaroo, 2016. Why not? 2015 excerpts...
Posted in The Heart of the Matter on June 29, 2016 08:59 PM
The One for Whom You CreatePoets, lose your pens. Painters, toss your brushes in the sea. Musicians, give your instruments away, then go for a long walk. When you're done, keep walking. Notice the beauty all around you. Don't try to remember a single...
Posted in The Heart of the Matter on June 21, 2016 02:34 PM
Off the Coast of LoveOff the Coast of Love...
Posted in The Heart of the Matter on June 18, 2016 01:24 AM
Light Headed...
Posted in The Heart of the Matter on June 17, 2016 02:32 PM
Prem Rawat Live Stream Event: June 15th, 3:00 pm ESTThe Prem Rawat Foundation recently announced an historic YouTube Live Stream event that will take place on Wednesday, June 15th, at 3:00 pm. EST (8 pm in London). TPRF and the Tutu Foundation UK will co-sponsor a conference attended...
Posted in The Heart of the Matter on June 14, 2016 12:38 AM
Food for People Benefit Party Near Asheville, North Carolina: June 4thYou are invited to the ninth annual GOLDEN GARDEN PARTY -- a benefit for the Prem Rawat Foundation's Food for People Program -- at the home of Ron and Rachel Clearfield in Leicester, North Carolina. The June 4th gathering...
Posted in The Heart of the Matter on May 24, 2016 07:52 AM
Chris & Daya in Montreal on May 22Good news for music lovers in the Montreal area. Chris Mac Vittie and Daya Rawat will be performing, on May 22nd, 8:00 pm. LION DOR, 1676, rue Ontario est, Montreal (Quebec) H2L 1S7. The very talented Sonja Ball and...
Posted in The Heart of the Matter on May 20, 2016 12:51 PM
You Are Invited to Enter The Peace Partners Eco-Blog CompetitionThe Heart of the Matter is happy to publish the following guest post by Abi Patrick of Peace Partners in England. With so many countries at war these days, civilians caught in the crossfire, esclating climate change, and the...
Posted in The Heart of the Matter on May 17, 2016 10:25 PM
Mickey Cottrell Needs Our SupportOur beloved friend and renowned independent film publicist Mickey Cottrell has suffered a debilitating stroke and needs urgent help from his community of loved ones. He will require 24-hour care for the foreseeable future, and extensive physical therapy for...
Posted in The Heart of the Matter on May 4, 2016 08:23 AM
Some Might Call It DancingExcerpted from this book Illustration: Leslie Dietrich...
Posted in The Heart of the Matter on May 3, 2016 02:26 AM
Prem Rawat Coming to South Africa: May, 2016!Prem Rawat, much beloved Ambassador of Peace and the Founder of the Peace Education Program, will be the featured speaker, in May, at two events in South Africa. Capetown, May 13th. And Johannesburg, May 15th. Excerpts from Prem's 2012...
Posted in The Heart of the Matter on April 24, 2016 04:33 PM
PREM RAWAT: Miami Beach, 4/10Prem Rawat: Miami Beach Excerpts, 4/9/16 Prem Rawat in four minutes or less PremRawat.com Words of Peace Global The Prem Rawat Foundation...
Posted in The Heart of the Matter on April 14, 2016 12:32 PM
PREM RAWAT: Miami Beach, 4/9/16Prem Rawat in four minutes or less PremRawat.com Words of Peace Global The Prem Rawat Foundation...
Posted in The Heart of the Matter on April 11, 2016 06:41 AM
In You Dances the DivineIllustration: Leslie Dietrich...
Posted in The Heart of the Matter on April 4, 2016 08:50 AM
A Simple Question For You...
Posted in The Heart of the Matter on March 30, 2016 06:16 PM
The Wise Woman Does NothingOil pastel: Evelyne Pouget Poetry earrings: Lao Tzu...
Posted in The Heart of the Matter on March 26, 2016 09:18 PM
You Find Freedom InsideThis wonderful poster made by Tommy Nahulu as a gift to his awesome mother, Verna -- a deep and gifted soul who so many of us love. Thanks, Tommy! And thanks, Verna! Keep shining. The play continues... Tommy on...
Posted in The Heart of the Matter on March 24, 2016 05:49 PM
Tiny Sparks of LightEDITOR'S NOTE: A few weeks ago, I asked my Facebook friends to send me a story their father liked to tell. The one that follows, submitted by the appropriately named, Michal Story, touched me deeply and reveals a common...
Posted in The Heart of the Matter on March 23, 2016 09:16 AM
The Essence of All Paths...
Posted in The Heart of the Matter on March 2, 2016 10:48 PM
Non-Thought for the DayMore (or less) where that came from...
Posted in The Heart of the Matter on February 19, 2016 11:45 PM
PREM RAWAT'S NEW BOOK: Excerpts from the Amazon ReviewsTwo weeks ago Prem Rawat's new book, Splitting the Arrow, became available for sale on Amazon. What follow are excerpts from some of the reader reviews......
Posted in The Heart of the Matter on February 2, 2016 12:15 PM
The Three QuestionsSome years ago I attended a 5-day conference, in Miami, with Prem Rawat and 50 other people. On the first morning, during his opening remarks, Prem explained that he wanted everyone at the conference to feel absolutely free to...
Posted in The Heart of the Matter on February 1, 2016 09:57 PM
Inspiration, Past and PresentWhile it is absolutely true that the past is over, the future is yet to come and NOW IS ALL THERE IS, sometimes it's inspiring to reflect on sweet moments of inspiration. Here are some from Prem Rawat's five-day...
Posted in The Heart of the Matter on February 1, 2016 10:56 AM
These Days I Write Poetry......
Posted in The Heart of the Matter on January 29, 2016 10:36 PM
Stone Walls Do Not a Prison MakeInspiring four-minute video of the impact of TPRF's Peace Education Program at the Zonderwater Prison in South Africa. Wow!...
Posted in The Heart of the Matter on January 28, 2016 02:12 PM
Excerpts from Splitting the ArrowExcerpted from Prem Rawat's new book: SPLITTING THE ARROW: Understanding the business of life. NOTE: The above images are not included in Splitting the Arrow...
Posted in The Heart of the Matter on January 25, 2016 10:27 PM
Practice Being Human...
Posted in The Heart of the Matter on January 21, 2016 12:11 AM
Give Everything You HaveExcerpted from Full Moon at Sunrise...
Posted in The Heart of the Matter on January 17, 2016 12:33 AM
The One Who Teaches From Within...
Posted in The Heart of the Matter on January 15, 2016 11:50 PM
Prem Rawat in 24 MinutesWhat follows are links to 14 TV episodes featuring Prem Rawat and his message of peace. Each episode is 24 minutes long. Enjoy! A Lifetime Your Quest Simplicity The Face of Peace The Lion and the Sheep Peace and...
Posted in The Heart of the Matter on January 3, 2016 11:08 PM
To the Friends of Charles CameronThis morning I received a phone call from Charles Cameron, a long-time friend of mine and an early student of Prem Rawat. Charles is currently in a very difficult situation and is reaching out to his various friends and networks...
Posted in The Heart of the Matter on December 31, 2015 01:22 PM
BOOK REVIEW: Splitting the ArrowIt has often been said that a human being is born without an instruction manual -- that we enter the world with just our belly button and breath, required to figure things out as we go along. That being...
Posted in The Heart of the Matter on December 16, 2015 10:21 PM
An Amaroo 2015 Slide ShowAmaroo 2015 from linda hurst on Vimeo. Prem Rawat excerpts from Amaroo 2015...
Posted in The Heart of the Matter on December 15, 2015 01:52 AM
Excerpt from Splitting the ArrowExcerpted from a new book by Prem Rawat, SPLITTING THE ARROW: Understanding the Business of Life. Available from the publisher in Japanese and English. Will be available on Amazon in January. Photo: Michael B. Wood Text design: Sushila Wood...
Posted in The Heart of the Matter on December 14, 2015 08:12 PM
Happy Birthday to Prem Rawat!A big shout out, from Woodstock (and everywhere else in the world) to Prem Rawat for his unending commitment to bring a timeless, universal message of peace to people everywhere. Happy birthday! And thank you, from the bottom of...
Posted in The Heart of the Matter on December 10, 2015 11:49 PM
The Question for the DayWords of Peace Global PremRawat.com TPRF.org...
Posted in The Heart of the Matter on December 8, 2015 09:58 AM
It's Time to Tell Your StoriesSTORYTELLING AT WORK from Mitchell Ditkoff...
Posted in The Heart of the Matter on December 7, 2015 05:07 PM
So So Simple......
Posted in The Heart of the Matter on November 28, 2015 12:18 PM
It's Time to Tell Your StoryIf you are a regular reader of this blog, there's a good chance you are going to enjoy my new book about the power of personal storytelling. It's entertaining. It's evocative. And it will help you tune into the...
Posted in The Heart of the Matter on November 26, 2015 01:12 AM
The Great Thanksgiving ListenAwesome idea! So simple to do. All about the power of stories....
Posted in The Heart of the Matter on November 25, 2015 10:53 AM
Wisdom from the Dalai Lama...
Posted in The Heart of the Matter on November 24, 2015 10:45 AM
What Are You Thankful For?...
Posted in The Heart of the Matter on November 20, 2015 09:15 PM
Popping the QuestionWhen I was 24, I received Knowledge from Prem Rawat. It was, you might say, an initiation, a direct experience of the life force inside me, what exists beyond identity -- who we are behind the daily drama of...
Posted in The Heart of the Matter on November 17, 2015 04:48 PM
Be Who You AreWhen I heard about Prem Rawat's message of peace in 1971 and, soon after, received Knowledge, my life took a major turn for the better. One of the things that opened up for me was the recognition of how...
Posted in The Heart of the Matter on November 16, 2015 10:03 AM
Chris and Daya in Boulder: 11/28"Neither a lofty degree of intelligence, nor imagination, nor both together, go to the making of genius. Love, love, love. That is the soul of genius." -- Amadeus Mozart If Mozart was alive today, I think he would be...
Posted in The Heart of the Matter on November 12, 2015 02:20 PM
150,000 People Attend Prem Rawat's Public Event in Calcutta, IndiaPremRawat.com Words of Peace Global RawatCreations The Prem Rawat Foundation...
Posted in The Heart of the Matter on November 2, 2015 07:19 PM
The Only Place We Ever End Up is Here, So Why Not Be Here Now?...
Posted in The Heart of the Matter on October 28, 2015 02:02 AM
Remember What Freedom Is...
Posted in The Heart of the Matter on October 18, 2015 06:31 PM
Albert Speaks...
Posted in The Heart of the Matter on October 16, 2015 09:09 PM
An Evening of Extraordinary MusicIf you are within driving distance of Asheville, NC and thinking of attending Chris Mac Vittie and Daya Rawat's concert on 10/16, here's the correct answer: GO! I had the pleasure of attending their NYC performance tonight and it...
Posted in The Heart of the Matter on October 12, 2015 01:39 AM
FeelPremRawat.com...
Posted in The Heart of the Matter on October 10, 2015 03:11 PM
Ira Meyer In Da HouseFeast your eyes on the gorgeous photography of Ira Meyer. "If you could live just for today, what would you do? If today was your last day, what would you do?" -- Prem Rawat, Amaroo, 9/11/15 Ira's website...
Posted in The Heart of the Matter on October 9, 2015 10:46 PM
Fuzzbee Morse In Da House!Here is extraordinary review of Fuzzbee Morse's recently released CD -- Dreams and Other Living Things -- by Paul Zollo, Senior Editor of American Songwriter. Read it and leap. Then buy it and listen. "Imagine, if you can, a...
Posted in The Heart of the Matter on October 8, 2015 08:00 PM
Chris and Daya Concert in New York City on October 11thGOOD NEWS! Chris Mac Vittie and Daya Rawat, two awesome musicians, will be performing at Hunter College, 695 Park Avenue, in New York City, on Sunday, October 11th, at 5:00 pm. Jazz guitarist, Larry Newcomb, will kick off the...
Posted in The Heart of the Matter on October 8, 2015 12:20 PM
Peter Buettner Needs Our Support!There's a good chance you don't know my friend, Peter Buettner. Peter lives in Woodstock. He is a fabulous musician, composer, and stellar human being who makes his living as a carpenter. A few days ago Peter was diagnosed...
Posted in The Heart of the Matter on October 6, 2015 08:19 PM
Thom Adorney In Da HouseWonderful photos of Amaroo taken by the very talented Thom Adorney. Enjoy! A picture's worth a thousand words... Excerpts from 9/7/15 Excerpts from 9/8/15 Excerpts from 9/9/15 Excerpts from 9/10/15 Excerpts from 9/11/15 Thom's website...
Posted in The Heart of the Matter on October 2, 2015 12:07 AM
Upcoming TPRF Gala Benefit in UKThe word "gala" can be traced all the way back to 1620 to the Old French word "galer" meaning "rejoice and make merry" -- exactly what will be happening on Saturday, October 3rd in the UK. That's when over...
Posted in The Heart of the Matter on September 28, 2015 01:44 AM
BUT WAIT, THERE'S MORE: Prem Rawat, Amaroo Excerpts ContinuedExcerpts from 9/7/15 Excerpts from 9/8/15 Excerpts from 9/9/15 Excerpts from 9/10/15 Excerpts from 9/11/15 PHOTOS: #1 (Thom Adorney), #5 & #9 (Ira Meyer), #10 (Chris Corbett), #14 (Steve Brenman)...
Posted in The Heart of the Matter on September 27, 2015 10:38 PM
Why Watch the Peace Day Global Broadcast Today?GET ENERGIZED with the positive sounds of the world's leading musical artists, like Beyonce, Katy Perry, Usher, Emmanuel Jal, Salim Sulaiman, Linkin Park, The Kin and Playing for Change. GET EMPOWERED with advice from the world's leading authorities on...
Posted in The Heart of the Matter on September 21, 2015 04:58 AM
Peace Day Global BroadcastIf you are looking for yet another way to celebrate International Peace Day, here's your chance. Peace Day Global Broadcast is currently streaming music from world's top entertainers, featuring ordinary citizens from all over the globe who are making...
Posted in The Heart of the Matter on September 21, 2015 01:00 AM
PeaceCast Livestream Now!Celebrate the International Day of Peace right now by logging onto PeaceCast TV, a 48 hour livestream of short, peace-themed videos created by all kinds of inspired people: musicians, poets, dancers, social activists, environmentalists, thought leaders, heart leaders, kids,...
Posted in The Heart of the Matter on September 20, 2015 11:58 AM
Amaroo FlashbackPhoto: Steven Brennan More excerpts coming next week!...
Posted in The Heart of the Matter on September 19, 2015 05:35 PM
What Does Fernando Magellan and PeaceCast 2015 Have in Common?Here are a few things about September 20th you may not know: 1. In 1519, it was the day Portuguese explorer, Ferdinand Magellan set sail on an expedition to circumnavigate the world. 2. In 1946, it was the launch...
Posted in The Heart of the Matter on September 18, 2015 11:17 PM
If You Were MeExcerpts from 9/7/15 Excerpts from 9/8/15 Excerpts from 9/9/15 Excerpts from 9/10/15 Excerpts from 9/11/15...
Posted in The Heart of the Matter on September 16, 2015 12:07 AM
TPRF's Peace for People: 2015Each year the International Day of Peace is observed around the world on September 21. The United Nations General Assembly has declared this as a day devoted to strengthening the ideals of peace, both within and among all nations...
Posted in The Heart of the Matter on September 15, 2015 02:15 AM
You Are the WaterI am very much enjoying my visit to Amaroo and the chances I am having to listen to Prem Rawat speak to the 4,000 people, from 60 countries, that have gathered here this week. What follows is one of three...
Posted in The Heart of the Matter on September 11, 2015 06:44 AM
TRUST (sort of)...
Posted in The Heart of the Matter on August 29, 2015 07:33 PM
Anything is Possible1. "Start by doing what's necessary; then do what's possible; and suddenly you are doing the impossible." - St. Francis of Assisi 2. "Sometimes I've believed as many as six impossible things before breakfast." - Lewis Carroll 3. "The...
Posted in The Heart of the Matter on August 15, 2015 03:09 AM
Disguised as Myself...
Posted in The Heart of the Matter on August 13, 2015 12:54 PM
Chris & Daya Concert in Hollywood, FL!If you are anywhere near Hollywood, Florida on Saturday, August 29th, you are in for a treat. Chris MacVittie and Daya Rawat will be in concert at the Hollywood Central Performing Arts Center, 1770 Monroe Street at 7:00 pm....
Posted in The Heart of the Matter on August 11, 2015 07:17 PM
Prem Rawat and Desmond TutuThe Prem Rawat Foundation...
Posted in The Heart of the Matter on August 10, 2015 12:39 PM
They Are Still Laughing...
Posted in The Heart of the Matter on August 7, 2015 09:07 PM
I Rode My Breath...
Posted in The Heart of the Matter on August 5, 2015 02:28 PM
PeaceCast is Coming!If you are a regular reader of this blog, there is a good chance you are committed to the pursuit of peace -- peace on the inside (your own well-being) and peace on the outside (a world that works)....
Posted in The Heart of the Matter on July 31, 2015 11:28 PM
I Pray at the Altar of Your Lips...
Posted in The Heart of the Matter on July 31, 2015 04:47 PM
Johnny Simonello Needs Our Love and Support. How Can You Help?Dear Friends: I just received the following message from Johnny Simonello, a beautiful brother of mine and so many others in Los Angeles and around the world. Johnny needs our help. If you can respond to his request please...
Posted in The Heart of the Matter on July 28, 2015 06:00 PM
Amaroo in SeptemberIf you have received the techniques of Knowledge, as taught by Prem Rawat, and are interested in attending the Amaroo event, in September, click here for more info. If you've already attended past Amaroo events, you know how awesome...
Posted in The Heart of the Matter on July 24, 2015 02:44 PM
Prem Rawat in BaltimoreA few people asked me for a report on what Prem Rawat talked about, on July 12th, in Baltimore. Since I did not take notes, I cannot share any excerpts. That being said, here are some impressions of mine:...
Posted in The Heart of the Matter on July 15, 2015 04:30 PM
On Letting Go...
Posted in The Heart of the Matter on July 2, 2015 04:20 PM
Heart of a ChildPremRawat.com...
Posted in The Heart of the Matter on June 25, 2015 05:24 PM
First Breath, Last BreathThere is a time of life when the time of life is about to end -- the time of last breaths, the time of saying goodbye to everything you have ever known or loved, the time of letting go....
Posted in The Heart of the Matter on June 21, 2015 07:46 AM
New CD from Daya & Chris on iTunesClick here to preview and/or download the fabulous new CD from Chris Mac Vittie and Daya Rawat on iTunes. Also available from Eversound....
Posted in The Heart of the Matter on June 16, 2015 09:20 PM
Some Might Call It DancingExcerpted from this book...
Posted in The Heart of the Matter on June 13, 2015 08:39 PM
Groucho Speaks...
Posted in The Heart of the Matter on June 9, 2015 08:40 PM
What I Want on My Tombstone...
Posted in The Heart of the Matter on May 29, 2015 10:37 AM
FOOD FOR PEOPLE Benefit in Asheville to Help the NepaleseMore info...
Posted in The Heart of the Matter on May 20, 2015 09:06 PM
Prem Rawat in Amaroo: 9/11/12Amaroo: 2015 Videos of Prem Rawat Thanks to Juan Xavier-Borja for the photo...
Posted in The Heart of the Matter on May 19, 2015 08:03 AM
Off the Coast of Love...
Posted in The Heart of the Matter on May 18, 2015 06:21 PM
Something to Sing About!Two beautiful songs by Prem Rawat are now available for downloading on a newly launched website, Rawat Creations. Each download is variably priced, depending on format, and includes a PDF of the lyrics. Other songs will be posted on...
Posted in The Heart of the Matter on May 16, 2015 02:38 PM
Radiant Being of Light...
Posted in The Heart of the Matter on May 15, 2015 09:51 PM
Prem Rawat in Amaroo: 9/14/12Info about Amaroo PremRawat.com Rawat Creations Photos: Peter Engberg...
Posted in The Heart of the Matter on May 5, 2015 05:31 PM
Introducing Rawat CreationsClick here for the preview website launch of Rawat Creations -- an exciting new project of Prem Rawat that will feature his photography, music, poetry, design, and other forms of creative expression....
Posted in The Heart of the Matter on May 3, 2015 12:09 PM
Prem Rawat in Amaroo, 9/12/12In honor of the upcoming Amaroo event -- September 7-11. More...
Posted in The Heart of the Matter on May 1, 2015 04:11 PM
I Share My Poetry Too SoonPainting: Annie Lawrason...
Posted in The Heart of the Matter on April 30, 2015 10:44 PM
The Gift...
Posted in The Heart of the Matter on April 28, 2015 12:06 PM
Something Dramatically Beautiful...
Posted in The Heart of the Matter on April 25, 2015 01:33 AM
Need We Say More?...
Posted in The Heart of the Matter on April 21, 2015 01:04 AM
Home Sweet Home...
Posted in The Heart of the Matter on April 21, 2015 12:46 AM
The Divine ParadoxPremRawat.com...
Posted in The Heart of the Matter on April 18, 2015 01:22 AM
A Clean SlateWhen I was small boy, one of my favorite things to do was write and draw on a funky, little plastic tablet called "The Magic Slate". The cool thing about this "writing device" was that, at any time, I...
Posted in The Heart of the Matter on April 15, 2015 11:06 PM
Prem Rawat Miami Excerpts: 4/12/15Bio of Prem Rawat PremRawat.com Prem Rawat videos The Prem Rawat Foundation...
Posted in The Heart of the Matter on April 13, 2015 09:29 PM
Begin with the Children!PremRawat.com...
Posted in The Heart of the Matter on April 10, 2015 03:53 PM
Love and Peace are EternalPremRawat.com...
Posted in The Heart of the Matter on April 6, 2015 10:08 PM
Storytelling at WorkIf you would like to receive an email alert when my forthcoming book is published in the Fall, just click this link and write your email address in the space provided. Takes 30 seconds. Below are a few excerpts...
Posted in The Heart of the Matter on April 2, 2015 09:38 PM
The Peace that is WithinThe Peace Quotes Show...
Posted in The Heart of the Matter on March 27, 2015 09:04 AM
This Longing, This AchePhoto: Ira Meyer...
Posted in The Heart of the Matter on March 24, 2015 10:29 AM
TPRF Launches Television Broadcasts Across the U.S.The Prem Rawat Foundation (TPRF) is set to launch its first multi-state television broadcast program this month, sharing its founder's message of peace with viewers in five major cities across the U.S. The initiative builds off of success at...
Posted in The Heart of the Matter on March 16, 2015 11:18 PM
All You Have to DoPremRawat.com Words of Peace Global...
Posted in The Heart of the Matter on March 16, 2015 02:30 PM
Home Sweet HomeOne of the great gifts Prem Rawat gives is helping people find their true home in this world -- not the fairy tale mansion, house on the golf course, or perfect apartment in the BIG CITY. Nope. The home...
Posted in The Heart of the Matter on March 11, 2015 12:29 PM
Dust in MotionPremRawat.com...
Posted in The Heart of the Matter on March 10, 2015 01:21 AM
Time for a BreakDear Heart of the Matter Readers: After seven years of blogging and 1,341 posts, I have decided to take a break. Producing this blog has been a ton of fun for me, very fulfilling, and a great learning experience,...
Posted in The Heart of the Matter on March 4, 2015 11:25 AM
That's the Beauty of This2 minutes more PremRawat.com...
Posted in The Heart of the Matter on March 3, 2015 08:36 PM
Deep Warmth at the End of FebruaryVIDEO: This Blooming Called Peace PremRawat.com...
Posted in The Heart of the Matter on March 1, 2015 05:56 PM
Somewhere Off the Coast of LoveMy wife tells me I should pay more attention to details -- the house, the car, the lawn -- there's a thousand things, by sunset, that need to be done. She's right, of course. It's true. If only I...
Posted in The Heart of the Matter on February 27, 2015 07:33 AM
One Week After Valentine's DayPoetry of the heart...
Posted in The Heart of the Matter on February 21, 2015 04:55 PM
Your Mother Tried Her Best...
Posted in The Heart of the Matter on February 20, 2015 12:44 AM
What I Learned from Our Independent Valentine's Day Fundraising ProjectRecently, my good buddy, Stuart Hoffman and I collaborated on an independent fundraising initiative to help support our favorite charity, The Prem Rawat Foundation. It was a ton of fun. So far, we've raised $4,981 and gotten more than...
Posted in The Heart of the Matter on February 16, 2015 08:20 PM
The History (and Present) of Valentine's DayMost people think Valentine's Day was invented by Hallmark Cards. It wasn't. Valentine's Day is actually a well-documented, historical phenomenon -- its tangled roots winding their way through centuries worth of Christian liturgy, pagan tradition, myth, and an occasional...
Posted in The Heart of the Matter on February 11, 2015 12:46 AM
The Momentous Moment...
Posted in The Heart of the Matter on February 8, 2015 12:11 AM
International Soy Latte Donate-to-Your-Favorite Charity WeekEvery day I have a soy latte at my favorite cafe in Woodstock, NY. Sometimes, I also have a cranberry scone, thinking I should really order the oatmeal instead. I read the NY Daily News when I drink my...
Posted in The Heart of the Matter on February 6, 2015 09:54 PM
Hungry for LoveThe Prem Rawat Foundation is doing some amazing work around the world, spreading peace, dignity, and prosperity to people who really need it. TPRF's Food for People program is groundbreaking. What follows are photos of some of the children on...
Posted in The Heart of the Matter on February 6, 2015 11:11 AM
23 Inspiring Quotes on LoveVALENTINE'S DAY LOVE QUOTES from Mitch Ditkoff Some people who have seen the Valentine's Day YouTube video that Stuart Hoffman and I produced have told us they'd like to pause on specific quotes -- so, here it is reformatted...
Posted in The Heart of the Matter on February 5, 2015 03:10 PM
The Valentine's Day Show is Here!For the past hour, or so, I've been trying to find the perfect sentence to begin this blog post but couldn't find it, so I'm beginning with the second sentence. Love....
Posted in The Heart of the Matter on February 3, 2015 11:22 PM
Valentine's Day Show About to Launch!The Valentine's Day slide show/YouTube video that Stuart Hoffman and I are creating is just about to launch. Includes 23 awesome quotes on love, an extraordinary song by Jennifer Edwards and Stuart, and vocals by Daya Rawat. It will...
Posted in The Heart of the Matter on January 31, 2015 11:33 AM
A Virtual Love Team is FormingIf you want to be part of a global team of people, for two weeks, who will be helping spread the word about a 4:23 Valentine's Day show that Stuart Hoffman and I will soon be posting on YouTube,...
Posted in The Heart of the Matter on January 27, 2015 09:59 AM
The Beatles on LoveHere is one more slide from the VALENTINE'S DAY show soon to be released on this blog -- a 4-minute YouTube video featuring 24 quotes on love (and vocals by Daya Rawat) -- something you can send to your...
Posted in The Heart of the Matter on January 25, 2015 02:22 PM
Lucille on the BallOf course, this begs the question: "What is the self?" HINT: It's not your personality, possessions, accomplishments, style, karma, ego, ideas, or what other people think of you. PS: The above graphic is included in the Valentine's Day show...
Posted in The Heart of the Matter on January 22, 2015 10:17 PM
The First Duty of LoveExcerpted from the soon-to-be-released VALENTINE'S DAY music video/slide show that Stuart Hoffman and I are collaborating on. If you volunteer for any kind of organization who might be interested in sending it out to their volunteers as a Valentine's...
Posted in The Heart of the Matter on January 21, 2015 07:59 PM
A Possible Valentine's Day Gift for YouThis is just one of 24 slides to be included in a VALENTINE'S DAY slide show that Stuart Hoffman and I are collaborating on -- great quotes on love and Stuart's music. We will be posting the show here...
Posted in The Heart of the Matter on January 20, 2015 05:53 PM
Question of the DayPremRawat.com...
Posted in The Heart of the Matter on January 6, 2015 11:52 PM
Here's to a Compassionate 2015New Year's greetings from Prem Rawat. His wish for us to experience more compassion in 2015 and beyond. Prem Rawat...
Posted in The Heart of the Matter on January 2, 2015 04:52 AM
Twas the Night Before IsnessAll of the above quotes excerpted from YOUR MOMENT by Prem Rawat Available on Amazon $11.45 Download eBook from WOPG.org: $4.50 Book reviewed on Huffington Post 21 excerpts All of the above illustrations and photos are from YOUR MOMENT,...
Posted in The Heart of the Matter on December 24, 2014 06:12 PM
Excerpts from Prem Rawat's Wonderful New Book: YOUR MOMENT"You are the ocean of hope. You are the ocean of kindness. You are the ocean of peace." "I'm not trying to change you. I'm just trying to tell you that what you are looking for is inside you."...
Posted in The Heart of the Matter on December 21, 2014 10:27 AM
Less Expensive Than a FrappucinoFor less than the cost of a Venti Cookie Crumble Mocha Frappucino, you could be the proud owner of the eBook version of Prem Rawat's newly published book, Your Moment, now available for downloading at the Words of Peace...
Posted in The Heart of the Matter on December 19, 2014 12:44 AM
Review of Prem Rawat's New Book, YOUR MOMENT, in the Huffington PostHere's a review of Prem Rawat's new book, YOUR MOMENT, in today's Huffington Post. Makes a nice Holiday gift for someone you love, including yourself. Spread the word!...
Posted in The Heart of the Matter on December 18, 2014 05:22 PM
A New Book of Prem Rawat's TalksTwenty five hundred years ago, the Greek philosopher, Socrates, boiled down his wisdom into just two words -- Know Thyself -- his counsel for people to pay attention to what was going on inside them -- not just their...
Posted in The Heart of the Matter on December 17, 2014 09:13 PM
Everything You Are Searching For is Within YouPremRawat.com...
Posted in The Heart of the Matter on December 11, 2014 11:53 PM
TodayPremRawat.com...
Posted in The Heart of the Matter on December 5, 2014 07:37 PM
The Question of the DayPremRawat.com...
Posted in The Heart of the Matter on December 3, 2014 03:35 PM
Truly a Free ManED. NOTE: The following guest post was written by Mike Krause who, just three weeks ago, was released from San Antonio's Dominguez Jail after being incarcerated there for the past year. While Mike was on the inside at Dominguez,...
Posted in The Heart of the Matter on November 27, 2014 03:56 PM
Prem Rawat on Words of PeaceIn case you haven't seen this yet, here's a very nice overview of the message, work, and life of Prem Rawat on the newly redesigned Words of Peace Global website. Definitely worth a few minutes of your time....
Posted in The Heart of the Matter on November 14, 2014 02:04 AM
Sun Tzu on Preparation"Every battle is won or lost before it is ever fought." - Sun Tzu What do you need to prepare for? What project is looming that requires your due diligence before hand? What can you do, this week, to...
Posted in The Heart of the Matter on November 11, 2014 05:29 PM
Breath By BreathWho can wait quietly while the mud settles? - Lao Tzu Illustration...
Posted in The Heart of the Matter on November 9, 2014 06:14 AM
Li Po Speaks"You ask why I make my home in the mountain forest, and I smile, and am silent, and even my soul remains quiet: it lives in the other world which no one owns. The peach trees blossom, The water...
Posted in The Heart of the Matter on November 8, 2014 08:55 AM
ALL OF US: A Wonderful Peace ProjectI want to call your attention to ALL OF US -- an inspired music video project being developed by Cara Tower and friends to help forward the cause of peace on the planet. Cara is deep in crowdfunding mode...
Posted in The Heart of the Matter on November 7, 2014 04:18 PM
It's Really Very SimplePremRawat.com...
Posted in The Heart of the Matter on November 5, 2014 11:51 PM
Groucho and JesusExcerpted from this book...
Posted in The Heart of the Matter on November 3, 2014 04:29 PM
New Music from Daya and StuartIn the spring of 2012, Daya Rawat (vocals) and Stuart Hoffman (piano) spent several hours in Stuart's LA studio rehearsing for a TPRF benefit concert in Germany. Neither of these two extraordinary musicians had any intention of releasing anything...
Posted in The Heart of the Matter on October 26, 2014 12:50 AM
Fuzzbee's New CD!See that guy with his head on my shoulder? That's Fuzzbee -- Fuzzbee Morse, world class multi-instrumentalist, producer, composer, Flying Fannoli Brother, raconteur, comedian, kibbitzer, and bundle of love. In 1978 we were roommates. In an ashram. In Denver...
Posted in The Heart of the Matter on October 25, 2014 10:09 AM
This ThirstThere is an aching deep within my heart that cannot be explained. It wakes me in the middle of the night and writes these lines, a kind of fishing in a great sea I cannot find by day. This...
Posted in The Heart of the Matter on October 20, 2014 02:50 PM
Centrifugal...
Posted in The Heart of the Matter on October 16, 2014 07:09 PM
Give Everything You HaveExcerpted from Full Moon at Sunrise...
Posted in The Heart of the Matter on October 14, 2014 12:48 PM
What Does Peace Mean to You?Excerpted from this music slide show...
Posted in The Heart of the Matter on October 10, 2014 06:07 PM
Every Breath We Take...
Posted in The Heart of the Matter on October 8, 2014 03:37 PM
Remember Your HumanityExcerpted from this slide show...
Posted in The Heart of the Matter on October 5, 2014 11:07 AM
Native American Wisdom...
Posted in The Heart of the Matter on October 2, 2014 02:43 PM
The Seven Letter WordOK. I admit it. I'm a Scrabble addict -- an online Scrabble addict, to be more exact. There, I said it. If there was a Scrabble Anonymous, I'd be in it, confessing to my word-conjuring comrades the rush I...
Posted in The Heart of the Matter on September 29, 2014 04:37 PM
PEACECAST: The Sequel!GOOD NEWS! PEACECAST CONTINUES! The fabulously successful live stream broadcast (870,00 views!) to support the International Day of Peace last week, is back on line -- with new content. A perfect reminder that PeaceDay is everyday. Tune in, log...
Posted in The Heart of the Matter on September 27, 2014 03:12 PM
PeaceQuotes Now on SlideShareThe PeaceQuotes slideshow is now posted on SlideShare. Simply click the right-pointing triangle (in the circle) below to view the show. Better yet, click the four arrows, bottom right, to view full screen. Peace Quotes to Inspire from Mitch Ditkoff...
Posted in The Heart of the Matter on September 24, 2014 12:53 PM
The PeaceCast Press ReleaseWhat follows is a recent press release that describes what PeaceCast is all about -- a very successful live stream that has now gotten more than 865,000 views in just four days. MIAMI, Sept. 22, 2014 /PRNewswire-iReach/: Most days...
Posted in The Heart of the Matter on September 23, 2014 07:21 AM
Honoring David PassesWe lost a good man a few days ago. Anyone who ever knew David was blessed by his presence. David was a radiant, loving, kind, creative, sweetheart of a human being -- full of grace and giving, devoted through...
Posted in The Heart of the Matter on September 22, 2014 01:48 PM
Peace Day Morphs Into Peace Week!GOOD NEWS! The good folks at PeaceCast, due to popular demand, have decided to continue their live stream broadcast for another week! What began as a 48-hour live stream is now a 168-hour live stream. If you are looking...
Posted in The Heart of the Matter on September 22, 2014 11:11 AM
The Wisdom of Martin Luther KingThis and many other messages of peace are waiting for you to view at PeaceCast -- a totally awesome livestream broadcast with many hours of uplifting content for your delight. Inspired by the International Day of Peace....
Posted in The Heart of the Matter on September 21, 2014 09:19 AM
Peace Quotes Show Coming Soon!Aiming to post the YouTube version of the 5-minute PEACE QUOTES music/slide show here tonight and also in the Huffington Post in two days. If you are organizing any kind of International Peace Day event, consider including it. Inspiring. Non-demominational....
Posted in The Heart of the Matter on September 18, 2014 04:43 PM
UPLIFTING UPDATE: PeaceCast, 9/21PeaceCast, an International Day of Peace livestream, is poised and ready to deliver 48-hours of short, inspiring peace-themed videos to your desktop on 9/20 - 9/21 -- the culmination of six-months effort researching and curating great content to delight/inform...
Posted in The Heart of the Matter on September 17, 2014 09:43 AM
Sample of Peace Quotes Slide ShowHere are six slides from the about-to-be-released 5-minute PEACE QUOTES music/slideshow -- ideal to show at International Peace Day events on 9/21. The format will be YouTube. Will post the show here as soon as it's ready -- and also,...
Posted in The Heart of the Matter on September 16, 2014 03:06 PM
Calling All Lovers of PeaceThe International Day of Peace on September 21 is fast approaching. And PEACECAST 2014 is primed to air its 3rd global webcast for peace, a 48-hour video celebration of the inspired efforts of individuals, artists, and groups around the...
Posted in The Heart of the Matter on September 13, 2014 05:05 AM
The Attitude of Gratitude3-minute video of Prem Rawat on gratitude...
Posted in The Heart of the Matter on September 11, 2014 06:50 PM
Crowdsourcing Peace ExperimentIf you have 20 minutes and any interest in helping promote peace in the world, keep reading. Stuart Hoffman and yours truly have recently put together a very cool music/slideshow/video featuring inspired quotes on peace from the various luminaries...
Posted in The Heart of the Matter on September 10, 2014 03:26 PM
Rock, No Roll...
Posted in The Heart of the Matter on September 4, 2014 10:46 PM
The Yoga of Data RoamingSo there I was, living the good life in San Miguel de Allende just a few weeks ago, enjoying the slow lane, mucho tiempo, hot springs, frosty margaritas, blue skies, and super-conscious of just how inexpensive everything was in...
Posted in The Heart of the Matter on August 30, 2014 10:52 AM
Being AliveMore...
Posted in The Heart of the Matter on August 20, 2014 07:25 AM
Introducing PeaceDay TVIf you are planning on celebrating the International Day of Peace on September 21st, here is another good resource for you -- PeaceDay TV. A parter of PeaceCast TV, this inspired organization will be livestreaming 36 hours of content...
Posted in The Heart of the Matter on August 19, 2014 04:50 PM
Every Breath is a Prayerwww.premrawat.com...
Posted in The Heart of the Matter on August 10, 2014 02:07 AM
There Is a Poem I Will Write One DayThere is a poem I will write one day (but this isn't it) that will describe, without a wasted word, what my heart perfectly understood the moment I first met you. Like a still pond on a clear day,...
Posted in The Heart of the Matter on August 7, 2014 08:20 PM
The BeggarI have never been fired from a job. Except once -- a week after the man I wrote 350 speeches for in two years, Donald J. Manes, the Borough President of Queens, committed suicide in his kitchen because he...
Posted in The Heart of the Matter on August 4, 2014 11:55 PM
Finding the MiracleA few years ago I was invited to MC an event at the Shrine Auditorium, in LA, where Prem Rawat was going to be speaking. While I was totally thrilled to be asked, I was also totally terrified --...
Posted in The Heart of the Matter on August 3, 2014 09:02 PM
How You Can Be a Part of Peace DayIf you are a supporter of Prem Rawat's message of peace, here's how you can get involved with PEACE DAY on September 21st, a worldwide movement to focus attention on the need for peace on planet Earth. Many organizations,...
Posted in The Heart of the Matter on August 2, 2014 11:25 AM
It's Time to Speak Your Peace!New article in the Huffington Post today about the International Day of Peace on September 21st. Features an intro video from PeaceCast and a link to Words of Peace Global, as well as some other leading peace organizations. Read...
Posted in The Heart of the Matter on July 30, 2014 12:29 AM
The Doorways to GodTears are the doorway to God, and so, by the way, is laughter, breath, longing, death, and the perfume of your first lover lingering in the air you no longer breathe. What, may I ask, isn't the doorway to...
Posted in The Heart of the Matter on July 28, 2014 04:53 PM
Prem Rawat in Pasadena: 9 MorePremRawat.com Speak your peace The Know Thy Selfie video...
Posted in The Heart of the Matter on July 22, 2014 02:01 AM
Prem Rawat in Pasadena12-minute video of Prem Rawat PremRawat.com Words of Peace Global TRPF Submit a video to PeaceCast...
Posted in The Heart of the Matter on July 20, 2014 10:55 AM
Cast Your Lot with PeaceCastHere's a three-minute video I just submitted to PeaceCast for their 48-hour livestream on September 21st to celebrate the UN-sponsored International Day of Peace. If you have an original peace-themed video you want to submit, click here. Or, if...
Posted in The Heart of the Matter on July 18, 2014 01:53 PM
The Real YouPremRawat.com...
Posted in The Heart of the Matter on July 17, 2014 11:02 AM
10 Things You Can Do in the Next 3 Minutes1. Eat an apple 2. Brush your teeth 3. Sing a song 4. Make a to do list 5. Google yourself 6. Take your dog for a very short walk 7. Forgive your parents for being imperfect 8. Complain about...
Posted in The Heart of the Matter on July 14, 2014 10:32 PM
Know Thy Selfie Closing in 24 HoursThree minutes is all it takes to show your support for TPRF....
Posted in The Heart of the Matter on July 14, 2014 01:39 AM
Here Comes PeaceCast!At last count, there were something like 3,330 peace organizations in the world. While this may seem impressive at first blush, it's still 19,857 less than the number of Starbucks -- which is why I'm happy to have learned...
Posted in The Heart of the Matter on July 10, 2014 01:41 AM
Last Call for Your True SelfiesGot three minutes? Want to creatively express your support for TPRF, a non-profit humanitarian aid organization that helps people live with dignity, peace and prosperity? Click here to find out how....
Posted in The Heart of the Matter on July 7, 2014 12:19 AM
Standing in the Back of the BusI am standing in the back of a bus in San Miguel de Allende, just beginning to exit, when I notice a short, heavy-set woman behind me, her long grey hair tied in a bun and a smile that...
Posted in The Heart of the Matter on July 5, 2014 09:55 AM
Be a Friend of TPRF WorldwideIf you, your business, or community would like to help sponsor TPRF's July 20th Annual Gala Benefit in Westlake Village, CA, there are still some FRIENDS OF TPRF WORLDWIDE sponsorships available. This is a great way to support a...
Posted in The Heart of the Matter on June 30, 2014 07:04 PM
Einstein on TPRFOK. Update time. 20 selfies have been submitted so far to TPRF's Know Thy Selfie campaign -- a fun way for everyone to participate in this year's Annual Gala Benefit fundraising efforts. That's a good start, but we need...
Posted in The Heart of the Matter on June 30, 2014 02:13 AM
Dr. Seuss on CaringThis slide and many other inspiring moments await you at TPRF's Annual Gala Benefit, in Westlake Village, CA, on July 20th. Still some tickets left. Click here for more info....
Posted in The Heart of the Matter on June 27, 2014 03:13 AM
KNOW THY SELFIE Goes Viral!OK, so I'm not a great photographer and the lighting is lame. Big deal. In the grand scheme of things, it's really not all that important. What IS important? I just emailed my selfie to tprfselfies@gmail.com after making a...
Posted in The Heart of the Matter on June 26, 2014 01:58 PM
Raising the Bar, Not Being Behind BarsThe quote above is from an inmate in a Spanish prison who participated in TPRF's Peace Education Program. If you want to support the work of TPRF so more inmates (and hungry children... and nursing home residents... and people...
Posted in The Heart of the Matter on June 22, 2014 03:40 PM
TPRF's Know Thy Selfie CampaignOne of the most popular quotes in the world, "Know Thy Self", has long ago been attributed to the great Greek philosopher, Socrates. It's popularity, some say, can be attributed to two things: its brevity and its profound meaning....
Posted in The Heart of the Matter on June 20, 2014 08:33 AM
This Longing, This Ache...
Posted in The Heart of the Matter on June 17, 2014 12:04 AM
A Big TPRF Success in 2013Check back here, on Monday, for an update on TPRF's Annual Gala Benefit in Westlake Village, on July 20th. You are invited! (NOTE: If you cannot attend the Gala, you can still participate virtually! More info about HOW you...
Posted in The Heart of the Matter on June 13, 2014 05:02 AM
Mime MemeWords of Peace Global PremRawat.com TPRF on Facebook...
Posted in The Heart of the Matter on June 12, 2014 02:26 PM
SpeechlessTPRF.org...
Posted in The Heart of the Matter on June 11, 2014 10:19 PM
Asheville, Part 3PremRawat.com Words of Peace Global Words of Peace Global Facebook...
Posted in The Heart of the Matter on May 27, 2014 11:39 PM
More Excerpts from AshevillePremRawat.com Words of Peace Global The Prem Rawat Foundation...
Posted in The Heart of the Matter on May 25, 2014 02:05 AM
Excerpts from AshevillePremRawat.com Words of Peace Global...
Posted in The Heart of the Matter on May 23, 2014 07:47 AM
Inside of Each and Every BreathWe are never more than a breath away from every thing we want and need in this life. PremRawat.com...
Posted in The Heart of the Matter on May 21, 2014 06:24 PM
May I Stay Here ForeverFull Moon at Sunrise...
Posted in The Heart of the Matter on May 4, 2014 01:03 AM
TAG! You Are It!Words of Peace Global PremRawat.com...
Posted in The Heart of the Matter on April 29, 2014 08:57 PM
You Are the AngelPremRawat.com...
Posted in The Heart of the Matter on April 26, 2014 10:04 PM
Something's Going OnPremRawat.com Words of Peace Global...
Posted in The Heart of the Matter on April 16, 2014 08:56 PM
Hafiz Speaks...
Posted in The Heart of the Matter on April 10, 2014 01:14 AM
Be. Hear. Now.Here's a link to a series of informal direct-to-camera talks by Prem Rawat from his recent tour of India. PremRawat.com...
Posted in The Heart of the Matter on April 4, 2014 11:31 PM
WOPG's Media Sponsorship CampaignFind out what goes on behind the scenes when Words of Peace Global (WOPG) creates the many videos it produces to support the message of Prem Rawat -- videos seen at events around the world, videos of his events...
Posted in The Heart of the Matter on March 29, 2014 09:34 AM
Do You Have the Eyes to See?PremRawat.com...
Posted in The Heart of the Matter on March 28, 2014 09:01 AM
It's Right Under Your NosePremRawat.com...
Posted in The Heart of the Matter on March 19, 2014 10:32 PM
Seeing Eye to EyeIs there anyone on your team you are not seeing eye-to-eye with? And if so, what can you do tomorrow to get on the same page?...
Posted in The Heart of the Matter on March 18, 2014 08:51 PM
We're All in This TogetherIf you are a member of a team, what do you think the missing piece is -- and what can you do, this week, to deal with it?...
Posted in The Heart of the Matter on March 17, 2014 04:14 PM
How to Spark Wisdom in the WorkplaceDear Heart of the Matter Readers: If you have received any value from this blog and would be interested in supporting my next, big transformational writing project -- now launched as a GoFundMe campaign -- click here for a...
Posted in The Heart of the Matter on March 17, 2014 02:20 PM
Baby, Oh Baby!...
Posted in The Heart of the Matter on March 12, 2014 09:31 PM
This Longing, This AchePremRawat.com...
Posted in The Heart of the Matter on March 11, 2014 12:21 AM
The Divine is Touching Us BothPremRawat.com Words of Peace Global...
Posted in The Heart of the Matter on March 9, 2014 11:43 AM
My Name is Wallie Reschman, #1813248My name is Wallie Reschman #1813248. I am currently serving an 8-year prison sentence in The Texas Department Of Criminal Justice and I am housed at The Dominguez State Jail/TDCJ Transfer Unit. Recently, I was asked by one of...
Posted in The Heart of the Matter on March 4, 2014 11:52 PM
Even Mightier Than the PenPremRawat.com...
Posted in The Heart of the Matter on February 25, 2014 01:02 AM
Calling For As Much Help As PossibleWhen it became clear to me, at 21, that I was caught in a rip tide and losing strength rapidly, I shot a quick glance at my girlfriend who was swimming just ten feet away. Her eyes were full...
Posted in The Heart of the Matter on February 22, 2014 10:07 PM
The Core of Your BeingPremRawat.com...
Posted in The Heart of the Matter on February 20, 2014 10:40 AM
Almost DrowningWhen I was 21, I almost drowned in the Atlantic Ocean, I was, literally, going down for the third time when an unexpected will to live and a power well beyond my sapped physical strength took over and swam...
Posted in The Heart of the Matter on February 18, 2014 07:14 AM
Limitless PossibilitiesPremRawat.com...
Posted in The Heart of the Matter on February 15, 2014 12:52 AM
Happy Valentine's Day!PremRawat.com...
Posted in The Heart of the Matter on February 14, 2014 10:18 AM
Ah...This Restlessness...
Posted in The Heart of the Matter on February 13, 2014 08:19 PM
A Surprise Collaboration with VivekThis morning I received a surprise email from Vivek, a young man from India I have never met. Vivek told me that he had recently discovered my blog, The Heart of the Matter, and really enjoyed some of the...
Posted in The Heart of the Matter on February 12, 2014 12:12 PM
Out of the Mouths of BabesPremRawat.com...
Posted in The Heart of the Matter on February 10, 2014 03:31 PM
The Glowing Ember of Your HeartEverybody I know has something within them -- ember-like and glowing -- that is completely capable of flaming up at any given moment. This "something" has been called many things by many people throughout the ages, but it does...
Posted in The Heart of the Matter on February 4, 2014 04:11 PM
The Shortest SentencePrem Rawat's new website...
Posted in The Heart of the Matter on February 1, 2014 01:34 PM
What Would You Like to See Here?Feel free to let me know what kind of content you'd like to see posted on The Heart of the Matter in the next few months. I will consider it....
Posted in The Heart of the Matter on January 29, 2014 11:24 PM
PremRawat.com Launches!Good news for those of you who enjoy the message of Prem Rawat. He has just launched his own, personal website, PremRawat.com "The purpose of my website," he explains, "is to share my interests with you -- what fascinates...
Posted in The Heart of the Matter on January 23, 2014 08:29 PM
Yo Ho Ho!...
Posted in The Heart of the Matter on January 21, 2014 07:45 PM
The Season of Perpetual BirthFrom this book...
Posted in The Heart of the Matter on January 20, 2014 10:41 PM
Darkness Has a FlawPremRawat.com coming soon!...
Posted in The Heart of the Matter on January 6, 2014 11:43 AM
Buddha in WinterThis is the stone Buddha I pass on the way to my car now buried in snow. He is not cold. He is not late. He is not wanting it to be Springtime. He just sits there, still, reminding...
Posted in The Heart of the Matter on January 3, 2014 06:21 PM
Prem Rawat in the Huffington PostHere's a review, in the Huffington Post, of Prem Rawat's new book, NO ORDINARY BOX. The book, available on Amazon, is a compilation of excerpts from 20 talks Prem has recently given around the world. Read it and leap. Words...
Posted in The Heart of the Matter on December 31, 2013 07:06 PM
Seasons Greetings from Prem Rawat...
Posted in The Heart of the Matter on December 27, 2013 01:49 AM
One More Thing to Learn5 minute video More...
Posted in The Heart of the Matter on December 22, 2013 07:22 AM
The Question of the DayMore...
Posted in The Heart of the Matter on December 19, 2013 01:35 AM
You Are MagnificentExcerpted from NO ORDINARY BOX...
Posted in The Heart of the Matter on December 15, 2013 07:10 PM
Two Quotes from NO ORDINARY BOXExcerpted from Prem Rawat's new book, NO ORDINARY BOX. Painting: Lisa Dietrich...
Posted in The Heart of the Matter on December 12, 2013 10:31 PM
Another Mask Comes OffExcerpted from Prem Rawat's new book, No Ordinary Box, now available on Amazon. Painting: Lisa Dietrich...
Posted in The Heart of the Matter on December 8, 2013 12:36 PM
This ThirstAll of us, at one point in our life, feel the primal thirst for something holy, sacred, and divine -- beyond the commerce and conditions of daily life. This one's for you! Excerpted from Full Moon at Sunrise...
Posted in The Heart of the Matter on December 7, 2013 09:58 AM
Prem Rawat's New Book Now AvailablePrem Rawat's new book, NO ORDINARY BOX, excerpts from 20 of his talks around the word -- now available on Amazon....
Posted in The Heart of the Matter on December 4, 2013 09:38 PM
Prem Rawat in Miami: MORE EXCERPTSBig thanks to Pat Barrett for submitting the excerpts Paintings: Lisa Dietrich Other excerpts from the Miami event Words of Peace Global Facebook page Words of Peace Global website Online videos of Prem Rawat...
Posted in The Heart of the Matter on December 2, 2013 06:01 PM
Prem Rawat in Miami: EXCERPTSPaintings: Lisa Dietrich Words of Peace Global Words of Peace Global on Facebook...
Posted in The Heart of the Matter on December 2, 2013 01:58 AM
Dancing on the InsideThere's something inside of everyone that is fully alive, joyful, and dancing. Find it in yourself! Photo Where Peace Dances Words of Peace Global...
Posted in The Heart of the Matter on November 30, 2013 07:42 AM
One More From Boston TwiceMore from the Boston Event Words of Peace Global on Facebook Words of Peace Global...
Posted in The Heart of the Matter on November 27, 2013 09:27 PM
Prem Rawat in Boston: ExcerptsAbout Prem Rawat See Prem Rawat in Miami: 12/1/13 Words of Peace Global Words of Peace Global on Facebook...
Posted in The Heart of the Matter on November 25, 2013 11:01 AM
The Word I Want on My Tombstone...
Posted in The Heart of the Matter on November 22, 2013 11:53 PM
The Miracle of This MomentSource...
Posted in The Heart of the Matter on November 15, 2013 12:10 PM
All Aboard for PeaceInspiring story of how a Self-Discovery course in Mumbai, India, is succeeding in a railway station. Words of Peace Global...
Posted in The Heart of the Matter on November 14, 2013 10:43 PM
Where Gratitude Comes FromMore...
Posted in The Heart of the Matter on November 8, 2013 02:26 PM
The Huffington Post Meets the Heart of the MatterWhat follows are ten links to articles of mine from the Huffington Post. #1 and #6 are very much related to the work of Prem Rawat. The rest are on a variety of topics -- some humor, some on...
Posted in The Heart of the Matter on November 7, 2013 07:29 AM
Don't Let the Lamp Go Out!Words of Peace Global...
Posted in The Heart of the Matter on October 31, 2013 05:33 PM
Four More from Long BeachWords of Peace Global...
Posted in The Heart of the Matter on October 29, 2013 11:47 PM
Four Excerpts from Long BeachWords of Peace Global...
Posted in The Heart of the Matter on October 27, 2013 10:58 AM
Inspire for PeaceHoping to see you at the Inspire for Peace event in Long Beach, California -- Saturday, October 26th....
Posted in The Heart of the Matter on October 24, 2013 12:28 AM
The Cafe with No NamePhoto: Phil Silberman Poetry: Mitch Ditkoff Inspiration: Prem Rawat...
Posted in The Heart of the Matter on October 19, 2013 02:02 PM
Leave No Room for DoubtWords of Peace Global...
Posted in The Heart of the Matter on October 18, 2013 04:31 PM
This Longing, This AchePhotography: Ira Meyer Poetry: Mitch Ditkoff Inspiration: Prem Rawat...
Posted in The Heart of the Matter on October 16, 2013 07:24 PM
Something So PurePhoto: Ira Meyer Poetry: Mitch Ditkoff...
Posted in The Heart of the Matter on October 15, 2013 02:32 PM
Prem Rawat in WoodstockTwo years ago, Prem Rawat (aka Maharaji) came to my little town of Woodstock, NY and spoke to 350 locals. Instead of me trying to describe his impact, here's what eight people (most of whom had never seen him...
Posted in The Heart of the Matter on October 12, 2013 09:38 AM
The Woodstock Festival of ThanksgivingA musician friend of mine is organizing the First Annual Woodstock Festival of Thanksgiving Concert on November 30th and is asking for people to send him "gratitude themed" JPGs for a slide show he is putting together for the...
Posted in The Heart of the Matter on October 11, 2013 10:19 PM
Drink What When...
Posted in The Heart of the Matter on October 11, 2013 09:44 PM
Every Breath is a PrayerMore inspiration...
Posted in The Heart of the Matter on October 7, 2013 01:44 PM
There Is a Contest I Want to EnterThere is a contest I want to enter, but I cannot find a pen. I want to win something big when my name gets called, mount the stage and, in a heroic attempt to speak before tears have their...
Posted in The Heart of the Matter on October 4, 2013 04:42 PM
Some Might Call It DancingExcerpted from this book Huffington Post coverage...
Posted in The Heart of the Matter on September 30, 2013 06:34 PM
Prem Rawat and Jeremy Gilley Video Now in the Huffington PostClick here for the newly published article, in the Huffington Post, about the inspired work of peace activist, Jeremy Gilley, and the 28-minute video of his revealing conversation with Prem Rawat about peace, life, anger, and what it really...
Posted in The Heart of the Matter on September 28, 2013 08:09 PM
Running Up and Down the AislesOne of the good things about having a living Teacher is that often he/she says something that goes in so deep it becomes a kind of radioactive isotope of truth -- radiating from the inside out, forever. One particular...
Posted in The Heart of the Matter on September 20, 2013 11:29 AM
Time to Thunderclap for TPRF!TPRF is actively promoting the UN-sponsored International Day of Peace on September 21st. To help get the word out, TPRF is using a cool, new social media platform called "Thunderclap" -- and you can help. Here's why this matters:...
Posted in The Heart of the Matter on September 18, 2013 09:56 AM
Give Peace a Chance on 9/21What are you doing on September 21st? If your answer is "I don't know," you may want to check out PeaceBeat's 48 hours of inspired, streaming video. Hosted by international film and television personality Michael Nouri, PeaceBeats will be...
Posted in The Heart of the Matter on September 16, 2013 08:58 PM
There Is a Fabulous Underground Club Not Far From YouThere is a fabulous underground club not far from you where all the ecstatic musicians, since the beginning of time, are playing -- eyes on fire. They speak a thousand different languages, but understand each other completely, having endured...
Posted in The Heart of the Matter on September 13, 2013 01:22 PM
May I Stay Here ForeverOrder book here A sneak peak PS: The book does not include these graphics, only poetry...
Posted in The Heart of the Matter on September 11, 2013 11:54 PM
Big Doings in EcuadorOn June 5th, 2013, an unforgettable celebration of peace took place at the International Peace Festival in Otavalo, Ecuador. After receiving invitations from the District Director of Education and the Mayor of the Imbabura Province, Prem Rawat arrived in...
Posted in The Heart of the Matter on September 4, 2013 08:39 AM
The Stillness After Prem Rawat SpeaksAfter great performers come to the end of a performance, it is not uncommon for grateful audiences to give them a standing ovation. They clap, they cheer, they focus all their attention on the one who has just opened...
Posted in The Heart of the Matter on August 30, 2013 12:35 AM
We Interrupt This Blog to Bring You the Latest From the Huffington PostSometimes, it's time to stop and do nothing. Here is little something that emerged from one of those timeless times, just published in the Huffington Post. A 90 second video...
Posted in The Heart of the Matter on August 16, 2013 03:26 PM
One Way to Support the International Day of Peace on September 21stIf your organization would like to partner with TPRF to help call attention to the International Day of Peace sponsored by the United Nations on September 21st, click here. The process of becoming a partner is very simple and the...
Posted in The Heart of the Matter on August 5, 2013 11:06 PM
What Is This Strange Forgetting?What is this strange forgetting that has taken hold of me lately -- this being unable to remember that everything is sacred, holy, and alive? The absence of you, my Friend, surely has something to do with it. Your...
Posted in The Heart of the Matter on August 1, 2013 04:05 PM
In Case You Are Wondering What This Blog Is Really All About...
Posted in The Heart of the Matter on July 31, 2013 05:45 PM
Cruising with RumiOn a bone cold February afternoon, 23 miles from home, in a car I leased three months ago, sky outside turning the color of old men's teeth, I listen to Rumi, 800 years gone from praising everything that breathed,...
Posted in The Heart of the Matter on July 27, 2013 11:19 PM
Why Groucho Raised His EyebrowsOrder the book here...
Posted in The Heart of the Matter on July 22, 2013 11:04 PM
Every Breath Is a PrayerHere's a little secret: Every breath you take is a prayer. 22,000 times a day it rises, unannounced, then returns to who knows where. You do not need to kneel, you do not need to speak, and the only...
Posted in The Heart of the Matter on July 14, 2013 05:19 AM
Focus!More...
Posted in The Heart of the Matter on July 6, 2013 05:44 PM
Hoffman and Ditkoff Ride Again!Good news! Stuart Hoffman and I are collaborating on a new series of audio poems that will soon be available for downloading at a website near you. Stuart's music. My poetry. If you want to know when the first...
Posted in The Heart of the Matter on July 5, 2013 11:16 PM
Hark, the Online Angels Sing!What can you do to create extraordinary results with a committed group of online creatives? Poets? Artists? Musicians? Dancers? Programmers? Idea Champions...
Posted in The Heart of the Matter on June 27, 2013 12:12 AM
The Best Archer in All of ChinaAll of us try so hard to DO stuff, to accomplish things, to leave our mark. We sweat, we strain, we hustle -- all in an attempt to get a result we can feel really good about. That's all...
Posted in The Heart of the Matter on June 17, 2013 10:27 PM
It's About Letting GoMore...
Posted in The Heart of the Matter on June 14, 2013 09:44 AM
Prem Rawat in Amaroo: 9/10/12More...
Posted in The Heart of the Matter on June 11, 2013 04:24 PM
The Golden Garden Party: June 15thThis just in from Rachel and Ron Clearfield: "Ron and I would like to invite you to our 7th annual Golden Garden Party to benefit TPRF's Food for People program -- an inspired gathering that will be held on...
Posted in The Heart of the Matter on June 7, 2013 12:21 AM
What a Good Teacher Does"I don't know you. I don't know your name. But I do love you because you are a human being. That is sufficient for me to open up my heart and bring forth to you all that I know."...
Posted in The Heart of the Matter on May 26, 2013 03:32 PM
Prem Rawat in Amaroo: 9/13/12Words of Peace Global Photos: Juan Xavier-Borja...
Posted in The Heart of the Matter on May 24, 2013 06:02 AM
A Chance to Vote for Prem Rawat's New BookIf you've enjoyed Prem Rawat's new book -- The Greatest Truth of All: You Are Alive!-- and want to recommend it to others, here's how. Simply click this link, type "Prem Rawat" in the space provided, click on the...
Posted in The Heart of the Matter on May 20, 2013 09:36 AM
It's All About the LoveMore...
Posted in The Heart of the Matter on May 19, 2013 06:54 PM
A Different Kind of TED VideoFunny. Charming. Engaging Idea Champions...
Posted in The Heart of the Matter on May 13, 2013 08:40 PM
The Importance of Laying FallowClick the link below for a brief blog posting on the importance of laying fallow sometimes -- renewing, restoring, and rejuvenating. We are human beings first, human doings second. From the Words of Peace Global blog....
Posted in The Heart of the Matter on May 11, 2013 10:37 AM
The Phoenix of LoveA few weeks ago, my wife and I had a huge fight. A doozy. The Superbowl of all fights. If you're married -- or ever were -- I'm sure you've had at least one of these. Probably more. You...
Posted in The Heart of the Matter on May 2, 2013 07:24 AM
Yo Yo Mastery and You YouThis guy is completely off the charts. Wow! Think about what YOU are committed to and WHAT you need to do to develop the kind of mastery this young man demonstrates. On practice The Best Archer in All of...
Posted in The Heart of the Matter on April 22, 2013 12:37 PM
Who Can Wait Quietly?Who can wait quietly while the mud settles? Lao Tzu...
Posted in The Heart of the Matter on April 15, 2013 09:33 PM
The Core of Your BeingMore...
Posted in The Heart of the Matter on April 11, 2013 01:08 PM
What Is This Strange Forgetting?Painting: Lisa Dietrich Excerpted from this here book...
Posted in The Heart of the Matter on April 7, 2013 11:07 PM
This Silent UndertowPainting: Lisa Dietrich Excerpted from Full Moon at Sunrise...
Posted in The Heart of the Matter on April 7, 2013 06:55 PM
The Only Crime HereExcerpted from Full Moon at Sunrise Painting: Lisa Dietrich...
Posted in The Heart of the Matter on April 4, 2013 12:27 AM
Walking Down a Country RoadExcerpted from Full Moon at Sunrise Painting by Evelyne Pouget...
Posted in The Heart of the Matter on April 2, 2013 02:48 PM
Humanizing the WorkplaceIf you work for an organization that needs to become a more benevolent and humane workplace, I invite you to respond to my new Humanizing the Workplace poll. You'll need about five minutes. I'll be posting the results of...
Posted in The Heart of the Matter on March 22, 2013 01:03 PM
Give Everything You HaveThis is the first in a series of collaborations with readers of this blog. The painting is by Annie Lawrason. The words are excerpted from Full Moon at Sunrise. This image will appear in the soon-to-be completed slide show...
Posted in The Heart of the Matter on March 20, 2013 06:03 PM
Feel the ZeroFeel the Zero...
Posted in The Heart of the Matter on March 20, 2013 12:00 AM
A Picture Is Worth a Thousand WordsI am in the process of creating a slide show version of my new book of poetry, soon for sale on the WOPG eStore, and I am looking for copyright-free images to use. If you are a photographer, artist,...
Posted in The Heart of the Matter on March 18, 2013 02:35 PM
A Passionate Sense of PotentialPhoto: Mimi Pouget Ditkoff...
Posted in The Heart of the Matter on March 12, 2013 11:51 PM
But I Already Know This!Two and a half years ago, I emailed a friend of mine who saw Prem Rawat for the first time in my home town of Woodstock, NY. Knowing she had thoroughly enjoyed the evening and had started to find...
Posted in The Heart of the Matter on March 8, 2013 11:41 PM
It's Time to Totally Go For It!"This is the true joy in life, the being used for a purpose recognized by yourself as a mighty one; the being thoroughly worn out before you are thrown on the scrap heap; the being a force of Nature...
Posted in The Heart of the Matter on March 4, 2013 11:00 PM
What Is RealMore...
Posted in The Heart of the Matter on March 3, 2013 11:24 PM
The Five Regrets of the DyingBronnie Ware is an Australian nurse who spent several years working in palliative care, caring for patients in the last 12 weeks of their lives. She recorded their dying epiphanies in a blog called Inspiration and Chai, which gathered...
Posted in The Heart of the Matter on February 27, 2013 11:08 PM
Video Highlights from African TourHighlights of Prem Rawat's recent tour of Africa...
Posted in The Heart of the Matter on February 22, 2013 12:16 AM
No Synonym for ThesaurusDid you know that there's no synonym in the thesaurus for "thesaurus"? And while the eskimoes may have 52 words for "snow," the rest of us are left howling in the wind when it comes time to expressing what...
Posted in The Heart of the Matter on February 21, 2013 10:10 PM
President of Italian Senate Honors Prem RawatRead about it here...
Posted in The Heart of the Matter on February 18, 2013 01:11 PM
It's Always SomethingOne thing that's common to most of us is that we tend to focus on what's wrong, instead of what's right... to see what's missing instead of what we have... to let the ever-changing dramas of our lives take...
Posted in The Heart of the Matter on February 12, 2013 02:19 AM
A Little Lightheaded...
Posted in The Heart of the Matter on February 10, 2013 01:04 AM
Feel at Home in this MomentPrem Rawat on this subject...
Posted in The Heart of the Matter on February 7, 2013 08:35 PM
Close, But No CigarExhibit A Exhibit B Prem Rawat's new book...
Posted in The Heart of the Matter on February 6, 2013 06:49 PM
Remember This Feeling Big People?Prem Rawat in Surat WOPG TV schedule Digital Peace Cards...
Posted in The Heart of the Matter on February 5, 2013 05:15 PM
How About a Department of Peace?Excerpted from The Greatest Truth of All...
Posted in The Heart of the Matter on February 3, 2013 03:04 PM
A Wealth that is PricelessExcerpted from The Greatest Truth Of All...
Posted in The Heart of the Matter on February 2, 2013 02:43 PM
The Falcon and the FalconerExcerpted from this book...
Posted in The Heart of the Matter on January 28, 2013 12:50 AM
It's About AwakeningExcerpted from Amaroo, 9/14 Online videos of Prem Rawat Schedule of Prem Rawat on TV...
Posted in The Heart of the Matter on January 27, 2013 11:51 AM
Relax. Enjoy.Tell someone you love them...
Posted in The Heart of the Matter on January 26, 2013 11:36 PM
Food for No ThoughtExerpted from Full Moon at Sunrise...
Posted in The Heart of the Matter on January 24, 2013 12:01 AM
Give Everything You HaveExcerpted from Full Moon at Sunrise...
Posted in The Heart of the Matter on January 21, 2013 09:25 PM
Full Moon at Sunrise Published!Face it. Most people would rather read a Facebook post than a poem. Or, if not a Facebook post, then the back of a cereal box, sushi menu, shampoo bottle, last week's tweets, People Magazine, tea leaves, or their...
Posted in The Heart of the Matter on January 21, 2013 01:34 AM
ADI: The MagazineDigital Downloads: 24 pages The ADI Book: 198 pages...
Posted in The Heart of the Matter on January 18, 2013 08:34 PM
Rumi, Kabir, and the Huffington PostHere is your next indication that either the Apocalypse is fast approaching or fantastic doors are opening everywhere. The Huffington Post has just published one of my quirkiest poems -- my warped imagination of a night in the lives...
Posted in The Heart of the Matter on January 16, 2013 11:07 AM
A New Book by Prem RawatHuffington Post book review Buy on Amazon About Prem Rawat...
Posted in The Heart of the Matter on January 12, 2013 12:25 AM
Ah.... Kindness!More...
Posted in The Heart of the Matter on January 10, 2013 11:08 PM
Why Your Bank Account Is EmptyEver wonder why your bank account seems to be empty most of the time? To find out, simply click the link below. I've done the research and lay it out for you in black and white. I may not...
Posted in The Heart of the Matter on January 10, 2013 10:28 PM
Review of New Prem Rawat BookIn 2012, more than five million books were published worldwide. Of these, a sizable percentage were of the "self-help" variety, a growing genre that promises to help people improve the quality of their lives -- to become happier, healthier,...
Posted in The Heart of the Matter on January 9, 2013 02:02 AM
The FlingExcerpted from Full Moon at Sunrise...
Posted in The Heart of the Matter on January 8, 2013 11:34 PM
Dear HumanWonderfully confronting. Found it on Facebook....
Posted in The Heart of the Matter on January 8, 2013 04:59 PM
Every Breath Is a PrayerExcerpted from Full Moon at Sunrise...
Posted in The Heart of the Matter on January 7, 2013 02:25 AM
Chekhov's Glint of LightWords of Peace Global...
Posted in The Heart of the Matter on January 7, 2013 12:21 AM
100 Reasons To Go WithinSince the beginning of time, and even last Thursday, there have always been "inner directed" people -- seekers of peace, truth, and knowledge of the self. Some of these people turned away from the world and ended up in...
Posted in The Heart of the Matter on January 3, 2013 09:28 PM
Mayan Calendar Prophecy DemystifiedApparently, there has been some kind of mix up with the whole "2012 Mayan Calendar" thing. A new translation of an ancient Mayan text -- "The Axhumuchicha Diaries" -- has just revealed that the word was actually "colander", as in...
Posted in The Heart of the Matter on December 30, 2012 12:58 AM
The Top Ten Postings from 2012Here are the 10 most popular postings on Heart of the Matter in 2012. (Who knew that Bill Hicks and George Carlin would make it to #6?)...
Posted in The Heart of the Matter on December 30, 2012 12:03 AM
The Renewed Sense of Longing for the Beloved During the Holiday SeasonIt is not uncommon for deep feelings of longing to surface during the holiday season. As we unplug from the hustle and bustle of our daily lives, something else takes over -- the recognition of what it is we...
Posted in The Heart of the Matter on December 17, 2012 03:31 PM
Diving Deeper DownDigital art: Jesse Ditkoff Poetry: Mitch Ditkoff Excerpted from Full Moon at Sunrise...
Posted in The Heart of the Matter on December 15, 2012 10:15 PM
Prem Rawat's MessageThe Greatest Truth of All: You Are Alive -- 21 talks of Prem Rawat...
Posted in The Heart of the Matter on December 14, 2012 09:12 PM
When You Walk Into the RoomOrder the book here...
Posted in The Heart of the Matter on December 11, 2012 11:27 PM
Some Might Call It DancingOrder the book here...
Posted in The Heart of the Matter on December 11, 2012 06:47 PM
The Perfect Holiday Gift Is HereLooking for a different kind of holiday gift? Look no further! Full Moon at Sunrise, my new book of poetry, will delight, inspire, and surprise. It's 91 pages of love and also makes a very good doorstop or paperweight....
Posted in The Heart of the Matter on December 10, 2012 08:34 PM
Beyond Your Facebook FriendsWords of Peace Global...
Posted in The Heart of the Matter on December 6, 2012 06:20 PM
Beautiful Photos from Prem Rawat's Fall Tour of India. Can You Feel It?All photos from Prem Rawat's Fall Tour of India Words of Peace Global Videos of Prem Rawat...
Posted in The Heart of the Matter on December 5, 2012 11:18 PM
Wishes Coming True in BeninThis is the fifth in a series of "Into Africa" reports from the delightful Louise Roenn. Putting on an event for 6,000 people at an outdoor stadium in Cotonou, Benin, can be a challenge even for one of the...
Posted in The Heart of the Matter on December 1, 2012 12:11 AM
Sneak Preview of the Ghana EventStory to follow later tonight......
Posted in The Heart of the Matter on November 25, 2012 02:14 PM
Prem Rawat in JohannesburgThe third in a series of reports, by Louise Roenn, from Prem Rawat's events in Africa. The lobby of the Gallagher Convention Center, in Johannesburg, is packed with the most diverse audience I have ever seen at one of Prem...
Posted in The Heart of the Matter on November 24, 2012 07:48 AM
Off the Coast of Love...
Posted in The Heart of the Matter on November 22, 2012 12:26 AM
Prem Rawat in Johannesburg...
Posted in The Heart of the Matter on November 18, 2012 07:56 AM
Prem Rawat in MadagascarTraveling guest blogger, Louise Roenn, checks in with another onsite report from her series of "Into Africa" posts. Next stop: Johannesburg. "I've been waiting for 30 years to see him in person. Now, he is here!" says a smiling...
Posted in The Heart of the Matter on November 16, 2012 03:57 PM
There Is an Infinite Amount of PoetryPhoto: Evelyne Pouget...
Posted in The Heart of the Matter on November 13, 2012 11:36 PM
Prem Rawat in MauritiusBig thanks to Louise Roenn for gathering these excerpts....
Posted in The Heart of the Matter on November 12, 2012 08:18 AM
The Day Before the Mauritius EventWelcome to Part 2 of Louise Roenn's "Into Africa" series -- reports of her travels to Prem Rawat's events in Africa. "Just because our island has never been to war, we still need peace," explained Veekash Issory, a member...
Posted in The Heart of the Matter on November 11, 2012 05:46 PM
The One For Whom You CreatePhotography: Evelyne Pouget Poetry: Mitch Ditkoff...
Posted in The Heart of the Matter on November 10, 2012 10:56 PM
Into Africa, Part 1Heart of the Matter's guest blogger, Louise Roenn, has just arrived in Mauritius. She will be blogging about the Words of Peace Global (WOPG) events, with Prem Rawat, in Africa throughout November. The moment the steam from the black...
Posted in The Heart of the Matter on November 7, 2012 02:45 AM
If You Have to Give Up...More...
Posted in The Heart of the Matter on November 5, 2012 11:21 AM
The Best Practices of High Performing Volunteer OrganizationsUnless you've been in a coma your entire life, chances are good that you've been a volunteer of some kind in any number of non-profit organizations. Simply put, you've been drawn to a noble cause and have pitched in....
Posted in The Heart of the Matter on October 25, 2012 12:00 AM
Be StillMore...
Posted in The Heart of the Matter on October 24, 2012 08:20 AM
Be Brave!More...
Posted in The Heart of the Matter on October 23, 2012 11:45 AM
Practice PeacePrem Rawat on TV Send a PeaceCard to someone Brief intro to Prem Rawat's message...
Posted in The Heart of the Matter on October 17, 2012 05:12 PM
YO, I Say Unto You...Confirmed events with Prem Rawat Videos of Prem Rawat The Ten Commandments for Visiting a Spiritual Retreat...
Posted in The Heart of the Matter on October 16, 2012 12:22 AM
The WhisperJust like water takes many forms, Maharaji delivers his message in many ways: videos, live presentations, webcasts, DVDs, CDs, websites, blogs, magazines, brochures, casual meetings, one-on-one conversations and... er... whispering....
Posted in The Heart of the Matter on October 14, 2012 11:32 PM
People Enjoying Prem Rawat's Message of Peace at a 5-Day Retreat in AustraliaExcerpts: 9/10 Excerpts: 9/11 Excerpts: 9/12 Excerpts: 9/13 Excerpts: 9/14...
Posted in The Heart of the Matter on October 12, 2012 01:53 AM
Be Thankful!Words of Peace Global...
Posted in The Heart of the Matter on October 11, 2012 11:40 PM
The Afghani Cab Driver and the $250 Million Dollar Salty Snack FoodI am getting into the back seat of a yellow cab, as I've done a thousand times before, having just tipped the too-smiling bellboy too much for holding open the door and inviting me, as he had been trained...
Posted in The Heart of the Matter on October 10, 2012 02:30 AM
Just Down the Road From WoodstockIf you've been reading this blog for a while, you know I'm a big fan of Prem Rawat and his message of peace. I've been his student since 1971 and can say without a shadow of a doubt or...
Posted in The Heart of the Matter on October 8, 2012 12:33 AM
Simply Put...Prem Rawat A few videos A few stories...
Posted in The Heart of the Matter on October 7, 2012 08:54 PM
Comtemplate ThisConfirmed events Exploring the Keys...
Posted in The Heart of the Matter on October 5, 2012 01:55 AM
The Ancient (Motown) MessageMarvin Gaye tells it like it is Prem Rawat tells it like it is More inspiring music...
Posted in The Heart of the Matter on October 4, 2012 03:26 PM
You Have a ChoicePrem Rawat on TV Recent news Volunteer opportunities...
Posted in The Heart of the Matter on October 3, 2012 04:11 PM
We Are All in This Together!The following invocation is in honor of the wonderfully inspired One Voice for Laos project -- born in Woodstock, NY, and being nurtured by inspired teens, parents, and local citizens who have come to realize that life is for...
Posted in The Heart of the Matter on October 1, 2012 09:02 PM
Radiant Being of LightRadiant being of light, vortex of love, alchemist supreme, magnifier of prayer, the one I dream about and the one who wakes me from the dream, why the dervish spins and the earth, teacher, teaching, and the taught, first...
Posted in The Heart of the Matter on September 29, 2012 04:28 PM
7 Billion Reasons for PeaceThe following just posted on The Prem Rawat Foundation website. "As this is being posted, in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia, Prem Rawat is receiving a prestigious International Lifetime Achievement Award from the Asia Pacific Brands Foundation (APBF), a non-profit organization...
Posted in The Heart of the Matter on September 28, 2012 12:10 AM
Listen to Your HeartPrem Rawat's confirmed events 2-3 minute audio clips Virtual Peace Cards...
Posted in The Heart of the Matter on September 27, 2012 06:21 PM
Perception, Reality, and ResolutionPart #1 of this blog post is a brief story I wrote two weeks ago at a retreat center in Australia, based on my observations, in an amphitheater, on the day my teacher, Prem Rawat, had a Reception Line...
Posted in The Heart of the Matter on September 26, 2012 12:35 AM
The Light at the End of the TunnelWe are sitting in a tunnel, checking our email, thinking about yesterday and tomorrow, when just behind us, brighter than a thousand suns, is a light streaming in from a place astrophysicists will never find. We're looking down. It's...
Posted in The Heart of the Matter on September 25, 2012 09:06 PM
The Perfect SurgeryHe has performed the perfect surgery and removed me. I have no idea who is writing this or how the operation was performed with no visible instruments, just stories and laughter. Everything unnecessary is gone now. Only the core...
Posted in The Heart of the Matter on September 24, 2012 11:26 PM
Right NowMore...
Posted in The Heart of the Matter on September 24, 2012 06:53 PM
Celebrate International Peace Day with the Florida Peace InitiativeTo celebrate the United Nations International Day of Peace, on September 21st, the Florida Peace Initiative will present the Necessity of Peace Global Webcast -- 24 hours of uplifting, streaming video. A wide variety of peace programming, showcasing diverse...
Posted in The Heart of the Matter on September 20, 2012 11:16 PM
There Is No DoorHere is a 4-minute video for your enjoyment. It is a collaboration between three students of Prem Rawat: Fernando Garcia (video editing), Stuart Hoffman (music), and Mitch Ditkoff (poetry). If you like it, LIKE it and forward it to...
Posted in The Heart of the Matter on September 19, 2012 07:50 PM
Simple Words to Live ByMore...
Posted in The Heart of the Matter on September 18, 2012 04:27 AM
The Amaroo Diaries: Part 1NOTE: I just found this diary entry of mine, written three years ago at Prem Rawat's Amaroo event -- a good reminder about the feeling of being in that very special place. Hope to see you there, in September....
Posted in The Heart of the Matter on September 9, 2012 07:07 AM
When You Walk Into The RoomWhen you walk into the room, all the poets feel a sudden urge to praise, all the dancers want to move, singers ache to raise their voices high for all those times they foolishly chose silence instead. This impulse...
Posted in The Heart of the Matter on September 7, 2012 09:26 PM
The Wise Man Does Nothing"The foolish man is always doing, yet much remains to be done. The wise man does nothing, yet nothing remains undone." - Lao Tzu Photo...
Posted in The Heart of the Matter on August 28, 2012 11:53 PM
In Praise of Monhegan IslandThere are places on Earth that remind me of what the cosmically-inclined among us refer to as the astral plane, the realm where some people go after their time here is up to contemplate the life they lived....
Posted in The Heart of the Matter on August 21, 2012 01:56 AM
It's Really Very SimpleMore where this came from Words of Peace Global...
Posted in The Heart of the Matter on August 20, 2012 07:01 AM
A Word to the WiseMore goodies Words of Peace Global...
Posted in The Heart of the Matter on August 19, 2012 07:24 PM
The One Voice for Laos DocumentaryHere is a remarkable 8-minute video produced by Garland Berenzy (16!), documenting the One Voice for Laos project -- an inspired humanitarian effort spearheaded by Hudson Valley teens, committed adults, and my amazing wife, Evelyne Pouget, to support 600...
Posted in The Heart of the Matter on August 16, 2012 07:13 PM
Close to Saugerties on August 23rd?If you live within walking distance, driving distance, or hang glider distance to Saugerties, NY (10 miles from Woodstock), please join me and some other locals for a brief introduction to the life-affirming, heart opening, inspiring, message of Prem...
Posted in The Heart of the Matter on August 15, 2012 08:46 PM
The Beautiful Paradox...
Posted in The Heart of the Matter on August 15, 2012 05:29 PM
Take What You NeedI don't know about you. But I'd rather see this sign on a telephone poll than all the ones about babysitters, snow shovellers, and house movers....
Posted in The Heart of the Matter on August 13, 2012 01:44 PM
The Secret RevealedLooking for the promised land? It is right beneath your feet. The path? The distance from head to heart....
Posted in The Heart of the Matter on August 12, 2012 07:02 PM
The Beautiful Sadness of LongingA big thank you to Fernando Garcia for using one of my poems, and Stuart Hoffman's music, along with a variety of beautiful images, to create a moving slide show about a topic not often talked about. The poem...
Posted in The Heart of the Matter on August 9, 2012 07:53 AM
Love Is Something You Are...
Posted in The Heart of the Matter on July 31, 2012 12:52 AM
Discovering Your KindnessWords: Prem Rawat, Copenhagen,6/24/12 Graphics: Birger Pohl...
Posted in The Heart of the Matter on July 25, 2012 12:17 AM
What Prem Rawat Said in ChicagoOther, upcoming Prem Rawat events...
Posted in The Heart of the Matter on July 22, 2012 06:48 AM
Sign of the Times in DenverCheck out this sign advertising Prem Rawat's event in Denver on July 22nd. The bus goes back and forth on the pedestrian mall just two blocks from the Denver Convention Center where the event is being held. If you...
Posted in The Heart of the Matter on July 19, 2012 11:42 PM
What Prem Rawat Said in DCPrem Rawat's North American events Illustration Words of Peace Global...
Posted in The Heart of the Matter on July 16, 2012 11:02 AM
Last Night Beyond Words in WoodstockI wrote this piece last night at Karl Berger and Friends' awesome evening of gone beyond music in Woodstock. They opened a crack in time and space for those of us in the audience to enter. (The following piece...
Posted in The Heart of the Matter on July 15, 2012 10:37 PM
Texas Prisoners Find Inner PeaceHere's an extraordinary fact: There are more people living in US jails than live in the entire state of New Mexico. Based on the latest data, the combined inmate population of correctional facilities in the United States is currently...
Posted in The Heart of the Matter on July 14, 2012 08:00 AM
What Prem Rawat Said Last NightNext Prem Rawat events...
Posted in The Heart of the Matter on July 12, 2012 09:51 PM
What Prem Rawat Said TonightNext Prem Rawat events...
Posted in The Heart of the Matter on July 11, 2012 03:39 AM
Words of Peace Billboard in DenverTHIS JUST IN! The above billboard, advertising Prem Rawat's July 22nd event in Denver, has just gone up in that city's busiest highway interchange. And it was given to the event organizers for free. To request an invitation to...
Posted in The Heart of the Matter on July 11, 2012 12:10 AM
The Pressure's Off...
Posted in The Heart of the Matter on July 10, 2012 09:58 PM
It's Hoffman Time on This Blog!Ladies and gentleman, in case you didn't know it, that's a photo of Stuart Hoffman to your left. Stuart (along with Jennifer Edwards and Hannah Blake) produced Searchin' USA) -- one very cool video, methinks. He also produced this...
Posted in The Heart of the Matter on July 10, 2012 05:46 PM
Ponder This...
Posted in The Heart of the Matter on July 10, 2012 05:33 PM
100 Awesome Quotes on What It Really Takes to InnovateNo matter what path you walk, hop, skip, or jump, there's a good chance you will need to innovate if you want get your message out there. Here are some inspiring quotes to goose you on your way... 1....
Posted in The Heart of the Matter on July 10, 2012 11:58 AM
Amaroo and YouIf you have learned the techniques of Knowledge as taught by Prem Rawat and have expressed interest in attending the five-day Amaroo (Australia) event in September, now would be a good time to register . For more info, check...
Posted in The Heart of the Matter on July 5, 2012 01:41 AM
WAITING DOWN UNDER: A Timeless Moment in AmarooWhen asked to explain his highly abstract Theory of Relativity, Albert Einstein made it comprehensible in just two sentences. "Put your hand on a hot stove for a minute," he said, "and it seems like an hour. Sit with...
Posted in The Heart of the Matter on July 3, 2012 11:14 PM
From Clever to Wise...
Posted in The Heart of the Matter on July 2, 2012 12:50 AM
Happy for No ReasonWhen I was 21, I came within five seconds of drowning. As I was going down for the third time, I looked to the shore and realized that this, my last moment, was the most lucid moment of my...
Posted in The Heart of the Matter on June 30, 2012 09:28 PM
Excerpts from Munich: 5/31Here are some brief excerpts of Prem Rawat's May 31st talk in Munich, Germany. If his message speaks to you, feel free to request an invitation to one or more of his July/August events in North America. His events...
Posted in The Heart of the Matter on June 23, 2012 12:11 PM
Einstein on Mistakes"Anyone who has never made a mistake has never tried anything new." - Albert Einstein...
Posted in The Heart of the Matter on June 15, 2012 07:25 PM
How to Request an Invitation to a Prem Rawat Event in North AmericaI just got an email from a friend who is interested in attending one of Prem Rawat's events in North America this July, but was confused about how to get a ticket. HERE'S HOW: 1. Click this link of...
Posted in The Heart of the Matter on June 12, 2012 10:48 AM
Now Is the MomentPrem Rawat's message of the peace helps people live fully in the moment. Not yesterday. Not tomorrow. NOW -- the only time there ever is. Hear him speak in Toronto, Montreal, Washington, Chicago, Denver, Los Angeles, and Asheville this...
Posted in The Heart of the Matter on June 12, 2012 07:26 AM
Prem Rawat in Montreal on July 11Montreal, consistently rated one of the world's most livable cities, will hear a little more about what makes life livable on July 11th. That's the day when Prem Rawat will be addressing an audience of 2,300 people interested in...
Posted in The Heart of the Matter on June 11, 2012 11:29 PM
The Crosswalk of the FutureMore...
Posted in The Heart of the Matter on June 6, 2012 01:20 AM
Your Virtual Fortune CookieThanks to Lynn Kindler for the image More...
Posted in The Heart of the Matter on June 5, 2012 12:42 AM
Facebook Announcements of Prem Rawat's North American EventsI like the way Prem Rawat's upcoming North American tour is being announced on Facebook -- an elegant way of getting the word out via social media. Feel free to invite your Facebook friends to any of the pages...
Posted in The Heart of the Matter on June 3, 2012 06:44 AM
Prem Rawat in Toronto on July 8thToronto is one of the world's most diverse cities, with about 49% of the population born outside of Canada. On July 8th, residents of that fine city, along with lots of other people, will get a chance to hear...
Posted in The Heart of the Matter on June 3, 2012 06:15 AM
Prem Rawat in Chicago: July 19thThere are two things you probably don't know about Chicago: 1) It got its name from the French rendering of the Native American word shikaakwa (meaning "wild onion"); and 2) Prem Rawat will be speaking to 1,400 people there...
Posted in The Heart of the Matter on May 31, 2012 11:28 PM
We Love Howie KentOur beautiful friend, Howie Kent, passed away today, a gem of a human being -- full of love, devotion, humor, and soul. We will all miss him. Travel well, Howie, and know that you have left your mark here!...
Posted in The Heart of the Matter on May 29, 2012 02:07 PM
Prem Rawat in Washington, DCPrem Rawat, widely known as an "Ambassador of Peace", will be speaking in Washington, DC, on July 15th. If you are interested in his message, you are most welcome to request an invitation. The event is open to everyone....
Posted in The Heart of the Matter on May 29, 2012 10:06 AM
When the Heart Is Full...Quote: Prem Rawat Graphics: Birger Pohl More...
Posted in The Heart of the Matter on May 27, 2012 09:46 AM
Audio Poem of Praise #1Please click the link below. It is an experiment, a new attempt at communicating how I feel about the realm from which poetry springs and the recognition that all words are basically leaky boats of babble. (Better a leaky...
Posted in The Heart of the Matter on May 27, 2012 12:22 AM
Believe in the Strength of PeopleMore...
Posted in The Heart of the Matter on May 23, 2012 10:57 PM
Prem Rawat TV Interview in LimaPrem Rawat, internationally known as an Ambassador of Peace, will be appearing, on TV, in Lima, Peru, on May 25th....
Posted in The Heart of the Matter on May 22, 2012 09:02 AM
Some Might Call It DancingSome might call it dancing. I call it stumbling closer to God, the unrehearsed falling forward into love as if the world was tipped. Operatic in my cells, amazed, I am taken to the place where dancing is infinitely...
Posted in The Heart of the Matter on May 20, 2012 11:07 PM
Prem Rawat Coming to MilanTime to visit Milan! Graphics: Birger Pohl...
Posted in The Heart of the Matter on May 16, 2012 08:52 PM
The Seed Once Sown, the RuneI talk too much, too loud, too soon, like one who pulls a sword from stone and speaks before the King has had his turn. My words are ghosts of moments gone, the poetry you want to hear '...
Posted in The Heart of the Matter on May 15, 2012 01:02 AM
Where It All BeginsMore...
Posted in The Heart of the Matter on May 13, 2012 09:06 AM
Go Beyond Your ImaginationOK, movers and shakers, lovers of Knowledge, humbled ones, happy ones, gopis, fools, lunatics, learners, Luigis, and other assorted humanoids sometimes bummed by a crumbling economy, shaky world order, and the rising price of cappuccino -- it's time to...
Posted in The Heart of the Matter on May 9, 2012 12:03 AM
HAFIZ: What HappensWhat happens when your soul begins to awaken your eyes and your heart and the cells of your body to the great Journey of Love? First there is wonderful laughter and probably precious tears and a hundred sweet promises...
Posted in The Heart of the Matter on May 7, 2012 10:23 PM
Prem Rawat Coming to EuropeIf you find yourself in Europe between the dates of May 27th and June 24th, you are in the right place at the right time. Prem Rawat will be speaking at events in the following cities: May 27 --...
Posted in The Heart of the Matter on April 30, 2012 11:53 PM
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Posted in The Heart of the Matter on April 25, 2012 12:26 AM
Reading Between the LinesI just read my entire book of poetry and was amazed to discover that what I wanted to say actually never made it to the page. Odd. I thought I had written it down. I even have memories of...
Posted in The Heart of the Matter on April 19, 2012 11:40 PM
Are You Interested in Attending the Amaroo Event in September?If you are interested in attending the September 10-14 Amaroo event (Ivory's Rock Conference Centre, Ipswich, Australia), and have learned the techniques of Knowledge, click this link to declare your interest by April 22nd. The global team who is...
Posted in The Heart of the Matter on April 17, 2012 11:17 AM
HumbledDoes anyone really understand the work of a Master? I don't think so. Even those who say they love him deeply are only looking through a pinhole, a crack in time and space, tourists peeking through a very high...
Posted in The Heart of the Matter on April 16, 2012 09:45 PM
Can You Hear It Being Played?I have something to say to you and it is this: This! This gathering of souls, this timelessness, this space. Nothing else ever happens. There is nowhere else to go. Only this! This! Every flower, child, breeze and breath...
Posted in The Heart of the Matter on April 15, 2012 06:12 AM
Aspiration is BeautifulMore Design: Birger Pohl...
Posted in The Heart of the Matter on April 12, 2012 09:37 PM
A Cellular FeelingDoes this ever happen to you? You have some extra time... in a cab... at the airport... or in between appointments. You pull out your cell phone, click on your contact list, and scroll. You are looking for someone...
Posted in The Heart of the Matter on April 11, 2012 12:12 AM
Dare to Be DifferentGaping Void...
Posted in The Heart of the Matter on April 10, 2012 08:45 PM
The One For Whom It All Makes SenseI have written a thousand poems for you that have never left my room. They fill the pages of notebooks stacked high on a shelf no one can reach. Orphans they are, beggars afraid they are not noble enough...
Posted in The Heart of the Matter on April 9, 2012 08:29 PM
Who Are You?"Who are you? Are you the sum of all your thoughts? Are you the sum of all your actions? Are you the sum of what other people think about you? Who are you? Who, exactly, are you?" - Prem...
Posted in The Heart of the Matter on April 9, 2012 12:31 PM
I Used to Write Love PoemsI used to write love poems, now I collect them -- like small shells on a beach only the locals know about. There is nothing inside them. They are empty. But when you put your ear to their opening...
Posted in The Heart of the Matter on April 8, 2012 06:47 PM
The FlingLast night I printed out all of my poetry, put it in a plastic bag, and crawled out my bedroom window to the roof. There I stood beneath the full moon, grabbed everything I could, and flung 40 years...
Posted in The Heart of the Matter on April 8, 2012 08:51 AM
The Holiest of PrayersStanding on the edge of this moment's infinity, aware of only the the naked fact that I have yet to learn a single thing about love, I give up once again and turn my self in to the invisible...
Posted in The Heart of the Matter on April 6, 2012 11:19 PM
This Longing, This AcheThis longing, this ache, this pulsing of the deepest part of who you are is the reason why you're here. Do not confuse it with desire. Desire is wanting what you don't have. Longing is wanting what you do....
Posted in The Heart of the Matter on April 3, 2012 12:19 AM
A Sign of The Times...
Posted in The Heart of the Matter on April 1, 2012 03:04 AM
Every Event Is GlobalAll events with Prem Rawat are global. They are open to everyone. Here are the next ones in South America....
Posted in The Heart of the Matter on March 31, 2012 01:21 PM
May I Stay Here ForeverMay I stay here forever in this perfect place of peace with you -- the sacred space between in breath and out, timeless moment before the need for anything has risen, Buddha enjoying his late afternoon nap with no...
Posted in The Heart of the Matter on March 27, 2012 11:41 AM
Now is the MomentSuch a great paradox: All we have is now, but now is also eternal, forever, always. The past is gone, tomorrow never comes. It is always this moment. This breath. A true Master knows how to help others fully...
Posted in The Heart of the Matter on March 25, 2012 02:50 PM
The Feeling for the DayQuote: Prem Rawat Graphics: Birger Pohl More...
Posted in The Heart of the Matter on March 22, 2012 09:55 PM
Four Words of InspirationQuote: Prem Rawat Graphics: Birger Pohl More...
Posted in The Heart of the Matter on March 21, 2012 12:14 PM
WOPG Links en EspanolWhat follows are a selection of links on the Words of Peace Global website for you to consider forwarding to your friends who speak Spanish and may be interested in learning more about Prem Rawat's message of peace. These...
Posted in The Heart of the Matter on March 20, 2012 01:39 AM
The Wisdom of Mark TwainMore...
Posted in The Heart of the Matter on March 20, 2012 01:20 AM
The Marriage of the Finite and the InfiniteJust released song, video, and slide show from Words of Peace Global thanking everyone for their support. Words of Peace Global...
Posted in The Heart of the Matter on March 19, 2012 07:26 PM
Love is the Missing LinkQuote: Prem Rawat Graphics: Birger Pohl More...
Posted in The Heart of the Matter on March 19, 2012 01:40 AM
iPhone, Therefore I Am?I just had a realization. Well, maybe "realization" is too fancy a word. Make that more of an insight. Nah... "insight" sounds just a tad too self-congratulatory. For want of a better word, let's call my little moment a...
Posted in The Heart of the Matter on March 18, 2012 10:04 PM
Beyond the Mask of WordsThis is what all my late night writing has always been about, reaching beyond the mask of words and holding you just long enough for every poem ever written to be the shoulder you lean on....
Posted in The Heart of the Matter on March 17, 2012 08:52 PM
Words of Peace Global LinksThere are a lot of great resources on the Words of Peace Global website, but not everyone who has visited the site has seen them all. So, as a public service to the readers of this blog, what follows...
Posted in The Heart of the Matter on March 15, 2012 02:18 AM
Dance from WithinQuote: Prem Rawat Design: Birger Pohl More...
Posted in The Heart of the Matter on March 14, 2012 08:08 PM
Simply PutQuote: Prem Rawat Graphics: Birger Pohl More...
Posted in The Heart of the Matter on March 14, 2012 05:58 PM
Rumi and Kabir BowlingLast year, as I understand it, Rumi was the best selling poet in the United States -- 800+ years after he was alive. Kabir, too, is still being widely read -- as is Hafiz, Gibran, and a host of...
Posted in The Heart of the Matter on March 12, 2012 04:03 PM
Seeing (and feeling) the InvisibleDuring the past two years, I've asked more than a thousand people what they see when they look at the FedEx logo. 80% say "letters" or "colors" or "shapes" or "the word "FedEx." The other 20% tell me they...
Posted in The Heart of the Matter on March 9, 2012 08:26 PM
Barcelona is Overflowing!In Barcelona, the request for invitations to hear Prem Rawat speak on March 11th was so overwhelming (1,200 more than available seats) that an additional event has just been scheduled for Saturday, March 10th to accommodate the overflow. Seating...
Posted in The Heart of the Matter on March 6, 2012 11:29 PM
Your Strength is in KnowingPremium Channel IDEA for this post: Monika Winslow...
Posted in The Heart of the Matter on February 27, 2012 12:33 AM
SimplePremium Channel IDEA for this post: Monika Winslow...
Posted in The Heart of the Matter on February 26, 2012 12:05 AM
A Sign of the TimesYes, indeed, it's time to stop waiting for a sign. Waiting for what sign, by the way? That everything is OK? That you are being guided? That love is what it's all about? What you've been waiting for is...
Posted in The Heart of the Matter on February 25, 2012 12:27 PM
Prem Rawat on Premium ChannelIf you didn't get a chance to listen to Prem Rawat, at the Long Beach Convention Center, on 1/29, now's your chance on Words of Peace Global's recently launched Premium Channel. Find out what all the good vibes are...
Posted in The Heart of the Matter on February 25, 2012 12:34 AM
There Is An Infinite Amount of PoetryThere is an infinite amount of poetry in every drop of water, an infinite, always-being-written book of psalms in each and every breath. There is milk and honey everywhere, milkmaids, magic, and gypsies who steal your heart, then give...
Posted in The Heart of the Matter on February 22, 2012 12:56 AM
A Simpler Way to Get The KeysWOPG's Global Peace Initiative (GPI) is happy to announce a new, simpler way for people interested in Prem Rawat's message to get The Keys (an engaging set of explanatory DVDs). Historically, the process of getting Keys 1-5 has been...
Posted in The Heart of the Matter on February 15, 2012 10:45 PM
Beautiful Thoughtlessness...
Posted in The Heart of the Matter on February 14, 2012 12:57 AM
Reboot, Refresh, Renew!Sometimes, we all need a fresh start, a new beginning, a chance to wipe the slate clean, or, to borrow a word from techno-land, reboot. That's what this piece is about. newly published on Words of Peace Global. Clear...
Posted in The Heart of the Matter on February 13, 2012 07:49 PM
Letter from an Inner MateMore...
Posted in The Heart of the Matter on February 9, 2012 12:50 AM
Fit to Be Tied?"The foolish man is always doing, yet much remains to be done. The wise man does nothing, yet nothing remains undone." - Lao Tzu...
Posted in The Heart of the Matter on February 7, 2012 11:24 PM
Start With Yourself...
Posted in The Heart of the Matter on February 6, 2012 01:25 AM
A Message for Dads Who TravelThirteen years ago I found myself standing in my closet, madly searching for clean clothes in a last minute attempt to pack before yet another business trip, when I noticed my 4-year old son standing at the entrance. In...
Posted in The Heart of the Matter on February 5, 2012 01:33 AM
WATCH NOW: Prem Rawat in MiamiWatch Prem Rawat's presentation at the Jackie Gleason Theater, in Miami Beach, on January 22nd -- now featured on Words of Peace Global's premium channel. "Make a difference this year. Of all the years you have been alive on...
Posted in The Heart of the Matter on February 4, 2012 02:39 PM
Good News from a Texas JailMore...
Posted in The Heart of the Matter on February 2, 2012 06:18 PM
New on the WOPG Premium ChannelWords of Peace Global's new Premium Channel is now featuring a 60-minute talk by Prem Rawat delivered on 9/11/11 in Melbourne, Australia -- a great way to learn more about this extraordinary man's very powerful message of peace. "By...
Posted in The Heart of the Matter on January 30, 2012 04:39 PM
20 Awesome Quotes on Beginning1."Whatever you do, or dream you can, begin it. Boldness has genius and power and magic in it." - Johann Wolfgang von Goethe 2. "There are two mistakes one can make along the road to truth -- not going...
Posted in The Heart of the Matter on January 26, 2012 06:28 AM
Spread This KnowledgeMore Hear him speak on 1/29...
Posted in The Heart of the Matter on January 25, 2012 11:20 PM
Prem Rawat in Long Beach, 1/29Long Beach, California, located 20 miles south of downtown Los Angeles, is the 36th largest city in the US and the 7th largest in California -- with a population of 465,000. On Sunday, January 29th, its population will increase...
Posted in The Heart of the Matter on January 24, 2012 10:10 PM
Introducing the Premium Channel!Words of Peace Global has just launched an exciting, new service -- the Premium Channel, which will make Prem Rawat's most recent talks available online within two weeks of his public presentations. Premium Channel broadcasts will be high quality,...
Posted in The Heart of the Matter on January 17, 2012 01:53 PM
The Unchain LetterUnless you've been in a coma for the past 20 years, chances are good you've received more than your share of "chain letters" -- those quirky communications that start off singing the praises of something or other, but end...
Posted in The Heart of the Matter on January 16, 2012 01:37 AM
Maharaji Coming to Florida & CaliforniaIf you're a regular reader of this blog, you know that I am a student of Prem Rawat (aka Maharaji). He is, by far, the most inspiring, lucid, provocative, and tuned in person I have ever met....
Posted in The Heart of the Matter on January 15, 2012 12:54 AM
50 Awesome Quotes on Possibility1. "Start by doing what's necessary; then do what's possible; and suddenly you are doing the impossible." - St. Francis of Assisi 2. "Sometimes I've believed as many as six impossible things before breakfast." - Lewis Carroll...
Posted in The Heart of the Matter on January 11, 2012 02:57 AM
38 Awesome Quotes on Change1. "It is not the strongest of the species that survive, nor the most intelligent, but the one most responsive to change." - Charles Darwin...
Posted in The Heart of the Matter on January 8, 2012 12:01 AM
Unconditional Gratitude Is PossibleMore...
Posted in The Heart of the Matter on January 1, 2012 10:00 AM
Don't Go Without, Go Within!More The Keys...
Posted in The Heart of the Matter on December 31, 2011 01:46 AM
A World of Peace InsideMore The Keys...
Posted in The Heart of the Matter on December 26, 2011 07:27 PM
Merry i-Christmas!A light-hearted Christmas story...
Posted in The Heart of the Matter on December 25, 2011 01:54 AM
You Are the MusicMore...
Posted in The Heart of the Matter on December 21, 2011 03:43 PM
It's All WithinMore...
Posted in The Heart of the Matter on December 17, 2011 01:37 PM
Virtual PeaceCards, Real PeopleTis the season to let people know you love them, or at least like them, or if not like them, then at least let them know you're thinking about them. We're talking free, baby. Real love (or like) communicated...
Posted in The Heart of the Matter on December 16, 2011 11:25 PM
Singing For Someone Else's SupperHere's a beautiful song by Dani and Daya -- an inspired effort to raise funds to support TPRF's extraordinary Food for People program. Listen, enjoy, download, give. And spread the word. More...
Posted in The Heart of the Matter on December 10, 2011 11:36 PM
It's Really Very SimpleMore...
Posted in The Heart of the Matter on December 9, 2011 08:20 AM
The Purpose of LifeHere's a clue...
Posted in The Heart of the Matter on December 8, 2011 10:25 PM
Just in Case You're InterestedFor those of you are intrigued by Prem Rawat's message, I'd like to direct your attention to some resources that will give you more of a sense of what it's all about. In a time when too many people...
Posted in The Heart of the Matter on December 6, 2011 09:30 AM
Tis the Season to Be GivingThe Prem Rawat Foundation (TPRF) has just launched its 10th Anniversary Holiday Campaign in an inspired effort to create more grass roots support for its much needed humanitarian endeavors such as Food for People, the Peace Education Program, and...
Posted in The Heart of the Matter on December 2, 2011 05:02 PM
European Parliament Welcomes Back Ambassador of PeaceAgainst a backdrop of international uncertainty, including riots in many European cities, government change and continued unrest in the Middle East, an audience of institutional representatives and members of the European Parliament joined academics and business people from more...
Posted in The Heart of the Matter on December 2, 2011 04:47 PM
I This, I ThatYou may have an iPhone, iPad, iPod, and iTouch, but do you know who (or what) the "I" really is -- the essence at the center of your life without which you wouldn't be alive to own all this...
Posted in The Heart of the Matter on December 1, 2011 12:50 PM
All Hands on Deck!Look around you. This is not the time for lone wolves, closet geniuses, unaffiliated mavericks, out-of-orbit freelancers, hidden agendas, superstars, cranky collaborators, or hyper independent dreamers. Sorry. Wrong decade. Now is the time for alliances, partnerships, collaborations, and team...
Posted in The Heart of the Matter on November 30, 2011 02:06 AM
No AttachmentsMore...
Posted in The Heart of the Matter on November 28, 2011 06:51 AM
About FaceWhen I was a young man (that's me to the left), I thought the "spiritual journey" was a very serious affair. Serious, as in heavy. Serious, as in ancient. Serious, as in the world is a big, bad illusion...
Posted in The Heart of the Matter on November 27, 2011 10:04 AM
Happy Almost BirthdayMaharaji (aka Prem Rawat) will be 54 on December 10th. When he first came to the West, he was only 13. Here is an inspiring 3 minute video, on Words of Peace Global, that will give you some insight...
Posted in The Heart of the Matter on November 26, 2011 09:37 AM
Waiting for a Sign?More The Keys...
Posted in The Heart of the Matter on November 25, 2011 11:53 PM
The Selective Attention TestIdea Champions...
Posted in The Heart of the Matter on November 25, 2011 11:39 PM
Duck!When I was a young boy, I loved to swim in the ocean in a place called Jones Beach. Happy to be out of the suburbs for the day, I'd run into the water, make my way out to...
Posted in The Heart of the Matter on November 25, 2011 04:25 PM
The Joy of HecklingIf you talk to a thousand people who are (or have been) students of Prem Rawat, you will get a thousand different impressions of who he is and what he does. Your guess about the accuracy of their perceptions...
Posted in The Heart of the Matter on November 21, 2011 07:09 PM
Welcome to My Woodstock Abode!Photos: Mimi Ditkoff (14)...
Posted in The Heart of the Matter on November 17, 2011 11:09 PM
I Take RequestsGood stuff...
Posted in The Heart of the Matter on November 12, 2011 12:20 AM
The ReceptionThe year was 1986. Or maybe it was 1989. Or 1990. I really don't remember what year it was, but it doesn't matter in the least because my story has nothing to do with time. Maharaji (aka Prem Rawat)...
Posted in The Heart of the Matter on November 11, 2011 10:54 AM
The BridgeSource...
Posted in The Heart of the Matter on November 7, 2011 10:46 PM
The Most Powerful Force on EarthPhoto: Sarite Sanders...
Posted in The Heart of the Matter on November 6, 2011 01:45 AM
The Debate Goes OnClick here for a wonderful article on the Words of Peace Global blog by Glen Whittaker. Inspiring message. Well written. Takes three minutes to read....
Posted in The Heart of the Matter on November 6, 2011 01:04 AM
Archbishop Desmond Tutu Speaks...
Posted in The Heart of the Matter on November 3, 2011 05:45 PM
Selma SpeaksMy mother, Sylvia, was a Jewish mother. She played canasta. She ate bagels. She got her hair done once a week. And, knock on wood and spit three times, she thought I could do no wrong. That is, until...
Posted in The Heart of the Matter on October 23, 2011 06:16 PM
Any Questions?...
Posted in The Heart of the Matter on October 18, 2011 10:47 PM
The Happiest People...
Posted in The Heart of the Matter on October 18, 2011 10:43 PM
Maharaji in Melbourne: 9/11/11"Did you know you are unique? As unique as the snowflake? As unique as the flower? Do you know that? There's no one like you. And there will never, ever again be anyone like you. Never. Ever. The way...
Posted in The Heart of the Matter on October 14, 2011 09:21 PM
What's Surprising About Humanity...
Posted in The Heart of the Matter on October 13, 2011 10:41 PM
A Way to Slow DownMore...
Posted in The Heart of the Matter on September 29, 2011 11:51 PM
Gandhi Speaks...
Posted in The Heart of the Matter on September 27, 2011 08:26 PM
There Is a PoemPhoto: Evelyne Pouget...
Posted in The Heart of the Matter on September 24, 2011 10:41 PM
Buddha in WinterPhoto: Evelyne Pouget...
Posted in The Heart of the Matter on September 24, 2011 10:22 PM
Hudson Valley FallPhoto: Evelyne Pouget...
Posted in The Heart of the Matter on September 24, 2011 10:18 PM
Falling in Love?Have you ever fallen in love? How about RISEN in love? I'm talking about the unconditional kind. Prem Rawat can help. This just in from the WOPG blog Illustration: Sara Shaffer...
Posted in The Heart of the Matter on September 24, 2011 08:54 PM
Free At LastHere is a very inspiring article by a prisoner in the Dominguez State Jail in San Antonio, Texas -- a man whose life completely changed the day he heard about Prem Rawat. Now he is free. WOPG TV More...
Posted in The Heart of the Matter on September 11, 2011 09:29 AM
Wedding DayIf you, or anyone you know, is getting married, here's a poem I wrote that might be good to include in the ceremony. WEDDING DAY There is a kind of dancing not taught on Earth, a moving together like...
Posted in The Heart of the Matter on September 9, 2011 12:23 PM
HAFIZ: Tripping Over Joy"What is the difference between your experience of existence and that of a saint? The saint knows that the spiritual path is a sublime chess game with God and that the Beloved has just made such a fantastic move...
Posted in The Heart of the Matter on September 6, 2011 08:20 PM
The Creative ImpulseIdea Champions...
Posted in The Heart of the Matter on August 27, 2011 12:36 AM
The Table of ContentmentTa da! I am in the process of publishing my third book of (love/devotional/longing) poetry and want you to know. Below is the table of contents -- a kind of poem in itself. If you already are committed to...
Posted in The Heart of the Matter on August 26, 2011 01:32 PM
Creators on CreatingCreators on Creating View more presentations from Mitch Ditkoff Inspiring slide show of quotes by breakthrough thinkers, innovators, and other assorted wizards. View full screen for max impact. Idea Champions...
Posted in The Heart of the Matter on August 22, 2011 07:50 PM
Be Who You AreImage More...
Posted in The Heart of the Matter on August 19, 2011 01:54 PM
"Inside, I Am a Good Man"Here is an inspiring article, from the Words of Peace Global website, about the impact of Maharaji's message of peace in a South African prison. Thanks to San Francisco Jim for the heads up! More...
Posted in The Heart of the Matter on August 18, 2011 03:45 PM
The Impact of a MasterFriends sometimes ask me what the impact is of a Master, or, in my case, the one people know as Maharaji -- also called by his given name, Prem Rawat -- "Prem" meaning love. Every once in a while,...
Posted in The Heart of the Matter on August 17, 2011 12:54 AM
Kim O'Leary CD Just Released!If you are a fan of Kim O'Leary, the fabulous Australian singer/songwriter and former lead singer of One Foundation, you are in for a big treat. Big, as in very large. If you are not a fan of Kim...
Posted in The Heart of the Matter on August 13, 2011 06:27 PM
Here's What I KnowThe sky is blue, the grass is green, my eyes are brown, the God we are looking for is looking for us, the pilgrimage is the pilgrim, there is nowhere to go, nothing to say, no seed to sow....
Posted in The Heart of the Matter on August 13, 2011 03:48 PM
How Can This Be?How can this be? There are decades of my life I can barely remember, but moments with you that remain indelibly impressed on my heart like some kind of rock 'n roll rosetta stone no one can decipher. Photo...
Posted in The Heart of the Matter on August 13, 2011 06:10 AM
I Was Walking Down a Country RoadI was walking down a country road today, absolutely sure you were just about to appear around the bend, moving like summer wheat towards me in a breeze both of us could feel. You would be smiling, eyes on...
Posted in The Heart of the Matter on August 12, 2011 09:45 PM
I Am Moving to a Blog CabinHere is a link to the most recent blog posting on Words of Peace Global -- an upbeat rant about the need we all have to connect to something real inside of us. (PS: Not just virtual friends). WOPG.org...
Posted in The Heart of the Matter on August 9, 2011 08:20 AM
WOPG Launches its Online StoreWords of Peace Global (WOPG) has just launched its online store -- a simple way to download music, videos, documentaries, WOPG TV episodes, and other goodies that delight. Here's how WOPG describes its new venture: "Before now it was...
Posted in The Heart of the Matter on August 4, 2011 08:57 PM
Inside/Out Culture of InnovationIf you are a member of an organization that wants a "culture of innovation" -- you have two basic choices: outside/in or inside/out. Outside/in is the most common approach. It assumes that re-engineering systems or processes is the way...
Posted in The Heart of the Matter on August 4, 2011 04:45 PM
Dance in the Dance Just Released!I am thrilled to announce that Stuart Hoffman's newest CD, Dance in the Dance, has just been released. It is superb, fabuloso, luscious, deep, and inspiring. If you like music that opens the heart, this is for you. Joining...
Posted in The Heart of the Matter on July 30, 2011 09:31 PM
The Big To Dowww.wopg.org...
Posted in The Heart of the Matter on July 26, 2011 11:37 PM
Don't Worry, Be Happy!More...
Posted in The Heart of the Matter on July 24, 2011 11:55 PM
I Am Moving to a Blog CabinI see the future. Everyone will have a blog. Every blogger's pet will have a blog. Every blog will have a blog. Every blog's blog will have a blog. No one will be reading any of these blogs because...
Posted in The Heart of the Matter on July 22, 2011 05:47 PM
Treat Your Clients Like GodAt least once a week I am approached by a struggling entrepreneur and asked how I market my services. More often that not, I blurt out any number of MBA-like platitudes. But when I really stop and think about...
Posted in The Heart of the Matter on July 20, 2011 07:27 AM
It's Your Choice"There is sadness and there is joy. When you experience sadness, you think joy has gone somewhere? No, it's right there. And when you experience joy, you think sadness has disappeared? No, it's right there. When you experience clarity,...
Posted in The Heart of the Matter on July 15, 2011 01:14 AM
We Are One, But Two Is Also Good1. "It is the long history of humankind (and animal kind, too) those who learned to collaborate and improvise most effectively have prevailed." - Charles Darwin 2. "Alone we can do so little; together we can do so much."...
Posted in The Heart of the Matter on July 12, 2011 12:59 AM
Golden Nomad of EcstasyAlone beneath a full moon once again, I gather together all I can give: milkweed, tears, and the awful silence between too many promises....
Posted in The Heart of the Matter on July 8, 2011 08:52 AM
Join the Participation Party!If you are enjoying the gift of Knowledge and want to help out in any way, there are tons of opportunities to do so. No matter what your schedule, skills, or location, there is something for everyone. Join in the...
Posted in The Heart of the Matter on July 2, 2011 06:43 AM
A Word to the Wise...
Posted in The Heart of the Matter on June 29, 2011 10:25 AM
I Pray at the Altar of Your LipsI pray at the altar of your lips and there sip sweetness from your breath, inhale the perfume of your hair, enjoy the way the evening air subdues you once again. More poetry Illustration Mystery Link...
Posted in The Heart of the Matter on June 24, 2011 12:56 AM
The Middle PathCartoon...
Posted in The Heart of the Matter on June 13, 2011 11:14 AM
Maharaji in Lima, Peru: 4/27/11"I can show you the cadence of this breath, and when you play to this metronome called the breath, it will be the sweetest music you have ever heard in your life." More...
Posted in The Heart of the Matter on June 5, 2011 10:44 PM
Maharaji in Sao Paolo: 4/17/11"What is the first thought that comes into your mind in the morning? Is it something to do with your responsibilities? Or is it something to do with your contentment? It's a good question. Responsibilities? Or contentment? As a...
Posted in The Heart of the Matter on June 4, 2011 11:40 PM
Stone Walls Do Not a Prison MakeInmates in correctional facilities around the world are listening to Prem Rawat's message of peace... and responding in extraordinary ways. Like this, for example, from a prisoner in Texas: "Thank you for providing a perspective that has given my...
Posted in The Heart of the Matter on June 2, 2011 12:23 AM
Results of the Inspiration PollLast year, I posted an INSPIRATION POLL on this blog, asking readers to rate (on a scale of 1-5) a variety of "inspiration triggers" (the experiences, internal or external, that help them connect with the feeling of inspiration). 194...
Posted in The Heart of the Matter on June 1, 2011 11:44 PM
There Is a Poem Within This PoemThere is a poem within this poem and I want you to find it. If you say YES, you will. If you say NO, you won't. That's how simple the whole thing is. But if you look, you will...
Posted in The Heart of the Matter on May 29, 2011 01:09 AM
Why Are They Having Such a Good Time?Find out...
Posted in The Heart of the Matter on May 25, 2011 11:20 PM
Why Is This Woman Smiling?1. Did she just get a job promotion? 2. Did her boyfriend just propose to her? 3. Did she just get her nose pierced? 4. Did she just listen to Prem Rawat in Barcelona on April 3? (HINT: It's...
Posted in The Heart of the Matter on May 23, 2011 12:45 AM
A Picture's Worth a Thousand WordsPeople listening to Maharaji speak at an event in Buenos Aires, April 23, 2011. More...
Posted in The Heart of the Matter on May 22, 2011 11:47 PM
You Are Not a Philosophy"You are not a philosophy. You can think about philosophy, you can listen to philosophy, you can comment about philosophy, but you are not a philosophy. You are something living, existing, breathing, changing, evolving. A human being. You're not...
Posted in The Heart of the Matter on May 20, 2011 08:52 PM
TPRF Receives Highest RatingCharity Navigator, considered America's premier evaluator of US non-profit organizations, has once again awarded TPRF (The Prem Rawat Foundation) their highest rating of 4 stars. The Charity Navigator rating system includes an analysis of how efficiently organizations use their...
Posted in The Heart of the Matter on May 16, 2011 12:35 AM
Pass the BusClick here for a new posting of mine just published on the Words of Peace Global blog. It's all about a moment most of us experience when we think too much or inaccurately about what's really happening, a trick...
Posted in The Heart of the Matter on May 7, 2011 01:21 PM
The Curtain BreathesThe curtain breathes and billows high like the skirt of a woman turning away, scorned (she would say) for my being seized by nothing more than air. Released by a breeze even leaves do not bend to, I cannot...
Posted in The Heart of the Matter on April 27, 2011 11:15 PM
Any Questions?...
Posted in The Heart of the Matter on April 25, 2011 01:43 AM
It's Never Too Late to CreateI sometimes run into people who tell me that their best creative days are behind them -- that they could have accomplished great things if only they had started sooner and that they are "too old" to take on...
Posted in The Heart of the Matter on April 14, 2011 12:45 AM
The Real Speed of LifeOne breath at a time. More Prem Rawat The Keys wopg blog...
Posted in The Heart of the Matter on April 11, 2011 01:06 PM
Inspired Quotes of Prem Rawat"Who are we waiting for? We look up to the sky, waiting for the angel to come down and fix all of our problems. YOU are the angel that can fix your problems." - Prem Rawat Click & scroll...
Posted in The Heart of the Matter on April 5, 2011 09:37 PM
George Bernard Shaw on Life"This is the true joy in life, the being used for a purpose recognized by yourself as a mighty one; the being thoroughly worn out before you are thrown on the scrap heap; the being a force of Nature...
Posted in The Heart of the Matter on April 4, 2011 10:22 AM
All Is WellI woke up this morning, clicked on this link, and found myself crying tears of joy. (I'm not falling apart. I'm falling together.) Thanks to Peter Whitaker for the heads up....
Posted in The Heart of the Matter on April 2, 2011 04:47 PM
Maharaji's March Tour of IndiaRead more about it here. More...
Posted in The Heart of the Matter on March 31, 2011 11:40 AM
VIRTUAL TEAMWORK CARDSIf you are looking for a simple way to improve teamwork, click on the "We're All In This Together" banner in the sidebar. What you'll get is a series of 53 Teamwork Cards newly published by the writers of...
Posted in The Heart of the Matter on March 26, 2011 01:51 AM
Uncle Samadhi?Here Ya Go...
Posted in The Heart of the Matter on March 23, 2011 09:22 PM
Water for the ThirstyHere's a real-world innovation that inspires: More than 180 bloggers from around the globe are uniting today (World Water Day) to raise $10,000 and bring clean drinking water, each year, to 3,600 people in India. The project is a...
Posted in The Heart of the Matter on March 22, 2011 07:11 PM
Einstein on Prem RawatMore...
Posted in The Heart of the Matter on March 22, 2011 06:53 AM
The Treasure InsideThe following remarkable story is by Joel Metzger, the creator of TreasureInside. It's the story of a major rite of passage in Joel's life -- the time when he was in a terrible car accident and no one thought...
Posted in The Heart of the Matter on March 20, 2011 09:45 PM
Less Is More"It's taken me all my life to learn what not to play." -Dizzy Gillespie Beyond less or more...
Posted in The Heart of the Matter on March 20, 2011 08:48 PM
Go For It!"Twenty years from now you will be more disappointed by the things you didn't do than by the ones you did. So throw off the bowlines, sail away from the safe harbor, catch the trade winds in your sails....
Posted in The Heart of the Matter on March 13, 2011 09:09 AM
"If You Can't Explain It Simply...""If you can't explain it simply, you don't understand it well enough." - Albert Einstein...
Posted in The Heart of the Matter on March 11, 2011 09:12 PM
The Axle of Creation's WheelHere is a really nice blog posting on Words of Peace Global by Alan Roettinger on what's really real -- the "thing" you can depend on when everything else is slip sliding away. A very good reminder... Source Illustration:...
Posted in The Heart of the Matter on March 6, 2011 01:13 PM
Afraid of a Cockroach?"Perceptions change. When you were young, were you afraid of a cockroach? Absolutely not. It's only when you heard your mother screaming that you said, 'Oh my God, I should be afraid of that'. Perceptions!" - Prem Rawat, Kuala...
Posted in The Heart of the Matter on March 1, 2011 10:08 PM
Any Questions?More...
Posted in The Heart of the Matter on February 28, 2011 04:01 PM
Strokes of a HammerHere is a very rich posting, newly published on the Words of Peace Global blog by one of my favorite people on the planet -- Julian West. If you haven't seen the wopg blog yet, now's your chance --...
Posted in The Heart of the Matter on February 26, 2011 11:52 AM
It's Like WaterOne thing I love about Maharaji's message is this: it's for everyone -- these women from India, truck drivers from Ghana, doctors from Australia, housewives from America, waiters from Germany. And everyone in between. The experience he reveals is...
Posted in The Heart of the Matter on February 25, 2011 07:19 AM
Pass the Bus!A couple of days ago, driving from New York City to my home in Woodstock and stuck behind a bus, I started hearing weird metallic sounds coming from my engine. Ouch! I was already paying thousands of dollars to...
Posted in The Heart of the Matter on February 24, 2011 02:23 AM
You Have a Wisdom Inside of You"You have a wisdom inside of you that is immeasurable. You have a love inside of you that's unparalleled. You have a strength inside of you that is phenomenal." Highlights of 2010 tour...
Posted in The Heart of the Matter on February 21, 2011 06:26 PM
Maharaji in MalibuMaharaji and his grandson, Jeevan, at the surprise Malibu event last week. More...
Posted in The Heart of the Matter on February 20, 2011 05:25 PM
Take Me HomeLast night, exhausted from a long day's work, 150 miles from home, I found myself sitting in my car in a darkened New Jersey parking lot, dreading the ride home. Yes, my wonderful wife and kids were waiting for...
Posted in The Heart of the Matter on February 10, 2011 09:03 PM
For Evelyne On Her 50th BirthdayThe following is a piece I wrote and performed a few years ago at Evelyne's 50th birthday party. Enjoy! This woman, my wife, your friend, is a major card in the tarot deck, an archetype, a queen, mythic, delicious, vital,...
Posted in The Heart of the Matter on February 5, 2011 12:35 AM
Be Fulfilled EverydayVideos...
Posted in The Heart of the Matter on February 4, 2011 12:15 AM
This Just In!Prem Rawat speaks...
Posted in The Heart of the Matter on January 29, 2011 01:49 AM
Do You Want to Bloom?"There is a saying that I like a lot: 'Today is the first day of the rest of your life.' It is true: today is the first day of the rest of your life. What do you want to...
Posted in The Heart of the Matter on January 29, 2011 12:44 AM
37 Awesome Quotes on TimeThe biggest excuse people make about why they can't innovate is the lack of time. Really?...
Posted in The Heart of the Matter on January 28, 2011 07:33 PM
The Parable of the Brussel SproutFirst there was the eye of the needle, then the mustard seed, the pillar of salt, the coat of many colors, and the belly of the whale Now? The unheralded brussel sprout. More...
Posted in The Heart of the Matter on January 24, 2011 09:07 PM
Words of Peace Global WebsiteAs most of you know, I am a big fan of Prem Rawat and have been his student since 1971. He is, quite simply, the most amazing person I have ever met -- a man with an extraordinary gift...
Posted in The Heart of the Matter on January 23, 2011 07:45 AM
A Sign of the TimesI've been doing some fascinating research lately on the origins of common objects in our lives -- things we see daily, but often take for granted. Like the Stop Sign, for example. Most people think the Stop Sign was...
Posted in The Heart of the Matter on January 22, 2011 12:56 AM
24 Awesome Quotes on Good Communication1. "The most important thing in communication is hearing what isn't said." - Peter Drucker 2. "The single biggest problem in communication is the illusion that it has taken place." - George Bernard Shaw 3."Think like a wise man...
Posted in The Heart of the Matter on January 21, 2011 01:38 AM
Man's Best FriendYesterday was really weird. It began normally enough, with my kids scrambling to catch the school bus, my wife going to her studio, and me making my way to the local cafe for a cappuccino and toasted bagel. But...
Posted in The Heart of the Matter on January 18, 2011 09:03 PM
Maharaji in Barcelona: 12/19/10"From the heart, accept what is given to you, and make it so that the heart sings out in the sweetest gratitude. You cannot write a song for this heart. You cannot. Make things right, and the heart will sing....
Posted in The Heart of the Matter on January 13, 2011 09:51 PM
A Picture's Worth 1,000 WordsHere's a beautiful photo from one of Maharaji's events in New Delhi on November 7-8. Just found it on Words of Peace Global. Click and scroll. Photo...
Posted in The Heart of the Matter on January 10, 2011 12:56 AM
Snow Day RevisitedIt's a great feeling when space opens up, and time, when you have nothing to do except BE, when all the demands of your life relax their grip and you are free to enjoy -- free to let things...
Posted in The Heart of the Matter on January 8, 2011 08:58 AM
What Did I Really Have?George Bernard Shaw once said "that the test of a man or woman's breeding is how they behave in a quarrel." In other words, what we're made of often doesn't become visible until we're confronted with a tough situation....
Posted in The Heart of the Matter on January 6, 2011 11:56 PM
The Fisherman and the BankerAn investment banker was standing at the pier of a small coastal village when a small boat with just one fisherman docked. Inside the small boat were several large yellow fin tuna. The banker complimented the fisherman on the...
Posted in The Heart of the Matter on January 4, 2011 07:39 AM
VIDEO: Do Something DifferentHere's a wonderful, two-minute video of Maharaji, (AKA Prem Rawat), speaking about the need we all have to look within and recognize that which brings us life -- the beauty of a moment and the peace that is playing...
Posted in The Heart of the Matter on January 3, 2011 11:34 AM
Happy New Year!Here's to a fabulous 2011! May this year be filled with love and grace and gratitude and fun and abundance and health and deep inner peace and the ongoing recognition that THIS PRESENT MOMENT is a gift to be...
Posted in The Heart of the Matter on December 31, 2010 06:46 PM
Looking for the RealSee that guy to your left? Looks a little intense, eh? Must be on some kind of spiritual trip. Or maybe he's just protein deficient. I'm guessing he's into Eastern things. Probably reads the Bhagavad-Gita and doesn't make enough...
Posted in The Heart of the Matter on December 30, 2010 01:01 AM
Happy New Year from Jesse, My Son...
Posted in The Heart of the Matter on December 28, 2010 02:10 PM
Snow Day!Growing up in New York, there were three things I found utterly amazing: the accents of people from other places, baseball, and snow days. If you're from California, Mexico, or Hawaii, you probably know what the first two are...
Posted in The Heart of the Matter on December 28, 2010 06:54 AM
Service in the AirI just flew 19 hours from Newark to Singapore on Singapore Airlines. In a nutshell, here's the difference between Singapore Airlines and all the other airlines....
Posted in The Heart of the Matter on December 16, 2010 11:27 AM
I Want to Tell You About My MasterA few nights ago, I was sitting in my kitchen with my wife, Evelyne, and our good friend Hudson. Hudson had recently been diagnosed with cancer and the sobering reality of life's fragility was upon us. As we sat...
Posted in The Heart of the Matter on December 13, 2010 10:27 PM
The Tourist SyndromeSometimes, when a person hears about a Living Master, an odd phenomenon takes place. I call it the "Tourist Syndrome." No matter how sincere the seeker is or how approachable the teacher, a funny dance ensues -- not unlike...
Posted in The Heart of the Matter on December 10, 2010 02:45 PM
A Simple Request"As I row your boat across the ocean, all I ask you is to stay in the boat, relax, and enjoy the ride." - Prem Rawat...
Posted in The Heart of the Matter on December 6, 2010 11:37 PM
Radiant Being of LightRadiant being of light, vortex of love, alchemist supreme, magnifier of prayer, the one I dream about and the one who wakes me from the dream, why the dervish spins and the earth, teacher, teaching, and the taught, first...
Posted in The Heart of the Matter on December 2, 2010 06:08 PM
The Wheel SpinsThe wheel spins, but the hub goes nowhere. In the middle of the hub is another hub and inside that, another yet. It too, spins, but too slowly for anyone to notice. I'll meet you there after the world...
Posted in The Heart of the Matter on November 27, 2010 05:28 PM
No AttachmentsThanks to Ellen Kirschner for the heads up Cartoon...
Posted in The Heart of the Matter on November 24, 2010 06:23 PM
The Art of Living"The master of the art of living makes little distinction between his work and his play, his labor and his leisure, his mind and his body, his education and his recreation, his love and his religion. He hardly knows...
Posted in The Heart of the Matter on November 23, 2010 12:19 PM
Water to WinePour each glass of water like a glass of wine. Move differently, more like cabernet than tap. Pause before raising your glass. Breathe. Savor your toast to all that is sacred. Sip, really sip, taste the sweetness on your...
Posted in The Heart of the Matter on November 22, 2010 07:45 AM
The Beautiful DiamondThere is a beautiful diamond inside me. For years it was covered with dust and dirt and my own wild thoughts about what the diamond was. Then the Master entered my life. He blew the dust and dirt away....
Posted in The Heart of the Matter on November 19, 2010 03:48 PM
Yin, Yang, and JungShe wanted more space, I gave her the universe....
Posted in The Heart of the Matter on November 18, 2010 11:33 PM
Peacecards!There's a great new service now available at Words of Peace Global. It's called Peacecards -- a collection of 23 beautifully designed virtual postcards you can personalize and email. Quotes from Prem Rawat, Rumi, Kabir, Einstein, Thomas Merton and...
Posted in The Heart of the Matter on November 16, 2010 02:18 AM
What's in a Name?Words of Peace Global has just published a third in a series of weekly blogs -- this one a light-hearted look at the phenomenon of attempting to name one's relationship to Maharaji. Take a look. See if you can...
Posted in The Heart of the Matter on November 12, 2010 04:33 PM
The Big DistinctionSource: http://www.ypi.net...
Posted in The Heart of the Matter on November 12, 2010 01:46 AM
25 Awesome Quotes on Creativity"The things we fear most in organizations -- fluctuations, disturbances, imbalances -- are the primary sources of creativity." - Alfred North Whitehead "The chief enemy of creativity is 'good" sense.'" - Pablo Picasso...
Posted in The Heart of the Matter on November 8, 2010 08:27 PM
Plain SightClick here for the second in a series of weekly blog postings - this one by Joel Metzger - now being published by Words of Peace Global, the always evolving website that communicates all about the message of Prem...
Posted in The Heart of the Matter on November 7, 2010 01:11 PM
Trust Yourself"Trust yourself. You know more than you think you do." - Benjamin Spock "Systems die; instincts remain." - Oliver Wendell Holmes "It is through science that we prove, but through intuition that we discover." - Henri Poincare "Intuition becomes...
Posted in The Heart of the Matter on November 5, 2010 09:01 AM
Outside, On a BreakOn October 22nd, I had the great good fortune to see and listen to Maharaji (AKA Prem Rawat) at an all-day event, at the Jackie Gleason Theater, in Miami Beach. As always, being with him had great impact on...
Posted in The Heart of the Matter on November 3, 2010 10:32 PM
But I Already Know This!This just in! Words of Peace Global has just added a blog to it's already superfine website. The first posting is all about the phenomenon of people thinking "but I already know this" upon first hearing the words of...
Posted in The Heart of the Matter on November 2, 2010 05:40 PM
The BreathThe breath is an invisible umbilical cord that connects all of us to a source of great nourishment. Photo Videos Express the love Words of Peace...
Posted in The Heart of the Matter on October 27, 2010 09:33 AM
Maharaji in Miami: 10/23/10"Knowledge doesn't create an experience. Knowledge puts you in touch with an experience. Big difference." "We are the union of the infinite and the finite." "Be in the present. Live your life consciously. Be fulfilled. Recognize the importance of...
Posted in The Heart of the Matter on October 26, 2010 12:35 AM
This Want to Be FulfilledSource More...
Posted in The Heart of the Matter on October 20, 2010 09:34 AM
The Results of a Ten Year Research Project on Meditation*The Heart of the Matter is pleased to announce the publication of a multinational, longitudinal study on meditation conducted by the Global Institute for Higher Learning. Over 1,750,000 people from 81 countries were interviewed since 1995. Or maybe 7 people....
Posted in The Heart of the Matter on October 12, 2010 09:51 PM
Express the Love You FeelWell, thanks for taking the time out of your busy day to visit my blog. I really do appreciate it. But I believe there is someone very close to you right now who could really use a hug, or...
Posted in The Heart of the Matter on October 2, 2010 12:02 AM
The One Minute SeekerIn days gone by, classic seekers had to endure a ton of trials and tribulations to find what they were looking for. They walked across deserts. They fasted. They hunted for the One in faraway places. No more. Those...
Posted in The Heart of the Matter on September 30, 2010 10:01 AM
BlueberriesWe were all born to praise, exalt the air we breathe, arise in the spontaneous updraft of love, laughing like lunatics as we finally realize there is nothing left to understand. That's why blueberries taste so good. Photo...
Posted in The Heart of the Matter on September 26, 2010 09:36 PM
Lighten Up!More...
Posted in The Heart of the Matter on September 26, 2010 04:28 AM
The Phoenix of LoveA few weeks ago, my wife and I had a big fight. A doozy. If you're married -- or ever were -- I'm sure you've had at least one of these. Probably more. You think you're right. They think...
Posted in The Heart of the Matter on September 21, 2010 10:01 PM
Sayings of the Jewish Buddha"If there is no self, whose arthritis is this?" "Be here now. Be someplace else later. Is that so complicated?" "Wherever you go, there you are. Your luggage is another story." "Drink tea and nourish life; with the first...
Posted in The Heart of the Matter on September 17, 2010 01:19 AM
Surprise!Here's a nice little surprise for you -- a recent article of mine, about Maharaji's visit to Woodstock, now posted on Words of Peace Global. More Photo...
Posted in The Heart of the Matter on September 14, 2010 07:51 PM
The Value of Nothing"The foolish man is always doing, yet much remains to be done. The wise man does nothing, yet nothing remains undone." - Lao Tzu...
Posted in The Heart of the Matter on September 13, 2010 10:08 PM
Where I LiveMany times over the past 16 years, well-meaning people have asked me where I lived. Depending on my mood and how much I thought they really wanted to know, I would tell them any of the following: "Two hours...
Posted in The Heart of the Matter on September 7, 2010 12:36 AM
Maharaji in Woodstock, Part 7This is the seventh in a series of comments from friends of mine who attended Maharaji's Woodstock event on August 25th. Most of my friends had never seen him before. The following comments are from Evelyne Pouget, not just...
Posted in The Heart of the Matter on September 5, 2010 12:32 PM
Ahhh... Watermelon!Somewhere along the line you've probably heard of this thing called a "Zen Koan"-- a question or statement that cannot be "gotten" by the rational mind. For centuries, Zen Masters have used them as a way to confound their...
Posted in The Heart of the Matter on September 3, 2010 09:58 AM
Maharaji in Woodstock, Part 6On August 25th, Maharaji spoke to 355 people in Woodstock, NY. What follows are the comments of Ilfra Halley, a long-time Woodstock resident, seeing Maharaji for the first time that night. "I am so grateful that I had the...
Posted in The Heart of the Matter on September 2, 2010 08:14 AM
Maharaji in Woodstock, Part 5Ron Brent was one of 355 guests who attended Maharaji's Woodstock event on 8/25. It was the first time Ron had seen Maharaji since 1971... "I was very impressed by the seamlessness of the evening. The staff appeared to...
Posted in The Heart of the Matter on August 31, 2010 09:15 PM
Maharaji in MontrealLast night, Maharaji spoke to approximately 900 people at the Hilton Bonaventure Hotel in Montreal. What follows are selected excerpts of his talk -- my best approximation of what he said, scribed in the moment, not a word for...
Posted in The Heart of the Matter on August 30, 2010 01:01 AM
It Just Keeps Getting BetterI'm on my way to Montreal to see Maharaji. Yahoo! Soon coming: Excerpts from Montreal, Boston, Baltimore, and maybe Toronto. Also, more guest responses from the fabulous Woodstock event. In the meantime, here are some links from the archives....
Posted in The Heart of the Matter on August 29, 2010 07:52 AM
Maharaji in Woodstock, Part 4It's two days after Maharaji spoke to 355 people at the Bearsville Theater in Woodstock, NY and the stream of positive responses just keeps flowing. This one is from Deborah Cohen. "I came to the event with the thought...
Posted in The Heart of the Matter on August 28, 2010 01:16 AM
Maharaji in Woodstock, Part 3This just in from Mary Anne and Richard Erickson, long time Woodstock residents and owners of the fabulous Blue Mountain Bistro Catering Company right outside of town. "What a treat to finally meet Maharaji after hearing about him for...
Posted in The Heart of the Matter on August 27, 2010 11:52 AM
Maharaji in Woodstock, Part 2This just in from Mary Jane Fahey, a long-time friend and founder of FaheyDesign. Mary Jane saw Maharaji for the first time, last night, at the Woodstock event: "I loved how simple and straightforward his message was. I loved...
Posted in The Heart of the Matter on August 26, 2010 03:13 PM
Maharaji in Woodstock, Part 1Maharaji gave his first public talk in Woodstock last night. It was, shall we say, "beyond words." For those of you who have asked me to describe the event, I've decided to let my guests do the talking. What...
Posted in The Heart of the Matter on August 26, 2010 12:34 PM
Maharaji in Baltimore, Part 1"I am here to distract you from your distractions." - Maharaji More...
Posted in The Heart of the Matter on August 24, 2010 09:09 PM
Free Floating ContentmentLots of people talk about a phenomenon known as "free floating anxiety" -- a known medical disorder characterized by worry and doubt that seem to come from nowhere. Well, there is also another phenomenon -- which you won't find...
Posted in The Heart of the Matter on August 20, 2010 04:25 PM
And Now For Something Completely DifferentOK. I'm taking a bit of a risk here -- including a posting that will make some Heart of the Matter readers scratch their heads and unsubscribe. So be it. If this happens to be the last story you'll...
Posted in The Heart of the Matter on August 3, 2010 03:54 AM
Question of the DayWhat is this thirst that quenches -- this ache that heals? More...
Posted in The Heart of the Matter on August 2, 2010 12:15 PM
Mehmet the Rug MerchantToday, Evelyne and I bought a Turkish rug from Mehmet, Istanbul's Hafiz of rug merchants. If I could write as well as he could sell, people would still be reading my poetry 800 years from now. Technically, speaking, Mehmet...
Posted in The Heart of the Matter on July 29, 2010 06:03 PM
Who's a Turkey?OK. Here I am in Istanbul. Wow. Fabulous. Inspiring -- even if it seems like every Turkish word was created by someone who threw all the letters of the alphabet into a silk bag, shook, smoked, then randomly pulled...
Posted in The Heart of the Matter on July 28, 2010 02:43 PM
The Heart of the Matter Is Now Available on KindleGuess what? The Heart of the Matter is now available on Kindle. Cool. Very. If you find this blog inspiring or useful in any way and want to help me spread the word, please take a few minutes to...
Posted in The Heart of the Matter on July 27, 2010 05:44 AM
Here's What You DidHere's what you did: You flew me on your magic carpet high above my life, I felt all the breezes of love there ever were blowing through my hair. That's when the carpet fell away, or perhaps, you dismissed...
Posted in The Heart of the Matter on July 24, 2010 11:46 AM
The World Is My Day JobThe world is my day job, but it's the night that is my calling, when everyone is gone and Adam's done with falling, when there's nowhere left to go and nothing else to do, just staring at the moon...
Posted in The Heart of the Matter on July 19, 2010 02:13 AM
The Word is CELEBRATE!A young monk arrives in a monastery where he is put to work as a copyist. After a few days, he notices that the monks making copies of the scriptures are all working from copies -- not the original....
Posted in The Heart of the Matter on July 13, 2010 12:24 AM
Two Ways to Live Your Life"There are only two ways to live your life. One is as though nothing is a miracle. The other is as though everything is a miracle." - Albert Einstein...
Posted in The Heart of the Matter on July 12, 2010 11:00 PM
TPRF Launches New WebsiteIf you are interested in the work of Prem Rawat (aka Maharaji), you would be well served to check out the Grand Opening of his foundation's new website. TPRF.org includes the latest news about Prem Rawat's travels, as well...
Posted in The Heart of the Matter on July 5, 2010 08:32 PM
Food for No Thought"The pure-hearted man fulfills the supreme purpose of life through the instructions of his Guru, even though they be casually imparted. The worldly-minded man studies and inquires throughout his life, yet remains unenlightened." -- Ashtavakra Image...
Posted in The Heart of the Matter on July 2, 2010 03:02 PM
Life Is Like a Pinball Game, Isn't It?Life is like a pinball game. Well, maybe not. But for the sake of the next few minutes, let's stay with the pinball metaphor. OK? I mean, the whole playing field is tilted, right? And no matter how talented...
Posted in The Heart of the Matter on July 1, 2010 09:06 PM
Prem Rawat in ItalyOn June 22nd, Prem Rawat (aka Maharaji) was honored by local leaders, citizens and officials at Garibaldi Piazza in Sandrio, Italy. Here is an excerpt from his address: "The desire to find peace is in the heart of every...
Posted in The Heart of the Matter on June 25, 2010 02:50 AM
Going AwakeTwo nights ago, as I was getting into bed, it dawned on me what a pleasure it is to sleep. The act of getting under the covers, laying down my head, and letting go of the world is an...
Posted in The Heart of the Matter on June 24, 2010 02:08 AM
Maharaji in MiamiWhat follows are excerpts from Maharaji's public event in Miami on June 13th -- as recalled by five people who attended. "If you are interested in the joy of life, I can help you." "It is not a question...
Posted in The Heart of the Matter on June 15, 2010 08:34 AM
One Love, One LinerIf you are going to the June 13th event in Miami to see Prem Rawat, here's an invitation for you: Remember ONE LINE of his talk and email it to me. I will select from the one liners I...
Posted in The Heart of the Matter on June 11, 2010 01:31 PM
The Paradise Inside"There's not too many people on the face of this earth who can truly stand up and say, 'You know, I'm going through about the worst time in my life, but you know what? My happiness has not been...
Posted in The Heart of the Matter on May 24, 2010 08:13 AM
Falling in Love?There's a phrase in the English language that makes no sense to me even though I've used it hundreds of times: "Falling in love." Falling? Really? Certainly there must be a better way to describe one of the sweetest...
Posted in The Heart of the Matter on May 19, 2010 02:31 AM
There Is Another Part of YouWords of wisdom from Prem Rawat... "Guess what? There is another part of you. That other part of you is called the heart. Do you know how to use that part? Because if you don't, it's just like walking...
Posted in The Heart of the Matter on May 10, 2010 09:32 AM
The Wisdom of George Carlin"The paradox of our time in history is that we have taller buildings but shorter tempers, wider freeways, but narrower viewpoints. We spend more, but have less, we buy more, but enjoy less. We have bigger houses and smaller...
Posted in The Heart of the Matter on May 4, 2010 09:04 PM
A General Rule of Thumb"Never tell people how to do things. Tell them what to do and they will surprise you with their ingenuity." -- General George Patton...
Posted in The Heart of the Matter on May 2, 2010 11:45 PM
Maharaji in JaipurMaharaji (aka Prem Rawat) spoke to 14,000 people in Jaipur, India on April 15th. Here is a link to the article on the Words of Peace Global website. It's happening, folks. Photo: Priyanka Mast More...
Posted in The Heart of the Matter on April 30, 2010 09:51 AM
BE YOURSELF!Be yourself...
Posted in The Heart of the Matter on April 22, 2010 12:59 PM
Buying a Book for My MotherFor many years I wanted to buy a book for my mother -- a book that would explain everything... what I hadn't or couldn't explain since I had been old enough to notice my mother wasn't all that happy...
Posted in The Heart of the Matter on April 21, 2010 01:15 AM
I'm High Up in My Poetry Today and Won't Come DownOkie dokie... For those of you who love devotional poetry, here is a selection from the promised land beneath all our feet. Most of them are mine (hey, it's my blog!), but you'll also find some goodies from Rumi,...
Posted in The Heart of the Matter on April 15, 2010 12:04 AM
Inspiring Words from Prem RawatMore...
Posted in The Heart of the Matter on April 6, 2010 11:40 PM
Four Days After April Fool's Day"A fool thinks himself to be wise, but a wise man knows himself to be a fool." - William Shakespeare "For God's sake give me the young man who has brains enough to make a fool of himself!" -...
Posted in The Heart of the Matter on April 4, 2010 08:54 PM
The Only Game in TownIllustration...
Posted in The Heart of the Matter on April 3, 2010 09:58 PM
The Beauty of What's in Front of YouA man sat at a metro station in Washington DC and started to play the violin; it was a cold January morning. He played six Bach pieces for about 45 minutes. During that time, since it was rush hour,...
Posted in The Heart of the Matter on March 30, 2010 02:14 PM
I Share My Poetry Too SoonI share my poetry too soon, before it is done, a small man beneath a half moon gossiping about the sun. Too soon told secret, it ruins what will come, this advertisement of a human heart, alone before the...
Posted in The Heart of the Matter on March 27, 2010 01:26 AM
Find the KeyFind Out More...
Posted in The Heart of the Matter on March 22, 2010 12:45 AM
Maharaji in Miami"In each one of us lies the source of joy. Of fulfillment. That's reality. That's the true reality." "Heaven? Where is that heaven? Drop the glasses of arrogance and you will see that heaven is not away from you....
Posted in The Heart of the Matter on March 17, 2010 12:44 AM
Be Who You Are!...
Posted in The Heart of the Matter on March 16, 2010 10:13 PM
Maharaji in Santa Monica"You want to know the truth? The truth resides inside of you. Where else would it be?" "You are here. It's on! It's happening. The beautiful music you hear -- the orchestra is not just warming up." "In my...
Posted in The Heart of the Matter on March 8, 2010 12:34 AM
Dashboard LightThe sun is setting. There is precious little light to write my song of praise to you -- only the glow from the dashboard of a 1983 Toyota taking me deeper into the sudden mountains of Mexico. Victor, the...
Posted in The Heart of the Matter on March 3, 2010 10:44 PM
Why Am I Always Waiting?Why am I always waiting for you to greet me as if I had just gotten off a plane from some faraway place, your eyes opening wider, your breath coming faster, your beautiful soul moving closer as if nothing...
Posted in The Heart of the Matter on February 16, 2010 12:04 AM
SOS from Mexico!If you are reading this, please help me. I need your help! For the past eight days, I've been in Mexico, being deprogrammed. My captors are quite clever -- latino ninjas, I believe. They never show their faces. But they...
Posted in The Heart of the Matter on February 12, 2010 11:50 PM
ZEROZero is where the real fun starts. There's too much counting everywhere else. -- Hafiz...
Posted in The Heart of the Matter on February 3, 2010 12:14 AM
TPRF Makes $50,000 Donation to Haitian Relief EffortsWithin days of the earthquake in Haiti, The Prem Rawat Foundation (TPRF) made a donation of $50,000 to provide immediate food aid for survivors. TPRF teamed up with one of its ongoing partners, Friends of the World Food Program....
Posted in The Heart of the Matter on January 25, 2010 10:12 PM
A Lulu of a ContestOK, it's contest time! I just found out from my publisher (www.Lulu.com) that they are sponsoring a contest for their authors. It's a simple deal. The author who sells the most copies of his/her book in January wins $1,500....
Posted in The Heart of the Matter on January 11, 2010 02:16 PM
MERRY EVERYTHING: Beyond the StoryOne of the great benefits of having a living Master, is that you eventually realize how unbelievably tricky the mind is and how it likes to package your experiences in nice, tidy little boxes. While your heart is gleefully...
Posted in The Heart of the Matter on December 25, 2009 01:32 AM
Lao Tzu On the Ancient Masters"The ancient masters were subtle, mysterious, profound, responsive. The depth of their knowledge is unfathomable. Because it is unfathomable, All we can do is describe their appearance. Watchful, like men crossing a winter stream. Alert, like men aware of...
Posted in The Heart of the Matter on December 18, 2009 01:50 AM
Five Inspiring Videos For YouHere ya go. Five inspiring videos for your viewing pleasure -- each one a treasure. Themes? Gratitude. Unity. Joy. Diversity. Celebration. Non-Attachment. You! Every Day Is Thanksgiving We Are All in This Together The Gospel of Everyday Life Stand...
Posted in The Heart of the Matter on November 28, 2009 06:11 PM
Maharaji in India: 11/7This just in from Maharaji's public event in Noida, a city south of New Delhi (as recalled by Lucka Koscak). "Do not forget that you are a renter, not an owner. One day you'll be thrown out." "Do you...
Posted in The Heart of the Matter on November 15, 2009 04:39 PM
Puppet-Ji Speaks!Today, it is my honor to welcome a very special guest speaker to The Heart of the Matter -- a highly esteemed, cosmically conscious, beyond duality channel of peace and love. Ladies and gentlemen, please join me in welcoming, the...
Posted in The Heart of the Matter on November 14, 2009 02:25 PM
A Picture's Worth a Thousand WordsMore...
Posted in The Heart of the Matter on November 6, 2009 01:49 PM
RUMI: Move Into Your House of JoyIf you knew yourself for even one moment, if you could just glimpse your most beautiful face, maybe you wouldn't slumber so deeply in that house of clay. Why not move into your house of joy and shine into...
Posted in The Heart of the Matter on November 2, 2009 12:12 AM
TPRF & America's Giving ChallengeAmerica's Giving Challenge has launched a very cool contest on Facebook -- one that gives TPRF an opportunity to win $50,000 (if it receives the most donations of $10 or more by 11/6). The contest is simple: Each day...
Posted in The Heart of the Matter on October 24, 2009 11:29 AM
Click, Connect, and Collaborate!Here's something I find odd: Soulful, loving, conscious people often find it difficult collaborating with others. The challenge of being on a team, somehow, pushes buttons. Patience wears thin. Judgment abounds. Trust goes out the window. But it doesn't...
Posted in The Heart of the Matter on October 20, 2009 11:53 PM
Be Happy! Savor the Moment!...
Posted in The Heart of the Matter on October 15, 2009 12:53 AM
Just This Crazy LaughterNow that you have shown me who I am with my own eyes, what do you want me to do? Sing your praises? No can do, I'm mute. Write love songs? Ha! My hands are shaking and so is...
Posted in The Heart of the Matter on October 7, 2009 04:59 PM
ALL IS WELL: Asheville ExcerptsWhat follows are excerpts from Maharaji's September 23rd event in Asheville. It is not a word for word transcription -- simply selected highlights as recalled by yours truly. Enjoy! "I am not here to lecture you and explain what...
Posted in The Heart of the Matter on September 24, 2009 11:32 PM
International Day of PeaceThe International Day of Peace ("Peace Day") provides an opportunity for individuals, organizations and nations to create practical acts of peace on a shared date. It was established by a United Nations resolution in 1981. In 2002, the General...
Posted in The Heart of the Matter on September 20, 2009 02:21 PM
One Moment at a TimeThanks to the almost omnipresent David Klamph for posting this on the Heart of the Matter FB group which you should definitely join immediately even if you have other important things to do right now and are totally overdosed...
Posted in The Heart of the Matter on September 19, 2009 10:38 PM
It's Never Too LATTE for Peace!Dalit Fresco likes coffee. But she likes something even more -- and that is the feeling of peace inside herself made sweetly accessible by her teacher, Prem Rawat (aka Maharaji). And so, in honor of the feeling Dalit is...
Posted in The Heart of the Matter on September 17, 2009 11:23 PM
Don't Try To Figure Out TomorrowSource...
Posted in The Heart of the Matter on September 17, 2009 09:17 PM
Seeing Exactly What IsSource...
Posted in The Heart of the Matter on September 16, 2009 11:31 PM
Things Are Headed in the Right Direction...
Posted in The Heart of the Matter on September 15, 2009 01:02 AM
A Dozen Red Roses!Today, in a sudden fit of love and appreciation, I bought a dozen roses and brought them home to my wife. Usually, when I think of buying roses, I go through a predictable sequence of events. First, I surrender...
Posted in The Heart of the Matter on August 30, 2009 09:50 PM
A Message from Maharaji"Imagine you have a little boat. And you want to tie it to something because you found a perfect harbor with a beautiful beach and nice clear water, and you want to spend some time there and have a...
Posted in The Heart of the Matter on August 25, 2009 10:57 AM
eBook Soon Coming!I am happy to announce that a PDF version of The Heart of the Matter will soon be available for downloading. Response to the blog has been very favorable since its launch 16 months ago and I want to...
Posted in The Heart of the Matter on August 21, 2009 11:34 AM
If You Have to Pray...Graphic: YPI.net...
Posted in The Heart of the Matter on August 5, 2009 04:10 AM
A Eulogy for My FatherA BIG THANK YOU to all of you who shared your love, wisdom, and condolences with me after the passing of my father on July 14th. It meant a lot to me. I am touched and humbled by the...
Posted in The Heart of the Matter on July 31, 2009 01:56 PM
At the ThresholdA few years ago I found myself standing in my closet, madly searching for clean clothes in a last minute attempt to pack before yet another business trip, when I noticed my 4-year old son standing at the entrance....
Posted in The Heart of the Matter on July 29, 2009 12:29 AM
Kabir, Duke Ellington, and the SwingBetween the conscious and the unconscious, the mind has put up a swing; all earth creatures, even the supernovas, sway between these two trees, and it never winds down. Angels, animals, humans, insects by the millions, also the wheeling...
Posted in The Heart of the Matter on July 24, 2009 01:16 PM
HAFIZ: My Sweet, Crushed Angel"You have not danced so badly, my dear, trying to hold hands with the Beautiful One. You have waltzed with great style, my sweet, crushed angel, to have ever neared God's Heart at all. Our Partner is notoriously difficult...
Posted in The Heart of the Matter on July 23, 2009 10:14 PM
The Slide Show and the Sleeping BagWhen I received Knowledge in 1971, my life turned around for the better. One of the benefits that soon followed was the recognition of just how beautiful it was to serve -- to give from the heart without any...
Posted in The Heart of the Matter on July 19, 2009 07:14 AM
RUMI: Inside This New LoveInside this new love, die. Your way begins on the other side. Become the sky. Take an axe to the prison wall. Escape. Walk out like someone suddenly born into color. Do it now. Thanks to Janet Wallace for...
Posted in The Heart of the Matter on July 16, 2009 11:16 PM
The Most Amazing MiracleSource...
Posted in The Heart of the Matter on July 6, 2009 09:18 AM
Mozart on Love"Neither a lofty degree of intelligence, nor imagination, nor both together, go to the making of genius. Love, Love, Love. That is the soul of genius."...
Posted in The Heart of the Matter on June 29, 2009 07:19 PM
These Two Universes Walk Into a BarPhoto/Text...
Posted in The Heart of the Matter on June 27, 2009 10:41 PM
Give Up Anger, Fear, Guilt, and DoubtMore Photo...
Posted in The Heart of the Matter on June 24, 2009 01:52 AM
TPRF Awarded 4-Stars for ExcellenceThe Prem Rawat Foundation (TPRF) has just been awarded a 4-star rating from Charity Navigator, America's largest independent evaluator of charities. According to Charity Navigator, "Receiving four out of a possible four stars indicates that your organization excels, as...
Posted in The Heart of the Matter on June 14, 2009 07:09 PM
Words of Peace Global.org launched!This just in! A beautiful new website, www.wopg.org, featuring the message of Prem Rawat (aka Maharaji) has just been launched. Elegantly designed, easy to navigate, the site has something for everyone: excerpts of his talks set to music, webcasts,...
Posted in The Heart of the Matter on June 8, 2009 11:43 PM
Love Is Simple...
Posted in The Heart of the Matter on June 6, 2009 08:33 AM
In Plain SightThis 3D animation, by Joel Metzger, is quite lovely -- a simple story that communicates the basic need we all have to discover what often seems hidden from sight. Joel worked on this project for a year and "would love...
Posted in The Heart of the Matter on May 30, 2009 03:21 AM
You're Right!There is a scene from Fiddler on the Roof that has taught me more about life than most holy books I've read. In it, two men are arguing over the age of a horse. When they see Tevye, the...
Posted in The Heart of the Matter on May 23, 2009 02:26 AM
What is Waiting Within UsSource...
Posted in The Heart of the Matter on May 22, 2009 03:45 PM
MAHARAJI IN AMAROO: May 1(Excerpts of Maharaji's talk, as recalled by two World Wide News Reporters.) "In Australia, sometimes on the land, the Milky Way is very visible at night. Looking at this vastness, one could feel very insignificant; all those questions come rolling...
Posted in The Heart of the Matter on May 20, 2009 12:42 AM
Maharaji in Auckland, New ZealandThis just in. Hot off the virtual press. Coverage of Maharaji's May 9th event in Auckland, brought to you by the newly launched World Wide News Pool. Download file A few excerpts from Maharaji's talk: "What if we bypassed all...
Posted in The Heart of the Matter on May 16, 2009 04:47 AM
The Heart of the Matter eBook PollDear Lovers of Life, In an effort to get the content of the Heart of the Matter into as many hands as possible, I am in the process of producing a FREE, downloadable ebook version of the blog (140-160 pages)....
Posted in The Heart of the Matter on May 15, 2009 04:05 PM
Mimi and Mahatma-JiFor the past two days, my wife Evelyne and I have had the good fortune of hosting Charananand at our home, in Woodstock, New York. (He's been here to speak at an introductory program featuring the message of Prem...
Posted in The Heart of the Matter on May 13, 2009 03:53 AM
Blasts from the (Recent) PastDear Lover of Life: There's a lot more content on this blog than you've probably seen so far (307 postings altogether). To access what's here, just log on, scroll down, and click on the archives links in the sidebar. (You...
Posted in The Heart of the Matter on April 22, 2009 09:44 PM
Get a Big Canvas and Paint!Photo...
Posted in The Heart of the Matter on April 15, 2009 12:02 AM
Happy Next Breath!From Quote of the Day...
Posted in The Heart of the Matter on April 10, 2009 05:35 AM
Harvest MeStories of your beauty drift down to me like ash from a fire I have not yet been warmed by. Your absence only singes me, and though I flame at the mere mention of you, still I remain unconsumed....
Posted in The Heart of the Matter on March 26, 2009 12:54 AM
The Right Bank for Changing TimesThis just in from David Gittlin, guest blogger and all around cool guy. The moment arrived unannounced during a set of solitary yoga postures on my plush, living room rug. A long stretch to relieve the tension of the day...
Posted in The Heart of the Matter on March 24, 2009 08:45 PM
One LoveOne more beautiful music video by Playing For Change. And don't miss Stand By Me....
Posted in The Heart of the Matter on March 17, 2009 01:58 AM
HAFIZ: Where Dolphins DanceAgain, the work starts as soon as you open your eyes in the morning. Hopefully you got some good rest last night. Why go into the city or the fields without first kissing the Friend who always stands at...
Posted in The Heart of the Matter on February 20, 2009 02:13 AM
Outsource This!Need more time in your life? Feeling overwhelmed by your day job and other "worldly responsibilities?" Check this out... In an extraordinary move, destined to be emulated by movers and shakers everywhere, I've just outsourced all my sleep to a...
Posted in The Heart of the Matter on February 16, 2009 05:20 PM
DOWNLOAD THIS: Maharaji in SicilyEvery year the citizens of Agrigento, Sicily celebrate the Festival of the Almond Blossom. This year the festival was celebrated in a unique way. Prem Rawat (aka Maharaji), Ambassador of Peace, was invited by the local government to light...
Posted in The Heart of the Matter on February 12, 2009 09:01 PM
Jumping for JoyA few months ago I had a beautiful dream. I was a guest at Prem Rawat's residence, along with a bunch of other people and was walking around his very spacious grounds when, out of the blue, he signals...
Posted in The Heart of the Matter on February 10, 2009 12:46 AM
Maharaji in Agrigento, ItalyThis just in from Agrigento, a city on the southern coast of Sicily. Details to follow. Stay tuned....
Posted in The Heart of the Matter on February 7, 2009 08:46 AM
"Every act of creation is, first of all, an act of destruction." - Pablo PicassoNo one likes change. No one likes chaos. No one likes starting all over again -- especially the older we get. Get over it, folks! The only way the species survives is by adapting to change -- and change is...
Posted in The Heart of the Matter on February 4, 2009 05:23 PM
Raising the Bar for TeamworkIf you are committed to accomplishing extraordinary results, chances are good that you will need to collaborate with others. Your ideas and dedication, no matter how wonderful they might be, will never be enough by themselves. It takes a village....
Posted in The Heart of the Matter on January 24, 2009 07:39 PM
NEW WEBSITE: Man of PeaceIf you are looking for a lucid, well-written, visually compelling, online bio of Maharaji, click here. A team of people from Canada, Japan, and Australia have recently produced the first ever biographical website on Maharaji's work in the world,...
Posted in The Heart of the Matter on January 20, 2009 09:56 PM
Bob Dylan On Life, Truth & Being RealThe history of planet Earth is the history of truth telling -- or at least the attempt to do so. Since the very first cave painting, people have been trying to communicate essence, meaning, and the timeless. The messengers...
Posted in The Heart of the Matter on January 2, 2009 01:27 PM
HAPPY NEW YEAR! Best Videos of 2008Celebrating New Year's Eve? Letting go of the old and ushering in the new? Raising a glass of champagne to love? Then take a look at Heart of the Matter's Best Videos of 2008. Some of them will make...
Posted in The Heart of the Matter on December 31, 2008 07:56 AM
The Whole World Is Dancing!Take a look at what one person, with a good idea and a lot of chutzpah, can do. It's MATT, a self-described "32 year old deadbeat from Connecticut" who travelled to 42 countries on 7 continents in 6 months and...
Posted in The Heart of the Matter on December 22, 2008 01:58 PM
The Story Behind the StoryAhhh...the Holidays are coming -- that delightful time of year when we finally unplug from work, eat large amounts of pie, and open lots of presents. Yahoo! And so, in that spirit, I thought it would be timely --...
Posted in The Heart of the Matter on December 20, 2008 01:50 AM
A Note to SubscribersIf you subscribe to The Heart of the Matter via email alerts, please know that the best way to view each posting is to click on the TITLE of each email alert you receive. This will take you to the...
Posted in The Heart of the Matter on December 14, 2008 11:43 PM
The Shortest Posts of 2008In keeping with my height (5'8"), today's posting will be short. More to the point, it will be a hyperlinked list of Heart of the Matter's TOP TEN shortest postings of 2008 -- kind of like an early Christmas present...
Posted in The Heart of the Matter on December 13, 2008 10:16 PM
A Real Tour de ForceWell, there you have it. Maharaji's most recent world tour is now, it seems, completed (though one never really knows). Time now for Maharaji, I'm guessing, to get some much needed rest. How he travels so far and so often...
Posted in The Heart of the Matter on December 11, 2008 11:09 PM
So Far Beyond the Blues (revisited)In honor of Maharaji's birthday, what follows is a previously posted story about his 50th birthday event in San Diego last year -- or at least an aspect of it, seen through the eyes of yours truly. Happy 51st...
Posted in The Heart of the Matter on December 10, 2008 06:18 PM
DANCE, DANCE, DANCE: The SequelTwo days ago, I posted a one-minute video of Maharaji dancing, on stage, at one of his events ten years ago. A few hours later, a concerned Heart of the Matter reader emailed me and questioned how the video...
Posted in The Heart of the Matter on December 9, 2008 08:07 PM
Maharaji in TaiwanBelow are a few paraphrased highlights of Maharaji's presentation in Taiwan on November 30th. Thanks to Jan Buchalter for sharing her recollections with us. "You are told that your lover, whom you have not seen for two years, is...
Posted in The Heart of the Matter on December 4, 2008 04:56 AM
Diving In DeeperIf you are new to Heart of the Matter, chances are good you've only seen a small percentage of what's available to you here -- more than 200 postings of all kinds: videos, slide shows, excerpts and reports from Maharaji's...
Posted in The Heart of the Matter on November 29, 2008 05:12 PM
Maharaji in MalaysiaWhat follows are a few paraphrased highlights of Maharaji's presentation in Shah Alam, Malaysia on November 27th. Thanks to Jan Buchalter for sharing her recollections with us. "When you are having this experience of the unchanging truth, you can...
Posted in The Heart of the Matter on November 29, 2008 01:11 AM
Jump Starting Possibility, Creative Ideas, and Forward MovementI begin this 204th blog posting with a big, fat assumption -- that you, dear reader, are enthusiastically involved in some kind of project, venture, or team that has something to do with inspiration, service, or spreading peace in...
Posted in The Heart of the Matter on November 26, 2008 12:31 PM
Einstein Speaks!Three weeks ago, my 11-year old daughter Mimi, (hugging Einstein's arm) and her two friends went to the Madame Tussaud Wax Museum in New York City. They had their pictures taken with all the legends; Brittany Spears, Robin Williams,...
Posted in The Heart of the Matter on November 23, 2008 10:21 PM
The Wisdom of the EldersWhat do Clint Eastwood, Madeline Albright, Willie Nelson, Alan Alda, Desmond Tutu, Jane Goodall, Ravi Shankar, Edward Kennedy, Andrew Wyeth, Frank Gehry and a host of other creative movers and shakers have in common beside fame? Wisdom! Click here...
Posted in The Heart of the Matter on November 22, 2008 03:24 PM
EXCERPTS: Maharaji in KotputliThanks to Bhajan-ji for forwarding these excerpts of Maharaji's talk in Kotputli, India: 11/17/08 "If you weren't there, what would I do? And if I wasn't there, what would you do?" "The well of joy is within you." "Everyone has...
Posted in The Heart of the Matter on November 20, 2008 09:34 PM
POLL RESULTS: Heart of the Matter Readers Share Their FeedbackTwo weeks ago I posted a poll on this blog, asking readers for feedback. 77 people responded. What follows is a summary of the results, my reflections on the data, and an invitation for YOU to participate in the ongoing...
Posted in The Heart of the Matter on November 20, 2008 01:16 AM
EXPONENTIAL TIMES: The AvalancheA few years ago, Maharaji spoke about something he called "The Avalanche" -- a phenomenon that would enable people all over the world to hear about his message and, with the availability of The Keys and a growing number of...
Posted in The Heart of the Matter on November 19, 2008 01:07 PM
Maharaji in India: Part 4VIDEO: (not from India -- 3:33) Photo courtesy of Inner Nomads...
Posted in The Heart of the Matter on November 16, 2008 11:59 PM
Golfing in JaipurThanks, again, to Loring Baker for sharing his reflections from India... Today I participated in the first Delhi TPRF Golf tournament. About 54 people played, including many young Indian Golf pros. I believe almost $100,000 was raised for TPRF. Major...
Posted in The Heart of the Matter on November 15, 2008 12:19 AM
20 Ways to Introduce Maharaji to a Friend, Relative, or NeighborThe act of introducing people to Maharaji and his gift of Knowledge is a curious challenge. On one hand, some people are wide-open and experience his message to be very compelling. On the other hand, some find his message intriguing,...
Posted in The Heart of the Matter on November 11, 2008 10:19 AM
Maharaji in India: Part 3What follows are Loring Baker's reflections on the third day of Maharaji's event in New Delhi... "The joy of service." That phrase keeps playing in my head. Yesterday was the last day of the event. Maharaji's focus was on...
Posted in The Heart of the Matter on November 10, 2008 10:52 PM
Maharaji in India: Part 2RAJ VIDYA KENDER, Delhi: 11/10/09 This just in from Loring Baker, onsite at Maharaji's events in India... I just got back from dinner after the event this afternoon. I am staying with an American man I do business with...
Posted in The Heart of the Matter on November 10, 2008 09:52 PM
Maharaji in India: Part 1Thanks to Loring Baker for sharing his on-site observations with us. RAJ VIDYA KENDER, Delhi, 11/08/09 -- I'm wide awake after four hours sleep. Full jet lag, for sure, awake, but un-restless and remembering Maharaji from yesterday's event. After...
Posted in The Heart of the Matter on November 10, 2008 06:44 AM
HEART OF THE MATTER POLL #2Whether you're a first time reader or a long-term fan, I'd love your feedback about this blog. What would you like to see more of? Less of? What new features would you like added? I'd also like to learn more...
Posted in The Heart of the Matter on November 7, 2008 08:22 AM
Maharaji in JohannesburgIn response to many heartfelt requests, Maharaji accepted an invitation to speak in Johannesburg, South Africa, on October 31, at the OR Tambo Conference Center. Seven hundred and fifty guests attended -- many of whom hadn't seen him since...
Posted in The Heart of the Matter on November 4, 2008 01:30 PM
RUMI: Telling It Like It IsKeep walking, there's no place to get to. Don't try to see through the distances, That's not for human beings. Move within, but don't move the way fear makes you move. One day, you will take me completely out...
Posted in The Heart of the Matter on October 30, 2008 08:36 PM
A Picture's Worth a Thousand Words...
Posted in The Heart of the Matter on October 30, 2008 01:00 AM
The Diamond Cutter's Stroke of LoveThis morning, on a weekend jaunt in New York City with my wife and two kids, getting ready to go out for brunch at an overpriced West Village restaurant and obsessing about cash flow, U.S. politics, and the sound...
Posted in The Heart of the Matter on October 26, 2008 04:33 PM
Failure Is Not What You Think It IsIf you're inspired and have an idea you think will make a difference in the world, chances are good that you are feeling two things -- excitement and a fear of failure. You're excited because you're motivated from the inside...
Posted in The Heart of the Matter on October 13, 2008 12:37 PM
Excerpts from Maharaji's Talk in TorontoThe following excerpts are my best attempts at capturing, live, some of what Maharaji said at the Toronto event on October 4th. It is not verbatim. And in some cases, I have paraphrased his words. MD "I have a...
Posted in The Heart of the Matter on October 4, 2008 10:50 PM
If You Have the Thirst to Learn More About What Maharaji Offers...If you have the thirst to learn more about what Maharaji offers and know you want to receive Knowledge, there's a simple, practical way to prepare -- The Keys. The Keys are a set of DVDs to help people,...
Posted in The Heart of the Matter on September 25, 2008 12:40 PM
The Temple of Your HeartI just came across these inspiring words from Maharaji on innerlink.tv. A timeless message, indeed... "Look in you. Look in your heart. And you will find the truest essence of your existence. Look within you and you will find...
Posted in The Heart of the Matter on September 24, 2008 12:11 PM
Miami NiceTonight I had the good fortune of being at an event with Maharaji at the Jackie Gleason Theater in Miami Beach. Here are some excerpts: "I didn't just give you a glass of water. I talked you into digging...
Posted in The Heart of the Matter on September 20, 2008 10:28 PM
On My Way to See Maharaji TodayOkie dokie. I'm heading to the airport in an hour to fly to Florida. Going to see Maharaji at an event in Miami on Saturday, then again in Gainesville on Sunday. If you make it to either of these...
Posted in The Heart of the Matter on September 19, 2008 09:09 AM
KABIR: I Talk to My Inner LoverI talk to my inner lover and I say, why such rush? We sense that there is some sort of spirt that loves birds and animals and the ants -- perhaps the same one who gave a radiance to...
Posted in The Heart of the Matter on September 13, 2008 01:07 AM
What You've Liked So Far...Since the launching of this blog on April 1, 2008, I've posted 168 items that have been viewed thousands of times. Of these, ten have risen to the top as the most viewed. Here they are: 1. When You Walk...
Posted in The Heart of the Matter on September 11, 2008 12:38 PM
Doing the Seeming ImpossibleOK. Here's a wake up call for all of us who think our life or work challenges are impossible. Click below to see what this chap accomplished, then ask yourself whether or not what YOU'RE trying to accomplish (i.e. stay...
Posted in The Heart of the Matter on September 6, 2008 09:54 AM
Rumi and Kabir BowlingLast year, as I understand it, Rumi was the best selling poet in the United States -- 800+ years after he was alive. Amazing, eh? Clearly, there is something timeless and universal in his words. Kabir, too, is still...
Posted in The Heart of the Matter on September 5, 2008 07:39 AM
HAFIZ: Tired of Speaking SweetlyLove wants to reach out and manhandle us, break all our teacup talk of God. If you had the courage and could give the Beloved His choice, some nights, He would just drag you around the room by your...
Posted in The Heart of the Matter on August 9, 2008 02:10 PM
THE BEST INVITATION YOU'LL GET TODAY: Moments with MaharajiIf you've been reading this blog for a while, you've probably noticed that some of the postings describe memorable moments I've had with Maharaji over the years -- interactions that taught me something useful, fascinated me, or further connected...
Posted in The Heart of the Matter on August 7, 2008 11:59 PM
Remember this Feeling?...
Posted in The Heart of the Matter on August 2, 2008 10:13 AM
NEWS: Maharaji's Broadcast to One Million People in India, Nepal, and Mauritius: 7/31/08Thanks to Dagmar Zierer, Cath Carroll, Jan Buchalter, and others for forwarding their recollections and impressions of the Derby, UK broadcast. On July 31, from The Assembly Room in Derby, England, a broadcast of an event with Maharaji went...
Posted in The Heart of the Matter on August 1, 2008 01:24 PM
The Ten Commandments for Visiting a New Age AshramDuring the past two decades, a curious phenomenon has swept this nation. Inspired by the teachings of several Master souls from the East, an unusually large number of ashrams and retreats have made their appearance on the scene -- spiritual...
Posted in The Heart of the Matter on July 23, 2008 12:32 AM
Hidden Goodies for YouIf you like what you see on this blog, I invite you to click on the April, March, February, and January links in the archives (located in the sidebar). There you will find another 81 postings which you will not...
Posted in The Heart of the Matter on July 2, 2008 10:26 PM
Excerpts from Maharaji's Talk Today in Palermo, ItalyWhat follows is an in-the-moment report from Jule Kowarsky, who just attended an event with Maharaji, in Palermo, Italy. Jule notes that Maharaji addressed 1,200 people in a magnificent historic opera house. She goes on to say that several local...
Posted in The Heart of the Matter on June 30, 2008 07:45 PM
HEART OF THE MATTER Readers Chime In!On June 18th I posted my "34 Reasons Why I Like Being With Maharaji." At the end of the list, I invited Heart of the Matter readers to add their own reasons -- why they like being with Maharaji. Nine...
Posted in The Heart of the Matter on June 29, 2008 07:11 PM
PASSAGES: A Video Retrospective of Maharaji's MessageBilly Fairchild just sent me this link to a fabulous series of eight online videos (repackaged for the internet from the original PASSAGES video produced by Kate McGowan and John McNelly in 2001 to celebrate Maharaji's 30th anniversary in...
Posted in The Heart of the Matter on June 18, 2008 10:40 AM
TA DA! Results of the June 14th Heart of the Matter PollOne of the good things about life, the universe, and blogging is that they are all interactive. Or at least, they're supposed to be. No man is an island; neither is he an isthmus, peninsula, or archipelago. Which is precisely...
Posted in The Heart of the Matter on June 17, 2008 04:38 PM
I AM LISTENING TO YOU: Please Respond to This Simple PollDear Heart of the Matter Reader: Now that this blog is a few months old, I'd like to get some feedback from you. Simply put, I want to find out what aspects of the blog are most compelling to you...
Posted in The Heart of the Matter on June 14, 2008 12:42 PM
MAHARAJI: Albany, NY -- 6/07/08"Here's a new definition of life: Your opportunity to spend time with the best friend you ever had... with the ultimate kindness... with the infinite... with the ultimate joy."...
Posted in The Heart of the Matter on June 8, 2008 06:17 AM
Peace Is PossiblePeace Is Possible is the first complete biography of Prem Rawat. It documents his extraordinary life, from growing up with a father who was a revered master, to the day he first addressed audiences at age three, to being...
Posted in The Heart of the Matter on June 5, 2008 01:02 PM
BroomHave you ever felt that nothing you do actually matters -- that all your efforts, no matter how selfless, inspired, or persevering are merely finger paintings in the void? Ultimately, it's not so much what we do, but how...
Posted in The Heart of the Matter on June 3, 2008 09:51 PM
Shameless Self-PromotionDear Heart of the Matter reader: If you are enjoying this blog, chances are good you will also enjoy my new book, Awake at the Wheel. Part fable, part creative thinking toolbox, the book is a simple way to...
Posted in The Heart of the Matter on June 1, 2008 07:52 AM
Welcome Aboard!Welcome to The Heart of the Matter, my recently launched blog about what's really important in this life: love, longing, laughter, letting go, peace, freedom, fulfillment, gratitude, and the realization that NOW is the moment to enjoy it all....
Posted in The Heart of the Matter on May 20, 2008 05:11 PM
"Not everything that counts can be counted; and not everything that can be counted counts." (Albert Einstein)Some things we can measure. Some things we can't. And just because we can measure something doesn't make it more real or significant. Einstein knew this. There was always the "X factor" for him -- mystery, the unknown, the...
Posted in The Heart of the Matter on May 17, 2008 11:02 AM
JazzmanA couple of nights ago I went to a local concert that featured my friend, the jazz saxophonist, Peter Buettner and his quartet. I had heard Peter play many times before, but never like this. He was soaring, free,...
Posted in The Heart of the Matter on May 15, 2008 11:53 AM
Time Out for LoveTa da! Introducing Jesse (13) and Mimi (11), my two kids. When Jesse was four, I asked him what he wanted to be when he grew up. "Everything!" he replied, without missing a beat. And then there was the...
Posted in The Heart of the Matter on April 29, 2008 07:44 AM
I Take RequestsThink back a few years. Maybe all the way back to high school. Did you ever call your local radio station to request a specific song? Pre-iTunes, pre-Google, it might have been the only way you could have heard that...
Posted in The Heart of the Matter on April 13, 2008 12:06 AM
It's Hard to Write a Blues Song in JamaicaIt's hard to write a blues song in Jamaica Or any island in the tropics With all those mangoes and papayas I can't seem to find the topics, Yeah, it's hard to write a blues song In a place that's...
Posted in The Heart of the Matter on February 11, 2008 06:25 AM
Forget About the Box, Get Out of the Cave!See the caveman to your left? That's Og. He's the protagonist of my new book, Awake at the Wheel: Getting Your Great Ideas Rolling (in an Uphill World). The word "protagonist" is not in Og's vocabulary. Never was, never will...
Posted in The Heart of the Matter on February 8, 2008 12:29 PM
Search Results
This ThirstSome spoken word by yours truly...
Posted in Unspoken Word on January 27, 2024 10:43 PM
Prometheseus Speaks...
Posted in Unspoken Word on April 27, 2023 11:13 PM
Today is the Launch of "Unspoken Word: Love, Longing & Letting Go"Dear Friends: If you have been reading this blog for a while, there is a very good chance you will enjoy my just-published book of poetry dedicated to Prem Rawat, "Unspoken Word: Love, Longing & Letting Go." Today is...
Posted in Unspoken Word on April 21, 2023 09:27 PM
You May Not Know This Man. His Name is Hank Alpert.I first met Hank when we were 6-years old at the Willets Road Elementary School in Roslyn Heights, NY. Because our last names started with letters in the beginning of the alphabet, we were always in the same homeroom...
Posted in Unspoken Word on April 19, 2023 08:11 AM
What People Are Saying About My New Book of Poetry: Part 1UnspokenWordBook.com Buy on Amazon What ChatGBT has to say about my poetry...
Posted in Unspoken Word on April 18, 2023 04:33 PM
The Lost JournalsUpon moving from Woodstock to Catskill, New York last year and getting quite a workout lifting, carrying, tossing, selling, and noticing way too many possessions, I came across three boxes in the garage of old journals of mine --...
Posted in Unspoken Word on February 6, 2023 07:44 PM
Who Can I Share My Joy With?MitchDitkoff.com Full Moon at Sunrise Photograph: unsplash-logoNathan Dumlao...
Posted in Unspoken Word on February 4, 2023 06:54 PM
Advanced Praise for "Unspoken Word: Love Longing & Letting Go"My fourth book of poetry, Unspoken Word: On Love, Longing and Letting Go, will be published in March, 2023. What follows are a selection of comments from early readers of the manuscript: "Your poetry has given me one of...
Posted in Unspoken Word on December 5, 2022 08:25 PM
How to Order "Unspoken Word"My next book of poetry, "Unspoken Word: On Love, Longing and Letting Go" will be published in March, 2023. If you would like to receive an email alert when the book is out, all you need to do is...
Posted in Unspoken Word on November 25, 2022 08:54 AM
If You Enjoy Reading What I WriteIf you enjoy my writing, I invite you to click on any one of the six links below. These are the six most popular posts of mine on MEDIUM -- an online platform where I am publishing daily. If...
Posted in Unspoken Word on November 23, 2022 08:37 AM
Poets on Poetry"A poem is never finished, only abandoned." - Paul Valery "Genuine poetry can communicate before it is understood." - T.S. Eliot "If I feel physically as if the top of my head were taken off, I know that is...
Posted in Unspoken Word on November 13, 2022 08:54 AM
The Shortest Pilgrimage (and the rebooting of my MEDIUM blog)Good news! After a long hiatus, I have rebooted my blog on MEDIUM -- a very lovely online platform where the best of my writing is being published. I will be posting one piece daily. Feel free to subscribe....
Posted in Unspoken Word on November 13, 2022 04:52 AM
What People Are Saying About "Unspoken Word" PerformancesOn October 22 at the Arts Society of Kingston (ASK), Steve Gorn, Barbara Bash and Mitch Ditkoff performed an alchemical mix of evocative poetry, inspired music and in-the-moment art-making -- all under the creative direction of Wiley Basho Gorn....
Posted in Unspoken Word on October 24, 2022 12:11 PM
How to Listen to the BelovedExcerpted from Full Moon at Sunrise...
Posted in Unspoken Word on October 9, 2022 05:40 AM
Rilke's Late Night Violin MusicRainer Maria Rilke, the genius German poet who translated God in ways no scripture has ever come close to, once wondered why every time he walked beneath a high window (out of which violin music could be heard) he...
Posted in Unspoken Word on September 16, 2022 09:06 PM
What Is This Strange Forgetting?An audio poem for your enjoyment Photo: Courtesy of TimelessToday...
Posted in Unspoken Word on August 25, 2022 09:13 PM
Madonnas of the BasementThis just in from Alla Rogers, a deeply soulful and benevolent woman with Ukrainian roots. In the basement womb of unrecognizable buildings once homes, schools, and hospitals, amid the shuddering and shaking of bombs and missiles proclaiming their symphony...
Posted in Unspoken Word on March 22, 2022 04:24 PM
The World Is a Milkweed PodMore (or less) here...
Posted in Unspoken Word on December 28, 2021 07:25 AM
THIS THIRSTThere is an aching deep within my heart that cannot be explained. It wakes me in the middle of the night and write these lines -- a kind of fishing in a great sea I cannot find by day....
Posted in Unspoken Word on December 22, 2021 10:53 PM
I WANT TO SAY THANK YOUI want to say thank you, but to whom? Who is the one I want to thank, the one for whom I was born or should I say born through, the source of it all, the center of the...
Posted in Unspoken Word on November 28, 2021 10:05 AM
And I Have Seen Him Dance...
Posted in Unspoken Word on November 25, 2021 10:01 AM
Writing These Words to YouAll I am doing right now is writing these words to you, small helium- filled balloons I offer for all your birthdays I missed. I do not know exactly where these balloons -- some red, some purple -- will take...
Posted in Unspoken Word on November 5, 2021 10:02 AM
UNSPOKEN WORD: 20 Book Promo Options for Your ConsiderationThanks for your interest in helping me spread the word about my forthcoming book of poetry (pub. date: 3/21/23). What follows is a list of ways you can help. Please take a moment to review this list, then email...
Posted in Unspoken Word on October 4, 2021 08:11 AM
Radiant Being of LightTimelessToday...
Posted in Unspoken Word on October 1, 2021 07:03 PM
Here Comes the Awakening Creativity ConferenceIt's free. It's fabulous. It's for you -- especially if you are interested in what it takes for a human being to be as creative as possible. And... drum roll please... I am one of the featured speakers. Click...
Posted in Unspoken Word on September 25, 2021 06:05 PM
23 Ways to Spread the Word About My Forthcoming Book of PoetryThank you for stepping up and becoming part of a creative community of big-hearted people open to helping me spread the word about my forthcoming book of poetry -- "Unspoken Word" -- to be published on March 21, 2023....
Posted in Unspoken Word on September 23, 2021 03:40 PM
When I Grow UpWhen I grow up, I want to be nobody, do nothing, go nowhere, having already arrived a long time ago. When I listen to my voice mail, no one will be talking, no one asking me for anything at...
Posted in Unspoken Word on August 15, 2021 12:00 AM
The Still Point of CreationThe still point of creation is like arriving, late at night, at an empty railway station, no trains coming, no trains going, just a big sky overhead and all the rivers flowing, there's nothing left to do here and...
Posted in Unspoken Word on May 31, 2021 08:36 AM
Allowing My Dreamer to DreamAllowing my dreamer to dream, I free myself of having to make something happen, my dreamer is in the incubation period. Something in her psyche knows it will be revealed through her to me. -- Tina Lipson...
Posted in Unspoken Word on April 2, 2021 09:53 PM
Praise...
Posted in Unspoken Word on February 4, 2021 09:19 AM
The Breath Blown Through Me...
Posted in Unspoken Word on February 2, 2021 10:13 PM
THE MASKAll my life I have tried to remove the mask -- that which separates me from others and myself, the face I show to be seen, the shield and the sword. Now I am being asked to put another...
Posted in Unspoken Word on November 29, 2020 01:19 PM
What We Really WantTimelessToday...
Posted in Unspoken Word on October 2, 2020 06:08 PM
I Take Photographs With Words...
Posted in Unspoken Word on September 15, 2020 09:11 AM
I Have Written 1,000 Poems for YouI have written a thousand poems for you that have never left my room, they fill the pages of notebooks stacked high on a shelf no one can reach, orphans they are, beggars afraid they are not noble enough...
Posted in Unspoken Word on August 13, 2020 03:43 AM
He Always Wanted to Say Things, But No One UnderstoodThe following poem was written by a senior high school student to his teacher, in Canada, two weeks before he committed suicide. This is quite a powerful piece of writing -- one that gives voice to what, I imagine,...
Posted in Unspoken Word on August 13, 2020 01:02 AM
May I Stay Here ForeverTimelessToday Excerpted from this book...
Posted in Unspoken Word on August 2, 2020 11:24 PM
SOAKED!People ask me what it was like being with you five days in a row. Here's what I tell them: It was like spinning around in a monsoon, cup in hand, trying to catch the rain. Every time I...
Posted in Unspoken Word on June 30, 2020 03:15 AM
PLUM TREEToday, I imagined everything I owned had reduced itself down to a singular plum tree -- the kind an 85-year old Japanese poet, sipping sake, likes to tend at the end of the day. This plum tree, this solitary...
Posted in Unspoken Word on June 26, 2020 04:17 PM
They Are Still LaughingTimelessToday Words of Peace Global PremRawat.com...
Posted in Unspoken Word on May 18, 2020 11:50 PM
Where Poetry Comes FromTimelessToday A Man of Few Words Choosing the Poetry of Life...
Posted in Unspoken Word on May 10, 2020 02:51 AM
Tradition!A great story from Fiddler on the Roof It's Steve Ornstein's birthday!...
Posted in Unspoken Word on May 2, 2020 07:26 AM
POETRYFull Moon at Sunrise Photo: Sydney Rae, Unsplash...
Posted in Unspoken Word on April 28, 2020 03:35 PM
Give Everything You Have/> Excerpted from this book...
Posted in Unspoken Word on April 22, 2020 06:23 PM
Homeless...
Posted in Unspoken Word on April 18, 2020 11:47 AM
Poetry Unread in 40 YearsA few months ago, while cleaning out my home office in preparation for selling my house, I found an old notebook filled with bits of poetry -- words I'd written 40 years ago during the time I lived in...
Posted in Unspoken Word on April 16, 2020 12:37 AM
BroomA clean sweep TimelessToday...
Posted in Unspoken Word on April 13, 2020 01:36 PM
The World Is a Milkweed PodTimelessToday...
Posted in Unspoken Word on April 11, 2020 01:52 PM
Be Empty Like the Sky...
Posted in Unspoken Word on April 6, 2020 02:56 PM
The Width of the UniverseAstrophysicists, as of this precise moment in time, believe the universe is 92 billion light years wide. Please don't ask me how they know, I can't tell you, especially since the half-life of scientific knowledge, these days, is only...
Posted in Unspoken Word on March 23, 2020 09:09 PM
The Value of Nothing...
Posted in Unspoken Word on March 10, 2020 04:27 AM
I Share My Poetry Too SoonTimelessToday...
Posted in Unspoken Word on February 28, 2020 10:24 PM
Floodgate PoetrySometimes, when I least expect it, something opens up inside me. A Red Sea parts and I am flooded once again. That's what happened to me today. I wouldn't call it a state of inspiration, but more a feeling...
Posted in Unspoken Word on February 16, 2020 03:26 AM
Disguised as Myself...
Posted in Unspoken Word on February 14, 2020 09:21 PM
Every Bubble of Water is a JewelNot excerpted from this book Not referred to on this website...
Posted in Unspoken Word on January 22, 2020 06:01 PM
Find Yourself, Lose Your Self...
Posted in Unspoken Word on January 18, 2020 06:47 AM
Does Anyone Really Understand?...
Posted in Unspoken Word on January 8, 2020 10:49 PM
Pavarotti and ILuciano Pavarotti just walked into my kitchen. He is crying, not for all those arias that made their way though him when he was a much younger man, but for the ones not yet written, the joy of a...
Posted in Unspoken Word on December 20, 2019 11:53 PM
Inspiring Quotes About Music"Music gives a soul to the universe, wings to the mind, flight to the imagination and life to everything." - Plato "If I were not a physicist, I would probably be a musician. I often think in music. I...
Posted in Unspoken Word on December 19, 2019 12:58 AM
The FlingMitchDitkoff.com...
Posted in Unspoken Word on December 16, 2019 11:51 PM
ONE OF THE ILLUSIONS OF LIFEOne of the illusions of life is that something needs to be done: a field to mow, a room to clean, a destination to reach. Actually, it's quite the opposite. something needs to be undone, untangled, unraveled, unmade, like the...
Posted in Unspoken Word on December 11, 2019 07:13 PM
Buddha in WinterTimelessToday My storytelling blog The True Fruit of the Spiritual Path...
Posted in Unspoken Word on December 7, 2019 06:19 PM
Cruisin' With RumiOn a bone cold February afternoon, 23 miles from home, in a Japanese car leased three months ago, I listen to Rumi, 800 years gone from praising everything that breathed. Lights are flashing everywhere, especially behind me, not white...
Posted in Unspoken Word on November 26, 2019 07:28 PM
A GREAT SADNESS IS UPON MEONE A great sadness is upon me, like a mist in a forest no one can see. It does not lift, this mist, even when butterflies find their way through it and wolves. Not yet a wise man, still...
Posted in Unspoken Word on November 3, 2019 09:32 AM
There Is a Lemon TreeThere is a lemon tree in my garden and a peach tree needing just a bit of fertilizer to return itself back to its pristine state of ultimate juiciness, which, they tell me, will take a year. In between...
Posted in Unspoken Word on October 26, 2019 10:55 PM
Radiant Being of LightTimelessToday...
Posted in Unspoken Word on October 3, 2019 08:39 PM
No Portal, No GateThere is a place between day and night, between now and later, between body and soul. There is no entry to this place, no portal, no gate. You cannot get there by going, only by already being there. It...
Posted in Unspoken Word on August 16, 2019 12:41 AM
The SwingTimelessToday...
Posted in Unspoken Word on August 14, 2019 04:28 AM
The Holiest of Prayers...
Posted in Unspoken Word on July 30, 2019 11:45 PM
The Poetry of PortraitureIf you are looking for a wonderful, easy-to-work-with artist to paint your portrait or the portrait of a loved one, Unspoken Word recommends San Miguel de Allende resident Evelyne Pouget. Now available for commissions. Oil on canvas or oil...
Posted in Unspoken Word on July 19, 2019 06:36 PM
AN ODE TO SELF IMPROVEMENTIf you are trying to improve yourself, please take a moment to consider the possibility that the self you are trying to improve either doesn't exist or is totally self-invented and what you are really trying to do is...
Posted in Unspoken Word on July 2, 2019 01:35 PM
FOR LIAHere is a wonderful poem recently written by my friend, Robert Esformes, in honor of his friend, Lia Lynn Rosen who has recently opened up a lovely pottery store and studio in Rosendale, NY. Pottery and poetry. They both begin...
Posted in Unspoken Word on June 27, 2019 02:21 PM
The One for Whom...
Posted in Unspoken Word on June 22, 2019 10:48 PM
You Are the WaterDay Three of Amaroo video TimelessToday...
Posted in Unspoken Word on June 18, 2019 12:52 PM
RosesMitchDitkoff.com...
Posted in Unspoken Word on April 24, 2019 04:06 PM
A Man of Many ColorsHere's a beautiful piece of art by my good friend Peter Buettner, soulful musician, composer and artist. The world is a better place with Peter here. And here's a review of one of Peter's Woodstock's concerts back in 2008....
Posted in Unspoken Word on March 29, 2019 08:28 AM
The Only Thing Left to DoLet go, let go of letting go, let go of letting go of letting go, then let go of that, too. What remains? Nothing and everything -- an infinite stage upon which the heart can dance. PremRawat.com TimelessToday.com...
Posted in Unspoken Word on March 21, 2019 11:37 AM
The Ecstatic Wound of Longing...
Posted in Unspoken Word on March 17, 2019 01:26 PM
What Moves Us All to Dream...
Posted in Unspoken Word on February 9, 2019 11:16 PM
Seek the One Beyond the VeilFull Moon at Sunrise...
Posted in Unspoken Word on January 28, 2019 06:52 AM
Your Eyesit is the universe, instead, that seems the scar. No blessed vision of light, no offered hand to squeeze whiter than mine could relieve me, only the treasure of being with you. Who cares what the end or beginning...
Posted in Unspoken Word on January 19, 2019 04:44 AM
A Song of Praise for the WorldWhat follows is a piece I wrote and performed at the Woodstock "One Voice" event, produced by Evelyne Pouget, three months after 911. For maximum value, read this piece aloud. I speak today with one voice, here in this...
Posted in Unspoken Word on November 28, 2018 01:46 PM
Longing Wells Up from WithinTimelessToday Heart of the Matter Words of Peace Global...
Posted in Unspoken Word on November 7, 2018 11:29 PM
What I Have UnderstoodTimelessToday...
Posted in Unspoken Word on October 27, 2018 11:32 PM
I Rode My BreathStorytelling at Work blog The Heart of Innovation blog...
Posted in Unspoken Word on October 21, 2018 12:25 AM
AND THE LORD SAID UNTO JACOB: GoFundMe!That's me at 17 -- starting point guard for the Wheatley Wildcats and one year into my lifelong passion for writing. Poetry was my thing back then. Not storytelling. But times, like my jump shot, have changed. Which is...
Posted in Unspoken Word on October 12, 2018 11:54 PM
Here's How I Want to Love YouHeart of the Matter Storytelling for the Revolution Full Moon at Sunrise...
Posted in Unspoken Word on September 22, 2018 08:20 PM
Here's a Little Secret...
Posted in Unspoken Word on August 29, 2018 02:53 PM
Be a PeacemakerTimelessToday...
Posted in Unspoken Word on August 27, 2018 10:59 PM
FIREFLYLinda Laino PHOTO: unsplash-logoMolly Belle...
Posted in Unspoken Word on August 27, 2018 09:11 AM
Full Moon Rising...
Posted in Unspoken Word on August 25, 2018 09:58 PM
Ah... This Restlessness...
Posted in Unspoken Word on August 23, 2018 11:21 PM
Off the Coast of Love...
Posted in Unspoken Word on August 21, 2018 11:48 PM
Here's a Little SecretMitchDitkoff.com...
Posted in Unspoken Word on August 15, 2018 11:43 AM
The Poetry of StorytellingIf you've been enjoying this blog, there's a good chance you will also enjoy my new book, Storytelling for the Revolution, available on Amazon as a downloadable, Kindle ebook or an old school paperback. More about the book More...
Posted in Unspoken Word on August 10, 2018 06:23 PM
Prisoner of Love...
Posted in Unspoken Word on July 28, 2018 10:38 PM
Storytelling for the RevolutionHere's a different kind of poetry for your delight -- a collection of 30, poetic "moment of truth" stories from my own life and 10 classic "moment of truth" stories from various classic teaching traditions. The second half of...
Posted in Unspoken Word on July 5, 2018 05:06 PM
Out For a Walk...
Posted in Unspoken Word on June 15, 2018 03:18 PM
Now You See ItWe are here for just a little while, freshly fallen snow on a half-opened rose. That's it. No more. It doesn't take much for the vanishing act to begin, a burst of sun, a sudden breeze someone knocking on...
Posted in Unspoken Word on May 28, 2018 06:39 PM
They Are Still LaughingTimelessToday...
Posted in Unspoken Word on April 22, 2018 11:05 AM
The Underground of Love...
Posted in Unspoken Word on April 12, 2018 11:01 PM
Easier Done Than SaidTimelessToday...
Posted in Unspoken Word on March 24, 2018 02:44 AM
The Paradox of Love...
Posted in Unspoken Word on March 20, 2018 12:24 AM
Where in the World Can I Go?NOTE: I found this poem and at least 50 more, in a box in the back of a closet in my house, parked there more than 20 years ago. The poetry? Written at least 40 years ago, gathering dust....
Posted in Unspoken Word on March 10, 2018 03:24 PM
What You See...
Posted in Unspoken Word on February 16, 2018 10:59 PM
Like an Old Mexican Woman...
Posted in Unspoken Word on February 11, 2018 06:04 AM
Off the Coast of LoveTimelessToday...
Posted in Unspoken Word on February 7, 2018 04:33 PM
The Buffet in Your Living RoomIn memory of Joan and Stanley Deutsch. Written by their loving daughter, Cathy, upon the passing of her father several years ago, and recently remembered as her mother left this mortal world. The buffet in your living room is now...
Posted in Unspoken Word on February 5, 2018 08:11 PM
There Is No Door...
Posted in Unspoken Word on January 25, 2018 03:07 PM
When You Walk Into the RoomTimelessToday...
Posted in Unspoken Word on January 18, 2018 11:46 PM
Why Am I Always Waiting?TimelessToday...
Posted in Unspoken Word on January 15, 2018 03:02 PM
Harvest MeTimelessToday...
Posted in Unspoken Word on January 6, 2018 09:23 AM
I Used to Write Love Poems...
Posted in Unspoken Word on December 29, 2017 11:53 PM
THE CALL TO CREATE!A star exploded deep within you years ago and still the light has not yet reached your eyes, not yet turned the night to day for birds to leave their nests or monks their caves to play. Blind to...
Posted in Unspoken Word on December 13, 2017 06:56 PM
Come to the Edge of the Shore...
Posted in Unspoken Word on December 8, 2017 07:57 AM
There Is a Poem I Will Write...
Posted in Unspoken Word on December 5, 2017 11:43 PM
Groucho Speaks...
Posted in Unspoken Word on November 22, 2017 11:26 PM
Beneath the TreeLots of people think that if you have a Master all your love goes there -- leaving not much left for the other people in your life. This is not true. The love a Master awakens in a human...
Posted in Unspoken Word on November 16, 2017 07:58 PM
The Diamond InsideExcerpted from this book...
Posted in Unspoken Word on November 12, 2017 11:43 PM
Moon Volcanic LeaperMosaic: Evelyne Pouget...
Posted in Unspoken Word on November 11, 2017 12:52 AM
Some Might Call It DancingTimelessToday These guys can dance Excerpted from this book...
Posted in Unspoken Word on November 3, 2017 04:56 PM
Disguised as Myself...
Posted in Unspoken Word on October 2, 2017 03:05 PM
I Take a Few Deep BreathsOn a good day I take a few deep breaths and feel God's primal tide inside me. A force of nature they are, coming from who knows where. They continue, these breaths, one slow motion wave at a time,...
Posted in Unspoken Word on September 25, 2017 03:06 PM
Hiding in Plain Sight...
Posted in Unspoken Word on September 24, 2017 10:28 PM
Poetic Justice?The Best Archer in All of China A Bag of Small Red Berries What I Learned from Listening to Bolero for 14 Hours...
Posted in Unspoken Word on September 17, 2017 11:15 PM
The Wheel TurnsTimelessToday Ira Meyer...
Posted in Unspoken Word on September 6, 2017 05:15 PM
The Ecstatic Wound of Longing...
Posted in Unspoken Word on August 29, 2017 01:37 PM
These Two Zen Monks Don't Walk into a BarTimelessToday...
Posted in Unspoken Word on August 23, 2017 12:24 AM
My Pen Is a Butterfly NetTimelessToday Heart of the Matter Butterflies...
Posted in Unspoken Word on August 16, 2017 10:41 PM
I Pray at the Altar of Your LipsMitchDitkoff.com...
Posted in Unspoken Word on August 13, 2017 11:31 PM
CentrifugalMitchDitkoff.com...
Posted in Unspoken Word on August 11, 2017 11:41 PM
The Holiest of PrayersMitchDitkoff.com...
Posted in Unspoken Word on August 7, 2017 01:12 PM
The Great MysteryExcerpted from this book Storytelling at Work TimelessToday MitchDitkoff.com...
Posted in Unspoken Word on August 2, 2017 10:45 PM
LookingMitchDitkoff.com My storytelling blog My book of poetry...
Posted in Unspoken Word on July 27, 2017 05:09 PM
The One Who Teaches from Within...
Posted in Unspoken Word on July 25, 2017 11:19 PM
They Are Still LaughingCamembert? My website...
Posted in Unspoken Word on July 20, 2017 03:16 PM
What She SawTimelessToday...
Posted in Unspoken Word on July 15, 2017 02:11 AM
This Is How I Want to Love YouTimelessToday...
Posted in Unspoken Word on July 3, 2017 06:57 PM
One Breath at a TimeTimelessToday...
Posted in Unspoken Word on June 25, 2017 08:14 PM
Like an Old Mexican Woman...
Posted in Unspoken Word on June 14, 2017 11:34 PM
The Pressure Is OffFull Moon at Sunrise...
Posted in Unspoken Word on June 11, 2017 12:56 AM
Rumi and Kabir BowlingLast year, as I understand it, Rumi was the best selling poet in the United States -- more than 800 years after he was alive. Kabir, too, is still being widely read -- as is Hafiz, Gibran, and a...
Posted in Unspoken Word on June 10, 2017 10:34 PM
They Barely Looked...
Posted in Unspoken Word on June 7, 2017 10:12 PM
The ReadingTimelessToday...
Posted in Unspoken Word on June 6, 2017 07:21 PM
This Perfect Place of Peace...
Posted in Unspoken Word on May 30, 2017 11:22 PM
Radiant Being of Light...
Posted in Unspoken Word on May 28, 2017 11:11 PM
There Is a PoemMitchDitkoff.com...
Posted in Unspoken Word on May 26, 2017 11:28 PM
I Used to Write Love PoemsMitchDitkoff.com...
Posted in Unspoken Word on May 24, 2017 06:58 PM
Written During a David Sancious Treehouse Concert in His HomeThe hieroglyphic message of this moment can never be translated no matter how hard I try. Or don't. It feels like walking into a room where the most beautiful woman in the world is slowly undressing and, in her...
Posted in Unspoken Word on May 21, 2017 11:33 AM
Beneath the Hot Sun...
Posted in Unspoken Word on April 29, 2017 11:36 PM
The SwingMitchDitkoff.com...
Posted in Unspoken Word on April 22, 2017 03:01 PM
Groucho Speaks!...
Posted in Unspoken Word on April 15, 2017 09:42 PM
Another Kind of Wall in MexicoWatercolor by Evelyne Pouget...
Posted in Unspoken Word on March 24, 2017 04:54 PM
Eyes Closed, I See All Things...
Posted in Unspoken Word on March 15, 2017 03:21 PM
Out for a Walk...
Posted in Unspoken Word on February 21, 2017 10:19 PM
A Passionate Paradox...
Posted in Unspoken Word on October 9, 2016 12:30 PM
What Is This Strange Forgetting?TimelessToday...
Posted in Unspoken Word on October 7, 2016 11:22 PM
Here's a Little SecretTimelessToday...
Posted in Unspoken Word on October 5, 2016 08:06 PM
The Great MysteryTimelessToday...
Posted in Unspoken Word on October 1, 2016 11:44 PM
Facing RealityTimelessToday Heart of the Matter...
Posted in Unspoken Word on September 10, 2016 05:50 AM
Poets, Lose Your Pens...
Posted in Unspoken Word on September 3, 2016 04:26 PM
When the Rain BeginsExquisite new song and slide show by Stuart Hoffman and Jennifer Edwards. Vocals by Stephen Rivera. Stuart's YouTube channel Soaked...
Posted in Unspoken Word on August 22, 2016 06:26 AM
JAZZ MENThere's a billion jazz men in my blood blowing their horns for love. They've been out on the street too long to wonder what the hell is going on -- for in their freedom -- in their utmost respect...
Posted in Unspoken Word on August 20, 2016 05:18 AM
Just a Bit Photoshopped...
Posted in Unspoken Word on August 19, 2016 11:44 PM
Dreaming We're Awake...
Posted in Unspoken Word on August 18, 2016 06:25 PM
Welcome to UNSPOKEN WORD: THE POETRY OF LIFE!Greetings! Mitch Ditkoff here, author of UNSPOKEN WORD: The Poetry of Life. My intention with this newly launched blog is to spark some inspiration, reflection, and gratitude -- a chance for you to take a breath, pause, and savor some...
Posted in Unspoken Word on April 7, 2016 11:02 PM