CONNECTING THE DOTS
I 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 -- to draw lines between the dots, connecting each dot sequentially. #1 would get connected to #2. #2 would get connected to #3 and so on until each of the dots were connected, resulting in the creation of some kind of picture -- a hat, a house, a boat, or whatever the book publisher had in mind.
Continue reading "CONNECTING THE DOTS"
The Hostage Situation
A 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 to reflect -- specifically on what, if anything of value, did I have to say about this great tragedy and from what persona of mine would I speak?
As a member of this temple? A Jew? An American? A man? A father? A poet? A Democrat? A peace advocate? A lifelong seeker of truth?
There are so many ways to look at things, so many points of view, so many sides of the story.
At first blush, like all of you here tonight, my heart goes out to the hostages and their families. I can only imagine if it were my children who had been taken hostage... or my friends... or my parents. I have no words to describe the feelings I would be having, never having lived through this nightmare myself.
Nor do I have words to describe the feelings of the hostage-takers and what drove them to such an action in the first place.
Here's what I know: thoughts and prayers are not enough to heal the pain that the people of Israel and Palestine are experiencing. Nor is political posturing, protest marches and whatever cease fire or truce is eventually agreed on -- especially since we all know that whatever cease fire or truce is agreed on will only be temporary and that the deep-seated hatred and antagonism that both sides have for each other -- along with their own "proof" for why their stance is well-founded -- is likely to continue.
Here's what else I know:
We were not born to hurt, fight and kill each other. We were born to experience love, kindness, compassion, consciousness and true humanity.
Demonizing the so-called "other" is easy to do. It has become a sport on planet earth -- which, as far as I can tell, is a planet of duality, one of the great challenges facing all of us -- the apparent dance of opposites:
Up and down... in and out... black and white... good and bad... East and West... North and South... hot and cold... male and female... light and dark... now and later... hard and soft... you and me... us and them... Israel and Palestine.
This duality, deeply embedded into the DNA of every single person that walks this earth very much affects our perceptions of life. "Otherness" rules us in just about every aspect of our lives. And this otherness blinds us to our common humanity in such a vile way that it makes it insanely difficult to experience each other as brothers and sisters... or children of the same God.
We have all been taken hostage by this mindset of otherness. We have all been kidnapped by an invisible force that makes it extremely difficult to come from a place of love instead of hate, compassion instead of destruction, kindness instead of killing.
Personally speaking, I have seen and felt a lot in my 76 years.
I almost died at 21, just three seconds away from drowning. Three years later, when I was 24, I met a great being and experienced my timelesss, true nature beyond the circumstances of my life. I saw an angel when I was 27 -- not in my imagination, but in my room. I worked in an Islamic school for a year -- the only Jew among 1,000 Muslims. I have walked the halls of power in corporate America, for 35 years, invited by that curious slice of humanity to open their minds to new possibilities. I have brought two children into this world, written seven books, and watched Fiddler on the Roof six times.
Speaking of which, there is a scene in that movie that has always stayed with me -- one that has relevance to the world we now find ourselves living in. Perhaps you remember the scene.
Tevye, the town milkman and also the town wise man was walking through the town square when he encounters two villagers arguing loudly about a transaction they recently had. Apparently, one of the men sold a horse to the other, but the other man is now insisting it was not a horse, at all, but a mule. When they see Tevye, each of them turns to him and vehemently makes their case.
After the first man tells his side of the story, Tevye strokes his beard and says "You're right!"
Then the second man, with an entirely different story of the transaction, makes his case to Tevye.
Tevye listens, strokes his beard and says. "You're right!"
A third villager, standing close by, who had been watching the argument play out for the past ten minutes then turns to Tevye and says, "Wait a minute, how can he be right (pointing to the first man) AND he be right (pointing to the second man)?"
Tevye listens, strokes his beard, and exclaims "YOU'RE RIGHT!" Then he starts dancing, embodying in that highly-charged moment, something far beyond right and wrong.
This story may sound cute to you or not at all applicable to the awful situation in the Middle East. But it is neither cute or naive. There is a lot of truth in it.
Until and unless, we -- as a species -- get to a place beyond our cultural perceptions of right and wrong -- we will always be fighting, always killing, always taking others hostage and more fundamentally, taking ourselves hostage.
What I am talking about has nothing to do with the laws of mankind. It has to do with the laws of life and the almighty -- that which not everyone agrees on, selectively quoting from their favorite scripture or interpretation of their favorite scripture to support their own point of view.
What can YOU do in regard to the hostage situation in Israel? What can you do in regard to the horror show going on in the Middle East these days -- and let us not forget the war between Russian and Ukraine.
That is for you to decide.
You can send thought and prayers. You can send money. You can send ambassadors. You can protest. You can write letters. You can come to services like the one here tonight. And all of these approaches, of course, have their place and time.
But ultimately, all of us -- you and me and everyone else who is not in this room tonight -- will need to find our own way back to peace -- the promised land that is not a physical place, but a state of being, a state of consciousness -- one whose natural attributes are love, kindness, empathy, compassion, selflessness, and the recognition that all people, regardless of their apparent differences, skin color, religion, language, politics, education, or perceptions are children of the same God -- all here to experience true love and forgiveness.
For now, before I take my leave, I invite you to close your eyes, take a long slow breath, and get in touch with one step you can take, one move you can make, to bring more love, kindness and understanding into this world -- starting tonight, in this room right now, in your home when you return there, and tomorrow in your community or wherever you can reach out to someone with love in your heart and the timeless recognition that we are all in this together.
Shalom! As-salamu alaikum to you all!
MitchDitkoff.com
Unspoken Word
My peace poetry Facebook group
The Robbers
When 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 in the next room, especially on the nights when our parents went out. I wouldn't be alone. My sister was there.
But when she went off to college, everything changed. Now I was the only child in the house. Now it was just me.
I will never forget my first night alone. My parents, after dinner, casually informed me they were going out for the evening but would be back at a "reasonable hour." They petted the dog, gave me a hug, and were gone in a flash. I stood by the front door, listening, until the sound of their Oldsmobile disappeared into the distance. Then I made myself a huge bowl of ice cream, retreated to my room, turned on the TV, flopped down on my bed, and started doing my homework.
Continue reading "The Robbers"
How Leonard Cohen Got His Song
Why Human Beings Tell Stories
Mention 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 true. Storytelling is the most powerful communication tool the human race has ever conceived. Why? Because it delivers the goods in at least nine different ways:
Continue reading "Why Human Beings Tell Stories"
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, or other soulful animal in your life.
"I LOVE the painting! It is so lifelike and I truly feel Sparky's presence in the house. It's truly remarkable. I'm so very grateful to Evelyne for creating such a timeless treasure. The painting will be displayed prominently in my living room for all to see. He's watching over me still. So much gratitude to you!" -- Suzanne Leon
Evelyne is an extraordinarily talented artist (oil pastels, oils, and digital paintings) who also does commission work. The process of engaging her services is simple. All you need to do is email her a jpg of a photo you want her to work from. Depending on the composition of the photo, size, and medium you want (oil pastel or oil painting), she will quote you an exact fee.
Her email address: evelynepouget2@gmail.com
See below for more examples of Evelyne's pet portraits:
"The oil pastel work Evelyne created of my dog, Kaya. is one of my most prized possessions! She truly captured Kaya's essence -- her sweetness, bright spirit, and loving nature. This beautiful piece is something I will always cherish." -- Sarah Jacob
Evelyne also specializes in people portraits
And horse portraits
CONTACT: evelynepouget2@gmail.com
The Sudden Glass of Orange Juice
There 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 is betting everything, holding back nothing. Either his hand is so good, he knows he can't lose or he's trying to bluff everyone out of the game.
Several years ago, I had one of those moments -- not in a poker game, but in my kitchen. At the time, I was living in one of Prem Rawat's ashrams. Our lease was up and we had a only a week to move before the landlord threw us out.
Continue reading "The Sudden Glass of Orange Juice"
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 of 75% water, 23 pairs of chromosomes, and approximately 37.2 trillion cells.
Continue reading "You Have Wisdom to Share (and it's hiding in your stories)"
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 love. When you learn to tap this source, you will truly have defeated age." - Sophia Loren
"My face carries all my memories. Why would I erase them?" - Diane Von Furstenberg
"If you are pining for youth I think it produces a stereotypical old man because you only live in memory, you live in a place that doesn't exist. Aging is an extraordinary process where you become the person you always should have been." - David Bowie
Continue reading "30 Great Quotes on Aging"
WANT TO HEAR WHAT YOUR HEART IS SAYING? Put Music to It
Here'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 mine -- Stuart Hoffman -- a masterful composer, pianist and producer of love songs -- has just launched SongScape, a brilliant, new custom-songwriting service.
The service Stuart provides is wonderful: you tell him what kind of song you're looking for (see below for details) and he will write, arrange, and produce the perfect song for you.
The twist? He is jump starting his new custom songwriting service with a raffle. For just a $25 entry fee, you can win a deeply moving, custom song that would typically cost at least $850.
Two examples of Stuart's Love Songs
A Thousand Days With You
One More Day
More examples of Stuart's music
WHAT HAPPENS IF YOU WIN THE RAFFLE
Stuart will send you a simple form to complete that will provide him with the info he needs to write and produce your custom song, i.e.
-- The name of the song recipient
-- The occasion for the song, (i.e. engagement, wedding, birthday, anniversary, holiday, apology, expression of gratitude, sympathy)
-- Special moments you want noted in the song
-- Meaningful images, metaphors, memories, and details
-- The feeling or response you want the song receiver to experience
-- Your preferred musical genre or mood
2. Stuart will contact you to continue the intake process -- a way to ensure that the song he creates for you meets all of your specifications
3. Stuart and his team will write the lyrics. Stuart will write the music.
4. Stuart and his team will mix and master the song.
5. Stuart will digitally deliver the song to you in your desired format.
MORE ABOUT THE RAFFLE
-- Opens: Thursday, July 6
-- Closes: Thursday, July 20
-- Entry Fee: $25
-- Payable to piano88@sbcglobal.net via Venmo or PayPal. (Be sure to include your email address in the note).
-- Receipt of payment is your official entry into the raffle
-- Winner will be chosen via a random drawing on July 20
-- Winner will be announced/informed on July 21
WHAT STUART CAN PRODUCE for an NGO or ORGANIZATION
HOW TO ENTER THE RAFFLE
-- Buy a ticket by sending $25 to piano88@sbcglobal.net (via Venmo or PayPal). Deadline is July 20.
QUESTIONS? totalembrace88@gmail.com
"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 the entrance. In one hand he held a small plastic wand, in the other, a plastic bottle of soapy water.
"Dada," he said, looking up at me. "Do you have time to catch my bubbles?"
Continue reading ""Dada, Do You Have Time to Catch My Bubbles?""
The Orange
Every 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 practitioners something to do -- something not just think about or meditate on, but a physical activity they can focus on to help them remember the metaphysical connection to the essence of their path.
I get it. I do. Rituals work. Or as my rabbi liked to say, "If you want to learn to dance, sometimes you need to start with the box step."
My kids, for example, cannot celebrate Christmas without leaving milk and cookies out for Santa, even though its been years since they realized that the fat guy in the red suit didn't have a snowball's chance in hell of making it down our chimney.
The Urge to Serve
One 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 that I soon began to experience a spontaneous upwelling of longing to "be of service" in some way.
This impulse to serve was unstoppable. I was not "paying my dues." I was not trying to "do good deeds." I was not being hustled by someone to be a source of volunteer labor. What was moving me went way beyond that. Never in my life had I experienced such a deep aspiration to be of service.
Something at the core of my being wanted to make my best effort to "lend a hand", even if my skills were minimal and my hands were shaking.
Wanting, actually, is the wrong word to describe what I was feeling at the time. It was way more than wanting. It was primal -- rising from an archetypal place within me that I didn't know existed -- kind of like what happens to the tides when the moon is full... and the wolves. I had no idea where this deep-seated longing to serve was originating from, but I trusted it and wanted to see where it would take me.
I am still in the process of exploring this.
More about what Prem is offering.
Photo: Courtesy of TimelessToday
Prem Rawat's Official YouTube Channel
Mentoring and Coaching Services for Aspiring Authors
Award-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 for you.
The Services I Provide:
- Writing & manuscript assessment
- Skillful, empowering feedback
- Creative process facilitation
- Book structure, rhythm & flow counsel
- Coaching, mentoring and gut check
- Book promotion advisory services
I Am the Right Fit for You If...
- You are thinking about writing a book
- You are writing a book, but are stalled or stuck
- You are committed to becoming a better writer
- You have something to say, but wrestle with doubt
- You are open to feedback, coaching & support
- You are confused about your publishing options
How My Service Works:
1. You and I have a 20-minute conversation to make sure your needs and my services are a good fit.
2. If YES, I send you a Letter of Agreement for your signature
3. You pay a 50% deposit
4. We schedule our first coaching session
My Books
Unspoken Word
Storytelling at Work
Storytelling for the Revolution
Full Moon at Sunrise
Awake at the Wheel
My Websites
Unspoken Word
Storytelling for the Revolution
Idea Champions
SageCatalysts
MitchDitkoff.com
Face The Music
Brainstorm Champions
My Blogs
Medium
Storytelling at Work
Unspoken Word
The Heart of the Matter
The Heart of Innovation
Huffington Post
SageCatalysts
CONTACT: mitch@ideachampions.com
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 on Amazon.
If you are thinking about buying it (or even if you're not), today is the day to buy it. Why? Because the more people who buy the book on the same day, the greater the chance the book will rank high on Amazon's NEW RELEASES list. And the higher it ranks, the more visibility the book will get. And since my vision is that millions of people read this book, visibility is a good thing.
PS: If you read the book and enjoy it, please consider writing an Amazon review -- one more way to help me get the word out there. Gracias!
Buy on Amazon
What ChatGBT says about my poetry
The website
INTRODUCING EVELYNE POUGET: San Miguel Pastel Portrait Artist
San 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 post.
EVELYNE'S PORTRAITURE PROCESS
1. Email a photo of your subject to evelynepouget2@gmail.com
2. Evelyne will get back to you with her fee and a projected date of completion.
3. Assuming you are good with #2, Evelyne will email you a Letter of Agreement for your signature.
CONTACT: evelynepouget2@gmail.com
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, better yet, subscribe, so you will receive an email alert whenever a new piece of mine is published.
Most of my Medium articles will take you less than 5 minutes to read.
1. On the Road to Prem Rawat
2. When an Email at 2:00 a.m Changes Everything
3. Learning to Face Your Opponent
4. What a Good Educator Does
5. The Real Marriage
6. Back to the Garden
7. The Beginning of the Book My Daughter, Mimi, Asked Me to Write
8. I'm From Woodstock. Yes, I Am!
9. Last Night I Googled Longing
10. Introducing Eva Snyder
Happy Valentine's Day to You!
Here is an inspiring Valentine's Day slide show for you. Includes 21 wonderful quotes on love and vocals by Daya Rawat.
GRAND OPENING: Evelyne Pouget's SMA Parisian Salon
If 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 readers of Travel + Leisure magazine have dubbed "The Best Small City in the World."
"Evelyne's salon evenings always leave me full of hope. Not just for myself, but for our world. The music... the people... the ideas... the rays of all of our creativity, united for a night." - MaryJane Fahey
WHEN: Saturday, February 25, 7:00 pm
WHERE: Avenue Hercules 39, Colonia Lindavista
COST: $600 pesos
RESERVATIONS: evelynepouget2@gmail.com
More info below:
Continue reading "GRAND OPENING: Evelyne Pouget's SMA Parisian Salon"
Here 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 EXISTING! There was no Qantas flight 503 and my phone didn't work and there were no Qantas employees on duty (it being 2:29 am) and there was no obvious way to get any assistance.
But that was just the Fellini appetizer.
The LA to Newark flight sat on the runway for two hours. Then we "deplaned" -- waiting for another, much older, plane to be cleaned and "catered." The caterers, apparently, onboarded enough peanuts, but they forgot the air!
Continue reading "ON THE WAY BACK FROM AMAROO: Knowledge in Action"
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If you like this blog, you might also like Mitch's other two blogs: 