International Institute For Global Leadership
Issue #156* December 2014
www.global-leadership.com
Asheville, NC. USA
Guest Editorial
The Warehouse of Possibilities
Michael Lightweaver
Lightweave@aol.com
I have always been the explorer, venturing to the edge of the known world of human consciousness, so I admit that the subjects I speak of are not prime topics of the mainstream. Let me reflect on a couple of these.
There is a significant contingent of the US population – thanks to the internet – that is devoted to the notion that we live in a world controlled by conspiracies fostered by a variety of secret entities such as “the shadow government” the “global elite” or the “illuminati.” I have delved deep into these matters because I feel that it is important to be well informed, whether or not one chooses to embrace a particular belief system. In the case of conspiracies, I do not reject the validity of many of these claims, nor do I embrace all of them. I simply pay attention.
What I have learned is this. We all wear a set of glasses based on our belief system and it is through these glasses that we view the world. None of us truly see the world objectively. It is always seen through the eyes of our belief systems, whether religious, political, social, cultural, etc.
If you believe in monsters, you will find on in every closet. The same is true with angels. A glass is either half full or half empty, depending on how you see the world.
Most of us are familiar with the phenomena of purchasing a car and then suddenly starting to notice all of the other cars on the road of the same model and color that you never noticed before. They were there all along but you did not see them because your attention was focused elsewhere, until you bought one yourself.
We all live in a warehouse of possibilities. Let me explain. Imagine if you will that you are standing in the middle of a huge warehouse. It is pitch dark and you have a flashlight with a powerful beam. Every possible experience in your life is lined up along the wall of this warehouse. In one corner there are monsters that are just waiting to attack you. In another corner is a stack of gold, gems and jewels representing unbelievable and unlimited prosperity. In another corner sits the most exquisite romantic relationship you can imagine…. Just waiting.
The list is endless. Everything you could possibly imagine – both pleasant and unpleasant – exists in this warehouse as a potential. What you experience, however, is determined by where you point your flashlight – or focus your attention. The moment you focus your steady attention on any of these possibilities, they wake up and become an active part of your experience.
So the question is, if you really want to experience good health, why are you always talking about your health problems? If you want to have a good relationship with a person, why are you always telling them, yourself and others about all of their faults? If you want to be prosperous why are you always acting and talking like a poor person? Or why do you continually reinforce the idea of victimhood by focusing on “them” and what “they” are doing?
Have you ever noticed the popular game that people play called “ain’t it awful.” Here is how it works. One person will mention something that “they” are doing or talk about one of their personal problems and before you know it everyone is in on the game, giving examples of how awful it is and soon the whole group has spiraled downward in to a pit of despair and defeat. It seems that they getting some morbid satisfaction in sharing gloom.
Now that is fine if you are more interested in playing the game rather than improving the situation. But I will be honest, I have seen a lot of people playing the “ain’t it awful” game but I have never seen a group of people sitting around informally and getting high just discussing how great things are or exploring creative solutions to the worlds challenges.
If we put a fraction of the energy we invest in complaining about ‘them’ – into really working on implementing solutions, how different the world would be. It all goes back to the old saying; “it’s better to like a candle, however small, than to curse the darkness.” So pay attention to what or where you are shinning your light or focusing your attention, because you can be sure that’s what you will be experiencing.
“You can purchase Michaels book at amazon.com: http://www.amazon.com/s/ref=nb_sb_noss?url=search-alias=aps&field-keywords=michael+lightweaver&rh=i:aps,k:michael+lightweaver”> http://www.amazon.com/s/ref=nb_sb_noss?url=search-alias%3Daps&field-keywords=michael+lightweaver&rh=i%3Aaps%2Ck%3Amichael+lightweaver or he will be happy to send you a free e-copy upon request. You can contact him at lightweave@aol.com
What Our Students Are Saying
Ziyad Rube (Ethiopia)
Zizu_rub@yahoo.com
What has IIGL Meant for Me
I am Ziyad Rube, Ethiopian, joined the International Institute for Global Leadership in 2009. The year was a moment where I was working at a Zonal level where only dial up can enable me connect to the world. There was lack of access to broadband internet and sufficient reading materials to upgrade my academic and professional capacity. It was at this moment that IIGL comes as a cross road to my consistent and rapid change. For the benefit of those who are willing to succeed within a short period, I would like to share a few points of advice that they might find helpful. In my engagement in this institute over the last four to five years, I have found IIGL lessons very useful to me both as guiding principles and as sources of comfort and mental stability.
I firmly believe that IIGL is an Institution that gave me an opportunity to grow emotionally, socially, spiritually, intellectually, and financially while contributing in some positive way to others. A year after I have joined the Institute, the positive energy and winning mentality created within me led me to upgrade my undergraduate academic status. Throughout my undergraduate studies, though attributed to many factors, I was among those who have always been academically moderate with weak interpersonal relationship and poor reading habit. However, with the nurturing of positive thought, persistent reading and strong belief, I have turned off all the doors of failures, frustrations, critics and negative little voices and marched towards change. While attending my postgraduate study, I have went through many difficulties and tough scenarios. Any action I take in co-curricular activities; mainly targeted at promoting friendship, love and unity, my personality went through elevated appreciation to tough critics. However, this has never let me down as every adversity gave me its own fruit.
In contrast, what was before? I have shifted my eyes to the chemistry within me rather than what the environment is telling me what to think and do. I developed the culture of honesty to principles than anything else. I have tried utmost effort to let principles other than families, friends, money and anything else the source of my security and guidance of my life. All this strictly challenged my egos and temporal feelings to optimism and positivity. This enabled me to feel strong, confident, and powerful even at a time of pick criticism where it is even hard to have someone besides ones idea.
This all gave me an energy to go up continually and finalize my second degree, exactly the way I want it to be. Hence, in 2014, I have committed a lot in establishing a Leadership Graduates Association, the task that I believe have successfully conducted. Only a year and half of my stay after my second degree, I have obtained a fully sponsored PhD Studies abroad. To be honest, had I not been less committed than what I was supposed to be I would have achieved more. While enjoying the success I have achieved so far I have complete trust that still my journey of progress is at its initial step. There is a long way to go forward.
What Our Students Are Reading
Built to Last: Successful Habits of Visionary Companies
By Jim Collins & Jerry($12.56)
Drawing upon a six-year research project at the Stanford University Graduate School of Business, James C. Collins and Jerry I. Porras took eighteen truly exceptional and long-lasting companies and studied each in direct comparison to one of its top competitors. They examined the companies from their very beginnings to the present day — as start-ups, as midsize companies, and as large corporations. Throughout, the authors asked: “What makes the truly exceptional companies different from the comparison companies and what were the common practices these enduringly great companies followed throughout their history?”
Filled with hundreds of specific examples and organized into a coherent framework of practical concepts that can be applied by managers and entrepreneurs at all levels, Built to Last provides a master blueprint for building organizations that will prosper long into the 21st century and beyond.
Students In Action
IIGL Student named as one of the Top 10 Global Architects of the Future
IIGL Level Two student https://www.facebook.com/sayid.abdullaev”>Sayid Abdullaev, sayid.abdullaeve@gmail.com (Kyrgyzstan) stated, “I am profoundly grateful and humbled to be named as one of the 10 young global award recipients for the Architect of the Future program.” The award is given every two years to “exceptional and compassionate young people who dedicate their lives to a higher mission by finding outstanding and innovative solutions for pressing problems.” The award includes speaking engagements in Austria, fellowship from the University of Oxford, and lifetime emblematic display in the renowned Waldzell Collection along with H.H Dalai Lama, Paulo Coelho, Isabel Allende, Frank Gehry, and numerous Nobel-Prize-winners. Once again this award reaffirms my belief that we are not defined by our circumstances but by our possibilities. I’m Possible, grateful, inspired, unstopable. Dedicating this to my Mom who has and will always be my Rock!
Valuable Resources for Personal & Planetary Transformation
Kanthari International
Kanthari.org
Since 2009, over 60 social initiatives have been set up by Kantharis the world over, each of which is making a difference. Katharis’ vision is to see a world spiced by ethical visionaries and driven by integrity, equality and empathy.
Their mission is to provide an incubator and spring board for visionaries who are able to transform concepts and conventions, by offering specially developed, high quality and relevant leadership training.
Through intensive training, Kanthari International equips participants with all the techniques, methods and ideas they need to start up and run effective, relevant social projects all over the world.
News
IIGL Named a Top-Rated Nonprofit in 2014
For the 2nd year, IIGL is honored to be recognized as one of the Top-rated Nonprofits by GreatNonprofits.org Award is based on Positive Online Reviews for 2014. Thank you to everyone that contributed to this prestigious 2014 Top-Rated Award by GreatNonprofits, the leading provider of user reviews about nonprofit organizations.
“We are excited to be named a Top-Rated 2014Nonprofit,” from the IIGL Board of Directors. “We are proud of our accomplishments this year.” The Top-Rated Nonprofit award was based on the large number of positive reviews that IIGL received – reviews written by students and donors. People posted their personal experience with the nonprofit. While the Top-Rated Awards run through the end of October, IIGL was part of the inaugural group to qualify for the year. In addition, we’ll been added to GreatNonprofits #GivingTuesday Guide—an interactive guide to top nonprofits throughout the years. Look for this near the holidays.
“Savvy donors want to see the impact of their donations more than ever,” said Perla Ni, CEO of GreatNonprofits, “People with direct experience with IIGL have voted that the organization is making a real difference.”
GreatNonprofits is the leading site for donors and volunteers to find reviews and ratings of nonprofits. Reviews on the site influence 30 million donation decisions a year. Visit www.greatnonprofits.org for more information.
Meet Our New Students
We are pleased to welcome one new active student this month. He is from Nigeria.
Ola Makinde (Nigeria)
I’m a Nigerian-African. I was born without a silver spoon, but my thanks to God he sent me to a caring parent whose worth no silver could merit. With survival from teen age’s troubles, I was privileged to be schooled in one of Nigeria’s best; Obafemi Awolowo University, for a graduate course in Politics, Philosophy & Economics (B.Sc.). Prior to that, I was schooled at The Polytechnic Ibadan, where I earned a National Diploma in Business Studies.
I want it said of me that I love to hear peoples successful stories, and if possible, to be a contributing phenomenon. This made me volunteered to join some groups of service. While at the Polytechnic, I joined the National Association of Business Studies Students’ Editorial Board where I later became the Chief Editor. The Board, for the first time in many years bagged an award as The Most Colorful Editorial
Board on Campus. Also, I was a member of National Association of Ogun State Students (NAOSS), where I later became the General Secretary; also, at the level of the All Boards’ Press Council, I was inaugurated as the Protocol Officer.
To view the complete profile, Click Here.
Visionary Leadership
Student Progress
We had 10 students from 6 countries complete a total of 20 books in November. These students were from Cameroon, Ethiopia, Kenya, Nigeria, Uganda and Zimbabwe.
Yieh Odette Gwain (Cameroon)
* Into the Buzzsaw
* Your Faithfulness is my Fortune
Ziyad Rube Abdule (Ethiopia)
* Leadership: An Islamic Perspective
* Oromo Nationalism and the Ethiopian Discourse
* Recep Teyyip Erdoğan: The Brave Heart, the Father of New Turkey
Ann Perez Omenye (Kenya)
* Nonviolent Communication
Mary Oghomena Ayideji (Nigeria)
* Psycho-Cybernetics
Oloko Ben Chukwuemeka (Nigeria)
* Giant Steps
* Real Magic
* The New Dynamics of Winning
Afere Alaba Lawrence (Nigeria)
* You Were Born Rich
Ocheja Linus Lawrence (Nigeria)
* Nonviolent Communication
Ola Makinde (Nigeria)
* As A Man Thinketh
* Jonathan Livingston Seagull
* How to Win Friends & Influence People
* Keys to Success
* Psycho-Cybernetics
* Success Through PMA
Juliette Engole (Uganda)
* Psycho-Cybernetics
Busani Sibindi (Zimbabwe)
* Natural Capitalism
Graduates
Yieh Odette Gwain (Cameroon) completed Level Five
Oloko Ben Chukwuemeka completed Level One
Oyewumi Olaoluwa Samuel (Nigeria) completed Level Three
Ethelbert Obinna Umeh (Nigeria) completed Level Three
Statistics
New Enrollments
7 in November
52 enrolled in 2014
Book Assessments
20 in November
Books Shipped
21 in November
133 in 2014
Cost of books
$440.37 in November
$2,778.46 in 2014
You Make It Possible
We extend a special thanks to the following individuals and/or organizations who contributed to IIGL last month. Your ongoing support makes this work possible.
Deb Silver (Israel)
Wanda Gail Campbell (USA/AL)
DM Tilley (USA/AL)
Lynne Murguia (USA/AZ)
Corine Wilson (USA/FL)
Margie Tice (USA/HI)
Naomi Stauber (USA/ME)
John Hornecker (USA/NC)
Michael Lightweaver (USA/NC)
Janis Thayer (USA/NC)
David Banner (USA/WI)
Heidi & Ed Fallone (USA/WI)
Jill Plavnick (USA/WI)
Deb Rosen (USA/WI)
Patrice Zorn (USA/WI)
Make A Difference
Dream Team 22
In January 2009 we launched a new idea which blends two previous endeavors: The Master Mind Group and the 22 Experiment. We are calling this Dream Team 22 and our goal is to have 220 people contributing $22 per month. We understand that money is energy and that to sustain and build IIGL we need a lot of people pouring their energy into this endeavor on a regular basis. We also know that not everyone can afford to commit $22 a month – especially our students, who live in countries with economies in which this amount can be equal to a weeks’ salary. So we are offering two options for those who wish to become a part of the Dream Team. One can commit to a $22 a month contribution or to spending 22 seconds each day holding the vision of IIGL becoming financially sustainable by the end of 2009.
Will you join the Dream Team and help us create an energetic foundation to support the transformational work of IIGL? You can really make a difference in the world by making a modest contribution of time or money. To make the $22 a month commitment or a one time donation, click the link below. To become a member of the Dream Team 22 by committing 22 second a day to help us hold the vision, contact Deb for details: drosen2@wi.rr.com
Checks on US banks, payable to the International Institute For Global Leadership, can be mailed to P.O. Box 18909, Asheville, NC 28814 USA. Contributions may also be made by credit card by clicking the link below. Contributions are tax deductible under the 501 (c) 3 tax code of the United States Internal Revenue Service.
To Contribute By Credit Card, Click Here
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