Posted on January 1, 2010 by zoeweil
In 2010 I’m going to endeavor to stop complaining. This shouldn’t be too hard, as I am profoundly blessed and privileged. I have all my needs met and so much more. I have a happy 20-year marriage and a healthy, bright, generous son. I share my warm, spacious home with three great dogs and a [...]
Filed under: MOGO (Most Good), positive choices, responsibility, third side thinking, values | Tagged: new year, MOGO choices, third side thinking, gratitude, resolutions, persistence, kindess, complaining, habits | 1 Comment »
Posted on December 30, 2009 by zoeweil
What’s the difference between niceness and kindness? To me, niceness is pleasant but a bit anemic, lacking depth and character. It’s not something to strive for or cultivate in any powerful way, unlike kindness, which is worthy of our full attention and the dedication of our lives. Being kind is a daily practice, not a [...]
Filed under: Inner Peace, MOGO (Most Good), positive choices, values | Tagged: kindess, MOGO choices, niceness, qualities, systemic change, values | Leave a Comment »
Posted on December 2, 2009 by zoeweil
MOGO is short for Most Good, which is short for the principle of doing the most good and least harm to ourselves, other people, animals, and the environment. Recently, someone asked me why I used the term “MOGO,” which excludes the concept “least harm.” My flip answer was because MOGOLEHA sounds too silly and affected, [...]
Filed under: Least Harm, MOGO (Most Good), Most Good, changemakers, citizen activism, positive choices, systemic change | Tagged: activism, balance, changemaking, Least Harm, MOGO principle, Most Good, perfection, social systems, systemic change | 3 Comments »
Posted on November 18, 2009 by zoeweil
Some fear that if they look too closely at their choices and discover that those choices have harmful effects on other people, animals, and the environment, they will experience a number of negative emotions. They may worry they’ll feel overwhelmed, despondent, hopeless, conflicted, disempowered, and even bad about themselves if they continue to make choices [...]
Filed under: MOGO (Most Good), critical thinking, positive choices, systemic change, values | Tagged: changemaking, critical thinking, positive choices, values, knowledge, systemic change, MOGO choices, mindfulness, introspection, inquiry, ignorance | Leave a Comment »
Posted on November 6, 2009 by zoeweil
I just watched this YouTube video of a wedding procession. (Click here if you can’t view it above.) It made me cry, which was an odd response to a rollicking, fun, fully bodied celebration of marriage, as the groomsmen and bridesmaids, ushers, and even the bride and groom, boogied their way up the aisle. I [...]
Filed under: MOGO (Most Good), positive choices, systemic change, videos | Tagged: changemakers, creativity, critical thinking, hope, Joy, systemic change, traditions, viral videos, weddings | Leave a Comment »
Posted on August 14, 2009 by zoeweil
Recently I watched Barry Schwartz’s talk at TED.com, “The Paradox of Choice”, in which he elucidated the surprising truth that, beyond a certain point, freedom of choice doesn’t make us happier. In fact, it makes us less happy. This isn’t big news, and the plethora of cartoons that Schwartz displayed that supported his central point [...]
Filed under: Inner Peace, MOGO (Most Good), positive choices, responsibility, systemic change | Tagged: Barry Schwartz, choice, happiness, Inner Peace, integrity, MOGO choices, MOGO principle, paradoxes, positive choices, responsibility, systemic change, TED.com | Leave a Comment »
Posted on August 12, 2009 by zoeweil
David Orr, professor of environmental studies at Oberlin College once wrote, “Hope is a verb with its sleeves rolled up.” I love this quote. It reminds me of Joan Baez’ famous comment, “Action is the antidote to despair.” We don’t have the luxury or the time for despair and hopelessness. Many will say that hope [...]
Filed under: MOGO (Most Good), citizen activism, positive choices, systemic change | Tagged: citizen activism, David Orr, hope, integrity, intention, Joan Baez, MOGO choices, positive choices, systemic change | 1 Comment »
Posted on August 7, 2009 by zoeweil
My husband, Edwin, and son, Forest, are rock climbers and very hardy mountain climbers and hikers. I’m a hiker and occasional rock climber, too, but there’s a big difference between us. Edwin and Forest are fearless. They walk right up to cliff edges, leap over crevasses, and sprint across logs high over rocky streams. I [...]
Filed under: MOGO (Most Good), positive choices | Tagged: courage, fear, MOGO, positive choices | Leave a Comment »
Posted on August 5, 2009 by zoeweil
During the communication sessions during our residency week at the Institute for Humane Education we do an activity called “Spectrum.” Participants find themselves on a linear spectrum of choices that they make in relation to animal protection, human rights/social justice, environmental preservation, and consumerism. After doing the spectrum four times around these separate issues areas, [...]
Filed under: MOGO (Most Good), compassionate communication, positive choices | Tagged: agendas, compassionate communication, humane education, positive choices, relationships, residency | Leave a Comment »
The Power and Promise of Humane Education
Above All, Be Kind: Raising a Humane Child in Challenging Times
Claude and Medea: The Hellburn Dogs
So, You Love Animals: An Action-Packed, Fun-Filled Book to Help Kids Help Animals
