My New Year’s Resolution: Stop Complaining

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: , , , , , , , , | 1 Comment »

Nice Versus Kind

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 [...]

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Bring Light

Posted on December 25, 2009 by zoeweil

Here’s the answer to last post’s last riddle: A ghoul and his bunny are soon parted I hope you enjoyed my riddle gifts and that all of you who celebrate Hanukkah and Solstice have had lovely celebrations, and those of you celebrating Christmas and Kwanzaa have a wonderful holiday as well. As I get older, [...]

Filed under: citizen activism, community service, compassion, MOGO (Most Good), positive choices | Tagged: , , , , , , , , , , , , , | Leave a Comment »

Why “Least Harm”?

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: changemakers, citizen activism, Least Harm, MOGO (Most Good), Most Good, positive choices, systemic change | Tagged: , , , , , , , , | 3 Comments »

Is Mindful Choicemaking Burdensome or Liberating?

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: critical thinking, MOGO (Most Good), positive choices, systemic change, values | Tagged: , , , , , , , , , , | Leave a Comment »

Hope in Little Things

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 [...]

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When It Comes to MOGO Choices, There is No Happiness Paradox

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: , , , , , , , , , , , | Leave a Comment »

Hope is a Verb With Its Sleeves Rolled Up

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: citizen activism, MOGO (Most Good), positive choices, systemic change | Tagged: , , , , , , , , | 1 Comment »

When I’m Afraid, I Fall

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 [...]

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Want Real Communication? Leave Your Agendas Behind

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: compassionate communication, MOGO (Most Good), positive choices | Tagged: , , , , , | Leave a Comment »

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