Action Learning Tribe

I was so blown away today bringing closure to a challenging year with the small team I’ve worked with closely throughout the year at the School of Social Entrepreneurs Sydney. 

The success of it was the plunge we took right from the beginning of the year – jumping right in and putting ourselves on the line by being vulnerable was trust building right from the start.  Individual voluntary commitment to be present with presence in every session, actively listening and participating was also consistent throughout the year.  That takes courage, commitment, honesty, integrity, love, thoughtful process – a fine example of what you give out you receive.  Also, difficult to do with strangers however we come from such diversity in age, race, culture, knowledge, experiences that I’ve grown with them and respect them and today was awesome!  Reflecting from a Mountain View position, we made it!  

I realised today how this small group has had a major impact in changing my life for the good and I was so pleased to share that with them, I will never forget it.    Today was so positive and a real celebration of how far we have come together, although not in denial of the buttons that were pushed it all seems totally irrelevant now because the learning and personal growth gained far outweighs the pain to get there.  

In fact, I welcome it now and even today the challenge that came shifted my thinking completely and it only took one question!  Keeping in mind that question posed was with wisdom and thoughtful process before it was delivered. 

 Finishing 2009 strong…

Leaders

I’ve wanted to work with women who need to rebuild their lives but also leaders too.  Women who know they’re born for more then where they’re at right now and want to live life differently, with purpose and passion living out their birthrights.  Do you know what your birthrights are?

The School of Social Entrepreneurs has offered me a position as an Action Learning Fascilitator in Sydney or Melbourne and I know it’s in line with my personal vision.  Seriously, thinking about it for that reason.

My project this year has been about a post release program for young women 16 – 25 yrs old and I will be setting that up as well – I have always known however to keep a few days free so I can work with Leaders too.

I am passionate about unlocking the potential in people and land so this year has been instrumental in my journey so far as being able to practise living out my principles and values in a learning environment.  This year was one of tremendous personal growth where I found a consolidation of my gifts……revealing a spiritual CV of sorts lol….having established a regular pattern of nurturing my spirit and reviewing the patterns in my own life learning has revealed more about what my skill-set and gift-mix includes not only in the physcial but the spiritual as well.  I love that!  So I may not be rich in this world but I’m certainly rich in the Spirit )

So I’m very excited feeling breakthrough now and will continue to move forward one step at a time.  I am working on my own models and material to assist and support leaders to unlock their potential from a holistic spiritual approach.  These have also been driven from having asked God for downloads as to my life purpose and walking it out by actually taking action, not just writing it down but doing something about it.

The Spirit prompts us, gives revelation and clues through dreams, visions, our senses and more but each individual is very unique and has their own strengths and ways of communicating with Gods Spirit that if you can find where you’re gifted (and we all are) then it becomes much easier to nurture your spirit according to your spirit communication style, receive the downloads and do something about it – taking action and being one step closer to fulfilling your life purpose or should I say living purposefully and feeling satisfied.  How many people do you know are living like that? and If not, why not? (leave a comment)

So I am determined to keep growing and walking out my own dreams and visions so that I can inspire women through living it and better position myself to assist and support them with how to do it for themselves not by copying me but assisting them to find their own special unique approach also finding what they’re gift-mix and skill-set is for them.

We are living in a day and age where we need each other to come into the fullness of who we are individually so as to interconnect like pieces of a puzzle because as a collective when we’re all living purposefully doing what we are born to do we can see the bigger picture and really make things happen.

So today I bless you with finding your life long purpose, knowing what you are born to do and living it.  I bless you with the ability to nurture your spirit so that it is the driver as Gods Spirit applauds and motivates you onward and upward beyond what you ever thought possible.  Living what you could only have dreamed about.  I bless you with the strength you need to make it happen and bless many around you wherever you go being a life giver.  Bless you today!

Pumping Blood

The power of breakthrough for a butterfly is in the blood.  Pumping blood to the wings gives it the strength to breakthrough that tight confining space of mans opinions, dishonor, labels, expectations, assumptions, judgements and vision for your life, for your projects, for your family and overall well-being.

I feel drained having worked so closely with a large group of my peers at The School of Social Entrepreneurs 1 day per week 2009.  There have been alot of people involved in that process – pushing, pulling and drawing from you and now I want to be left alone for a time.  I am grateful for my Action Learning Set.

Still wet, upside down and resting in a time of it’s greatest vulnerability to predators…….the Butterfly must allow time for it’s wings to dry out (the residue from that School space), for pumping blood throughout it’s Spirit, Soul and Body in particular it’s newfound Wings……the strength is in the blood, it’s capacity to fly is in the wings so this time is so important right now……my Action Learning Set decided to get-together a long time ago, no accident but an incredible natural pathway of the tribe of the Butterfly. 

This is a time to rest as much as the workhorse in me wants to get stuck into it, be challenged, overcome issues, work hard and then some – it is simply not the time!  Now is the time for resting while all the real work is going on inside, some who are sensitive may hear the blood pumping through you otherwise the strength and power of this time is intangible: like the wind – you can’t see it but you can feel it and you know it’s there……beautiful transformation, positive change for the good.

I have consolidated my learning this year and began new learning outside of SSE that I’m so passionate about regarding my people and our land.  Likewise, SSE has given me so much learning that I can take with me on my journey and it will help give wings to the vision of others I am sure.

My goal is to fulfill my birthrights, my life purpose and what I’m born to do and having said that – I don’t want to copy or imitate anyone else therefore with fierce intentionality discovering my skill-set and gift mix, overcoming issues with growing awareness, not living in denial about my weaknesses, celebrating my strengths what God has given me, I am moving forward one step at a time. 

This is a time where you could easily be swayed off track, picked off one by one by isolation or people wanting to help you…..because they can see you are a butterfly now and not just a worm, that you actually have wings and not just a very hungry caterpillar fattening yourself up – people will want to help dry you out, help with streeeetchiiinng your wings and my advice would be tell them to bugger off lol it may look good but ask yourself what is it you need right now, what time is it, where are you at in the process, where were they before when you were just an egg or a fat worm lol, what are they offering and why, how does this align with your personal vision, goals, morals, values and if it doesn’t line up don’t go ahead – the hard work is over, this is a vulnerable time where all the positions, promo’s, opportunities, honor etc you will be offered may look helpful but you must take that vulnerable time to sit, rest and allow the blood to pump through your spirit, soul and body by actually creating opportunities and a nurturing space for that to happen – with Christmas coming this is a perfect season for doing that.

I ask myself what nurturing space does my spirit need this season? does my soul need this season? does my body need this season?  and I also wonder what is it a butterfly is thinking and feeling while it’s hanging upside down waiting for it’s newfound wings to dry out.

This month is the time of strategy paying greater attention to your dreams writing them down and receiving insights as to how you can move forward.  This is download time so get in the position to receive strategy this month and hold on, not rushing into anything and not making any concrete decisions until next month, in the new year.

Can we talk it over in bed?

I have witnessed youth stealing a wallet and graffiti in our unit property and had to make a statement to Police – 1 of the 2 youth would likely go to Court and inside Juvenile Detention.

There was a neighbour who had their property broken into while he and his family (with young children) slept in their beds.  He had seen Pacific young people hanging around outside his property prior to this break and enter – all of their valuables were taken and their car approx. 3 weeks ago.

It is regular behaviour for young people to gather in small groups and from what I see it is mostly Pacific young males and females….Police data show that Pacific are overrepresented when it comes to robbery in this area as well as Parramatta and Rosehill areas whilst Caucasian are overrepresented in assaults in the same areas.

My neighbours have been intimidated with threatening graffiti such as ‘snitches get stitches ****’ and most takes place in the dark, between wed – sun from what I can see.

It is now a regular observation for me to see young people drinking alcohol (boxes of beer) and smoking marijuana in the local Park. For example last night I saw a small group of young pacific women drinking, drunk, loud anti-social behaviour – the numbers have just escalated by 5 to 25+ young people in late at night gathering to socialise.

Holroyd LAC have been more helpful now I have connected with their Crime Prevention Officer thanks to the Mayor John Perry and in wkg together to provide strategy and informing the neighbourhood with relevant handouts and information.

 I attended a meeting last night at Parramatta Town Hall that the Parramatta, Holroyd and Rosehill Police & City Councils with support from the NSW Council for Pacific Communities convened.  It was for the purpose of gathering the Pacific Community to work together with Police and local governments to address the increasing anti social behaviour by Young Pacific People. 

The word ‘Pacific’ for Police and government depts means approx 23 nations in the Pacific region however they could not tell you what or who those nations are……they wanted the Pacific people in the room to say what the issues are with young people in these areas however by a show of hands concluded only 3 of us were actually people who lived in this area and were from a nation that could identify under the ‘Pacific’ umbrella……We were the only ones that could say what we actually see and observe in our communities, yet I was having to make an effort for air time and to speak. 

The information about this forum needs to go out to the Pacific People who live or work in these areas and are passionate about positive change for our young people – to create a life-giving relationship between all stakeholders and make a difference.  We all have so many skills to offer but many local pacifc leaders, workers, parents, young people were not identified or invited and this was raised by Mal Fruen the Chairperson for NSW Council for Pacific Communities and myself. 

I see great potential for our young people and want to take the opportunity to take action especially when the police, council and govt depts have acknowledged issues.  However if they want us to name those issues then they need people from this area who can see or know them and want to do something about it and not Pacific people from outside the areas to voice what they think are the issues.  However having said that I acknowledge and am grateful for their concern, support and presence in the room. I have a feeling that some government depts are simply trying to tick the boxes to say they consulted the Pacific Communities in the Holroyd, Parramatta and Rosehill Local Government Areas for what reasons I do not know possibly to  help with the funding of their own projects that are for Pacific but are not Pacific driven initiatives.

 As a ‘Pacific’ woman who has witnessed the increase in anti social behaviour, lives in the area – I began responding with the design of a post release program that will provide part time employment for young women in these Local Government areas I’m questioning why I wasn’t told and found out at the last minute (even then the person who sent me the email said it wasn’t supposed to go to me and they were told not to send it to me by govt dept who know about the project I’m designing) , why was it advertised in the Parramatta Advertiser on the day the event was held that night again at the last minute. 

It was convened by Police and fascilitated by Police and they wanted to have their input as well – thats fine but you should get an outside fascilitator in if you want to do that for equity in the group dynamics and besides if you’re consulting Pacific Community shouldn’t you be listening to what they have to say instead of putting your thoughts forward as police in these areas were invited to speak up and the issues they raised were put down – I wonder if they are going to put our Pacific names down on the paper they have contributed to – merely questioning.  The Fascilitator and Commander up the front would give their opinion on issues and run the whole show as they pleased picking and choosing which of us would speak as we raised our hands one by one.  Sitting further down the back I couldn’t see what was written – there are better ways to create a space that encourages Pacific dialogue – having said that the food was well thought out and planned I just wish they had of put more thought into the rest of it…..very uncomfortable space to share brainstorming ideas from.

There were many times I felt the fascilitator and Commander were getting defensive instead of listening for the value in what was being shared after all you have invited us here for dialogue havent you?  for example….I was saddened to hear an elder male speak and the Commander overrides what he said.  He had wisdom to share about the past learnings of a pacific initiative (pgrm by the people for the people) that ws working but the funding was cut off  ’Flavour’. that is probably a fantastic example of why Pacific Communities may not get involved or be less likely to get involved in future.  The Commander simply said that was the past we want to look at what is happening now….he missed it.

This is why Ive placed so much time thinking about my structure and how I’m going to set this social enterprise up because funding streams are so important, you have to have long term plans – the Police etc want the Pacific Community to take action and do something with the data they shared but you can’t expect something like that to happen overnight especially if they’ve been burnt in the past.   There are so many social enterprises, initiatives that are not supported and the language used last night and the set up was not appropriate, suitable or respectful for our Pacific Peoples. 

I felt like words were being put in our mouths, they should not have been driving it as I felt loaded questions were being asked which could take it in a specific direction – you know the type of questions you ask when you already know the outcomes you’re after.  Many workers in organisations, departments and systems are brainwashed with this type of thinking – just think of the last set of forms you filled out recently and how quickly it was done if they assisted you.

When it comes to stats – give us the exact stats – gender, numbers, what offences ( yes I agree with the fascilitator when he said we don’t need names and addresses but what a thing to say) you do need to give as much information as possible so that we can create programs for our people in partnership with the Police.

A Pacific woman said Police don’t need Cultural Awareness Training but then a Police man behind her is asking what  and who are the ‘elders’?  come on……..Cultural training 101

We need critical thinkers who also have empathy to bring innovative solutions to the table.

Lets see what happens when you voice your truth in a public forum about stakeholders involved and their methods employed to achieve outcomes – I wonder how and who this will impact if any?

The next forum is scheduled for Jan 20^th 2009

 On reflection of the nights meeting all I can hear is a song playing over in my head: 

Can we talk it over in bed? talk ….talk … talk it over, in bed? talk .. talk …..talk it over

SSE Full support

Incredible day – talk about fulfilling my desire to end the year strong in 2009!

I went to SSE to debrief about the SVA/ Angels relationship experience because I wanted them to evaluate and improve in support for students 2010 and beyond.  Being in cohort 1 felt like I was feeling around in the dark sometimes BUT I don’t regret any of it, a great learning experience for me and I have grown in ways that cant be measured.

I was honest about the support required for students in future suggesting guidelines in place as well as gathering feedback from Bus Angels themselves as to what will work for next year and beyond.  Sally and Courtney were both helpful, engaging and constructive as I came away feeling full support from the school and I’m encouraged for students in future knowing they will receive support because my feedback was received with intentions to make necessary changes as required.

Sally helped me put my words in the editorial for the Angels article and I’m impressed with the school for backing me in that.  You can’t write words as though they come out of someones mouth when they didn’t!  If someone speaks on your behalf as though they’re your words and they get it wrong and without consulting you – thats your reputation on the line not theirs.  I’m not someone of power, prestige or position but a popular New Zealand Maori Proverb says My word is my Bond.   

When I look at my peers - they’re often on the front line with a different skillset and gift mix and oftentimes with a heart for social justice and ethics.  They give everything they’ve got for their community and many are visionaries, they see a dream and they work hard for it, long hours with drive, passion and motivation. 

They are worth backing, They are worth supporting, They should be valued because they are the ones who want to make a positive change and will make a positive change in our communities.  Stakeholders should look to see how they can be life-giving to them, ask how can I help you?  How can I support your vision?  What do you need to make this happen?

Selling my birthright.

Giving in to what organisations want instead of sticking to what you know is right….or being too flexible so stakeholders take you for a ride……you are selling your birthright for power, prestige and connections.

Would you lose all morals for that……and it doesn’t have to be big, it can be as small as agreeing to something that you internally know you don’t like.

Don’t do it!  Stick to your guns…will it mean shooting yourself in the foot? sometimes but if you do things from a place of truth that is more important and it sets standards for those around you as well.

In the beginning of SSE when I knew I got in I shared what was happening with an American Indian/ Maori Seer that is a good friend of mine and she had simply shared how people will be in it for more than what you think etc

Sitting in a more realistic position now at the end of the year and reflecting on the amount of time I have put into this school, the people involved including stakeholders connected to the School and what they’ve asked from me is quite a sobering reflection. 

I have set up a social enterprise before and I haven’t set up this organisation yet and all year I’ve been disseminating information gained and entertaining relationships with everyone who pulls at you and your project and now I just want to withdrawal from all of it feeling distracted and so I can concentrate.  I’m disappointed with how little resources have been given to support our projects such as a Social Enterprise Business Plan – a basic tool I would have thought.

I can see clearly how SSE comes under SVA and how they organise everything including the Business Angels.  They’ve been writing an article about my relationship with the Angels throughout the year to encourage more Angels to work with students which is fantastic.  However, all the information I gave has been ‘edited’ which means changed to suit and some of it no longer true…… I’ve been asked to look over it but they want it signed off by lunchtime today.  incredible…..so I’ve asked for my contribution to be withdrawn…..and SSE now wants to help me find common language to complete it, adding insult to injury as no apology or acknowledgement has come from SVA .  It shall be an interesting day.

To be quite frank I think social enterprises were done before SVA came along or SSE for that matter and if anyone wants you to think that you can’t do it without them and their input than they’re kidding themselves.

I also feel passionate about Social Entrepreneurs needing the space and isolation like a butterfly in a cocoon because all of the things they do on their own, all of the little breakthroughs stretch our muscle and pump our blood to our wings to make these projects fly – some of us need the struggle to make things happen and I know I don’t need someone helping me to break open the cocoon for me because that will do more damage than good, it can ruin the potential to fly.  i.e don’t let anyone else tell you what they think is best for you and your project because you will know deep within you what is right and you are the only one who knows all the details and no one else can see in your head.

I have heard a speaker with a very successful Social Enterprise that helps thousands of people annually – she talked about how she built this successful enterprise and then was introduced to some very savvy business women who became her board members and they guided her in a direction that was away from her purpose and the mission of her Social Enterprise……..so I want to point out that yes the corporate sector has alot to offer however they also need to respect our space, knowledge, expertise and inherent abilities to do our projects often with intuitive skillsets they know nothing about and could learn alot from us as well.

I have learnt a great deal this year and all of which I am very grateful for and I write these experiences knowing it could shoot myself in the foot regarding connections, networks, reputations but I’m not selling what I believe in to anybody for limited success, position, prestige, money or power and I want to speak the truth of my experience because if I’ve gone through it there will be others coming after me who will go through this too and they need to know wht they’re feeling is absolutely legitimate.

Karangaora

This song I wrote when I was teaching at Ngata College Ruatoria.  It speaks of my life purpose to inspire Young people to catch every opportunity, my life journey, written in 2001 it’s where I’m at now in the sense of remembering who I am and whats my call – I can move forward with strength when I know who I am.  At Retreat this year I sang the first verse over this beautiful valley and as I was singing I found such strength remembering my life purpose and what I’m called to do.  We really have to get ourselves in those retreat spaces so our spirit can reconnect with the Great Spirit, recharge and remember.

Karangaora ki nga hao ika

Ki mai nga wairua e e e

Kia ngaro nui, hei tohu tera

He manawa maumahara

Ki te whakatauki –

ka pu te ruha

Ka hao te rangatahi hi!

This is a call of life to all of those 

wide mouth fish who can catch my call

turn your spirit to me

Ask of your spiritual, your world

Many are lost, that is a sign

My heart remembers the proverb

The old net lies in a heap,

While the new net goes fishing, It is! It wasn’t said for nothing! 
(Apirana Ngata Proverb spoken for our Youth to catch every opportunity)

Kei whea nga mokopuna,

nga uri o Porourangi

hei tohu maumahara – te korowai o

Te Rangitawaea, te kaitiaki,

no te puke tena hi!

Where are the grandchildren?

The descendants of the great Porourangi

Remember the sign –

The cloak of Te Rangitawaea

The guardian from that peak! (Hikurangi is our Ancestral Mountain and sometimes you will see the cloak of our Ancestor Te Rangitawaea wrapped around it in the form of a clouds.)

Ka rapua i te whatu manawa

te kimihanga o te wairua

ka huri au, he tohu rangatira

ki te tikitiki o te maunga tupuna tera

te Maunga Hikurangi Hi!

Searching  from the hearts perspective

The searching of the soul

I then turn, remember the chiefly sign

From which I descend

The topknot( Maui-tikitiki-a-Taranga we descend from Maui) of the ancestral mountain

The Hikurangi Mountain. 

Te iri te urunga tü, Te urunga pae,

Te urunga mätiketike,

Te urunga märangaranga!

Ka hoe ratou te waka –orite ki tatou tupuna hi!

The lifting up the rudder stands, the rudder is perched, ready

The rudder stands erect, the rudder bobs up and down!

Let us row the waka- like our ancestors before us! 

No te waka Nukutaimemeha,

te waka Nukutere,

Te waka Tereaniani, te waka Horouta,

Paikea he taniwha he tipua hi!

From the great Canoe Nukutaimemeha,

the Canoe Nukutere

The Canoe Tereaniani, the Canoe Horouta

Paikea the whale, the ancestor! (Descendants of Ngati Porou can herald descent from various Canoe and Whale)

No te tupuna Ko Mauitikitiki-a-taranga,

ko Whironui, ko Paikea, Ko Paoa,

Ko Porou ariki te matatara whare,

Te Tuhi mareikura o Rauru Hi!

From the great ancestors –

Maui-tikitiki-a-Taranga,

Whiro-nui, Paikea, Paoa,

Porourangi, Indeed! (Ngati Porou can claim descent from a number of ancestor) 

 Ka whakarerea ki taku wairua,

Ka whakatakata kiTe whatu Manawa

Ka whakangeri ngeri

Te mana maori motuhake hi!

Now my spiritual is ready

From my hearts perspective im prepared

This chant is who I am

These things are the pride of my people!

Copyright 2001

Is Social Ventures Australia the beast?

This post is to speak my truth about my experience as a so-called Social Entrepreneur.  I am a  Maori Woman who cares about her community in Australia and in New Zealand, my roots.

I’ve had tears today, meeting the Business Angels and it’s been one of those weeks where ppl say through words or actions you can’t do it! But, my Spirit & mind shows me this is what you will be doing! my heart says this is why you’ll be doing it! and my actions say I am doing it already!

 In the meeting today with many new developments to share as it’s been a few months since I’ve seen them last and I guess it all came as a bit of a shock what I’m up to now for some. I was wearing my heart on my sleeve still absolutely elated from the design work I received from UTS yesterday and got hammered…Also, Two Angels weren’t there which changed the dynamics completely giving others voices untempered by what is right and good for me…..being in this position I think if I was any younger I would’ve succumbed to anything they wanted and been controlled and possibly change, impacting my authenticity and right to be my genuine self.

So many developments: I was able to answer their questions however a bit rushed and not as clearly as some would have liked,  I guess I took for granted how far I’d moved on since we last met and needed to present those movements first.  The natural flow of our meetings tend to go:  Jackie: this is where I’m up to,  Angels: Questions, answers, feedback, advice & support.  This time it was Jackie: I’d like to show you a presentation from UTS Design Students (presentation starts and the new name comes up ***** Foundation and I have to quickly explain the business structure I’ve decided to go with) thats where things went awry!  Then I had to give them an update as to where everythings up to in the project and I guess the legalists in the room could see how much I have to do and how is she going to do it.  Organisation, PHD, etc etc

 ”Who do you think you are?  You must think a PHD drops out of the sky?”  the gift of perception is a  tough bitch when it speaks like that…..a qualifying/ controlling spirit says to anyone with an audacious vision who dares to step out of the mould, status quo and has the audacity to give it a go: What gives you the right to do this, who do you think you are to do this, don’t you know who you’re talking to?  My actions say, I’ve heard it all before, all my life and here I am sitting amongst you with my heart open, willing to learn, listening to feedback , genuine about my vision  and determined to do it.

 For those of us willing to break out of the status quo by dreaming big and with the audacity to actually give it a go…..remember why you do it, the purpose, remember what matters the most, your priorities and take the pearls out of the bullshyt that comes; learn to discern straight to the heart of the matter, what’s really going on?  who is this person?  Where are they at?  what shapes their thought processes? their history?  their issues? I say that because there are times when people speak from their own experiences and put their face on you….they believe the giants they faced are the same giants you’ll face too.  You have to remember: each of us comes with a particular skillset and gift mix which makes us uniquely gifted and equipped with everything we need believe it or not to fulfill our life purpose.  We have to remember that we are the ones with the vision, we know what we see, we know what we know, no one has walked in our shoes but us…be wise and listen for what you need and take the opportunities discarding the rest.  Have compassion for people and where they’re at because you simply don’t know what they’re going through in their own lives…….believe it or not I gained alot today…..

Each of us has the responsibility for our own actions: the ambivalence of language gives us a choice to cut to the heart of people with our words alone, which can do irrevocable damage if not hurt or mindf##$$k someone with superlatives and how do you block the blow that comes from words spoken??  Make sure you guard your heart because out of it flows the wellspring of life and you want that to be a peaceful wellspring and not polluted by someone elses $#*@!! 

I was reminded some want me to tell them what they need to know in a language they understand- key facts…Social Ventures Australia Style because they always make sure they have the greatest presenters when they speak…..sudden thoughts entered my mind of a one man band, thank God I know myself ….  I’ve been kindly offered a one day course so I can learn how to communicate effectively to 4 different personality types at $700 it will help me in presenting my pitch to prospective funders……..Opportunity, so I graciously accepted.  

I wonder? Is SVA going to be the beast for Social Entrepreneurs like myself who have a project and just want to get it done but they’re developing a model of how to pitch that Business Angels will come to expect, the private funders they work with will expect from those of us on the ground and where will our Authenticity come in all of this as we’re told how to speak, think and act!  a way of doing things in which we’ll all have to live up to in order to do a job well done!  @#!*# That! I am who I am, I will do this project regardless of contacts or not, Angels or not, SVA or not, Uni’s or not, well-connected or not…… I think this is my journey and I’m grateful for the Angels input…yes, they’ve helped me with advice but no one spiritual or physical has the right to hinder or hold me back from my Life Purpose & Vision to help others.  I was grateful for “the Archer” because she believed in me, she heard my vision and shared her wisdom on how I could do it  and provided the opportunity of personally introducing me to a contact!  She was the balance in the mix today……That is a fine example of how it should be done!  For those in the position of funding consider this:  you are invited to partake in the vision of an individual to help others – do what you can to listen to the heart of the presenter no matter what form that comes in, you support by believing in them (that alone speaks volumes) by hearing them and asking questions to make sure you’ve got it right don’t hinder them with your legalistic attitude or superlatives they can’t understand because you will be a stumbling block and should be quickly uninvited from the process.

Do you really want to know why I do this??  Breakthrough for my life and for my family…..not just my immediate family but extended too – my eyes and heart are on my hapu/ sub-tribe back home in New Zealand….I’m learning to break new ground and grow!!!!  All it takes is one to break through…..I learn as much as I can to help my community but my first community is where I come from!!  People will be shocked if they knew I’ve been working on a business proposal for running a social enterprise back home too…….as well as what I’m doing here BUT that’s a typical Maori they are always thinking of the wider family and how they can help others get ahead…..

It was a significant day today because earlier this week I had a vision in which I had pulled myself up over the rocks and stood at a cave mouth elated I had made it this far…..I was looking at the clouds below and an eagles nest with three eggs in it (eagles have two eggs) and I was given special permission to take one….After the meeting I went to my Ngapuhi/ American Indian friend & she’s seen how far I’ve come since arriving here 7 yrs ago and I was gifted an amazing blue thunderegg (1 of 3 in her collection) that she’s had for over 20yrs and it still has a gold butterfly on it that her now adult daughter put there as a child.  Oftentimes it will be the people you least expect that will honor you and celebrate your achievements with you along the way,no matter how big or small.  I continued to celebrate how far I’ve come by a walk holding hands talking wit my daughter and the flowers she picked for me on the way home from dinner mean’t much more than anything else.

Alistair SSE CEO UK inspired me for the second time with the story of Michael Young…do you know part of his headstone says “Social Visionary and Innovator”(I think that’s incredible!)  he found solutions to problems that would benefit society……he built organisation after organisation to make them a reality and people told him all the reasons why he couldn’t do it, he’d go away and find solutions and come back until they said yes, it will work!  I told someone I want to be like Michael Young who started SSE UK and was told “you can’t do that because you’re not well connected and you don’t have contacts like he did, do you know what I mean?”he said and then continued ”it’s like Steve Lawrence started WorkVentures and played a key role in the set up of over 13 organisations such as SVA and bought SSE here to Australia – he can do that because he’s well connected.  Yeah, I wanted to be like him too I said lol I know who I am and it’s my personality to want to build things, solve a problem, find solutions, help the people, social justice, joy for all generations, leave a positive legacy for our next generations, innovation, creation – I’m not saying by any means I am these two amazing men what i’m saying is I am passionate about rebuilding peoples lives, removing what hinders them from living their life purpose because I know what it feels like to be held back and I’m willing to continue to perservere until I see the vision come to pass and make it happen….

There are things I want to set up to help my family, community and others get ahead in life and not be held back just because somebody thinks it can’t be done!!!  That’s their attitude not mine and I’m sick and tired of people putting their shyt on me…..know I’m going to do it and back me or back off!

Butterfly Struggle

Along a dusty road in India there sat a beggar who sold cocoons. A young boy watched him day after day, and the beggar finally beckoned to him. “Do you know what beauty lies within this chrysalis? I will give you one so you might see for yourself. But you must be careful not to handle the cocoon until the butterfly comes out.”

The boy was enchanted with the gift and hurried home to await the butterfly. He laid the cocoon on the floor and became aware of a curious thing. The butterfly was beating its fragile wings against the hard wall of the chrysalis until it appeared it would surely perish, before it could break the unyielding prison.

Wanting only to help, the boy swiftly pried the cocoon open. Out flopped a wet, brown, ugly thing which quickly died. When the beggar discovered what had happened, he explained to the boy “In order for the butterfly wings to grow strong enough to support him, it is necessary that he beat them against the walls of his cocoon. Only by this struggle can his wings become beautiful and durable. When you denied him that struggle, you took away from him his only chance of survival.”

May the walls of your cocoon be just thick enough to allow you to struggle just long enough to emerge the beautiful person I already know you to be.  Author Unknown.

leadership in six words :o)

Check out this article in the Harvard Business Review called, “Sum up your leadership in six words” and make an attempt to give it a go yourself by answering the following questions in six words or less )

What gets me up in the morning?  My Life Purpose is Helping Others!

How can I help?  This is my favourite: Planning Pathways- Unlocking Potential -Taking Action

and here are some more I came up with:  setting up an organisation – ***** Foundation

Coordinating the experts: Practising new model

Provide opportunities and access for Women

What is my influence? or How might you describe a challenge facing your team using just six words?

Living with purpose, progressing with persistance!

I was just talking with a friend of mine and she had observed a number of self-confessed social entrepreneurs who like to “play the part” when they get in the zone such as conferences and community meetings by dressing up to portray an image of what a ’supposed’ social entrepreneur looks like, suave, sophisticated, learned, advisor type roles and I found this very amusing because as an emergent venture I find myself without money most of the time as it’s all going into my business and so I can’t remember the last time I had my hair done, let alone my nails and my jeans are either too tight, worn out or thrown out! ….smiling…..I’ve got another meeting with the Business Angels in a week or so and I’m thinking what am I going to wear that they haven’t seen before hahahaha  In six words, Pretending to be something you’re not!

It is now embarrasing living in the same clothes day in and day out but you know what at the same time I have never felt so comfortable in my own skin, nor felt more authentic and my life purpose is so fulfilling I think I can eat it!

When I was working for someone else’s dream and organisation I had more money to spend and all these things I simply took for granted, I spent way too much money, I thought more about myself let alone a third world country but all that has changed…….all I ask for right now is give me and my volunteer a wage so we can pull this off!!!!