August 2005 Monday Morning Minute

In This Issue:
---- Part 1 – Monday Morning Minute

---- Part 2 – Young Men's Action Weekend

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All My Relations (90 Seconds)

This past week I was at a spiritual retreat learning about the ceremonies of the Lakota Indians.

Growing up in Albuquerque, New Mexico, I have always been amazed by the generosity and heart of the Native American culture.

Imagine just for a moment that the government stated that your business would be relocated to a "reservation," that you were no longer permitted to discuss business in English, and that any rituals that you perform within your business would now be considered outlawed.

Would you hate the government for telling you how to live, begin a war, or secretly go off into the woods and share the traditions of your great grandparents with the next generation?

A common Lakota word used in ceremony is "Mitakuye Oyasin."

These two words together mean "all my relations" and explain how we are all interrelated to one another and to all of life.

This past week, was a great reminder that I am related to all people and I can honor and respect each one of them in my life.  Even the ones who I may not understand and wish would go away.

Now take a look into your business community.  Are there people within your workplace you can honor and respect even if you are secretly hoping they would just dissapear?

How is honor and respect created? 

It begins with you!

Young Men's Action Weekend

Do you wish their was a simple way that you could contribute to helping the young men of today's society?  If you are tired of the lack of respect amongst today's youth and you are ready to make a difference, please share the young men's action weekend with a young man ages 13-19 in your life.  If you don't live in the Portland area, please feel free to help sponsor a young man today.

For more information    Click Here

Wishing you all a Happy Monday,

Jason