The secret of change is to focus all of your energy not on fighting the old, but on building the new.
Socrates
Enough superficial talk, platitudes, and empty rhetoric. Enough short-lived fury over the bylines and the headlines. Now, more than ever, it’s time for less talking and more walking, as presented in In Search of Humanity: Time to To Do More? Well here’s your chance to “do more”. It’s time for us to start rebuilding the world we all want to live in. It’s time for us to understand that what we do and how we do it makes a difference —and to decide what kind of difference we actually want to make. It’s time for rich, adult conversations in search of real action and real solutions. Let’s stop skipping across the pond. Let’s dive deeper with purpose, striving for progress, not perfection.
Many of us are familiar with the African proverb, “it takes a village to raise a child.” The truth is, it “takes a village” to achieve just about any meaningful change in our world—from fighting disease to uniting for peace. And not simply a village of like-minded people, but a coming together of fresh voices borne of diversity and dissenting opinions –all united by an unwavering quest for the greater good of humanity. New ideas. New approaches. New Solutions. A gathering where the wisdom of experience and open, honest, candid viewpoints is met with respect, tolerance, acceptance, consideration, and understanding. A gathering where the only acceptable bias is one of action.
Looking Back
Looking back over history, our quest resembles that of the “Salons of the Enlightenment” dating back to 18th century France, where networks of social and intellectual exchange were developed to connect Paris, the capital of the Enlightenment, and the City of Light, with the rest of France.
Conversation was the primary activity. These salons played an integral role in the cultural and intellectual development of France. The salons were seen by contemporary writers as a cultural hub, responsible for the dissemination of good manners and sociability. It was not merely manners that the salons supposedly spread but also ideas, as the salons became a center of intellectual and social exchange.
Looking Forward – to Salon 360°
Our Salon will be different by design. Our Salon isn’t elitist or just about conversation. It’s about changing the way we operate and cooperate. One discussion, one solution, one step at a time, however small. In our homes, in our workplaces, in our community, in our country, in our universe. We don’t need magic to change the world. We carry all the power we need inside ourselves. We have the power to imagine and reimagine better. Progress is not inevitable. It’s up to us to create it.
It matters not your gender, your ethnic or religious background, your orientation, or your social status. Our struggles in this world are similar, and the lessons to overcome those struggles and to move forward — changing ourselves and the world around us — will apply equally to all.
It’s Time for Shift to Happen
Our doors are not open to everyone. Our doors are open strictly to those who are actually ready to walk the talk; those able to disagree without being disagreeable; those willing to show up, step up, and speak up; those willing to actively listen, probe, understand, learn, compromise —with ego, bias, subjectivity, politics, prejudice, polarized opinions, diatribes and all else negative checked at the door. And we’re not interested in a gathering of like-minded people who already understand and embrace our quest for humanity, but fresh voices bringing new ideas, contrarian opinions, etc. No exceptions. No deviations. No same old circular discussions. No superficiality. No kidding. Period.
Solving difficult problems requires determined effort and honest evaluation. If we want meaningful answers, we have to be willing to ask hard questions – and then we have to be able to face up to the truth no matter how uncomfortable or how unpopular that might make us.
~Yonason Goldson
Ready to Join Our Live Worldwide Event?
What hard questions can you ask? How can you challenge the voice of conventional wisdom? Have you the strength of conviction, courage, and genuine commitment to join us? If so, register today to reserve your seat at the Salon. Because the time is now for us all to come together, doing our very best to make (real) shift happen. No Presentations. No Promos. No Sales Pitches. No kidding. Just seriously good people who are serious about change “for good”.
RESERVE YOUR FREE SEAT FOR OUR NEXT SALON 360°
Rich, adult conversations. Thoughtful engagement. Real relationships. Humanity at its very best.
Excellent article and powerful. It does take action to walk the walk as you are working on yourself. We can’t change others but we can ourselfs and reach , the stars are the limit. I wish I could afford it right now but it’s been awhile
I am looking forward to participating. This sounds like a wonderful forum for meaningful discussion and interaction as a prelude to action.
So pleased that you’ll be joining us, Victor, as we’ve learned so much over the past several years and have done our best share those learning, while “shifting” our approach over time for the benefit of everyone who participates.
Dear Dennis,
A saying jumps up at me….“You could grow up in the city where history was made and still miss it all.”
― Jonathan Lethem, The Fortress of Solitude.
I salute Humansfirst and 360 degree for coming together to challenge the voice of conventional wisdom. Its about time indeed to have that strength of conviction, courage, and genuine commitment ,
I am 100% in for the next one. I was a little incapacitated for this one as shared to you personally. But do count me in to step in authentically – in my true un-adulterated spirit.
In deepest gratitude. Love from India.
Grateful for your very kind words of support, my friend. Consistent with our commitment to “make shift happen” we’ve moved the time up a couple of hours for the benefit of our distant friends like you… Your presence is always felt – let’s chat soon when all settles down, as we’ve got some exciting work going on behind the scenes…
Thanks for sharing this and providing such a meaningful platform. I’m learning more and more as I read on.
Now is the time to respond to this sincere call to action. And now, I have registered to the Salon event. Happy to be a part of the transition and shift. Every goal is preceded by a vision – and racial equity is the vision that we all share.
So glad you will be joining us to “walk the talk” Rajat – thank you!
WOW, Dennis … I somehow fell off the 360 map this summer, but was soooo connected with some of the same current, even the word, “SALON” I was guided in August to rename my group, The Shine Salon. LOL!! Reserving my seat & sharing the opportunity. Thank you, one again. You’re amazing.
Glad you’re back, Sora – good karma here, indeed!
Thanks for posting this. A lot of people like to go off of headlines only without actually reading the details and taking the time to think. Keep it up, Dennis!
Thank you Dom!
Your post my brother echoes the Book of James—“Be a doer of the word not just a listener or preacher”. Actions will always speak louder than any words. We must all strive to be that “Good Samaritan”.
Thank you, Danny – it’s time for us all to stop living with the headlines and on the sideliness and start walking vs. talking.
Dennis, thank you. We need more doers who will help turn conversations about possibilities into actions that inspire us to give back, to do good and to help others rise to a better place. Thank you for being such a person.
I’ve registered and am ready to help!
Very pleased that you’ve reserved a seat at the table, Mohamed and we really appreciate your offer to help (I’ll be in touch!)…
I have registered and am excited to be part of this salon experience about walking the talk. Transformation begins on the inside of each of us as we align thoughts, feelings, words, and deeds to a place consistent with a willing and happy heart. Thank you so much for your on-going commitment to a shift for good happening in our world, Dennis. Thank you for your call to action!
Grateful that you continue to walk beside us on our journey to rediscover humanity at its very best, Laura. Akin to the “butterfly effect” each step in our journey is intended to create ripples of positive change..
such a powerful call. I’m so interested in this and willing to help. I’ll register asap. I don’t know if I can attend at the scheduled times though in the foreseeable future since I work in a lab every Wednesday at that time. When I can make it happen I will be there
Wonderful – your voice needs to be heard, LeTavious…
Such an empowering call-to-action, Dennis, and a chance to come together, for good. I also believe we have a responsibility to do what we can, from wherever we are, to shape our future – not (only) for ourselves, but for future generations. If there’s a seat for me, “I’m in.” And, have registered.
Grateful for you comments here, Janice and indeed, for your interest in joining our quest for more walkin’/less talkin’. It’s time for us to start rebuilding the world we all want to live in. It’s time for us to understand that what we do and how we do it makes a difference —and to decide what kind of difference we actually want to make.
Need I say Thank You to someone I continue to adore since day one? Dear Dennis Sir, you already know who I am referring to, right; Who else, but you! Yes, it took me a long time to decide if I am making the right decision to step up to your call, but I did decide at last and registered my interest in the upcoming event.
I have a strong feeling in the voice of the masses, especially the ones of our ilk, that feel strongly about things, events, situations, and go beyond the norm, per our specific capabilities, to do what we can at the given moment.
It shall certainly be something worth learning from, even if I am not an expert on anything. Learning what’s missing may perhaps motivate me to act, and help create a better world in some small way.
Thanks, With Warm Regards, and A Prayer For All
BM
We need fresh voices, my friend. So glad you are joining us!
If ever there were a time to step out of our comfort zones and take individual steps toward positive change it is now. We all have a role to play. We all have to look inside and ask, “What am I doing to make a difference?” Thank you, Dennis, for this opportunity to elevate the conversation and create a wave of action. I’m in!
“There are two primary choices in life: to accept conditions as they exist, or accept the responsibility for changing them.” … Thank you for “walking the walk” alongside us today and every day, my friend.
YES YES YES. I am all for action instead of only lip service. We cannot just stay at the sidelines and stay comfortable anymore. A lot of very important issues are in our face now and we need to tackle them one by one even if they are baby steps. The self-reflection I have done in the last 3-4 months with pandemic and protests have been crucial for my own consciousness. All starts with us. I feel the responsibility as an educated international citizen of this world to do more. Thank you Dennis. Huge and wonderful step for sure. Registered already. Would be honored to have a seat at the table to act and work together.
Hi Brooke. You couldn’t have said it better, my friend. We have an opportunity to do “more good”, one day and once voice at a time. And we’re so very pleased that your voice will be joining our chorus “for good” …
You are a tidal wave of goodness, Dennis Pitocco! I suspect you have an army of clones in your office as I’ve no idea how you do all that you do. But THANK YOU for the difference you make!
Grateful for your always kind words of support, Kimberly. It’s time for more voices and more action (more walkin’/ less talkin’) and we hope you’ll join our new gathering where the opportunity will exist to dive deeper “for good” …
Thank you Dennis J. Pitocco ! A call to action I’m very happy to respond to and join. Just registered now.
Thank you for this opportunity to walk with others in this movement! 🙏🙏👟👟👟
As you say “ We carry all the power we need inside ourselves. ”
We can indeed help each other not to feel powerless when we walk together.
Harnessing your own power is increased when you feel the support and value offered from others.
Thank you for plugging us in here.
So pleased that you are continuing the journey with us to rediscover humanity at its very best, Paula. Your voice matters…