“America, America, May God Thy Gold Refine,
Till All Success be Nobleness and Every Gain Divine.”
The oft forgotten verse of our national song
The 13 points that follow have been inspired by old Ben (Franklin’s) 12 + 1 virtues. If the points speak to you, you may find that, after going over them, you have a new line of work: a labor of love.
I. OPENINGS FOR INDIVIDUALS:
1) Who recognize that problems are, in fact, challenges, in truth opportunities — opportunities to face life and learn the lessons it offers us ______
2) Who realize (at long last?) that they want to do a work, live a life, pursue a “calling” where they can make a difference, a real difference in other peoples’ lives. The work/calling can be part time, full time, or, initially, as an observing friend, who wants to become an ever-fuller part of the solution, as opposed to the problem. _______
3) Who realize that to do so, they need to establish an income stream, including (depending on their circumstances) a generous one. Many others, working in these fields, have done just that. _______
4) Who realize not only that they can pretty much determine their own income, but who also understand the truth of Thoreau’s words that we are rich, no less, in proportion to the number of things that we can afford to do without: “Simplify, Simplify!” _______
II. AND ALSO FOR THOSE:
5) Who recognize the vital importance of becoming healthier, fitter, and more alive both “on the job” and in life itself. Our health “affords” us the possibility to do what we have actually come into the world to do: fulfill our dreams in service to the larger community. Associates are individuals who realize that the alternatives no longer are an option: “going through the motions,” “playing hooky,” “hanging out,” or getting “a job,” good or otherwise. _______
6) Who are interested in learning about themselves, their humanity, including matters of health, and who are not shy about sharing what they have learned with others whom they care about. Columbia-Sirius Enterprises US is a labor of love that one and all can put their heart into, fully — an enterprise based on the spirit of collaboration and association. _______
7) And Columbia-Sirius Enterprises US is also based on the providing of “goods” that are, in fact, good (recognized as among the best in their industry), in order to provide a service that is, in truth, a service. _______
III. FINALLY, OPENINGS EXIST FOR ANYONE:
8) Who can think for themselves, including in less conventional ways outside the “box.” _______
9) Who are open to learning from others, in particular regarding new perspectives, which (do note) may be quite different from their own. _______
10) Who recognize that they, in turn, have something of significance to offer others, beginning with the circle of associates, along with friends and family who can benefit, greatly, from the products. _______
11) Who have not only an independent spirit, but are willing to get involved in a new, cutting-edge enterprise. _______
12) Who, returning to the opening point, can envision devoting themselves to an entrepreneurial enterprise, US, that is in service to our fellow human beings, above all to those of lesser means, whose fate has been summed up as “the least among us.” _______
13) Finally, this offering is extended to individuals who are true to their word. _______
That is, friends, if you can say yes to this last question, we invite you to check the blank line just above at the end of question 13. Once you’ve done that, if upon careful review you find that you can also say yes, whole-heartedly, to each of the preceding 12 points (be it from this very moment on, i.e. you’re able to en-vision a new start in your life), we invite you to check the blank lines at the end of each of the preceding 12 points. When that is completed, friends, you’ve taken a step, a MAJOR step. In recognition of that fact, we invite you to read on.
“Only that day dawns to which we are awake.
There is more day to dawn. The sun is but a morning star.”
Henry David Thoreau, concluding words of Walden
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Next page: Q & A