Getting my book, Train to the Moon, out was a big thing for me… something very personal, but felt it was right to share it with the world. But also, this evolution stuff isn’t all fun and games, it’s very painful at times. But by enduring the pain… you will come out the other side of the fire stronger, clearer and another step down your path.

Lots of things in the hopper for me, as always. I just submitted a workshop proposal for the World Domination Summit in Portland, Oregon which I’ll be attending this July. I titled it “Turn off your mind, turn on your heart.” We’ll see if it gets accepted. I’m also gearing up for a 2 minute pitch for a spot speaking at the TEDx Dirigo conference in Portland, Maine, this fall. Same topic. That’s coming up next week, so we’ll see. Also thinking again about writing a book with Justine of Premakarini on transparency. We chatted about this some time ago and have some rough outlines… It might be good to take a look at that again. Whatcha think Justine? Should we dust off our outlines and start writing? Also working on bringing Craig Gray from Ronin Empowerment Group out to Maine for some workshops (PeaceWalker Project, Her Survival Guide and Intro to Krav Maga). If you’re in the Portland, Maine area and are interested, here is a link to a quick survey that helps me gauge interest.

All that brings me to another thing that’s been weighing on my heart for some time. Being content. For me, content isn’t good enough. I always need to be growing and learning and experiencing. I can’t remember the last time I was actually content. I do tend to take a breath after a major accomplishment, but then always plow ahead. I’m always looking for more, I guess. Is this normal? Does anyone else feel like this or am I an odd one?

Not sure that this was a typical blog post of mine.. but then again, what is “typical,” especially with me.

Cheers!

After a series of dreams… parts and pieces really… over several months, the story finally came together in November. One morning, early before everyone was awake, the story just flowed from me. Effortlessly. It’s a love story of two soul connections who grow up together, lose each other, then find each other again through the clouds. The world is better because of their love glow which is fueled by their nightly train to the moon together. This came from the depths of my heart. A place that I did not know previously existed. I see this as a major part in my own evolution, through this new level of creativity.

At first I thought to just keep this story private, but something wasn’t right with that. This is a story that needed to be told to the world. I worked with a friend of mine, Mark Bird of Grand Rapids, Michigan-based Bird Design to assist with the artwork. He was the only one that could’ve told this story so beautifully through his illustrations and art. The process was really quite simple. We had an initial concepting session over the phone, I gave him the specifics that needed to be included (the orange flower, green glass heart, etc). Through this he had free reign to “do his thing.” He came back with something differently than we initially talked about, but it was dead on. The visuals enhanced my words and raised the story to a whole new level. Thank you Mark, for your beautiful art!

Visit a preview of Train to the Moon and enjoy!

Working with a few new clients. A clinical psychologist with aspects of physical and performance coaching as well as collaborative divorce. And also an integrated arts facility which encompasses healing arts, internal/external arts, physical arts and childhood education arts.

I’m also in the planning stages of bring Craig Gray from Ronin Empowerment Group out to the Portland, Maine area for some workshops. If you’re in the Portland area, see the attached link for a workshop interest survey.

And another little thing. Surprise! I’m nearly complete with a book that I’m self-publishing. Not on evolve, connect and inspire from a business or organizational standpoint, but one based on my own personal evolution. Something that comes from the depths of my heart, and a story that needs to be shared with the world. It’s called “Train to the Moon.”

Stay tuned for more details within the next month or so. And because you’re all wanting to know more, here’s a link to see a preview of the cover.

More soon….

Did you know that WorldBlu publishes an annual list of the world’s most democratic workplaces? This list has steadily grown over the last 6 years and it would be such a pleasure to welcome your organization into our growing global community.

Membership with WorldBlu is for those organizations committed to building a democratic workplace. This is measured using The WorldBlu Scorecard – a totally democratic employee scorecard which measures the democratic design of your workplace at a Leadership, Individual and Systems + Processes level across the WorldBlu Principles of Organizational Democracy. Depending on the outcome you will either be designated as an ‘On the Path’ or ‘Certified’ member.

‘On the Path’ members are offered the opportunity to review their scorecard results with one of our consultants who can also provide assistance in working out the steps you may need to take to continue your journey to becoming certified. ‘Certified’ members are automatically included on The WorldBlu List of Most Democratic Workplaces – an annual list highlighting organizations with demonstrated excellence in building a high-performing democratic workplace.

As a member of WorldBlu and potential WorldBlu certified organization, you’d be joining other highly respected organizations such as Groupon, Hulu.com, DaVita, Zappos, Total Debt Freedom, Glassdoor,Rypple, Meetup, Future Considerations, Podio and dozens more, totaling over $15 billion in annual revenue together with many others who are on the path to becoming certified as democratic workplaces.

The WorldBlu List of Most Democratic Workplaces™ has been recognized by The Wall Street Journal, New York Times, the BBC, the Financial Times, The Guardian, Fast Company, Fortune, the Indian Economic Times, Human Capital India, Forbes and dozens of other media worldwide.

Here are 10 reasons why being a WorldBlu member may be advantageous for you:

1. Receive a customized, 25+ page diagnostic report on how democratic your workplace is.
2. Use your certification to attract and retain top talent.
3. Associate your brand with a cause-related movement.
4. Gain access to a global network of thought-leaders.
5. Boost pride and morale.
6. Galvanize global media attention.
7. Access a hub of leading democratic tools.
8. Gain access to strategic alliances and new clients.
9. Meet dynamic leaders at our global events
10. Learn new best practices from some of the world’s more admired companies.

Will McInnes, MD of Brighton (UK) based NixonMcInnes says, “Democracy to us is plain common sense. For our business to succeed we need extremely talented, motivated and engaged employees and the best way to achieve this is to set them free and give them as much control as possible. Once you create this kind of environment it becomes a big draw for talent, and a reason for great people to stay, when the alternative is to work in a closed hierarchy.”

To learn more about membership, the process and relevant costs please contact me for comprehensive membership information. I would be happy to arrange a time to speak with you to assess if membership is the right fit for you at this stage. Please let me know, john@babacita.com.

So very many people to thank… but for starters:

• Me – for the courage to open up my heart and enter into a journey of self exploration
• Sarai’s story and Love146 from my What I Stand For and Where I’m Going post
• Farnoosh Brock at Prolific Living, for helping me turn the corner, flip my ideas and concepts into a viable business model
• Craig Gray at Ronin Empowerment Group, for friendship, support, encouragement and for certifying me as an instructor of his PeaceWalker Project conflict resolution course.
• Brynne Betz at Presence of Magic for helping me fly and discover myStripe, seeing magic deeper in everything around me, for writing, friendship, understanding and connection
• Justine Dooley at Premakarini for transparency discussions, writing and support
• Traci Fenton and Miranda Ash of WorldBlu, for believing in me to be part of their Blu100 consultants and for opening up a new world of opportunities for me
• Leslie Samuel at Learning with Leslie for giving me a platform for my voice to be heard
• And so, so many others, for friendship, support and encouragement – Kelly, Pamela, Brian, Greg, Cynthia, Mark, Jeff, Kirsten, Stacy, Jay, Mike Brooke, Kelcey, Joe, Andrew, etc. I’m sure I’ve forgotten some, my apologies… but you know who you are. ☺

This year… We will all evolve, connect and inspire. To the degree, is up to you. Open your heart wide. Feel, don’t think. Breathe and trust. Believe. In doing these simple, but extremely difficult things, you will evolve, connect and inspire more than you ever thought possible. You will soar.

This year for me…
• Self employment
• To help friends, clients and strangers shine and reach their full potential
• To give, to serve, to love
• A book about my personal journey of evolve, connect, inspire
• Splash more in the river
• A book about soul connections and a train
• To simplify
• To live and teach the way of the PeaceWalker Project conflict resolution principles
• Build an igloo
• An article about transparency
• More interviews
• To educate, evaluate and inspire workplace democracy with WorldBlu
• A few webinars (if anyone wants to listen to me)
• A TEDx talk
• Build a fort in the woods
• Blogs posts along the way on evolve, connect, inspire
• To catch frogs, and chase grasshoppers and crickets
• To feel deep… To lead with my heart and soul… To turn off my dangerous mind
• To breathe, to trust and to let things happen naturally, following the signs along the way

Be ready 2012… Though this is the year of the dragon, it is also the year of the Babacita.

Everything. Every aspect. An awakening. Evolving at the speed of light. Experiencing things deeper now. Brighter colors, new senses. All new. All changing. Coming from deep within mySelf. Coming from others (you know who you are). Illuminating me as never before.

Energy, creativity, ideas and innovations, connections, helping, serving, making this world a better place. Back to my 4 values, that I identified earlier this year. This is Babacita. This is me.

• Service – a sense of doing more for humanity and human rights
• Compassion – a true sense of giving and helping others
• Organize – Forethought and planning, systematic, efficient
• Accomplish – Driven and motivated to accomplishment and providing value

What does this mean for you? Clients, friends, strangers? It means I am here to help. To add strength and caring. Nurturing and love. I am making this world better. Each and every day. And guess what? I’m just getting started.

I woke up.

Have a happy holiday season!

Personally, in diving deep inside of myself through a personal inventory and branding journey, to identify my core values has been absolutely essential in building where I am today. Babacita is entirely built around those values… around me and what is important to me. And through that, I will (and am) make a difference through everything I do… it now flies my Evolve, Connect and Inspire mission.

This is due to really opening myself up and honoring my true Self. And you know what? You can do it too! You really can. Believe me, it’s not easy at all.. but it will be the most fulfilling journey you have had in your life. If you have some time, listen to a recent interview I did on my personal branding journey (the Learning with Leslie link on this page).

I love the statement from Premakarini, “Love is your secret superpower. You just haven’t seen all that it can do… yet.” And then her concepts to Explore, Visualize and Share.

So very important.

And so you’re asking… what does this have to do with my business? Everything. It’s that simple. Everything. Your personal values, your organizational values can all be honored and that will shine through in productivity, morale, relationships, customers and the bottom line. Easier said than done though. So many organizations are still in that command and control management which goes against all of these principles. Have you heard of a little organization named WorldBlu? I’m certified with them… Check them out. Through their efforts we are out to change this old-school management style. Great interview here from Traci Fenton, WorldBlu’s Founder and CEO talking about the benefits of a democratic workplace.

Read my Belief in the Butterfly post., that follow up the interview.

So what’s next? That’s really up to you. Where do you need to Evolve, Connect and Inspire? I’m here to help you explore that.

Take flight!

And personally. Infused with inspiration and evolution through amazing connections, and a new found level of energy coursing through me. Constant now, not just blips. Always.

I am so thankful for these gifts, but you know what? The constant with all of these pieces to the puzzle is heart. Simply letting it all go and taking a tremendous leap of faith. Believing. Opening up my heart and all that is me/Babacita. That is where the true power lies, and I feel I’ve just scratched the surface.

Have you read “Hope for the Flowers,” by Trina Paulus? A beautiful book about a caterpiller having trouble becoming what he really is. Thank you Yellow, for showing me flight!. Go read this now, it’s pure magic. You too will believe in the butterfly.

And I’m just getting started. The evolution, connection and inspiration continues….

Through the WorldBlu 10 Principles of Organizational Democracy:

1. Purpose and Vision
2. Transparency
3. Dialogue + Listening
4. Fairness + Dignity
5. Accountability
6. Individual + Collective
7. Choice
8. Integrity
9. Decentralization
10. Reflection + Evaluation

This is some extremely powerful shit. Think about it. What do those principles mean to you at your workplace? Now, how does your workplace affect your personal life? Community? Speaking from personal experience in a corporate position I can honestly say I used about 10% of my potential. Why? They wouldn’t allow me to expand that. Kept in a box with direct mandates. No room for creativity, innovation or inspiration. An organization based on bullying, fear and self-worth destruction. So even IF I were given free reign to widen my box, why would I? I’m worth more than that.

Imagine….. your own organization. What % of people are truly dedicated, challenged and inspired to push the limits and their potential? With the WorldBlu love, what would happen to an organization was able to double that %? What would happen if I took my 10% potential and made it 20%? What if everyone did that? Big changes right? These are little steps, but they’re truly critical for individuals as well as organizations. Wouldn’t you like to see people completely strive! In opening the “box” and letting people do what they do the results can be amazing on so many levels. Collaboration, innovation, creativity, efficiencies and waste reduction, flexibility and (for you numbers people) the bottom line. Why wouldn’t you start looking at this? Couple reasons could be fear of change and fear of loss of control. It is a big step and a different way of thinking, but I tell you my friends. This is the future. The days of command and control hierarchical leadership are history. People want more. Just recently I wrote about a silent revolution that’s going on. And the more transparent I’ve become and the more connections I’m making, there are a lot more of us than you think. And this movement is getting stronger and stronger. Bottom line – people want more out of their lives. You can’t fit a person in a “box.” I am everywhere BUT in a “box” and I suspect you are too. People are searching for meaning and purpose and guess what? They’re finding it or on a path driving hard to finding it. If you’ve been following my story you’ll know (email me if you wanna chat about it… I could go on for hours).

So tying this all back. This past summer I became a certified instructor of the PeaceWalker Project Conflict Resolution seminar that aligns and augments Babacita and my offering. And now, the important mission of WorldBlu also aligns precisely with Babacita and all that I am. In talking with Traci Fenton (she’s absolutely brilliant by the way), Founder and CEO of WorldBlu, this week, I told her that I have been silently stalking her for years and have supported their mission and all that they are about. So now it’s a pretty scary time. Not scary for me, scary for the world. The shit storm is about to erupt and I am on the cutting edge of this revolution of change and empowerment and freedom. And if you know me personally you know that being on the cutting edge isn’t quite enough and that I have no problem driving this movement (strangely, this song comes to mind and seems about right).

Join me.

Lead with me. Follow me. Watch me. -Don’t even think about getting in my way.

We can make a difference and the time is now to spread the love.