I believe in things that are hand crafted. I value the skill and time it takes to make something by hand, maybe because I am so inept at making things with my own hands. I do not really know much about art and design; I know what I like, which is usually what I have taken the time to recognize and appreciate. I do know that the most important thing about making art is actually making it. Creativity is not... Read more
We use knowledge and technology to try to control and mask the primal extremes of our world. We create music and words to cover silence we find intimidating. We connect with people around the world when we are faced with our own solitude. We light our lives to help us be less afraid of the shadows. Our lives are sustained and supported by a foundation of information and technology. We have grown accustomed to our protections. It is challenging for... Read more
1. When did you first recognize that you were a leader? Early in my childhood I was instilled with core values from both my parents to lead a life that serves others and to be mindful that we each have a purpose within that is one to not only serve the gifts and talents we have been bestowed but to also ensure that we are a light to others to find their own path of service as well. As I... Read more
In a few weeks, toward the end of August, I will go up to New Camaldoli, the hermitage and monastery in Big Sur, California where I am a lay oblate. New Camaldoli is a very special place for me, filled with things that draw me closer to what is sacred and holy. The monks who live there, and the supportive silence which they keep, undergird my contemplative life. New Camaldoli is also a place of deep natural beauty. Overlooking the... Read more
Some people hear about what I do or see that my website says Leadership, Pilgrimage, Revelry and ask, “Why Leadership? How does leadership fit with what you do?” The power of leadership is that it brings out the best in people toward goals that grow from shared values. Leaders turn vision into reality and help the people around them become their deepest, truest selves. Leaders are authentic and open, and create authentic community. Through their communities, leaders engage the rest of the world. Leaders... Read more
When people see that my website says Leadership, Pilgrimage, Revelry, some of them ask, “Why Pilgrimage? What does pilgrimage have to do with what you do?” The power of pilgrimage is that it incorporates the everyday aspects of walking and transportation into a sacred journey. Pilgrims are not tourists. People who make pilgrimages see and learn things along the way that shape the rest of their lives. Pilgrimage is essential to the work I do at StrategicMonk. Each of us is... Read more
Some people hear about what I do or see that my website says Leadership, Pilgrimage, Revelry and ask, “Why Revelry? What does revelry have to do with what you do?” Revelry is celebrating or taking delight in something, which is essential to the work I do at StrategicMonk. There are people who think that coaching and spiritual direction are boring, or even depressing. Asking a coach or a director for help is one of the last things they would do.... Read more
Growing up is a very individual, personal process in the culture in which I was raised. There are few formal rites of initiation, and few recognized benefits of growing older. The culture is oriented toward the future, toward being youthful. People in our culture tend to put off growing up as long as possible. Growing up is seen as the way in which we take on responsibilities, as the way in which we are drawn into commitments that restrict and limit... Read more
I wanted to learn more about my friend Jared Callahan, who is a youth pastor in San Diego, and he agreed to answer a few of my questions. Here is the second of two parts: 6. Jared, when do your feel most present to God? When does God seem most transcendent? I feel most present to God when I stop moving. I think that my life and schedule are so built around my heart to serve that the good works themselves can... Read more
I wanted to learn more about my friend Jared Callahan, who is a youth pastor in San Diego, and he agreed to answer a few of my questions. Here is the first of two parts: 1. Jared, How did you become a youth pastor? is there an inspiring story that lead you to that? The people, other than my parents, who had the largest impact on my development were all youth leaders. I realized very quickly that they all had... Read more
Strategic Monk
Ad-Free & Subscriber Log-In