I believe in equality and the inherent right of ALL humans to live happy, healthy, fulfilling lives that align with their values. I believe in interconnectedness and the responsibility I have to act from a place of love and kindness as a result of this interconnectedness.

I believe in forgiveness and in accountability. I believe in treating myself and others with respect and dignity. I believe in the value of speaking truth to power and the value of actively listening when others are speaking their truth. I believe I grew up with privilege because of the color of my skin, though I didn’t understand that for many years. I believe in the absolute necessity to unlearn, challenge, and confront the social norms of my upbringing and in my commitment to be of service to the highest possible good.

I value Honesty. I value Open-mindedness. I value Willingness. I value spirituality in all its manifestations. I value the environment and respect the reciprocal relationship I have with nature.

I value the love and passion I’ve shared with my partner, Jesaka, for the past 25 years or so. I value my family and my friends. I value & honor the lives of those who have walked before me and I value & honor the lives of those who follow.

I value hard work and inquisitiveness. I value learning — from my mistakes and the mistakes of others; from my successes and the successes of others; from schools & universities; from books & music; from movies & podcasts; from art & lectures; from children & elders; from nature & from nurture.

I want opportunities to grow and learn. I want to contribute positively to the world around me and to the lives of those less fortunate than me. I want to feel loved & valued. I want to be seen for all that I am and respected for all that I contribute. I want world peace and a significant shift in our creative consciousness. I want to leave the world a better place than it was when I entered it.

I want a career that brings out the best in me and enables me to bring out the best in others. I want to wake up every day knowing my job is way more than just a paycheck. I want to work with/for organizations that are values-driven, innovative, and committed to the success of all employees whether on the front line or in the boardroom.

I need to be challenged. I need opportunities to engage with others. I need to be paid in alignment with my experience and rewarded for my performance. I need healthcare coverage, retirement savings opportunities, and options for work/life balance.

I need to know I can count on others to have my back. I need to be trusted and relied upon to make the right decisions. I need to be allowed to make mistakes but expected to rise to the occasion.

I need to show up for myself and for others. I need time to be active in my community. I need the occasional “mental health day.” I need to be outside as much as possible and I need to make a difference.