I took a jewelry making class when I was sixteen. I began the class making a simple silver ring, but ended it making elaborate bracelets, rings, and key chains. I won an award, fed my ego, kept my favorite pieces and completely forgot about the first ring that I had ever made, which I had given to my Nan as she had been visiting us during the time I was taking the class. I was sixteen, and that silver ring was out of my mind probably two minutes after I gave it to Nan. I am named after my grandmother, Helen, but I always called her Nan. Though she was forced to drop out of school after fourth grade during the Great Depression in the United States, Nan was usually the wisest person in the room. Her sense, along with her capacity to laugh and enjoy life despite the heartache, came from her tremendous ability to keep her ego at bay, live in the present, and to lead a spiritual life. She summarized it in her motto: we’re all just here on a visit. ...
my ideas about learning and leading, contributing and questioning, my family and my work.