Energy For Life

This has been such a very exciting summer for us! Hope you are enjoying the end of this season and savoring the last bits of warm-weather pleasure.

I remember the conversation with Jim when “we” (who really knows who said it first?) came up with the idea of his men’s anthology. What a rush of energy! A big YES! resounded in us. We knew that compiling men’s stories resonated with Jim’s dedication to serving men in their development towards wholeness. Men daring to be transparent, vulnerable, real and triumphant serves everyone!

Last summer, I loved being a contributing author to “Speaking Your Truth; Courageous Stories from Inspiring Women,” compiled by Lisa Shultz and Andrea Costantine last year. Jim witnessed my participation as very fulfilling and life-giving. I experienced a sense of freedom to tell my intimate and powerful story. I hope and pray all the contributing authors to Jim’s book, “Ordinary Men, Extraordinary Lives: Defining Moments” have been enriched personally and will touch thousands (millions?) with their stories.

As the men’s anthology book is now ready for print and the Whole Man Expo is set for Saturday, September 10, 2011, I see new aspects of my husband emerging. He has taken on more than I ever recall, in the 41 years we have been married. Maybe his doctoral program and dissertation is a close second. To master the amount of details, contacts, writing, editing, organizing, planning, coordinating, etc. has stretched Jim. I have witnessed his being empowered to “honor men striving for balance and the women who support them.” The cause came to far outweigh the personal. Late nights, early mornings, endless lists, overwhelming tasks and magical moments have ignited the diamond fire that is polishing Jim’s character and revealing his brilliance. The profound passion I see in his eyes thrills me. I am so proud of his dedication and steadfastness.

Profoundly realizing what has gone into the process of “birthing” the book, I am proudly and humbly holding “the baby” in my hands., reviewing the copy before it goes to press. The Whole Man Expo, less than a month away, will be a splendid launch for the book and a day well spent with people engaged in wholeness. I am really honored to facilitate a women’s panel to explore the question “What do conscious women want from men?” Come join us!

A deep sigh of relief, gratitude and contentment.. …to know that my husband is fulfilling his calling. This is the beginning of a new journey–and I am holding my honey’s hand, as we travel together.

Get your tickets to the Expo today!

Be well,

Ruth

The blockbuster men’s consciousness-raising event “The Ultimate Men’s Summit,” was experienced by millions of registrants from 126 nations between June 10 – 19, 2011. Seventy-five prominent leaders in the men’s and human potential movements broadcasted presentations that were accessible by phone and on the internet. I listened to several of them, yet wish I could have heard many more, as I was familiar with most of the speakers (Robert White contributed a personal story to my men’s anthology; Jed Diamond endorsed the book).

Having served as a therapist and facilitator in both the men’s and human potential movements since the mid 1970’s, I am thrilled that The Shift Network, founded by Stephen Dinan, was dedicated to organizing and hosting an event of this magnitude. Kudos to Stephen and to Lion Goodman, Director of Men’s Programs, for their vision, resourcefulness, and king-sized efforts in creating such a momentous, globally empowering extravaganza. I am also very appreciative of the luminaries who offered their time and skill to present to the world audience.

Based on the limited number of programs of which I availed myself, and reading descriptions of many of the others, my sense is that the Summit accomplished its mission of disseminating vital information, tools and resources to the global masses.

In my estimation, the key messages that were highlighted in various ways by various speakers, were that to lead truly fulfilling lives, men must recognize that everything is interconnected and that we each need to find our unique purpose, serving alongside of women to foster harmonious human evolution.

As founder and coordinator of Whole Man Expo, I am further inspired and fueled to produce a highly informative and festive live event September 10th at Sheraton DTC Hotel in Greenwood Village, CO, as a result of attuning to The Ultimate Men’s Summit. We anticipate an excellent turnout, even if it will be paled by the huge global response to The Summit.

-Jim

Last week, while composing a poem “Ode (Owed) to Mothers,” honoring moms on Mother’s Day, I revisited my sense of the word “sacred.” Clearly, I regard the parent-child relationship as a sacred one. Several days later, as I was preparing an exercise for a group presentation I was about to facilitate, I did the exercise myself. The challenge was to compose one’s own ideal epitaph, which involved memorializing oneself in a maximum of seven words. One of the phrases I chose to portray a premier value of mine was “loved (or championed) sacredness.”

I then asked myself to consider what I regard as especially sacred or holy in life, in addition to family relationships. How would you respond to that implied question? Actually, after quickly listing off a number of things and qualities, I realized I couldn’t limit and absolutely didn’t want to restrict my perception of what is holy in this world or universe. (I also noted what I view as profane.)

Then yesterday, synchronicity graced me with her familiar “sacred smile.” I turned to the reading for that day and the next in the precious and inspiring book Miraculous Living by Rabbi Shoni Labowitz, which I have often turned to for guidance since the book was published in 2002. The book contains a series of daily terse, diverse lessons or reminders. The two concise readings were:

“Your awareness of the sanctity with yourself and the sacredness of all existence affects everything, everywhere. When you recognize your holiness, you think, speak, and act in holiness.”

“You are holy. The choices for continuing to live in holiness are eternally available to you.”

Those remarks, which I don’t suspect I could have said better, offer great pause for reflection and a posture for us to live and grow “into.”

-Jim Sharon

I am absolutely delighted to announce that I am in the early stages of compiling a men’s anthology! The book will feature authentic accounts of men’s very diverse triumphs over significant adversity and life challenges and will be filled with spirit. Contributing authors will comprise a wide range of ages, races, religions, nations, etc. What they will have in common is a strong character, service-mindedness, and a lot of love and courage.

I invite you to please view and contribute to my Kickstarter campaign today and spread the word about this very dynamic project through your social networks: http://kck.st/aol55j

The primary missions of the anthology are:

1) To advance the paradigm shift from traditional, patriarchal male attitudes and behavior to emerging male qualities that ultimately lead toward wholeness

2) To elevate and dignify men’s stature in the public eye

During the course of a likely one-year project, we’ll be meeting to build energy and synergy, to learn from one another, socialize, and network together.

For further information on the project and how you can participate, please view this fundraiser video. I would greatly appreciate your donations in any amount to defray part of the project cost (detailed in my Kickstarter project description).

My wife, Ruth and youngest daughter, Alyssa contributed stories to a highly successful women’s anthology that was published last month: Speaking Your Truth: Courageous Stories from Inspiring Women by Lisa Shultz and Andrea Costantine. The genuine buzz, including Ruth and Alyssa’s excitement, around that book gave me the inspiration and impetus to begin a men’s anthology. What started as my low-key excitement over the men’s project has quickly burgeoned into a passionate calling. During the first two months of the project, numerous men and women have expressed great enthusiasm for its potential power and beauty. I have felt exceptionally blessed and honored to have so many truly amazing men rally around the project!

Until I develop separate book sites, please track our anthology program on our Energy for Life Facebook page and on my Twitter page.

The book will be self-published in late Fall 2011 with guidance from Sue Collier and her staff at Self-Publishing Resources.

I cannot wait to share the uplifting, heart-rendering stories with you!

Enthusiastically,

Jim