I couldn’t understand some parts of this article, but it sounds interesting

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Glad you found perspective and solace in this line. I am always amazed at the paradoxical dimension to wisdom. I think this notion of vision is paradoxical. We pursue and serve it, yet oddly it creates us in the process.

Jennifer and I were talking about this idea, whose truth she was acknowledging. I asked, in case it wasn’t clear already, “do you really find this to be true?” She replied, “Are you kidding? Character is totally born out of the tough stuff and identifying what you will fight for or be criticized about.”

In the swirling turmoil, you’re in good company. Stay focused on the good and you’ll have the long term protection, the best kind of all: a sense of inner peace and solidity!

– Dan Mulhern

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Just wanted to say thank you for this-

“A dream or vision is a serious thing. If there is one in your soul, protect it, play with it (or pray with it), give it just a little room to breathe. Perhaps wonder most of all: am I here to create the reality of the vision, or is it possible that the vision is here to create the true reality of me?”

After a very rough string of days where I was thrown into a leadership position that was filled with incredible turmoil, I popped over here and read that- and it took me right out of my ego and put me back to looking at the bigger picture, that of the vision, instead of just the intense focus on the self.

It was a much needed respite from the storm, and it came at just the right time.

Thank you for being here.

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Steve Tobocman
House Majority Floor Leader
State Representative, 12th District – Detroit

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I’ve read your message three times now, and I’m not sure I get the central thrust of it, so this reply is a bit of a gamble!

I think your vision is to end homelessness, no? That is indeed a Big Hairy Audacious Goal or BHAG as you point out. Have you relinquished the goal? Or perhaps courageously detached your ego from that goal, while still holding to the goal? Senge whom you reference would say hold onto the goal, especially in tough times (the “admittedly crooked path to service”). It will change you – that’s the Heschel point, no? – but that doesn’t mean you aren’t still changing the world, my friend. If you hold to that goal and also keep interrogating reality (including your inner reality) dynamism will result. You are an extraordinary person with a mammoth goal (ELIMINATING the vast and complicated personal issues of homelessness is much different than Rick’s creating a PARTICULAR solution that attracts latent talent).
Hope I haven’t butchered your point. — Dan Mulhern

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After three years pushing quite passionately in a particular direction, I find now that it’s time to back off, retreat, reflect, look in my blind spots – that is, listen to other people.

This can seem like cowardice.

Abraham Heschel said in 1963, “The most valuable insights into the human situation have been gained not through patient introspection or systematic scrutiny, but rather through surprise and shock of dramatic failures.”

I admire Rick Sperling, especially his tenacity regarding his BHAG. I admire Roy Hoelscher, who has served Capuchin soup Kitchen for more than 40 years, feeding the hungry day after week after year. And Fr. Gerry Albright is at UDM for fifty or so.

But perhaps some of us – perhaps even many of us – are called to Heschel’s fate, to learn deeply through what appears to be shocking failure. The humanity we gain, if we remain courageous, provides an admittedly crooked path to service, but one of great potential different from the Sperlings and Hoelschers and Albrights of our blessed city.

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Leadership in the same vein – kids from the poorer part of the social spectrum performing Shakespeare all over the world.

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