Pressing Pause on Ecocentricity
The time has come to pause the regular distribution
Nine years. That’s how long it has been since this blog came into existence. I’ve written over 300 posts, probably averaging about 700 words each. For those doing the math at home, that puts me north of 200,000 words hammered out on my keyboard. That’s a book, and not a short one. It’s admittedly less than half of War and Peace’s 587,000 words, but I think that says more about Leo Tolstoy than me. That dude could WRITE. But I digress. The point is, I think the time has come to give my fingers a rest.
I’ve decided to pause Ecocentricity, so for those of you who have subscribed (and thank you for that!), you won’t be receiving regular emails anymore. As for sparing your inbox…well, you’re welcome.
There is no need to unsubscribe though. When the mood strikes me, or when there is an environmental issue I simply can’t avoid, I will still sit down to write. We will send those out in the ordinary way, so I will still pop up in your inbox from time to time. All the same, I don’t know how frequent those blogs will be, and I don’t intend to set any goals for myself. Let’s just see how it goes, you and I.
As for my “why,” it’s pretty simple. I want to make time for other things, both at the Foundation and in my personal life. It can be difficult to find the time to write, and when doing so becomes something I grumble about instead of look forward to, then it’s time for a change.
As I say “so long for now,” I want to leave you with one last thing. It’s a roughly 30-minute video of my grandfather. I don’t think I’ve shared this one before, but it’s a special one. This is the last speech that Ray Anderson gave to the people of Interface. It was their annual sales meeting
Every aspect of Ray Anderson is in this video. You’ll see his love for his people. You’ll see his competitive spirit. His humility is apparent as he shares in detail his struggle with cancer. So too is his humor and wit. Above all else, you’ll see his wisdom and passionate commitment for creating a sustainable society.
Thank you for watching. And thank you for reading along with this blog over the years. Until we meet again, my warmest wishes to you all, and my great hope that we can continue working for a better world for Tomorrow’s Child.
„Delivering the Difference“ as partner in the hospitality industry with Cradle to Cradle Certified(R) interior solutions
2yJohn Lanier thanks for sharing this video. I can remember that time very well . It was such an honor to meet Ray and he was so inspiring! My respect for Ray's life achievement and gratitude to have been part of the Interface family for some time! It has made a difference in my life.
Chief Sustainability Officer at WholeWorks LLC
2yThank you John.
"If we have no peace, it is because we have forgotten that we belong to each other." -Mother Teresa
2yBeautiful. Truly inspirational. …both the speech and your decision to press pause.
Professionally Retired but Engaged Full-time in Non-Profit Leadership & Community Service
2yJohn, thank you for all the inspiration, wisdom, and caring you've poured into the #Ecocentricity blog these many years. We are blessed by this gift you've given. Those, like myself, who never knew your grandfather personally are fortunate to have met him through your words and work -- as well as those of everyone at the Ray C. Anderson Foundation. And through the opportunity to hear Ray's heartfelt words. The video you shared is a fitting way to close this chapter of the book, still being written, that is Ray's legacy. I recognize in this last speech the virtues you call out about your grandfather -- love, wisdom, humor, a relentlessness towards his life's mission. But, I am also struck by this... That the bravery and acceptance Ray showed towards the finite reality of his own approaching mortality is the same courage with which he embraced his infinite ability to change the world he found himself living in after his "spear-in-the-chest" moment. An infinite ability not because he was superhuman, but because his humanity informed everything he did. He embraced people and ideas without ego and with the humility to never stop imagining a world long after he was gone. You've continued that quest so well!
A career dedicated to fostering long-term philanthropic partnerships. A life dedicated to loving family, our neighbors, nature, national parks, photography, and music.
2yThank you so very much, John, for your consistent and inspiring messages over these many years. They have each kept your grandfather’s legacy, leadership, and courage burning brightly in our minds and hearts in enduring ways.