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The Fist and the Scorpion: Unlocking True Umoja

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  The Thumb insisted nothing could be held down without his weight. The Index Finger swore he was the leader because he points the way. The Middle Finger looked down upon everyone because he stood tallest. The Ring Finger flaunted his jewelry, and the Little Finger claimed he alone knew the secrets whispered in dark corners. Individually, they were extraordinary. But when a heavy calabash of water was placed before them, none of them could lift it. And when a venomous scorpion crawled onto their mat, their isolated brilliance nearly got the entire arm killed. Listen to episode In our homes and communities today, we see the exact same paradox. We have never had more degrees, more personal titles, or more individual leverage. Yet when real pressure touches our collective doorstep, why does our grip slip? Why do our five gifted fingers refuse to curl inward until the poison is already in the bloodstream? What illusion of safety are we clinging to that makes us prefer being exceptional...
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The Science of Why You Should Not Spend Energy Being Jealous

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When I was a kid I was always angry at the kids who got better grades than me. It wasn't their fault they studied harder and did their homework. They earned those good grades with hard work, not because they got lucky. Anger is a useless emotion, but one that we all experience. As a child I couldn't understand why I had to suffer so that some other child could succeed. But as an adult sharing my information online I've learned about getting results regardless of whether someone else is getting in my way. I know that when it comes to trying to be the best, most of us have the same problem. We're trying to be better than somebody else. We're trying to get in front of someone else, so that we can be seen and we can succeed. And if you compare the stories of great success with jealous people who haven't accomplished what they want, you'll find that they don't line up. You don't get results by being jealous or angry. Those emotions are only useful when th...
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The Secret Power Behind Community and Culture (sample)

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  From Ujamaa to Ubuntu, the African experience of community and the empowerment it leads to is well written about. Collective work and responsibility — ujima — is a simple word that carries a significant amount of power. It states that we are responsible for ourselves and each other — not just in our daily interactions, but also in building a better world for us all to live in. Imagine a group of people who truly understand what they do, why they're doing it, and how their problems can be solved by helping others solve their own problems. A group of people with everyday jobs working together towards a common goal. Ujima is a fascinating process in African culture. The concept itself — a synthesis of collectivism and empowerment — seems to be something that can be applied everywhere, not just by Africans. Whether you're simply redefining your job or trying to change the world, Ujima has shown to be an amazingly powerful tool. It's especially significant in education. It...
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