The New 10 Values

This article “Ten Values of Success” has deep inspiration from a dear friend. As many of you know, I have been intricate to the 9/12 Project since its inception and the director of the KY9/12 chapter for four years now. In speaking with another director, I posed the question, "if you had a blank sheet of paper to start the 9/12 Project over, what would you do?" His response to those of us in the movement at first seems almost sacreligious. He would first re-write or change the nine founding principles and twelve values. His reasoning was that through a progression of self-education, reading, and beginning to think of things more critically today (as opposed to four years ago) he would come to a completely different conclusion of what our “founding” principles and values should be.

This was genius. This is what the 9/12 project was all about. There was (and is) a heavy impetus on personal responsibility, self-governing leadership, and personal education. To "question with boldness" is more than a slogan, but a cred that is lived by its learners. This was exactly what we strive for and hope for: that someone would - through the years of self-study and self-reflection - question the foundation of what they once accepted as concrete.

From this also came my muse to consider if I had to do this all over what foundational virtues would I choose for a self-governing leader.

Please read the article “Ten Values of Success”  and consider for yourself what values, virtues, principles you would add or subtract or give the most weight. Please share them with the group and don’t be afraid to question with boldness - not necessarily what others put - but what you believe is foundational to you.

Thank you. I look forward to reading your comments more so than adding any of my own. (and I guess we will now be “Project 10” unless I can come up with two more)

“Achieving success in our modern world requires a mindset of leadership – even if you are only leading yourself or your family unit. Great leaders have a set of virtues that are readily identifiable in the way they operate in their personal and professional lives… read more”

http://www.brushfireforum.com

Leadership Parenting - June Courses

For anyone that attended last years conference Restoring Values with Dr Brooks here are the classes you wanted to be part of. Sorry for the delay in getting anything out but There is Still Time to Enroll for June Courses! They are well worth the time, energy, and effort and I would recommend for any parent.

 

Leadership Parenting™ is a Monticello College online parent leadership-training program designed to equip parents and grandparents with the skills and confidence to raise leaders in their homes. Every course uses "classics" text, lecture and discussion to teach you how to identify and pass vital family and social attributes onto your families.

This program has been modified to bring the Face to Face With Greatness Seminars right into your living room. No more childcare, no more talking your husband into watching the kids for 2 whole days!

Each stand-alone course is 3 weeks long and consists of three "virtual" online classes supported by email consultation. Readings are minimal with lots of lecture, discussion, and can be applied to the AA or BA degrees at Monticello College.

No need to read before the commencement of the course. Just enroll, buy your book(s) and be online when the first class begins. Class size is limited to 25 students. A registration confirmation email will be sent with all other details. All courses include application of Organic TJED™ principles.



Enroll Here

June Schedule of Courses


A Thomas Jefferson Education*

Class One June 5 - 8-9am MDT

Class Two June 12 - 8-9am MDT

Class Three June 26 - 7:30-9:30am MDT
Readings: A Thomas Jefferson Education, Oliver DeMille

Mentor: Shanon Brooks, Ph.D.



The Seven Lesson School Teacher *

Class One June 5 - 9:30-10:30am MDT

Class Two June 12 - 9:30-10:30am MDT

Class Three June 26 - 9:30-11:30am MDT

Real, practical, and proven advise about how kids learn.

Readings: Select readings from Dumbing Us Down, John Taylor Gatto and How Children Learn, John Holt

Mentor: Shanon Brooks, Ph.D



Character

Class One June 6 - 8-9am MDT

Class Two June 13 - 8-9am MDT

Class Three June 27 - 7:30-9:30am MDT
In a world of ambiguity and "values clarification," this class is a refreshing reminder to be true to yourself.
Readings: Jane Eyre, Charlotte Brontë

Mentor: Shanon Brooks, Ph.D.

Enroll Here

Essential Trait - by Dr Brooks

By Dr Brooks,

If you are going to be a successful leader in the future, you must develop this trait. It is not just a nice thing to have, or a good thing—it is essential; it is vital.

Without it you cannot be a statesman and the world will be led by whoever has it—whether they are virtuous or not, good or evil, dedicated to moving the cause of liberty or some other cause.

You will probably not like to hear what I have to say about it—because it will mean that you have to change, and change is hard; I didn’t like it when I learned it–because I had to change. Jefferson probably didn’t like it either, but he did it. Lincoln probably didn’t like it; but he did it. You must have this trait if you want to be a successful learner and become a leader.

The nation must have leaders with this trait if it is to stay free.

So, if I say things you don’t like, ignore that. Don’t ask, “Do I like what he’s saying?” Ask, “is it true? And what changes will I make because it’s true?”

Each of us needs this trait because each of us wants to fulfill our mission in life, to really make a difference in the world. So, even if it is hard to get this trait–and it is–it is worth it, and it is important.

The vital trait I speak of is attention span.

New American Founders

The problem is we are no longer teaching, rising, and empowering leaders among us and the next generation. The day is coming when this nation will stand at a vital crossroads, and only statesmen of the caliber of Washington, Jefferson, and Adams will be able to take it in the right direction.

But not only do we need new American Founders and men and women of virtue but we need to know and utilize what the Founders knew in order to renew and perpetuate liberty. We need to prepare ourselves and the next generation in much the same ways these great men were forged to greatness; through classical education and self discovery.

These men and women were educated in a unique way, through a classical "liber"al arts education instilling the knowledge and skills necessary to remain "liber"ated. The Founding Fathers were a generation of "liber" - of men and women who could read, understand, and debate ideas and concepts. When we stopped using the founding method of education in the U.S., we stopped getting these kinds of results in significant numbers—and our liberties began to slip away. We stopped encouraging leaders and began a slippery slope of dependence.

We need to once again indulge in the same classics that inspired a generation of leaders. We need to provide in each of our intellects the foundation that created statesmen. We need to understand what and as they understood things to once again face the great challenges of this nation. Although it may appear simple; the answer is in methods and readings, and through classical education and self discovery. This will empower the next George Washington among us.

Renaissance not Revolution

Sadly we have people on both parts of the political spectrum converging now to storm the Bastille from different sides. Seeing the occupy Wall Street Mob, you should fear directionally where this country may be going. Among the crowd are anarchist and useful idiots that are crying for a revolution. They are clearly against something but with no clear vision of what they are for and even less clarity on ideas or virtue. The time is now but we do not need a revolution; what we need is a renaissance.

After decades of attempting to change things from the top down, we realize that the answer is not a revolution – it is a renaissance. We require a renaissance of people and ideas, not one of systems or policies. Any revolution without a guiding “compass” – a foundation of morals and ideas – ultimately becomes all about power. It creates the followers and useful idiots demanding the immediate overthrow of a system. By contrast, a renaissance is based on personal responsibility and personal enlightenment. It empowers leaders that will transcend to the eventual changing of a system.

The occupy mob on Wall Street and across the country has been called spontaneous, passionate, romantic; and I would add resentful, angry, and delusional - anything but statesmen, spiritual, or reasoned. As they join those on the far right and cry for the heads of the queen and leaders of the systems history tells us their end will throw themselves into the arms of tyranny to save them from the destruction they created.

We agree that the current system is broken and we, as a nation, are on the wrong path. We have drifted far from the nation of people driven by intellect, sacrifice, and public virtue that characterized this country at the time of its founding. We no longer understand – or even concern ourselves – with what it means to be a self-governing leader. As individuals, we have lost our sense of deep obligation to our marriages, our families, our communities, and even to ourselves. We have forsaken our responsibilities to not only empower others, but personally as well.

There is a clear and urgent need for a renaissance among us. It is our responsibility to empower self-governing leaders through education, preparedness, and charity. Leaders in marriages, leaders in families, leaders in businesses and churches, leaders in communities, as well as state-level and national leaders, but first of all – leaders of self in personal life.

“The ancients who wished to illustrate the highest virtue throughout the empire first ordered well their own states. Wishing to order well their own states, they first regulated their own families. Wishing to regulate their families, they first cultivated their own selves. Wishing to cultivate their own selves, they rectified their hearts. Wishing to rectify their hearts, they first sought to be sincere in their thoughts. Wishing to be sincere in their thoughts, they first extended to the utmost, their knowledge. Such extension of knowledge lay in the investigation of things.” – Confucius 500BC

We are at a great crossroads that may determine the future of our nation and the liberties of the next generation. We need a renaissance based on ideas and enlightenment to keep the flame of liberty burning. The time is now, and it is your duty and ours to empower new leaders and founders – and once again be a nation of people driven by intellect, sacrifice, and public virtue.

Beginnings of Greatness!

What do the beginnings of greatness look like? Not the obvious signs that present themselves as results after greatness has developed, but the earlier steps greatness takes as it is being forged. We have been conditioned – and aided by human nature – to look for something flashy and unmistakable as we seek out greatness, but we often overlook that which is much simpler. We rarely see the more humble and unassuming beginnings of greatness really look like.

What about a boy raised by a poor family in a small Kentucky home? Like most children of the frontier, he worked the fields, hunted, and fished – even though this tall and awkward young boy didn’t particularly like any of those activities. Abraham Lincoln as a youth was called a “lazy slip of a fella.” His uncle would defend him saying that Abe was not lazy, but that he just did not like “hunt’n work.” One could conclude that he did not like “hunt’n schooling” either, and he was not fond of the “Babble School” that he was forced to attend. Abe’s father worked hard on keeping him “firm and straight” with punishments that were common in those times. His dad said Abe’s worst habit was “putt’n in” and not knowing his proper place in family discussions. Looking at this tall, lanky boy growing up on the frontier, you see a young man that is awkward, does not like to do chores, does not like school, and talks back – sound like any pre-teens you know? For many years, Abe would go on to fail at most everything he tried, which made it unlikely anyone could see greatness – and the sixteenth president of a nation in turmoil.

We may now be at a turning point in our nation’s history. The political pressure that is driving this great country either over a ledge or into bondage feels overwhelming. There may be signs or glimmers of greatness – but what have we done? We are just ordinary people that came together to see that we were not alone. We now wonder if we are making an impact in this fight for liberty, in the direction of our nation, in the purpose of our lives. We look around and see bigger things others may be working on and question if we are doing enough. Things continue to grow darker, and it gets more and more difficult not only to see greatness, but to see the shining light on the hill. Do you see the beginnings of greatness or the end?

Abraham Lincoln’s childhood was not easy. He learned self-reliance the hard way through the necessity of growing and hunting your own food for survival. Abe was self-educated and loved to read – spending countless hours in front of a fire reading anything he could get his hands on. He learned about self-sacrifice by growing up on the frontier where others depended on you and you helped out your neighbors. He learned self-depravity through a strong faith in divine providence and the values passed on from prior generations.

These are the principles of greatness – and the principles of a statesman. You may not have seen big things from Abe while he was being forged in his developing years, but it was those simple things he did and learned along the way that made him great. It may have been possible to miss the light shining within him as a boy, but this humble torch grew into a great illuminator!

Two-and-a-half years ago, we first met in humble surroundings with no idea what our future as a group had in store for us. Many of us began to read and discover the joy of self-education in our own lives. We picked up books like “The 5000 Year Leap,” “The Federalist Papers,” and other classics. As a group, we promoted personal responsibility – and for many of us, it became a personal mantra. We have become more prepared in our personal lives, and are working towards self-reliance for our families. We combine to form a very charitable group – always coming through when any need arises. So many people have stepped up and given of themselves, personally and selflessly, and demonstrated the principle of self-sacrifice. We are founded on 9 key principles and 12 core values, and everyone has gone beyond just endorsing them – to embracing them and living them!

If you have been part of this movement for anytime, you have felt something. The feeling you recognize in the pit of your soul – as you look at the others involved around you and see what you are becoming – you are witnessing the beginnings of greatness. You are the statesmen and leaders that will arise when called upon. You will be the new leaders in your homes, your churches, your community, and possibly your nation. You are forging a path – not only for you – but the next generation. What may be simple or humble to those looking in, is powerful…and truly the beginnings of greatness!

You may not see it today (or even tomorrow), but stop looking for some powerful display or profound sign. Instead, continue to self-educate, learn self-reliance, experience willing self-sacrifice, and practice self-depravity by putting your full faith in a higher power. These are the principles which forge leaders and in His time you may be called to greatness.

Abraham Lincoln was an awkward, lazy pre-teen – he became a great man.

We are forging the future and the next Jefferson, Washington, Lincoln, or Madison may be among us today – anyone may become a great man or woman.

Today holds the beginnings of greatness!

Who Will Save Us?

“The old conceptions and methods of leadership are as flawed as they are obsolete. Leadership is the answer to the question, Who will save us?

In the past, we’ve given our rights to kings and rulers in the hopes that they would take care of us. Our hopes were dashed by tyranny. We’ve looked to the church to rescue us. The oppression of the Dark Ages told the truth of that story. More recently, we fell asleep while trusting representative government to save us. We awakened to the hard reality that government is in many cases the source of the problems from which we’re trying to save ourselves. We’ve believed in corporations and institutions, only to become insignificant cogs in vast gears that often mash our spirits and dreams.

All of these old models have proven themselves inefficient and insufficient. There is one defining thread that runs through the fabric of all of them. It is the thread that has weakened the garment of society throughout history—with every person that we’ve elevated above ourselves, our personal power has diminished and our freedoms have eroded. We’ve believed that solutions were found outside of ourselves as individuals. We’ve wanted other people and institutions to fix our problems for us.

The new answer—the only real and lasting answer—is what we’ve known all along, but have been afraid to admit because of the responsibility we know will be required of us. The cures to societal ills are found within you and me. The real heroes and leaders are each of us as individuals. The new standard means that we will uplift and bless one another through conscious service.

The new vision of leadership becomes a reality as we turn inward for strength and introspection. We cast our gaze away from podiums and power centers and toward our own hearts, resources, and abilities. The new leadership is about common citizens living uncommon lives of service and contribution. It’s lived by rank-and-file members of society who discard fear and embrace the responsibility of greatness.”

Exert from: Social Leadership: A Fresh Vision for Old Problems

Self-Governing Leader

Self-Governing Leaders

Liber - Georgics – Virtue - Divine Providence



Self-Governing Leadership:

We often tend to over-think things and sometimes unnecessarily complicate the self-explanatory meanings of words. Unfortunately, it seems we have almost been conditioned to see the word "leadership" and look towards someone or something else. A Self-Governing Leader instead looks first inward - to themselves - rather than looking for someone else to direct them. We must first become a person the we ourselves would want to follow. We must become a person of character, public virtue, intellect, courage, and wisdom. The leaders we should aspire to be are not constantly looking to the people following them, but instead diligently search within their own heart and mind for direction. We once referred to these types of leaders as "statesman," and they are exactly what are desperately needed again today. We need these leaders in marriages, families, churches, communities, and our government. But first we need statesman and Self-Governing Leaders - patriots and individuals that set their own path to lead their lives - to become the people they themselves would want to follow.

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