Letter from the Editor
Advocates affect others and change minds—they are the focus of our
interest. The dimensions of their influence, in part, are the product of their
journey. Collecting and connecting those experiences, we believe, is more
inspiring than attempting to quantify their accomplishments and define
success. They are positive people whose acts are born from the energy of
optimism. The satisfaction of their labor is always the road traveled.
Success is too often confused with productivity, purposefulness or the
perceived importance of a moment. Consider the enduring wisdom of
Henry David Thoreau in his fall 1851 journal entry of “the poetry of the
farmer’s life”:
“He does nothing with haste and drudgery, but as if he loved it. He makes
the most of his labor, and takes infinite satisfaction in every part of it. He
is not looking forward to the sale of this crops or any pecuniary profit, but
he is paid by the constant satisfaction which his labor yields him.”
We believe, that in their acts, advocates affect others and ideas are
then born of the most existential kinds—they change minds. They are
people who’ve broken free from the chains of the present, to live beyond
the insightful lament of Parker Palmer: “the tighter we cling to the norm of
effectiveness, the smaller and smaller task we are going to take on.”
Our sweet spot—the primary reason we tap at our keyboards—is to
record the thoughts and experiences of people who act and the countless
ways their acts unfold long into the future to change minds. Our interest
too, is in their journey and the people encountered along the way. The
benefit of our focus upon people who act to change minds, we hope, will be
creative and inspiring.
R.A. Monaco