I invite you to be part of The 2011 Gratitude Challenge to your sphere of Influence at home, at work and in the community. As an ethical edge influencer, consciously and purposefully express your gratitude during this Thanksgiving Week, November 21-27.

The signature branding of the Ethical Edge message is pretty darn simple; For sure, it’s not rocket science. Here it is in a nutshell: Your life values influence for good can only find meaning as you live, practice, demonstrate, express, push through your failures, and constantly peek beyond your successes to live hopefully and optimistically in the daily classroom of your relationships with others.

As an explorer of human consciousness over the last forty-plus years, I have repeatedly found there is one common mountaintop action that allows us to experience extraordinary understanding and renewed clarity from which we can see beyond all circumstances, situations, events…be they happy or sad. It’s gratitude. How does it behave? The Psalmist, David, wrote that it makes a joyful noise; Cicero declared it moves as the parent of all other virtues; Zig Ziglar, a great 20th century inspirational messenger, said of gratitude… as an attitude to practice it is by far the most life-changing; and JFK wrote, “Our highest appreciation is not to utter words but to live them.”

Have I made my case? Well, not quite yet. I need to get moving as I put gratitude in motion this Thanksgiving week. If you would like to join me, get involved with The 2011 Gratitude Challenge. Below are four actions items.

 2011 Thanksgiving Week Gratitude Action Plan

 I express gratitude by thanking a family member, a friend, an individual in my professional life who has been an influence for good.

 I express gratitude as I offer acts of thoughtfulness to others for whom I seek nothing in return.

 I express gratitude for God’s grace in action as I give of my personal finances to support people in need in the OC community.

 I express gratitude by passing along this message to others in my sphere of influence.

 Appreciating you on the ethical edge!

Russell Williams, Founder/President

Passkeys Foundation/Ethical Edge

www.ethicaledge.org

Let’s name him, Jim. Over my lifetime, I have met with 100’s of Jims. Like the 1950’s original TV cop-detective show, Dragnet, Jim’s name has been changed to protect his innocence! So to make this Letters On Integrity message meaningful to you, mentally replace your name with his and allow me tell you about a common experience of competent, successful, productive individuals as they manage their life of influence, personally and professionally in the rigorous pursuit of happiness.

Here is Jim’s scenario: He made a big decision a couple of years ago. He moved forward with it. Time has now passed. Jim sees the results of the big decision. Some results show up as favorable. But one result has never shown up favorably…his own happiness with the decision. It bothers him deeply. He is unsettled. He finds himself living with a turbulent mind that constantly steals his energies with self conversations of criticism and judgment.

Can Jim’s story change? Yes, of course. His story is not uncommon. But, change does not come to a restless mind that cannot see there is always a price to be paid for change. For you, me and any individual who encounters the Jim event, happiness remains elusively hidden until one finds the courage to look differently into the restlessness of an unhappy mind. That is the price to be paid for encountering new, hidden treasure. Jim’s unhappiness cannot be resolved using his restless mind as a guide. No, his hidden nugget of priceless wisdom requires refocusing the restless mind with a values clarifying treasure, namely… Inside all confusion there is clarity.

Here’s an analogy to unpack the paradox of confusion vs. clarity. A hiker takes his backpack up the trail to the summit. It’s an arduous climb. Unexpected circumstances require adjustments along the way demanding great effort. Near exhaustion, the hiker puts his eye on a place of rest 100 yards further up the trail. He arrives physically and emotionally spent, not knowing if this will be the spot where he must turn back, denying him the last leg to the summit. As he arrives, unexpectedly, the vista opens, he sees a clear view of the summit; Instantly, exhaustion is transformed to anticipation…the summit beckons him. It is no longer his effort that moves him forward; he is being moved forward. What was grueling effort to climb toward the summit is transformed into effortless action. The summit now lives in his mind, while his body effortlessly carries him toward it. He is in awe.

 Mission Integrity Action

 This week I unpack confusion as I open my mind to clarity’s clear voice.

 Appreciating you on the ethical edge!

Russell Williams, Founder/President

Passkeys Foundation/Ethical Edge

www.ethicaledge.org