All of us need better skills in listening, conversing, respecting one another's uniqueness, because these are essential for strong relationships.

Nothing has given me more hope recently than to observe how simple conversations give birth to actions that can change lives and restore our faith in the future. There is no more powerful way to initiate significant social change than to start a conversation. When a group of people discover that they share a common concern, that's when the process of change begins.

Without aggression, it becomes possible to think well, to be curious about differences, and to enjoy each other's company.

Without reflection, we go blindly on our way, creating more unintended consequences, and failing to achieve anything useful.

Hopelessness has surprised me with patience.

We each create our world by what we choose to notice, creating a world of distinction that makes sense to us. We then 'see' the world through the self we have created.

In the past, it was easier to believe in my own effectiveness. If I worked hard, with good colleagues and good ideas, we could make a difference. But now, I sincerely doubt that.