Richard Allen's Blog - Latest Comments

Re: give the streets back to the people

Richard Allen — Fri, 05 Jul 2013 10:50:32 -0000

I don't know - but we should celebrate science as much as art, or local business even. Feats of science, combined with celebratory art? Would be cool though.

Re: give the streets back to the people

William — Thu, 04 Jul 2013 23:56:57 -0000

I love that it happened spontaneously! Sounds like a great time.

I'm all for street festivals that are based on art, crafts, food and such, and go to a couple in Toronto every year. But, I'm intrigued by you mentioning a street festival for science and innovation. What would that look/be like? I have not idea...but I think I'd go!

Re: empathy

Richard Allen — Tue, 29 May 2012 10:33:39 -0000

To add to this post - Check out this video about Empathy taken to the next level:

http://youtu.be/l7AWnfFRc7g

Re: empathy

Richard Allen — Tue, 17 Apr 2012 13:17:24 -0000

Sylvie - thank you for sharing your profound perspective and desire to work from a place of love. All too often we find ourselves putting up walls that limit the natural flow of love, understanding and empathy. I can understand your lack of faith, as I feel that trust has become a rare commodity in human relationships. Thanks for your comment and I hope to share more on this subject when we cross paths next week!

Re: empathy

Sylvie Collin — Tue, 17 Apr 2012 09:19:00 -0000

Rich, I so relate to what you are saying. Although, not being a man, I don't feel as much compelled to fix things and people. ;-)But way to often do I fall into being sympathetic instead of simply empathetic. And I hate that feeling of powerlessness. I wish I could make them feel better. I am afraid this comes from my lack of faith, faith in life and faith in people's resourcefulness and resilience, in their ability to find their own solutions. The personal quality I wish to develop is the ability to rely on the power of love as I believe empathy is made of unconditional love and acceptance of the others as they are, with all they are. And I believe there is nothing as powerful and transformational as being touch by love.

Re: empathy

Richard Allen — Sun, 15 Apr 2012 10:03:34 -0000

Smart!

Double comment! Double advice! Double awesome!

Re: empathy

Richard Allen — Sun, 15 Apr 2012 10:02:33 -0000

It almost sounds like you are asking them the be angry "at" you, but I understand what you mean - and think that many people will appreciate your forwardness about your expectations of empathy and response.

"Can you help me figure out a solution to this problem I have?" and "I don't need to figure this out yet, but can you just listen to this thing that happened? It's outrageous."

Re: empathy

Samantha Hand — Sun, 15 Apr 2012 08:22:57 -0000

This works for me: I always ask people what they need from me when they come to me with a challenge. Do they need me to be angry with them? Or sad? Or give advice right away? Or share a story of my own?

When I call certain people in my life with a challenge I will begin the conversation by stating whatever it is that I need. Oftentimes this means saying, "I don't need advice right now. I just need you to be angry with me."

Re: empathy

Samantha Hand — Sun, 15 Apr 2012 08:14:54 -0000

Next time someone comes to you with a challenge, ask them: what do you need from me at this moment?

Oftentimes if I am calling a friend with something I am upset about, I prewarn them and say: all I need from you is to be angry with me, no advice at this moment.

Re: Women

Paul Bien — Fri, 09 Mar 2012 09:42:41 -0000

A well thought out and well written post. Thanks for honing in on what's really important on International Women's day!

Re: small choices

Paul Bien — Fri, 28 Oct 2011 21:37:39 -0000

I'm also in and have been struggling with this for a long time. I think a big piece of the puzzle is putting aside some savings so that those purchases we actually need are bought with real money instead of debt. See you Tuesday.

Re: small choices

Paul Bien — Fri, 28 Oct 2011 21:32:04 -0000

Re: small choices

Richard Allen — Fri, 28 Oct 2011 15:52:47 -0000

Great! We're going to Grace St. to discuss more around 8pm on November 1st.

Re: small choices

Robyn — Fri, 28 Oct 2011 15:12:02 -0000

I'm in. My Buy Nothing New Month was the best month I have had in a long time.
I even have a catchy slogan:
"I'm a Nevernew!" (arrested developement nerdiness)

Re: distributing movies independently and online

Bill — Thu, 07 Apr 2011 21:59:10 -0000

Build the SUPER INTERNETS! That will fix the problem, for sure. :D

Re: being an ally

Warner Amanda — Sun, 13 Mar 2011 14:07:31 -0000

Hey.

You're lovely.

Re: keeping Katimavik alive when you leave

Richard Allen — Fri, 25 Feb 2011 17:35:38 -0000

Hi Ainsley -- Where are you located?

Re: keeping Katimavik alive when you leave

Ainsley — Fri, 25 Feb 2011 17:31:52 -0000

I would be very interested in attending a meeting or talking to alumni, too. I am starting the journey to become a Katimavik member next January by filling out my application this weekend, and would love to talk to alumni and see the true amount I will benefit from this program.

Re: Otesha’s passionate culture

Jason — Wed, 08 Dec 2010 10:22:31 -0000

I was at the launch as well and hopefully will get a chance to meet you another time! The question about building a sustained culture of passion is one that definitely resonated as I found myself thinking the same thing after the event. Thanks for the thoughtful post!

Re: plan SMART

Richard Allen — Mon, 15 Nov 2010 10:07:38 -0000

I really like having SMART in the back of my mind for coaching goal setting
with both Project Leaders and Volunteers alike. It stops me from having to
return to flesh out plans, because I asked all the right questions the first
time!

--
Richard Allen
416.220.5132
richard.n.allen@gmail.com
http://www.richardallen.ca
http://twitter.com/_richard...

Re: plan SMART

Jessi Linn — Mon, 15 Nov 2010 09:58:48 -0000

I've used the SMART outline in leadership trainings I've done in the past for camp staff. It was especially useful for us to share goals with each other at the beginning of the summer/session so we can keep each other accountable.

Re: the big three oh

YesMan1989 — Sun, 07 Nov 2010 23:21:14 -0000

I promise to curb my blood lust for Human Flesh. Bonne Fete, Rich!

Re: say no to text messaging

Richard Allen — Wed, 03 Nov 2010 01:14:15 -0000

Good points all round Paul.

I think we should think about how and when our interactions, especially surrounding texting become more superficial than not.

I get that we all lead diverse and busy lives, and though mediums such as texting we are able to improve or increase our relationships with certain friends. Statistics do state that we generally connect with 4 to 9 people constantly, whether through facebook, texting, by email or by phone.

However, I feel like this increase (and this is definitely a personal opinion) is also a result of the ability to connect quickly and impulsively. I say No more often these days because I have too many last minute plans show up on my doorstep through these mediums (Texts being the worst of them!) ...

I also, personally, want to put emphasis on more meaningful relationship building, and maintaining close ties with good friends. I don't feel like I can do this via text message. I think calling, hearing a voice, or using my voice is a better option between the two.

Generally, I promote a balanced view, but I'd rather take an extreme stance to push people to either defend their habits (as you did) or to take notice when they pick up their phone and choose between text or call.

Re: trying to find a balance

YesMan1989 — Tue, 02 Nov 2010 20:07:02 -0000

I promise to curb my blood lust for human flesh. Happy Birthday Rich! :D

Re: say no to text messaging

Paul Bien — Mon, 01 Nov 2010 16:09:14 -0000

I think you've accurately identified the issue with "texting", i.e. formality vs. informality, but I fundamentally disagree with your conclusion.

I text when my issue falls into that nether region between email and phone call. For example, I enjoy texting my girlfriend from time to time during the work day as a quick hello, with no strings attached, that is impossible to do via phone. That being said, emails with only one sentence and no subject seem odd.

Making plans is another area where I think grey areas exist. If I'm in the middle of doing something, but it occurs to me that I'd like to connect with you, a phone call may note be feasible, but if I don't make contact "in the moment" I may be overly sidelined and miss an opportunity to connect with you. Thus, texting allows me to contact you quickly and initiate a conversation, which we can later pick up in phone form.

I think that my point is actually encapsulated by the tags you used at the bottom of your blog: "social change, technology". Too often, we see technology as an either/or proposition. Either maintain current patterns of social interaction, or we abandon them to some kind of new way of interacting that may be subjectively better or worse. I think that this is a false dichotomy. Instead, I would suggest that technology provides us with an important "in addition to..." option that we didn't have before.

I am not suggesting that all you suggest in this well articulated post is off base. Indeed I think we spend less time actually interacting with one another due in part to technology. A good example is texting/email/facebooking etc. while being in the same room as someone.

Still, I don't think the only answer is to abandon the technology in order to reclaim a social order that is slipping away. Instead there is a way to examine in a critical way how we use technology, while still seeing the positives it can offer.

Those are just my thoughts anyway. I'll stop spamming your blog. But thanks for making me think!