Live Earth - the work continues

I seldom receive an email from Al Gore! This one needs circulating widely:

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Thank you! Because of your hard work, millions of personal commitments have been made via the Web and SMS in 178 countries and 35 territories around the world...
A decade from now, when people look back on Live Earth, what they will remember isn't what happened during the show -- instead my hope is they remember what happened after. More than 2 billion of us joined together on 7.7.07 and with one voice demanded an end to the climate crisis. We now have the responsibility to carry this movement forward and force our leaders to take action.

We need to take the first step today and make sure every single person possible joins us. That's why, right now, I need you to email five of your friends. Ask them to sign the Live Earth Pledge by visiting:

http://www.liveearthpledge.org/

All of the actions we take from here on out to solve the climate crisis will be based on a simple premise: our home, Earth, is in danger. We don't risk destroying the planet, but instead risk making it inhospitable for human beings.

We have put so much carbon dioxide into the atmosphere that we have changed the heat balance between Earth and the Sun. And if we don't stop soon, the average temperature will increase to levels that will end the favorable climate balance on which our civilization depends.

The world must come together and direct our governments to take on a global challenge. Our leadership is a precondition for success.

We need to demonstrate that we have reached the tipping point where political will demands our representatives take action to solve the climate crisis. That's why it's so vital that millions of people sign the Live Earth Pledge.

The climate crisis offers us the chance to experience what few generations in history have had the privilege of experiencing: a mission; a compelling moral purpose; a shared cause; and the thrill of being forced by circumstances to put aside the pettiness and conflict of politics and to embrace a genuine moral and spiritual challenge.

Please email five of your friends right now. Ask them to join us in this cause and sign the Live Earth Pledge today by visiting:

http://www.liveearthpledge.org/

Our work begins now.

Thank you,
Al Gore
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Actually, I prefer the more complex pledge found at: http://www.avaaz.org/en/global_climate_movement/b.php?cl=13459495, which is actually the pledge that Al Gore spoke during the concerts on Saturday. It is rather wider in its reach and the wording is at http://www.liveearth.org/thank_you_pop.htm.

Watch your language

I have just posted my newsletter at http://www.ambitioncoach.com/62652/90928.html, where I discuss how your use of language can determine your likely success. I discuss Gordon Brown's statement: "I will try my utmost", since my training as a life coach has taught me to challenge people who use the word 'try'. How much stronger to start your day with "today I will strive to..." than "today I will try to...". (But I acknowledge that adding 'my utmost' certainly strengthens this statement. :-))

Annual pilgrimage to Lochnagar

I have to just comment on my ongoing love for my favourite mountain - Lochnagar near Ballater in Scotland. This year's visit was marred by poor weather. On the last day of our holiday, having waited for good conditions, we had no choice but to set off with the top under cloud. It rained and was cold and windy... the cloud kept dispersing from the top and re-gathering, so we decided to skip the last half-hour of the climb and head down the fabulous path to Loch Muick. Despite these conditions, we had a wonderful walk and I realised that for me, this climb has become something of a personal annual pilgrimage. Long may this continue. If you want to see photos of this amazing place, just email me.

I also realised that the phrase 'it is the journey, not the destination' had renewed meaning for me. Much as I love that moment of reaching the summit and gazing at the views, the climb is a key part of the pleasure. Not reaching the final goal did not matter much at all. So the learning here: set off even if you are not sure whether your goal is achievable, and enjoy the path you travel.