Valentine’s Day is a great day to reflect and evaluate how we are leading in the world: with our heads or with our hearts. I would argue that most of the time, especially those of us who pride ourselves on getting things done, spend too much time in our heads. There’s a lot of cerebral intelligence being practiced, but not a lot of emotional intelligence. The great news is that we live in a location where it’s socially acceptable to dip into our hearts more often than most places. If it’s not the beauty of the surrounding mountains and waters that soften our intensity, it’s a colleague or barista that looks us in the eye and reminds us to slow down and re-connect to our humanity, to each other.

Seattle is, once again, on the cutting edge of compassion, giving us more opportunities to choose how we want to lead in the world. Thanks to my friend Jon Ramer, Executive Director of the Compassionate Action Network, we have an opportunity to declare Seattle a compassionate city. Using very cool technology called The Point, if at least 1,000 people sign up by March 15, 2010, then the city of Seattle will affirm Karen Armstrong’s Charter for Compassion and, we the people, will commit to hours and/or dollars to public service. Note: There will be an event in April to connect to those organizations that are doing a great job of increasing compassion in the world. Stay tuned!

Objective: A 10 year commitment to Compassionate Action facilitated by city government and its citizens.

Your mission: Sign up on The Point. Commit to making Seattle a more compassionate city. It’s pretty easy actually. Just commit.

Outcome: A more *conscious and compassionate city. Who doesn’t want that?

Join us!

* We all know a city can’t be conscious or compassionate, so don’t ride me on semantics please (it wouldn’t be compassionate!) The citizens and their actions are what make up the heart and soul of a city. Thanks for doing your part.