“Summer is a great time to rethink how we are working, how we are learning, how we are consuming our food, our energy, and our time. It’s a great time to rethink our lives and how we are living.”

It’s time. Time to rethink everything.

How do I know that? Call it a woman’s intuition. Call it my gut. All I know is that I feel it deep in my soul.

I’m not saying this just because we have a president who’s been entangled in controversy with Russia since day one (and who finally met with Putin on Friday). Or, because we have a president who uses the power of his office to tweet videos of himself body-slamming a news network. (I mean, really? I know people think it’s funny. I know it gets lots of views. But there’s nothing presidential, dignified or classy about it.)

I say that it’s time to rethink everything because the fact is, there are just too many areas of our public and personal life that are in need of reconsideration.

It’s time to rethink our two-party political system because it’s just furthering our divide. No one from either party can hear the other. They are both at fault. We can do better. We can be more creative. (I like California’s open primary system. It’s not perfect, but it’s a start.)

It’s time to also rethink our relationship with social media and our relationship with views, likes, retweets, mentions and followers. I know social media is capable of doing good things. I know it connects people to each other and to the larger world and its causes. But, so much of it is filled with rage and hurtful comments. Each of us can do our part to make sure we are not part of this. Our life’s purpose can’t be racking up hundreds or thousands of likes.

Summer is also a great time to rethink how we are working, how we are learning, how we are consuming our food, our energy, and our time. It’s a great time to rethink our lives and how we are living.

Thank God there are some evolved, enlightened, thoughtful and smart Architects of Change doing just that on our behalf, and behalf of our planet. They are sharing their thinking with us in today’s Sunday Paper. I hope their thinking will get you thinking, because it’s time that we do.

The fact is, whatever you thought “was” … is now up for renewed thinking. Our health care system. Our pension system. Our infrastructure. Our prison system. Our political election process. You name it.

This is the time for each of us to ask ourselves: What do I think? What better idea do I have? What kind of work life do I want? What examples do I want to give to our children? What image do I want to put forth out into the world?

The rest of the world is rethinking the United States’ role, voice and standing in the world right now. That’s why it’s a good time for us to rethink our own roles and our voices in our country.

Are we passive bystanders who watch videos while laughing? Do we know more about Rob Kardashian than we do about our state reps? Are we part of the problem, or are we offering up solutions to help us move forward in a more unified and united way?

I asked one of my sons the other night, “If you could change one thing about our country right now, what would it be?” He said, “Our politics. If we could change the way we talk to one another, work with one another, and listen to one another, then everything else would follow.”

I agree.

So, here’s to our leaders rethinking the animosity they have towards one another. Here’s to those who seek common ground. Here’s to those who speak of solutions instead of pointing their fingers. (See Mark Zuckerberg’s idea below, or the idea that two of his fellow Silicon Valley billionaires have to remake the Democratic Party. Their ideas may not be perfect, but at least they are igniting conversation.)

So this summer, think of yourself as a founding mother or a founding father. Think of yourself as a big thinker. If not you, then who?

Think about where we could be in 2050. (Our National Alzheimer’s plan challenges us to find the cure by that year. What other diseases can we wipe out by then?) What else can be different by then?

Steve Jobs had a vision for a computer in the pocket. It took him years to get there, but he had a vision. What’s our collective vision? What’s yours as an individual?

What does 2050 look like to you? Think about it.

Here’s to those who have the courage to step back and rethink what is, in favor of what can be.

NEWS ABOVE THE NOISE

NEWS TO MAKE YOU THINK

THE SILICON VALLEY BILLIONAIRES WHO ARE RETHINKING THE DEMOCRATIC PARTY AND GOVERNMENT AID: Silicon Valley billionaires Reid Hoffman and Mark Pincus announced this week their plan to empower everyday people to set the Democratic party’s agenda via the web. Meanwhile, Mark Zuckerberg spoke out this week in support of the government exploring the idea of providing a universal basic income to every citizen. Whether you agree with these ideas or not, at least these leaders are getting us talking about new ideas. Tell us what you think about their proposals.

NEWS TO IMPROVE YOUR MIND

ANOTHER GREAT REASON TO GET SOME ZZZ’s: growing body of research shows that disturbed sleep may have this detrimental effect on your brain. If you have a mind and want to save it, this is definitely worth a read.

NEWS FOR YOUR DINNER TABLE CONVERSATION

AMELIA EARHART MAY MAKE YOU RETHINK MARRIAGE: While historians were busy this week discussing whether the pioneering female pilot didn’t disappear in 1937 after all, we came across this other artifact that caught our attention: Earhart’s unsentimental prenuptial letter to her fiance George Putnam. It’s not exactly a love letter, but you’ve got to hand it to her for her honesty. 

NEWS TO OPEN YOUR HEART

THESE POLICE OFFICERS JOIN IN ON THE SUMMER FUN (VIDEO): Police officers in Asheville, NC, were called end a slip ‘n’ slide party. What happened next will make you smile.

PASSIONATE VIEWS & POWERFUL PERSPECTIVES
FROM ARCHITECTS OF CHANGE

MARTHA BECK RETHINKS HER RELATIONSHIP WITH TIME

World-renowned life coach and Architect of Change Martha Beck rethinks her own struggle with “making time” and shares her perspective on how to set your schedule based on what’s most important to you, no apologies needed. READ MORE

TONY SCHWARTZ: “EVERYTHING I KNOW ABOUT FREEDOM, I LEARNED IN PRISON.”

Architect of Change Tony Schwartz, founder of The Energy Project, explains why focusing on our physical, emotional, mental and spiritual well-being is critical if we want to be more satisfied with our work. READ MORE

JENNY GALLUZZO AND GINA HADLEY RETHINK THE WORKPLACE FOR WORKING WOMEN

Architects of Change Jenny Galluzzo and Gina Hadley co-founded The Second Shift to rethink the way companies employ working moms and other women who need flexible schedules and can’t maintain a full-time job. READ MORE

ARCHITECT OF CHANGE OF THE WEEK:

JAMES ALTUCHER: “IF WE RETHINK OUR RELATIONSHIP WITH MATERIAL ITEMS, “THEN WE’LL HAVE MORE TIME TO BE CREATIVE AND HELP PEOPLE.” 

James Altucher is the master of reinvention. He has started and run more than 20 companies in his lifetime and become an expert at creating a meaningful life. Today, he exclusively offers his wisdom on how to take charge of your life and how minimalism can be the key to success.

>> READ MORE <<

INSPIRATION FOR THE WEEK AHEAD

SHOP FOR YOUR MIND

“My First Coloring Book Is On Sale Now!”

I’m so excited that Color Your Mind” is now a national bestseller! If you know someone with Alzheimer’s or another brain-related challenge, or if you know someone who is a caregiver, I hope you’ll consider gifting them with a copy. It’s designed with love.

READ MORE ABOUT WHAT I’VE BEEN THINKING

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