A company, a couple and a country all need inspired vision if they are to achieve their potential.  Without it, they will lose their way or at best, maintain the status quo.

I’m grateful that Larry Levine found his way to Natural Awakenings Publishing Corporation, arriving with an inspired vision completely on mission and brimming with love, talent and a commitment to always giving his best. Everyone here is saddened by his unexpected passing last month.

I hired Larry 12 years ago as our company president to support the continuing growth of our franchise publishing family. He lived on the other side of Alligator Alley, in Boca Raton, so we occasionally met in person, but talked almost every day. While I mothered our 95 publishers, he fathered them well. He had my back and I regularly let him know, “You are the best.” He’d say the same to me, and together, we were.

When Larry spoke at our new publishers training sessions, we were all reminded of the big picture: why we do what we do and what we’re capable of achieving together. “Life is difficult and being in business is hard,” he’d say. “But when you align with a vision and mission that is bigger than you, Divine forces are at work.”

Larry saw Natural Awakenings as a bright, guiding light in the world. He named the publishers his heroes. He cheered on staff members. He loved us all dearly, and we loved him. Comforting conference calls with staff and publishers trying to come to terms with our loss reflected how deeply this man has touched all of our lives, including our publishers’ collective 3.8 million readers each month.

I will be forever grateful for having Larry in my life and continue to call upon his spirit when I need to keep my vision strong and feel inspired to reach for new peaks.

This month, our country, founded on the beautiful vision of our forefathers, will go to the polls looking to vote for someone we feel can lead us well by upholding the lofty ideals in the Declaration of Independence. Media news and debates have left many feeling uninspired. We recognize that a fundamental shift is essential, beginning with depolarizing political parties.

Stephen Dinan’s new book Sacred America, Sacred World: Fulfilling Our Mission in Service to All yields hopeful insight into how each of America’s diverse political philosophies represents a valuable perspective that is true, but only partial. The leaders of the fast-growing transpartisan movement hold a vision that honors the ideals of both the left and the right, calling on partisans to forsake excesses and embrace a sacred vision of national unity.

I encourage you to hold a vision of what’s possible and do what you can to stoke the fires of constructive reform. Together, we are creating our world, and it’s up to each of us to play our part. Let us shine the light of sacred vision in our daily conversations and actions, no matter what plays out in the news.

Holding the vision,

Sharon Bruckman, Publisher