Brilliant Thoughts Follow

by Ashleigh Brilliant

Some people are said to be born leaders. But we don’t hear so much about born followers. However, born or not, the followers are the vast majority of any population, and they need good leaders – although, in a time of crisis, a leader may emerge who will lead everybody in the wrong direction. The classic example, in modern times, is Adolf Hitler, who, in a few short years, took Germany from just recovering from defeat in World War I (in which he’d been a soldier) to a much more devastating defeat in the Second World War.

How did he do it? What made even otherwise sensible people want to follow him? The answer seems largely to lie in the hypnotic power of his speeches, which in turn were made more powerful by modern microphones and other technical developments. In particular, radio brought those speeches into people’s homes. And speaking in sharp, often angry, tones, he said what people wanted to hear – how Germany had been unfairly treated when forced to accept a surrender agreement, agreeing to pay a huge indemnity to the victorious Allies – even required to surrender her colonies.

And Hitler gave his listeners someone to blame – that eternal scapegoat, the Jews.

Another key to his success was a willingness to resort to violence, under the guise of a political party, whose members called themselves National Socialists, a title familiarly known as “NAZIs.” Its platform particularly appealed to certain sectors of German youth, who were organized into armed gangs, ruthlessly engaged in stifling opposition.

Every movement seems to need some form of holy writ, and in this case, it was a book written by Hitler himself, called Mein Kampf (“My Struggle.”)

But any successful establishment also needs something Hitler did not leave – a clear line of succession. That is, who will take the place of the leader when the leader goes, and who will take that successor’s place, and so on. Historically, it has been monarchies with definite rules about these matters which have survived longest. The British monarchy can trace itself back at least as far as 1066, when William the Conqueror came over the Channel from France, won the Battle of Hastings, and set up a new line of succession. There have, since then, been numerous disruptions, rebellions, and even a Civil War, but each new claimant of the Throne could assert his kingship by some rule or “right,” including various Acts of Parliament. The Royal Family, of course, had its own family tree, defining relationships. These often crossed national boundaries, so that, for example, when Queen Anne died in 1707, her successor – and nearest relative, who became George I – was a German, from Hanover, who couldn’t even speak English. But this began the “House of Hanover,” which, although it changed its name to Windsor, when Britain was fighting Germany in World War I, is still the reigning British Royal Family. That family, however, has had its own succession problems, one of which involved a crisis precipitated by a scandal. When George V died on Jan. 20, 1936, his son Edward, the Prince of Wales, automatically became the King, and took the title of Edward VIII. But he was known to be involved with a woman named Wallis Simpson, who had divorced one husband and was in the process of divorcing a second. For several reasons, this was unacceptable to the British government, and Edward was forced to abdicate. In a famous radio speech of his own, he announced his abdication, and said he could no longer be the King “without the help and support of the woman I love.” He was on the throne for less than a year.

A very different kind of succession crisis occurred much earlier, in the Islamic faith. In fact, it involved the founder of that faith, and those who followed him. Muhammad died in what Christians call the year 632 A.D. He was the acknowledged leader of Islam. But a dispute arose among his followers as to who would be their next leader. This led to a split, which has lasted to this day, between Sunni and Shia Muslims.

Of course, I need hardly to tell you about the followers of Jesus, and along how many different religious paths the last two millennia have taken them.

But I hope you’ll allow me to have the last word on this subject, with one of my relevant epigrams:

“Follow me – It’s better for us to be lost together.”

Miscellany (Continued from 10)

Ashleigh Brilliant born England 1933, came to California in 1955, to Santa Barbara in 1973, to the Montecito Journal in 2016. Best-known for his illustrated epigrams, called “Pot-Shots,” now a series of 10,000. email: ashleigh@west. net. web: www.ash leighbrilliant.com.

baroque at the Music Academy’s Hahn Hall when they played an all-Bach concert with flutist Emi Ferguson for Camerata Pacifica.

Exhibiting an extraordinary display of period instruments including theorbo, baroque guitar and bassoon, viola da gamba, and harpsichord, the musicians, led by founder Clay Zeller-Townson on baroque bassoon, explored Bach’s genius from multiple angles, bringing life to the colors and nuances of his popular music during the hugely entertaining 90-minute concert of preludes and flute sonatas.

The enlightening show represented three distinct stages and aspects of the German composer’s life.

Bach died at the age of 65 in 1750 in Leipzig, having composed more than 1,000 pieces of music including the Brandenburg Concertos and The WellTempered Clavier

Bach with bite....

A Toned-Down Crowning

After being asked to leave their historic home, Frogmore Cottage, just a tiara’s toss from Windsor Castle, Prince Harry and his former actress wife Meghan Markle have been offered alternative accommodations at Buckingham Palace by his father, King Charles III

The tony twosome moved into the 10-bedroom property, just a short distance from Queen Victoria’s magnificent mausoleum, in 2019 after it was given to them as wedding present by the late Queen Elizabeth, before leaving the U.K. one year later, after spending personal funds to totally renovate it.

In other royal news, KEYT-TV, the ABC affiliate, has asked me to provide my dulcet tones for commentary when Charles, who I got to know well when covering his polo playing exploits at Guards Club, Windsor, in the 1970s when I was royal correspondent on The Daily Mirror, is crowned at historic Westminster Abbey on May 6.

The pomp and pageantry of the occasion should be quite extraordinary with most of the crowned heads of Europe in attendance, but Charles, 74, has insisted on a much pared-down ceremony with just 2,000 guests. His mother’s coronation in 1953 had more than 8,000 and lasted four hours.

His Majesty wants the time reduced to just 60 minutes with guests allowed to wear lounge suits rather than heavy and expensive ceremonial robes.

Although Prince Harry, 38, has said he won’t pen a sequel to his blockbuster controversial tell-all Spare, which has become the fastest selling nonfiction book of all time, he may pen a bonus chapter to be included in the book’s paperback version.

“Readers are eager to know Harry and Meghan’s feelings about the royal backlash they have suffered after the airing of the Netflix documentary and the publication of Spare,” a royal insider tells the New York Post’s Page Six.

Manhattan publisher Penguin-Random House isn’t commenting.

Stay tuned...

Los Romeros Rock Lobero

It was certainly a family affair when Los Romeros, a guitar quartet featuring family members – Celin, Pepe, Angel, and Lito Romero – performed at the Lobero, part of the CAMA Masterseries.

The family was celebrating its 60th anniversary and the historic theater its 150th birthday.

The dynasty settled in Santa Barbara after legendary Spanish guitarist Celedonio Romero left his native country in 1957 when his artistic freedom was jeopardized under the Fascist regime of Gen. Francisco Franco. In June 1958, Miscellany Page 264

What is your top priority at PGI?

This is a time of transformation, progress, and onward expansion of the traditions, education, and advancements of depth psychology at Pacifica Graduate Institute. On day one, I designed and embarked on a 100-day listening, learning, and connecting tour to build and gain trust as I sought insights on Pacifica’s points of pride, pain, possibilities, and priorities. I met with over 500 internal and external stakeholders through hybrid town halls, on-campus meetings, community dialogs, and an online survey. From my experience, people will champion what they help to create.

I have outlined the six themes that emerged from the data collected and reflections on those themes, which will be merged into a new strategic plan this summer and launched in 2024.

The top three research priorities we are launching this year are to address the mental health crisis, human justice, and climate change. Pacifica is poised to innovate solutions rooted in depth psychology to help sectors impacted by COVID-19 in Santa Barbara County and beyond.

My focus includes establishing a task force to engage workforce leaders to ensure our future programs meet industry demand and cultivating a diverse, equitable, and inclusive culture at the Institute.

We invite industry professionals, residents, nonprofit organizations, and government leaders to join our task force, and we need community funders for scholarships.

What is the most rewarding area of your work?

When I think about the complex changes that have been thrust to the forefront of our collective consciousness and after hearing concerns, innovative suggestions, and creative ideas, I believe PGI’s mission is more critical than ever.

I deeply appreciate the dedication of our faculty, staff, executive leadership team, the board of trustees, learners, and alumni who shared reflections on our academic programs and scholarly and creative endeavors. It is impressive to hear about the care and personalized attention our faculty, staff, and administration provide to unlock the intellectual capacity of our learners as they pursue meaningful career pathways.

I enjoy walking the campuses and eagerly engaging with learners, faculty, and staff, tending compassionately to each other’s souls.

There’s a Pacifica that exists today and an even greater Pacifica we can become. We can now shoulder the burden of that metamorphosis and find beauty.

There are many lessons we can take away from Women’s History Month. A crucial one is this: The integration of the shadow and the clarity of the vision can unearth the positive legacy that follows sorrowful struggle.

What meaning does Women’s History Month 2023 have for you?

It is a time of leading, facilitating, and celebrating the power of transformational leadership. As women in leadership, we don’t have to carry the hurt of our ancestors’ trauma; instead, we can choose to heal and transform the pain we feel today into power tomorrow.

I believe that it’s so important for women to be in leadership roles, because it’s hard to believe you can become what you don’t see.

The National Women’s History Alliance 2023 theme is “Celebrating Women Who Tell Our Stories.” It is our time to look back to honor, share, and celebrate with gratitude the stories of the many great women who fought and have left our communities a better place to live, work, and love.

2023 is also a time to be mindful that so many women in our country and worldwide still do not have access to the resources needed to thrive. I think we can think ahead on how we take action on behalf of others by lifting, opening doors, and making room at the table for women who cannot do that for themselves.

And the positive impact women bring to society?

Women can hear, discern, see, and do things others can’t do. Research has shown that when women are appointed to the C-suite, organizations innovate faster, become more profitable and socially responsible, and provide safer, higher-quality customer experiences, among many other benefits.

From my experience, women contribute greater diversity of thought, problem-solving, and experience to organizations where they lead or hold decision-making positions. These promote and facilitate better decision-making and can refine an organization’s performance and direction.

We cannot have healthy families, a well-rounded society, a progressive community, or a healthy organization if women are missing from the leadership table. A woman’s presence is a gift to the world! It’s time to unwrap and unlock more of these special blessings.

Each generation wants the next to take wisdom from what works and rebuild to transform into the next, as long as it’s not holding us stuck. My grandmother was raised in a generation that believed there was no place for her in a man’s world. My mother was raised in a prove-your-worth generation that asked how you make it in a man’s world. I grew up in a generation that says if they don’t give you a seat at the table, bring a folding chair. I love my children’s generation because they are challenging the process. We have taught them that there is no more settling for less; we recognize that we need a conceptual shift where celebrating women who told our story isn’t just being dumped on those who are affected. It has to be the responsibility of the people benefiting from women’s achievements and those maintaining the system.

Did you have female mentors?

I am grateful for the many women who lifted me while they climbed. There are too many to mention! I admire those women who took the elevator and sent it back down to bring me up through mentorship, coaching, sponsorship, allyship, friendship, mirrors of light, and so much more. These women have taught me firsthand how to pay it forward while also bringing up those from behind and around me.

What are your tools for women with careers and families to carve out time for themselves?

I remind myself that it’s healthy to honor boundaries and replenish myself.

I value my mentors, my faith, my family, my close friends, and my community, who have been instrumental in helping me to navigate and overcome those small steps on the way to great outcomes. In a community, you feel inspired, supported, and empowered to walk through the shadows of the valley of arduous steps to achieve great success.

I value and practice loads of self-kindness, self-compassion, and self-love, which are important in this process.

Also, be aware if you are climbing alone – by the time you get to the top, a.k.a. the promised land, you will be too tired to impact lives. No woman is an island, and no woman should want to stand alone. Take time to create a community to inspire you to greatness.

Be OK with asking for help – therapy, coaching, faith, mentorship, or allyship.

In closing…

I want to acknowledge the power and opportunity of education to transform lives, careers, communities, and the world. We invite everyone to engage in this work through our graduate degrees, certificate programs, and community engagement activities.

411: Since 1990, via Public Law 100-9 with resolutions, the U.S. president proclaims annually the month of March as Women’s History Month www.womenshistorymonth.gov www.pacifica.edu/office-of-the-president

Joanne A. Calitri is a professional international photographer and journalist. Contact her at: artraks@ yahoo.com