Volume 2: Holiday 2004 Issue- Resolving Resolutions

Resolving Resolutions

The nation's esprit de corps is being challenged for 2005.

Even in the NBA- as you'll see Marquis and Nathan debate in the sports section- the fans are brawling with the players.

Sometimes I look at the year ahead with low morale... wanting to turn inward and not deal with the headlines boldly flashing across the morning newspaper.

We specifically chose Novella Carpenter's article "Blowing Sunshine" as the paradigm voice of the divided psyche in this country. She wrote about focusing on positive things to get through the next four years, and then proceeded into an energetic spiel about upcoming fuel saving technology for cars. I realized- that is what is sustaining her, just like many of us have our own "thing" that is keeping us tolerating life at the moment.

Finding a Mission... and Glory

A recent discussion with Sarah from AT Kearney touched me. She is a Caucasian woman from South Africa. So, yes... she's African. And she wants to do something to counter its current economic disparity and the AIDs epidemic. I believe many of us feel the same way. So, we are sharing an in-depth interview with Greg Behrman, coordinator for the Council on Foreign Relations Roundtable on Improving U.S. Global AIDS policy. Behrman is also part of Heartbeat, a nonprofit in South Africa that cares for AIDs orphans. This ground-breaking interview was conducted by Terrence McNally and picked up by the Independent Media Institute (one of our partners).

I feel people are hungry for a big idea, hungry for a great mission, and there's no mission more needed. I think this would be an extraordinary vision to set our aspirations on.- Greg Behrman

Amidst all of the research we've done behind the scenes for this issue, we found Glory. Glory Alcantara is a prospective MBA student and new NetWork staff writer... bringing an interesting new dynamic to the team.

The Challenge: Consonance

I urge you to actively write out your resolutions, because you will then have a visual of ideological goals. Subsequently, you can devise a pragmatic approach to achieve them. I promise, if you stick with it, you will gradually see positive change within your own life and community. As you check them off during the year perhaps your smile will widen a bit more each day. As I begin on my list, I filter through the CD collection, as always. Can't decide between Jill Scott and Maroon 5 to create the right mood. I finally make a decision. Cool. Now entering mellow mode...

Looking around the bits of paper, magazines, and other whatnots claiming real estate on my desk, one particular word keeps catching my eye. RESOLUTIONS. Hmmm... it's striking to the point that I pull out a cumbersome, faded Webster dictionary from the bookshelf.

Main Entry: res·o·lu·tion
Function: noun

the progression of a chord from dissonance to consonance.




Definitive, to say the least.

We hope you have an enjoyable holiday season...

...and keep your heads and hearts looking forward.

K.D.

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People Credits
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Maria Hamre and the Independent Media Institute team
Tonya Holmes, Rex Trewin and the MonsterTrak team
Kareem Rogers
Kim Watkins, Zeke Vanderhoek, and the Manhattan GMAT team
Tasha Huebner
Ayanna Lonian
Jevelyn Bonner-Reed and the Kellogg team
Kellee Scott and the USC team
Jessica Pounds-Bryant and the Chicago team
Delise Dupont-Jackson and Scott Jackson
Jason A. Frazer
Shaquita Murphy
Nathan Froe

**If I didn't list you, please do not get offended. If you're sincerely helping out the MBA Diversity initiative (and being nice to us) you'll be up here next edition.

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Picture credits:
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2005-06 Automotive Preview-by Kevin Ferrell
Ford Focus - ford.com
Chevy Cobalt - chevrolet.com
VW Passat - Detroit News (info.detnews.com)
Ford Mustang - msn.com
Potiac Solstice - msn.com
Lexus RX 400h - lexus.com
Nissan Armada - nissanusa.com
Chrysler 300c - chrysler.com

"Stern Punishment"- by Nathan Froe
Artest being grabbed by the fans-(AP Photo/Duane Burleson)