“LIBERTY”

REFLECTIONS
Jay C. Bloom
September, 2001
 Reflections

“There is a vitality, a life force, an energy, a quickening that is translated through you into action. And
because there is only one of you in all time, this expression is unique, and if you block it, it will never
exist through any other medium. It will be lost, the world will not have it. It is not your business to
determine how good it is or how valuable, nor how it compares to other expressions. It is your business
to keep the channel open. You do not even have to believe in yourself or your work. You have to keep
aware, open directly to the urges that activate you. Keep the channel open."

-Martha Graham

I was recently given a special gift of a sabbatical as President/CEO of Morrison Center Child &

Family Services, or as they say in the military, “liberty”. I believe it to be an especially apt time

as I step away from the challenges and the relentless pace of daily work to capture some of the

issues and opportunities I see and have experienced, as I am also completing almost thirty years

of involvement in nonprofit human service field.

I have utilized an essay format, with underlying themes woven throughout each of them. I have

included a generous amount of quotations. A more complete list of my favorite quotations is

available upon request.

The first essay is titled There’s a War Going On. With all due respect to the tragic events of

September 11, I believe there is another war also occurring. There are various ways to describe

the war, including outlining the specific battles and symptoms like child poverty, racism, sexism,

ageism, etc. I believe it is a spiritual war, about whether we will truly care about ourselves, all of

our fellow human beings, and the overall health of our planet. However, at the core, it is still a

war within each of us individually whether we will choose, as Gandhi said, “To be the change

you wish to see in the world.”

The second essay is titled A View From the Front Lines and it describes a little of my personal

and work history and the world that I see from my particular vantage point as a director of one of

the many “MASH” units responding to the daily battles and the human “casualties.”

Essay three speaks to the unprecedented gift of a New Age of Life in the life cycle that 76

million baby boomers will be given and the important question of how will we use this special

period of our lives.

The fourth essay focuses on my hope that we will use this new age to redefine retirement from

one of only leisure and consumption to an age of “Returnment,” i.e. an opportunity to invest and

give back to others and our communities.

Essay five speaks to the clear need for New Public & Private Partnerships in funding and

providing human services, especially with the likely downsizing of government funding of

human services at all levels. I describe new roles for the public, private and philanthropic sectors

as well as for nonprofit organizations and especially the opportunity for tapping into the large

emerging over 50 experienced workforce.

Essay six describes the Key Ingredients of Partnerships with some examples and models I have

had the privilege of developing along with other talented people.

My final essay addresses again the importance and opportunity for service with a Call to Action.

I trust the reader will find some part of these essays stimulating and hopefully the words will

resonate within your own heart and soul.

I welcome your feedback, other ideas, and I look forward to individual reactions. As with all

things, it is a work in progress. As Goethe said, “He only earns his freedom and existence who

daily conquers them anew.”

I would like to thank all of the people who have touched my life. The Bible verse, Luke 12:48

has always spoken to me, “When much is given, much is expected.” I have been truly blessed

with life’s bounty. I thank all of the people who have come before me and sacrificed to make

this world a better place, as well as my family, loved ones, friends, colleagues, fellow warriors

and searchers who continue to support me. It is greatly appreciated.

Jay C. Bloom

“This is not work for the tentative heart. The benefits of it are immeasurable. Yet it requires personal
struggle. Only when you change internally will you see those benefits reflected in the outside world. You
have to go through a process, and it is painful. You have to show up fearlessly.”

-Author Richard Barrett

interviewed in Fast Company on spirituality at work

“Look within—within is the foundation of good, and it will ever bubble up, if thou wilt ever dig.”

-Marcus Aurelius