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The "hinged" candidate/aspiring public leader checklist:   self-awareness - if your ego is doing all the talking, we can't tell what's actually in your heart.  emotional intelligence -- without it you can't express or model respect for others-- especially your opponent(s).  social intelligence - without it you're likely unaware that other human beings (including opponents) are not like you, but that doesn't make them "unhinged", just different from you.  communication intelligence - clearly and consistently expressing your unique gifts and qualities. systems/spiritual intelligence -- how are you actively minimizing fear and  proposing people work with you to be wiser/happier than they are today? By Mayra Porrata ©2026 Solara Publishing, LLC

Throughout my publishing career, collaborations and working with friends was always a given. The joy of sitting around my dining room table, hashing out ideas, book covers, and marketing plans remains a personal and career highlight for me.   All this took a giant pause following my daughter's passing, then COVID, then my re-turn to corporate America for a few years. It wasn't until mid-2024 when my dear friend Eric reached out with an idea to do a book on soul, joy and love in every day life. That book became ONE WITH THE LIGHT.   Then I turned 60. And when recurring caregiving duties took over my life in a deep and demanding way something hit me: I'm not a 'spring chicken' (lol), I'm an old-er mother hen! While there are countless leadership initiatives for young people/professionals, there are few for individuals 55+-- and so it struck me: the world needs wise elders-- we need to hone our "wisdomship", and model modern elderhood for our children and...

Human beings are naturally endowed and imbued with God-given technology--- as such, there's a vast intelligence operating within and around you. If you doubt this statement then tell me: how does your mind work? why do you think the thoughts you do? how does your body operate? what enables you to feel, dream, hope, and accept grace? what urges you to fight? what actually is keeping you alive? Do you know? Our ignorance is no longer optional. Our compassion is no longer optional. What is optional is the choice to allow any leader or group to insert primitive technology into our towns and bodies and then sell it back to us as an advancement--as "the future".  Control is not the future. Division is not the future. Hoarding and raping the Earth is not the future. Toxic capitalism is not the future. Incarcerating human beings for profit is not the future. These are all functions of our collective past. And perhaps why they feel somewhat familiar and resonant. However, our  mut...

W e need more  leaders  who are: - self-aware - compassionate - have emotional intelligence - have intellectual intelligence - have spiritual intelligence - are service (other) oriented At this time in our collective history, we simply need more intelligent and respectful leaders who can unite human beings and communities through creative collaboration(s) and God-given benevolence and goodwill.  How can we nurture our current public leaders? And equally important,  how can we start or continue to nurture these same qualities in ourselves ?  By Mayra Porrata | comments: mayra@solarapublishing.com ©2026 Solara Publishing, LLC

My dad was a book person. He and we had books all over our home-- including a full set of encyclopedias.  For me, looking up stuff was a hobby and repeating facts a strange form of spoken art (lol). It took me a super long time to realize that facts and data are snapshots of yesterday-- artifacts of the past. They are useful. They matter. But they are not the whole picture of anything-- ever.   What's actual intelligence? Life. You. Your loved ones. Your children. Your pets. Nature. Our planet. How you connect to all the living things that matter to you. Sharing what you love.   The answers and wisdom are all in you-- in each of us. By Mayra Porrata comments:  mayra@solarapublishing.com ©2026 Solara Publishing, LLC