Goodbye Dear Friend

He left the world better than he found it

In my life journey, I love to speak with peers about what they are up to. This is how I learn, gain wisdom, and make the journey that much easier. I do this in my business and personal life. With this in mind, I have always sought out or embraced coaching and:

· Support groups,

· collaboration.

· mentoring

· …And mastermind groups

A favorite free support group I am in is called the Serving Circle. I attend their ZOOM meeting every Tuesday from 7–8:30 PM (EST). It’s usually attended by about 25 great heart-felt people, all looking to make a difference in the world and become more prosperous in body, mind, and spirit.

Through the group I met Ken J. Caputo, and through him his partner Stephanie.

They are speakers, leaders, and facilitators. I’m grateful for all the success I have had in my life and continue to have. Stephanie’s and Ken’s ideas educate, motivate, and inspire me regularly.

Here is their vision…

Momentum Learning Systems is the culmination of over thirty years of growing and developing community-based business practices. Our core business began decades ago through the operation of a martial arts school centered around empowerment, education, and community activism.​

As we further expanded our efforts to positively impact the world around us, we found that the core philosophy of placing the people at the center of everything we do began to express itself in a variety of interesting ways. We found that we were able to customize our work to fit a variety of businesses, organizations, and groups. From building a common language that would deepen a feeling of connection between team members, to building fun and engaging courses and workshops, our process has helped bring a deeper sense of community and purpose to those we have worked with.

If your group or organization is committed to bringing value to the world and is always on the lookout for ways to inspire your people to greater heights, we are here for you. If you find your organization has attracted people who thrive in an environment that allows them to do their best work, be their best selves, and live their best lives, feel free to reach out to us.

Together, let’s move the world a few degrees to the positive one person, one project, and one organization at a time. Together let’s make some ripples :)

Here is what Stephanie and Ken sent me this week their friend John Fritz

John Fritz was a dear mentor and friend who we lost much too soon. The ripples he spread in our lives continue to inspire our work each and every day.

His life led him in many directions. We are blessed that we got to know him as his wisest self in the last two decades of his life.

I begin every morning with a gratitude practice learned from John. My life’s purpose statement is a mantra learned from John.

“Somehow, leave it better than you found it.”

John Fritz:

Friend Teacher Mentor

“Think of candles lighting candles in an ever-expanding circle of light.”

John is no longer with us, however the ripples he created continue to spread in the most wonderful and unexpected of ways. I feel that it is appropriate to dedicate the first post in this series to him, as his impact on me personally has greatly helped me in my quest to help others.

John had a light about him. He always had a smile for you and a knowing twinkle in his eyes. When he looked at you, he was seeing you. It was like he was looking right into your soul. I loved watching people meet him for the first time. For some, it could be quite jarring. This was someone who was fully present and paying attention. You felt the weight of his genuine interest in you. He would enthusiastically drag you into the light of your own potential, leaving you often wondering “What the heck just happened?” at the end of the conversation.

John believed in taking whatever comes up and turning it into a positive. He believed that when you share your light with another, your candle lights theirs, doubling the light. No loss, only gain. He believed in Smiling Eyes: smiling back at someone ten percent more than they are smiling at you. He believed that the truth belonged to everyone, and he loved telling stories that would open you up to what could become possible in your life.

Like all of us, he had his flaws, and he would be pissed at me if I left you believing he was some kind of saint. He made mistakes and had regrets just like the rest of us. He had so much knowledge and earned wisdom to share that at times he’d leave you overwhelmed by the sheer volume of information. Sometimes he found it hard to turn off his deep need to always be teaching. I can remember him still enthusiastically sharing ideas and strategies at 2:00 am in my apartment when he’d stay with me. He just couldn’t shut it off sometimes. I think what made John an amazing human was his kindness. I NEVER heard him say a bad word about anyone. He was a giving soul right up until the end of his life. Even in the end, as cancer ate away at him and left him in constant pain, he could find a smile for you and a kind word. For those of you who knew him, I’m guessing that your experience of who he was aligns closely with what I’ve shared. For those of you who never met him, who he chose to be lives on through so many of us. He gave generously, and those of us he taught are committed to passing along what we learned from him as best we can.

Thank you John, my dharma brother, for being you.

We all miss you, and are grateful for the ripples you continue to spread.

~Ken Caputo~

Authors: Stephanie Anne Roy, and Ken J. Caputo are the founders and directors of The Momentum Learning Center Learn more about them here.