Now at the end of March, we find ourselves just one quarter of the way through 2026. Wow. I don’t know about you but I have to keep reminding myself to slow down, not to rush things. We still have many more days and months to go in 2026. Forget days and months, think of how long 60 seconds lasts when you are holding your breath or watching the microwave.

Beware the Ides of March, the warning from the soothsayer in Shakespeare’s Julius Caesar. Julius Caesar’s assassination on March 15, 44BCE changed the course of Roman history. The events leading up to Caesar’s murder included a breach from the ideals of the Republic, his arrogance, and his desire to rule in a monarchical fashion. Shakespeare’s play speaks to betrayal, murder, death, and impending doom. 

March 15th was also a holiday during the Roman Empire. A time to celebrate the new year, settle debts, and honor the god Jupiter. For those of you more familiar with the Greek gods, Jupiter is like Zeus. King of the gods and ruler of the sky, associated with thunder and lightning. 

Today where I live and in many other places, No Kings demonstrations are taking place. A quick disclaimer lest anyone misconstrue my inclusion of Julius Caesar’s assassination and its motivation. I do not condone violence of any kind. I wholeheartedly support and encourage peaceful demonstrations, voting, and democracy. 

February 19th we landed in Mumbai, my first visit to India and the start to a long awaited trip. After a quick swim, we gathered with our group in the lobby of the hotel and headed out to a last minute dinner party at a private residence. The guest of honor was Hilary Clinton who was in town to attend an environmental conference. Her short address to the small group of mostly locals began with “On behalf of the people of the United States, I am sorry.”. She went on to say that she did not feel like the current behavior of the United States was representative of who we are, and hopefully, this is only temporary. 

Given that everything from whether or not to vaccinate your dog to the type of car you drive has been politicized, I am certain that there will be some who read this with a political bent. My political beliefs and affiliations aside, I agreed with Hilary. We are in a deficit of kindness and care for each other. And we have agency over our actions. We can choose how we treat each other and the Earth. 

My North Carolina grandparents’ home was filled with books. Each summer during my annual visit, I would read for hours at a time. The Hundredth Monkey by Ken Keyes, Jr. was a slim volume tucked amongst much more serious looking tomes. Paperback with an eye-catching orange and yellow cover, simple graphics, and friendly typeface, I read it in a single sitting. The message was one I have never forgotten. 

Simply stated, the Hundredth Monkey effect is that ideas can spread once they reach a critical level of acceptance, i.e. the hundredth monkey. 

With current technology and the ceaseless stream of information, it would appear that the loudest voices are the ones best positioned to use the Hundredth Monkey effect to their gain. It seems to be working.

And we have a choice. Do we give our attention to the noise? Do we choose to become passive in our daily lives? 

Or do we find time for quiet? Time to contemplate who we are and what matters to us. Do we then take one small step at a time to live with purpose? Do we dare to share the ideas and ideals that matter to us? Not with rancor or aggression, but with confidence and care. Is it possible that our actions based on our beliefs can become the ideas that spread?

I am willing to try. 

I do not accept the loud, insistent call for increasing violence.

I will greet each day, each minute as an opportunity to lead with love.