November 9: Today is the anniversary of the tragic death of Dylan Thomas at the age of 39 in 1953.  He is credited with some of the best known lines of poetry of the 20^th century, but also with the revival of poetry as an auditory experience.  He rescued poetry from its cramped status as a solitary, silent pursuit by reading his and other people's poetry over the BBC airwaves and in public halls around England and the US.  The beatniks expounding in coffee shops 50 years ago and the poetry slam masters of today follow in his footsteps.

If you can get ahold of recordings of Dylan Thomas, it will make your universe more spacious.  In the mean time, in honor of Dylan, fill your lungs (Welch air is best, but any air will do) and feel the rhythm of your most heartfelt message coming up from the depths of your abdominal cavity.

Here are some ways to channel your inner Dylan Thomas.

Remember why you do what you do.  Are you in the business of enlightening children?  Eliminating poverty?  Advocating justice?  Clear your head of all the nit-picky details and focus on your world-changing mission.

Remember the tribe.  Social change is a team sport.  In spite of all of the petty bickering and competition and mistrust, we are building something grand together.

Remember your power.  Fund raising is about broadening horizons for both donor and benefiary, and you have the miraculous good fortune and weighty responsibility of being the bridge to that land of possibility.  There is no work more noble.

Dwell for a moment on your past successes.  We are not allowed to rest on our laurels, but we can certainly carry them with us.