[Oe List ...] Bill and Barb Alerding

[William Alerding]

December, 2010



Dear Colleagues,

It is that time of year to celebrate 2010. First, some personal  
highlights and  then a few reflections. After a wild 85th birthday  
party last year, Barbara is planning a quiet 86th on Dec. 18th. But we  
did manage to  celebrate each other’s journey for the 42nd year of our  
family. Both of us traveled this year with the Zarvos Life Coaching  
program, including an impacting three month Vision in Action where we  
applied caring for the community with a team of focused colleagues .We  
also visited our  ICA colleagues in Chicago and were excited to hear  
about their work around the world. In addition, a long drive to  
Hartford, CT in August gave us time to participate in the East Coast  
Alerding Reunion.

We were fortunate to find an organization this year that matches the  
vision and passion of ICA with a clear mission of involving families  
in social change. It is a 33 year-old company called Primerica which  
was started by teachers who wanted to educate the middle class about   
personal finances. We have fallen in love with their mission to help  
people get out of debt and become financially independent.   With  
Primerica, we both traveled twice to Ohio for two intensive week-ends  
and made a  trip to Atlanta, GA to see its 36 acre headquarters with  
its own postal zip code. Our heads are still swimming!

Finally, a few reflections. The world is rapidly changing . China and  
India are now leading in economic power without depending on military  
invasion. Technology allows us to extend our nervous systems  
electronically to every corner of the world, and we have no choice but  
to become global citizens. Nations where citizens believe they can go  
it alone are becoming an out-dated idea. The reality is that whatever  
happens anyplace in the world profoundly affects us wherever we live.

A whole new approach to education is being demanded.  We now need to  
educate the entire populace on how to think creatively. In the next  
ten years, 90% of the jobs do not even exist yet.  Learning methods of  
how to learn has become more important than focusing on what to learn.  
This  helps create people who can better adapt to a changing  
environment.

All this is to say that we live in very challenging times. We all need  
the courage to face the unknown. We need to learn to live with fear  
and not out of fear. Let us encourage one another to live in these  
exciting times. Have a wonderful year!

Love

Bill and Barb Alerding