Everything else you always wanted to know about me

(that I'm willing to put on the web)

In summer 2008 we returned to Edmonton from a sabbatical year in Sheffield, UK, where I did research in the University of Sheffield Speech and Hearing Programme. A chronicle of our adventures in England can be seen at http://kirchnergross.livejournal.com.

I'm increasingly concerned about peak oil (what happens to our economies when energy demand begins to outstrip supply), climate change, and their dire implications for human civilization.   I want people everywhere to start facing up to this issue, and engaging in open discussion about it, before it's too late to do anything about it but starve and freeze.  Political and business elites seem to have decided (criminally, in my judgement) that talking about this openly would be bad for business: instead, they're using violence (e.g in Iraq, in Nigeria) in a short-sighted bid to maintain control of remaining energy supplies, without thought about changing our energy infrastructure.  But when you're dying of thirst, it's a bit late to start thinking about building a well.  For news stories and commentary on these issues, check out Speaking Truth to Power.

On a more positive note, an increasingly important part of my life is my involvement in the Mankind Project, an organization of support groups for men.  Through interactions with other men in MKP, I'm learning to implement the following principles in my life. 

·      Responsibility: I am responsible for my life – my feelings, my choices, and my actions.  I choose my reactions.  I use “I” statements. 

·      Integrity: My choices and actions are consistent with my intentions, mission and commitments.  I keep my promises.  I do what I say I will. I walk the talk.

·      Self-Awareness: I examine my thoughts, feelings and behaviours.  I am aware of ‘shadows’, patterns and limiting beliefs that compromise my integrity with these principles. 

·      Accountability: I ‘own’ to another man when I am out of integrity.  I acknowledge the consequences of my actions, and the choices and intentions behind them.  I learn and grow from these lessons.

·      Clarity: I seek understanding.  I know what I want.  I know who I am.

·      Mission: I seek to discover my true mission of service and choose to live in integrity with it.

·      Action: I take action to live my mission and fulfil my commitments.  I ask for help when I need it.  I ask for what I want.  I move through my fear.  I take risks.

·      Authenticity: I am sincere and honest in all my dealings.  I am aware of and own my feelings.  I speak my truth.  I come from my heart.  I am genuine and real.

·      Directness: I speak clearly to another man of my perceptions, feelings and judgements toward him.  I neither practice not tolerate sideways comments or ‘gossip’.  I am loyal to myself and my brothers.

·      Trust   I trust the process.  I am worthy of trust.  As I live in these principles and values, I learn to trust and respect myself.

·      Unconditional Love: I love and accept all people, without reservation.  I value and celebrate our differences.  I love and accept myself as I am, right now.  I achieve a life of unconditional love by raising my consciousness to the level from which all love flows.

·      Compassion: I see all behaviour as a statement of love or a cry for help.  I see and seek to heal the wounds behind ‘negative’ behaviours.  I look for the positive intent behind all behaviour and strive to forgive of myself and others.

This commitment in turn led me to Quakerism (Religious Society of Friends). I don't feel comfortable saying more about my religious life on this website. As Quakers say, “Let your life speak.” If you want more information on Quakerism, locally or nationally, see http://www.edmontonquakers.org or http://www.quaker.ca.

I'm married to Suzanne Gross, whom I met at U. Maryland.  Suzanne has a Ph.D. in musicology from University of Maryland.  Her dissertation concerns the hymnody of Eastern Pennsylvania Mennonites around the turn of the 19th century, as reflected in contemporary manuscript songbooks (Notenbuchlein).  She currently works as an family support program developer for the Edmonton Mennonite Centre for Newcomers , an immigrant resettlement agency.  She also works part-time with women prisoners in Alberta through Community Justice Ministries, a restorative justice programme. We have two wonderful daughters: Miriam, age 17; and Naomi, age 12.  Miriam plans to become an artist or poet.   She plays violin and piano.  Naomi studies dance and plays the oboe.

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