📚 The Library That Let Go of Grudges (and Late Fees)

Some say forgiveness is divine. Turns out, the Freeport Public Library in Illinois agrees—wholeheartedly—and decided to do something about it.

In a delightfully unexpected twist, the library forgave every single overdue book fine. No questions. No stern librarian stares. Not even for the long-lost Clifford the Big Red Dog from 1997.

What started as an overdue amnesty blossomed into a community celebration—complete with poetry readings, free bookmarks, and a mystery Sherlock Holmes impersonator. But beneath the whimsy was a profound act of inclusion: a reminder that systems can choose compassion over punishment.

The New Zealand Government’s decision to axe the Living Wage from future contracts has been sold as “fiscal responsibility.” In reality, it’s a policy shift that tells essential workers—cleaners, catering staff, and security guards—that their wellbeing costs too much.

This satirical analysis exposes the double standards at the heart of the decision, highlighting how workers are expected to survive on minimum wage while subsidising the wealth of corporations through state top-ups. It’s a must-read for anyone interested in labour rights, economic justice, and how governments value (or devalue) their lowest-paid workers.

Success in business isn’t about being ruthless—it’s about being human. Despite the stereotype that hard-nosed leadership is the key to profitability, my decades of experience in business advisory tell a different story. Kindness, loyalty, honesty, and generosity aren’t just nice traits; they’re the foundation of strong, thriving businesses.

In this article, I challenge the toxic myths of leadership, explore the parallels between running a business and leading a community, and argue why New Zealand’s government should be managed more like a social enterprise—prioritizing people over pure profit. If you’re tired of outdated economic narratives and want a leadership model that actually works, this is for you.

I just wonder where we are all going, are we going to go there together and will we like it when we get there?

I’m not sure this is what God had in mind.

Leaving your business is easy. Doing it so it sets the rest of your life up for happiness, security and meaning is not so easy.

Making damned sure you know what you want to do next is utterly critical. Trust me. I’ve seen it go wrong too many times.

Think long hard and deep about what you want your time and your heart to be consumed by for the rest of your time on the planet and you’re off to a glorious start.