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his friends called him t
Thomas J. Leonard |
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5 6 shock and the void of Thomas' absence. I also feel especially blessed to have known him and to be a part of the tremendous community for good that he helped create. Although most of our communication was virtual - e-mails and phone calls - when I walked up to him at September's Toronto conference, Thomas greeted me with warmth and recognition. We then exchanged ideas, a love of which we shared. Thomas, though, was not only about thinking big thoughts, he was also willing and able to bring them into reality, usually - as we all know - with breathtaking frequency and quantity. He, also, had a unique ability to connect one-on-one in a way that was honest, energizing, and empowering.
I look forward to walking with you and the rest of the CV/coaching family along the paths Thomas created, leading into the future he envisioned.
Love and peace,
Ed Osborne
I cannot imagine the sadness you are feeling...but my prayers are with you. How very difficult to think that someone like thomas who was larger than life with such a vision for the future will not be here to see it to completion.
I know thomas's vision is in very capable hands… Judy Goddard
Thomas, I have never forgotten the first time I met you in person at the first "Live Event" in Las Vegas. At the end of the last segment, when all was said and done, I acknowledged you and thanked you for your obvious undying generosity, love and compassion for the human spirit and its pursuit of freedom. I could not believe how one man could stand up and put so much on the line, simply for the sake of those who would listen - and even those who won't, and perhaps never will. My father is so generous a man, and I shared with you that you were the only other person I have ever known to be as generous as my dad - and you have taken it so much further than he ever has by creating that which you have. Coach U, ICF, and Coachville are incredible accomplishments but pale in comparison to the compassion with which they were created. You welled up, tears just starting to roll over your eyes when I shared my thanks to you. You seemed humbled and overwhelmed by my appreciation. That only amplified it for me.
In fact, seldom have two consecutive weeks have gone by that I have not thought about that moment. It permanently touched me as much as it seemed to touch you in the moment. Darshana and I both have ever been bowled over by your compassion and love for anyone and everyone around you. You literally moved us to a new and higher plane than that which we were on before meeting you. The world is so full of agendas, motives and pursuits of personal gain and you seemed to stand above all that. Able to put all that behind you, working for something so much larger than yourself. Even the days that you weren't operating in such a mode, you had the insight to see that you weren't and either call for help among your communities/environments, or allow yourself the space, letting everyone in on how you were being. Such a gift! Thank you.
I truly enjoyed the short periods of time you gave me between segments, at the end of the day, during socials, in meetings, etc. if for no other reason than to be near you. I hope that in moving out of the identity that was Thomas J. Leonard, you have moved into another physical form that will not only benefit from all the positive, wonderful, and beautiful deeds and energy you left with us but also can continue on to what ever end goal your soul is seeking. Perhaps what you needed was another 60 or so years to create the peace in the world that only you could bring. And at 47, 60 years seems unlikely so a new body would be in order. Who's to say; only you and God can know the true answer. I do know that what you have started in this lifetime has generated a massive following who do believe that humans can help one another without all the bias and agenda that comes from the short sightedness so often see today. It truly is because of you that tens of thousands of people are generating peace and tolerance throughout the world and that will only continue to grow.
I am very sad that you are no longer here and available to me. As selfish as that it is, it is the truth. I am more saddened that countless others will never know the joy of experiencing you in person; never feeling the calming energy, the intense listening, and the overwhelming acceptance that one could experience only by being in your presence. As a coach you seemed amazing, capable of lasering in on exactly what was going on with someone. As a friend (and I consider you a friend even though we'd known each other only a relatively short time) you are more than amazing; you are incredible. I use the present tense because your effect on me will go on for the rest of my life. I shall never forget you and will strive to be as your spirit is: selflessly giving for the betterment of all. I am already one of the most tolerant people that I or anyone I know knows, and have always considered you as one of the very few who understand what that really means. But you have something so much more than tolerance - a drive to make us not only better as a species but to know that we are better, and using that knowledge actively pursue that which is limitlessly available to us. You are, as Darshana says, very spiritually evolved.
I will miss you, as will countless others. I hope that I can be of support to those in your family and/or CV that you have left behind. They deserve it. I know life with a visionary of your level can be quite taxing at times, and when working on such a profound mission, that taxation can become fuel, no matter how exhausting it seems.
You are a very loved soul by many. I however speak specifically for myself in saying that I truly do love you, will miss your presence and cannot wait to see how you show up in the future.perhaps I'll be in another lifetime or spiritual realm; no matter. Something deep inside tells me that this is only "goodbye for now".
Thank you for all that you have been and will continue to be for me!
Your dear, dear friend forever (even if you didn't readily know it) Chuck Hawks
I am terribly sorry to hear that Thomas passed away this week .I didn't hear about it until I read an email about the SOC.wow.this news kicks in big time.not sure what to say right know, but that my thoughts are with you and Thomas. I know this sounds like the obvious but if there is anything I can help you with please let me know
All the best from Holland.I am thinking of you.
Jan de Zwarte
been working behind the scenes over the last few days.
I really just want to say I hope you are all doing okay right now, I think you have been amazing at keeping things together so well while you must be going through some really tough stuff personally. Your actions in getting information out to people and setting up support systems so quickly have been so very reassuring and appreciated by so many.
I have admired the way all of you have co-ordinated to organise this information and support for all of us - the caring and generosity of spirit this demonstrates is a tribute to you all - and to Thomas's ability to attract people of exceptional passion and insight.
I hope, in all this, you have been able to find the time you need to look after yourselves too.
My heart is with you right now.
Jacki Easter
In Memory of Thomas Leonard
When people filled with love to life, love to joy, love to work for others die, it becomes suddenly so quiet in the world.....
Thomas was one of these persons.... genuisly ongoing with spirit and soul, vision and mission ........ Discussions between Arizona and the North Sea, how it could be possible to create Coaching as a Tool of Peace is something I will follow up in memorial of him. My son Haakon and Thomas met in London last Fall 2002 and agreed upon Thomas would come to our island in the North Sea and try out fly-fishing. It made an unforgetable impression to a young boy meeting such a capacity and also a huge sadness fills him now when Thomas is gone.
Thomas definitely wanted us to keep up with using coaching as a tool for peace in the world - - -
Thank you for developing all the remarkable tools you created for millions of us around the world, Thomas, we will never ever forget you - simply because you were so powerful and full of generousity with your gifts to the world!
Thank you again!
Yours forever Vibecke and Haakon Winther, Norway
Life is eternal I am standing upon the seashore. A ship at my side spreads her white sail to the morning breeze and starts for the blue ocean. She is an object of beauty and strength and I stand and watch her until at length she hang like a peck of white cloud just when the sea and sky come down to mingle with each other. Then someone at my side says "There She's gone" Gone where? Gone from my sight... That is all. She is just as large in mast and bull and spar as she was when she left my side, and just as able to bear her load of living freight to the place of destination. Her diminished size is in me, not in her, and just at the time when someone at my side says "There She's gone" , there are other eyes watching her coming and other voices ready to take up the glad shout" Here she comes... Welcome home"
My English is not very good yet, but my respect to you is bigger and bigger. Thank You. Roxana
Thomas' passing has reminded me of the character Donald Shimoda, from Richard Bach's book 'Illusions - The Adventures of a Reluctant Messiah'.
Having completed his work as a master on Earth, Donald dies a spectacular death in front of his disciple (Richard). And his death was just as much a gift of learning as was the rest of his life. And that night Donald spoke to Richard in his dreams, of course.
So thank you for this gift Thomas, I and many others look forward to working with you in our dreams, and to the inspiration of your spirit as we continue to change the world.
Steve McDonald Executive Coach Sunbird Consulting steve@sunbirdconsulting.com.au www.sunbirdconsulting.com.au
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