Thank you, Greg, for being my friend. You will always have a special place in my heart.

Arlene

I was very fortunate to be co-founder of Outside Insights with Greg, and thoroughly enjoyed my friendship with him and his fabulous family.

Outside Insights was our shared passion, and we had many great adventures in unique places. Together with our supportive, fun & creative staff, we offered organizations and their people opportunities to learn, grow and have fun with the challenges we created for them. I also watched Greg become a superb facilitator, and I was truly honored to support him in our many successful programs. 

I love the photos Alisa posted on November 5.  

The smiling Greg, who’s very presence created possibilities.  Time and again, I experienced Greg as he gave me and those around me  the courage to let got of our stories and instead pause, open ourselves to discomfort and uncertainty, and then choose how to move forward.   

The outdoor Greg, with his family - his love for all of you was always so clear and filled with joy.  

And, the thoughtful, serious Greg.  He never pretended it was easy.  He never pretended he had all the answers.  But he always listened with an open mind and an empathetic heart, and he always made sure everybody’s voice had the chance to be heard.  

I was lucky enough to get to know Greg during my year with ALF and then to work with him as a coaching client and on Culture in Action and WiWoW.   He is an extraordinary and unique person who changed my life.  

I think almost daily about whether I’m at least trying to achieve his capacity to  accept and value other people as they are, without judgment, while also holding on to deep values.   I think almost daily about whether I’m carrying forward his work to help people feel heard and supported as they do the hard work of becoming the person they yearn to be.  

Greg is and always will be my touchstone, when I’m scared or uncertain or struggling.  And he is and always will be my inspiration, when I’m joyful and my life is filled with meaning, the love of family and friends, and the beauty of nature.  

I am so, so very sorry for your loss.

A Commitment to Joy

For my friend Greg Ranstrom

Eyes shining as the wind blows

Eyes shining as the ship sinks

Eyes shining

Eyes shining

Eyes shining

At the exquisite miracle that is life.

You adventured through yours

With a sparkle and a smile

Beaming your love

Into the most buttoned up corners

Lifting people up

With your very presence

Seeing them in all their radiance

And all their strength …

Helping them see it themselves

I picture you

In the desert, or on your land

In the forest, and in the mountains

By the river, by the lake

Surrounded always

By those whose lives you blessed

With your warmth

Your curiosity

Your generosity of spirit

I picture you

In a makeshift meeting room

Distractions pressing in from all sides

Or a swank corporate office

Quiet and hushed

As together we gently remind the gathered leaders:

Look! Listen! Be still.

For just a moment, be still. And notice…

The world is a most beautiful and miraculous place.

Your life is a most exquisite and precious gift.

Remember that. Reflect it in all that you do.

You told me once

About a purple wristband

And a complaint-free world.

That’s why

In the last years of your life

I sent you photographs of earth’s bounty

Bittersweet reminders, no doubt

Of places you could no longer go

And would not otherwise see, but through my eyes.

I wanted to gift you

With the moments of joy that I found

Because whenever I found them

You were there in my heart

Celebrating all that is right with the world

In spite of its brutal tragedies

Awakening my appreciation

For a single precious petal

A single drop of dew.

This is how I will remember you:

A commitment to joy

A commitment to love

A commitment to shine