Always Looking for Inspiration

I look for inspiration all the time. Things that make me think, things that make me feel, things that give me hope. My sisters friends had a baby not to long ago and since I just love kids they let me hold onto her for a few minutes. They took a picture and I thought nothing of it at the time until they posted it on Facebook. It is funny how the simple picture of a child can inspire your thoughts. She is too cute!

The point is that inspiration can come from the oddest of places. Sometimes we get so focused that we don't take the time to really breath in and absorb everything around us. I happened to read a great blog post about the difference between choosing a path and choosing a goal. Jason, at A Miracle A Day, distinguishes the two by saying that when we focus too much on a goal we get trapped by it, whereas if we choose a path we can travel it at our own pace and in any way we so choose.

The metaphore of life as a path holds true. Things happen all around us, all the time, and the more we take notice and heed our true calling the more we can enjoy all that comes our way. If you, like myself, want to change the world, start with yourself. Find the inspiration all around you, in the eyes of a baby, or the writing of a two-bit blogger like myself.

Walk the path of your choosing, and take it all in, every second, because unfortunately at some point that path will end and life will be the sum of all the steps you took to get there. If you don't enjoy each step then what is the point of taking any?

Social Websites for People Interested in Changing the World

The more and more I get into this blogging thing, and get connected with other people who are doing the same thing or interested in doing the same thing, the more I am getting turned on to new or different social networking websites for people who are interested in doing something to improve the world. I came across this great blog post, Networks for Change, by Jason Diceman over at WorldChanging. He outlines and gives a general overview of what each has to offer. I have profiles on a number of them now, but it is difficult to keep up with them as they pop up. I just joined a new one in its BETA phase called UnltdWorld. I am new to all of them and couldn't give an honest opinion one way or the other on which ones I like best and why. If you have any feedback please pass it along.

The great thing about social network websites is that you are able to connect with people from all around the world who you share some sort of interest with. The important thing, though, is to take advantage of your ability to network and take action. It is not enough to add someone to your friend list and watch your number of friends rise. What is important is to take the connection and make a difference with it. How many of your friends on these websites have you talked to since they were added. I know this because I am probably the most guilty of all. There is no substitute for creating actual friendships and making real connections. They are possible over the internet but they don't magically exist because you "agree to being their friend". Make the most of the opportunity that sights like Facebook provide. Post your new project, or idea and let others take an interest, ask opinions, hear advice. Make use of this 'Flat World' instead of taking it for granted.

Facebook Page for Balance On Earth

I created a Facebook page under the name Balance on Earth, for anyone to access and add input. I hope that anyone who reads this and has a Facebook profile will join and start to share ideas for how to make the world a better place. Another blogger, Katie Orlemanski, who is travelling around the world and writing about the areas and events she encounters along the way will also be posting to the page. You can read up about her experiences at Change the World.

For those of you who are interested in learning more about environmental comings and goings, I know that I don't post nearly enough on the topic, there is a great blog that is separated for both boys and girls called Green Guys Global and Green Girls Global. Both blogs have great ideas and information for those of you looking to lead a greener life, so I would recommend checking both out regardless of your gender. I especially like that at the end of each post they provide a few links to other material on the subject so that you can learn more if you so wish.

It is a wonderful feeling knowing there are so many wonderful people trying to make the world a better place in their own ways. Please continue to contact me with your ideas and websites.

What 2008 Will Bring

Happy New Year to All! My how fast time flies when you enjoy yourself. I can't believe that A)It is 2008; and B)I am 24 years old. It just doesn't seem right.

My holidays were about as relaxing and productive as I could have hoped for. While I didn't finish much of anything I set out to, I have never done as much quality thinking as I did during this break.

In looking back at these first few months of blogging I have come to a few conclusions.
1)I am going to try writing more about global activities. While I will stick to my guns and continue writing about ways people can change the world, I think it is important for people to know more about what is going on so they can consciously try to fix it.

2)I am going to comment more on philanthropic and social enterprise news. These are two major factors in the movement towards a better world and I don't comment on them enough.

3)I want to post more often. I feel as though too much time passes between postings as I am sure you also do. I have far more to say than I am saying.

4)There needs to be more dialogue. I would like to hear more from everyone, whether you agree or more importantly if you disagree.

I have taken a few moments to think about my predictions for the coming year around the world and what ground we will make on creating a better world.

1)The creation of the Bali Action Plan for reversing climate change will start a larger dialogue on how to meet new standards for emissions and green house gases. 2008 will be the year when we see new alignment on a global vision for how to curb global warming.

2)Social Enterprise and triple bottom line business models will see an explosion of new organizations and products entering the marketplace. More choice of products of this ilk will allow consumers more choice and likely lower costs. These are good things as they will likely face greater scrutiny. Transparency will be the key. If these businesses adopt policies of transparency and releasing more figures to consumers on exactly where money is going (like not-for-profits do) then consumers will be less hesitant and more accepting of spending their money on goods that do good.

3)A new AIDS vaccine will enter into trials and produce better results than the first version which was abandoned this past year. It may not work, but it will bring scientists closer than they have been to finding a preventative measure that will stop the spread of the worlds most deadly virus.

4)More billionaires will follow the likes of Bill Gates, Warren Buffet, and most recently Barron Hilton (Hilton Hotels) into the world of philanthropy. Those with money will begin to realize that having so much of it doesn't guarantee happiness and in fact giving it away does.

5)Generation Y and younger people around the world will begin to make their mark on the world. This age range is already being described as unaccepting of the current state of the world, and willing to dedicate their lives to changing it. Young people will be seen as having more power than ever before to change the world, and older generations will start to look up to them instead of looking down. My friend Kevin has said to me (and in his blog) that young people are successful precisely because they don't know any better. They have yet to let cynicism take hold, or to learn what is impossible, so they are willing to try. It is no mistake that the people who have been so successful as of late are of this generation.

6)Social media such as Facebook and MySpace will continue to grow in popularity only to be questioned for what is missing. A new social media will rise which brings back the component of human interaction. People will begin to understand that while it is wonderful to make the connection it means nothing if action isn't to follow. These websites are useful so long as we recognize their limits. Websites like change.org will grow into a much larger hub of charitable activity and wiserearth.org will become a meeting and congregating place for Agents of Change.

7)Collaboration will become the next wave of not-for-profit activity. While charities, not-for-profits and NGO's currently resist working together they will begin to recognize that working as a team will be necessary to make any headway. Each and every problem has become so interconnected and intertwined with the next that it will become impossible for any one organization to make a difference. A comprehensive approach which relies on collaboration will be the only way for organizations specializing in particular areas to truly address their specialization. As I said in a conversation I had the other day, "You can't fix one thing and hope it fixes all the others. You have to try to fix all of them together in order to fix the one thing."

I will leave you with this thought. It is a new year, with new opportunities, new relationships, new everything. Embrace this chance to start fresh, to bring about change, and to live the life you dream of. It is never too late.

A lot on my mind

2 Posts in one day, but I have a lot I would like to talk about. I have received a few emails and facebook messages from you wonderful readers and I really appreciate your thoughts and ideas. Some of you are doing some truly remarkable things and should be very proud of yourselves. I hope that in some way my writing is able to help you in any way.

Ally Pintucci, who recently messaged me about her ambitious project of raising $10 000 for Free the Childrens Brick by Brick campaign is looking for some help. While she has certainly got the ambition to attain her goals, working with some of you other remarkable people out there is sure to make doing so a lot easier. If anyone out there would like to help out with this initiative or has some fundraising ideas, please either email me or look her up on facebook and send her the ideas directly. I think this would be a wonderful discussion for everyone who, like Ally, would like to do some fundraising but need some fresh ideas on how to, so please do not hesitate to post your comments and ideas here on my blog. To learn more about the Brick by Brick campaign through Free the Children click here.

This weekend I will be traveling back to my former university, where I will be helping out with an initiative I co-founded last year. The Canadian Conference on Student Leadership was a dream of mine and another former students, Kathryn McIntosh. We had the privilege of traveling down to Disney World about 3 years ago to attend the US equivalent conference and were inspired to start our own here in Canada. It took us a year to plan and get the funding but last year was the inaugural conference which had 150 students from across Canada attend. It was an incredible weekend where we were all inspired by fellow students and professionals. I am truly excited to see this years conference and see some people from last year as well as some new faces. To see this conference grow is a dream of mine and I can't wait to see where it goes from here. Please check out the website, and if you get a chance I highly recommend you try and attend next years event.

One last thought. I find all your ideas, comments, and emails extremely inspiring. I hope that you continue to update me on what you are up to. Even I, the eternal optimist, needs a little pick-me-up, and your actions provide just that.