Social Actions

Over at Philanthropy 2173, Lucy wrote about a new website called Social Actions. The site is designed to “make it easy for you to make a difference.”

This is how they do it:
We help you find and share opportunities to change the world.

- First, we collect ways to get involved in the causes you care about from these 30+ action sources, including Care2, Change.org, DonorsChoose.org, DemocracyinAction, GlobalGiving, Idealist, Kiva, SixDegrees and VolunteerMatch.

- Then, we make it easy for you to find these opportunities by presenting them in a user-friendly search engine.

- We also encourage nonprofits, companies, and third-party developers to create online tools that help you share ways for others to take action on your website, blog, or mobile device.

The web is becoming a series of social networks connected by social networks. If you, like me, have a tough time keeping up with the many social networks you take part in, you will find things like this extremely handy. While you will still need to log on to the individual sites to update your profile (this I predict will change in the new year) you can at least see if there is anything you find interesting at a glance with less effort to look for it. As they say – you can make a difference, they will make it easy.

Destiny In The Stars

When I was on the school tour a couple of weeks ago with George, Eternia, Masia One and the crew from 411 Initiative for Change, we had some deep conversations on the road trip. We would talk about the best place to get a shwarma, what our favorite apple was, and the room service menus. Half joking. We also had a few serious moments that I found really interesting.

George had some very intelligent and intriguing things he had studied to talk about. One particular conversation has had me thinking ever since. He has always been very interested in the stars, as have I, so when the topic came up my ears perked up. He explained to us that destiny is written in the stars. I will try to condense and sum up the conversation:

According to the theory of light years depending on how far away a star is, by the time you see one or it reaches your eyes it no longer exists. In essence it is happening in the future. If there was a telescope that far away that could relay information back to earth then it could see things happening many ‘light years’ ahead or before they happened. The future exists and can be seen, unfortunately we just don’t have the ability to see it yet.

Now whenever you look up in the stars you can know you are looking at your future. I have always believed in destiny and now this just grounds it in a theory.

Girls of Latitude

If you are an MTV fan you may have caught a glimpse, or even the entire half hour, of the documentary that my employer Plan Canada developed with MTV. The show follows Diane as she travels to Colombia and follows a young girl as she deals with peace and conflict resolution, AJ in Sudan as a young woman stands up against the issue of early marriage, and finally, Nicole as she travels to Haiti and looks at Juvenile Justice. It is a really great piece of television that is unusual for MTV to produce. Kudos to them for recognizing the value of educational programming! In all seriousness the program gives a great glimpse of what it is like for girls around the world.

When statistics are examined, quite often it is broken down into male-female, or adult-child, but rarely does it go further to pull out the disparity in girl-boy. What the statistics show when one does is that the world is a very different place for girls and if we have any hope of achieving the millennium development goals by 2015, we need to pay special attention to the rights of girls. At Plan, and I apologize if it seems a bit like a marketing ploy since I work there, we have an advocacy campaign called “Because I am a girl” which targets the girl demographic and follows it to make sure our work impacts them positively. I know many other organizations are also doing similar things.

Girls are at a distinct disadvantage in the world and we can all play a roll in improving the world if boys and men treat the girls and women in their lives with the respect and dignity they deserve, and if girls and women respect themselves and those of their fellow gender. Around the world 1 in 3 women are physically or sexually abused – including here in Canada – which is a truly staggering amount. That is on men almost exclusively and something needs to be changed. Women also need to take an active roll in making people aware of the problem.

I hope I can continue to raise some of the particular areas that need awareness and that with any luck one of you will take an interest in one that is raised and then do something about it. Part of the distinct problem in the world is that people just don’t know the extent to which these problems persist. Just a little more discussion can go a long way.

Akoha

I heard about this great new game called Akoha by my friend Kevin. The more I think about it the more I am just blown away by the possibilities for it. I signed up for the Beta launch but I will have to wait until they let the next round of invites goes out. This is what the website has to say about the game:

Once upon a time…

In just a decade the Internet’s advances have made the world a better place. At Akoha, we want to take that a step further. With six billion people covering seven continents and five oceans, our planet is the ultimate playground, a place for real people to engage in meaningful interactions. Akoha was founded by Austin Hill and Alex Eberts, long-time friends and entrepreneurs. After attending the TED Conference in Monterey where the theme was “Ideas Big Enough to Change the World”, and the Sundance Film Festival where some of their friends were discussing movies that could make a difference, the two began a series of conversations about the future of online entertainment. These discussions about the power of online communities and the changing nature of play were the spark that led to Akoha.

If you are already a member then let me know what you think so far. I think this has the chance to be really special and I can’t wait to start. I was really hoping I could get it going in time for the holiday season but who knows. I will keep you posted!

School Tour

So you may have been missing me lately. I know I have missed posting! Well I was on a school tour for work throughout Ottawa, Montreal, and Toronto and area. In total we visited 20 schools and made 22 presentations in two weeks. It was an intense 10 workdays! I was working from 5am to midnight some nights as I tried to keep up with everything. However, even with all this whining, it was an incredible experience. The tour was a presentation entitled “Girls Rights are Human Rights too” and just like it sounds it was about girls rights. The interactive, multimedia presentation included live performances by Masia One and Eternia, two female MC’s, and George, Toronto’s own music sensation. It was a mind blowing educational experience. It also included interviews that were done with three of the female MTV VJ’s (Nicole, AJ, and Diane). Plan Canada, my employer, took them to Haiti, Sudan, and Colombia to raise awareness about different issues affecting girls and what is being done.

The combination of artists and television personalities managed to keep the interest of the students for nearly an hour and a half, and many lingered around well afterwards to speak with the performers about the issues raised. It really showed the disconnect between regular educational presentations and one designed with young people in mind. There is no doubt that young people are bubbling with enthusiasm and passion for making a difference in the world. I think the issue is that not enough is done to stoke their fires. What I witnessed from young people during this presentation was deep feelings about these issues and that they were really just waiting for a reason to let it show. I can’t wait to see what will come of this new and renewed enthusiasm.

Pop!Tech Hub

A friend sent me this link the other day and I am just now getting around to looking at it. The tag line for Pop!Tech Hub is "a digital home base, where people come together to make change." Sounds like a very interesting site! On the Hub, you can:

- Establish a personal profile, including a bio and photo, with complete and detailed privacy controls, and browse for new friends
- Join or start a new social group, post messages and share your thoughts with other members of the group
- Create, find, vote on, or join a collaborative project, or track it by its RSS feed
- Participate in a Resource marketplace, where you can offer resources to projects, or browse resources being offered by other members

There is also this to say about it:

The Pop!Tech Hub is a social network and collaboration platform for people interested in vanguard-edge emerging ideas, trends, tools, and technologies, and their application to significant social challenges. It’s open to everyone: past Pop!Tech participants, members of the online Pop!Tech community or anyone with an interest in social innovation. Here you will find people of many different disciplines and perspectives meeting, creating, tracking and evaluating projects; exchanging ideas; and working together on change initiatives of every scale.

Another online world for people to link into. Check it out and let me know what you think. If you have previously written a post about this or are currently a member link back here and let me know what you think about it. I have joined but don't have much time currently to surf around and get any idea what it is like.

Designing for the other 90%

A friend turned me on to this art exhibit currently showing here in Toronto. If you are in the city or plan on coming through check it out. Here is what is available on the website:

Design for the Other 90%
Professional Gallery
Saturday October 4, 2008 to Sunday January 25, 2009
Opening Reception: October 4, 2008, 6:52 pm (coinciding with Scotiabank Nuit Blanche)

A touring exhibition organized by the Smithsonian's Cooper-Hewitt National Design Museum
The OCAD Professional Gallery will host Design for the Other 90%, a collection of design solutions addressing the basic needs of poor and marginalized populations not traditionally serviced by professional designers.

The exhibition, organized by the New York-based Smithsonian Cooper-Hewitt National Design Museum and curated by Cynthia E. Smith, explores a growing movement among designers to design low-cost solutions for the “other 90%” — that is, the 5.8 billion people (out of the world’s total population of 6.5 billion people) who have little or no access to most of the products and services many of us take for granted. Design for the Other 90% looks at how individuals and organizations are finding unique ways to address the basic challenges of survival and progress — for example, nearly half of the other 90% do not have regular access to food, clean water, or shelter.

"Unconventionally, this exhibition highlights products that are economically self-sustaining, yet affordable to people living on a dollar a day — inexpensive irrigation systems for farming, for instance," says Charles Reeve, Curator of the Professional Gallery. "The new forms of ingenuity here focus on pressing issues like poverty relief and environmental sustainability, both of which are key themes in what we teach and research here at OCAD."

Launching as part of OCAD’s Scotiabank Nuit Blanche programming, Toronto is the only Canadian stop for the touring exhibition, which is currently showing at the Walker Art Center in Minneapolis. An extensive website, including a blog, discussion forum and additional resources is available at http://other90.cooperhewitt.org/.

In addition to the exhibition at the OCAD Professional Gallery, the Design Exchange will present a complementary program of exhibits and events as part of Design for the Other 90%.
Gallery hours: Wed. to Fri., 1 to 7 p.m; Sat. and Sun., 12 to 6 p.m.

Why Water?

I was put on to this initiative called Why Water? By answering 3 questions correct CIGNA, a US insurance and health care provider, will donate the equivalent of one day of water to Water For People. Water for People "helps people in developing countries improve their quality of life by supporting the development of locally sustainable drinking water resources, sanitation facilities and health and hygiene education programs. Check out the game and let me know what you think. It is not dissimilar to the freerice.com game that provides rice for every question answered correctly. While I have not seen any statistics of how much money has been made by these games, or the impact those funds have made, at the very least a few minutes of your time, time probably spent not doing anything productive, could make a real difference. Again, let me know what you think about these sorts of games.

***UPDATE***
I emailed someone in the know on this game and they had this to say about where the money is going:

"CIGNA has provided $50,000 to Water for People to administer the clean water program through the end of 2008, and to ensure the funding reaches school children in India. CIGNA can provide up to one million days of clean water"

This is a little more information than I was able to easily dig up on my own, but I think if these games are the future of philanthropic activity there needs to be a movement towards openness and transparency. Put it in the FAQs or even create a page that exposes the relationship and the flow of funds. Is it making a difference? - then show how, do not just tell us it is! I am not picking on this game in particular, but I think this is an excellent opportunity to raise my concern. Changing the world has to be internalized. The world does not change by playing a video game, it changes when you understand why you are playing and are conscious and connected to the change that occurs from playing it. The impact has to be mutual for it to be absorbed. This game asks questions related to water, which is an opportunity to learn some important facts, but does it change the player? Ask yourself when you play the game - has anything for me changed? Lasting change and improvement happens when we manage to change our frame of reference, when we start to look at things in terms of the global benefit. Don't just play the game, learn about why you are playing the game and what else you can do in your own life to change the underlying cause or reason for the games existence.

Blogging to Save the World

Change.org recently launched a new section to their site with 13 bloggers each talking about a specific set of global issues. A great article was written on the Newsweek website about the impact and implications this could have if it continues to grow. If you have not yet taken a look at Change.org I think it is a fantastic site so please check it out. And the article is here.

Everyday Hero Awards

GlobalTV has posted video segments of the recipients of their Everyday Hero awards. There are some great little quick clips you can check out and pass along to others. Educators are using them in class curriculum to discuss global citizenship but they can be used for any purpose you come up with. They are posted here for your perusal.

CGI U 2009

I got an email the other day mentioning that applications are now being accepted for CGI U 2009. I had an incredible time last year and while I have yet to fulfill my commitment I am diligently working on it. I encourage everyone to check out the CGI U website and think about attending. I have posted pictures on my facebook page (feel free to add me) and if you go through the blog archives there is a roundup and detailed transcripts of the sessions I attended.

Siemens We Can Change The World Challenge

Came across this great project spearheaded by Siemens in the US. It is a really interesting challenge for youth grades k-12 that challenges youth to be active global citizens. Here is a brief description from the website:

About the Challenge

As citizens and future stewards of our planet, today’s students are in a unique position to become active agents of environmental change. The good news is that many of them are very interested in learning about and taking responsibility for their environment and their future.

Today’s young people will inherit a world that’s very different from the one their parents inherited. Climate change; polluted air, water and soil; endangered species; shrinking coastlines; and a rapidly increasing population are among the many issues that threaten our global environment.

The Siemens We Can Change the World Challenge gives students the opportunity, tools and inspiration to become those agents of change. Beginning in fall 2008 through March 15, 2009, middle school student teams from across the country will be challenged to create sustainable, reproducible environmental improvements in their local communities.

Top prizes will include a chance to appear on Discovery Network's Planet Green, a share in thousands of dollars in cash prizes, a one-in-a-lifetime Discovery Adventure trip and more.

Today’s students are ready to change the world. Let’s get them started.

Check out the challenge and sign up to take part here on the We Can Change The World

2 Love

I saw a brief news slip about this new online custom clothing store called 2 Love. Many celebrities have designed their own t-shirts, with the proceeds going to their favorite causes. If you are interested in making your own t-shirt or purchase one of the many available ones log onto their website at 2Love

Stand Up To Cancer

What an incredible show! If you had a chance to catch the live airing on September 5th, you saw one star studded affair with all the benefits going to various cancer organizations. I am really glad I watched. I had no idea how high the rate of cancer was and how many people just breast and prostate cancer affected. So many celebrities took part I wondered whether I was watching a fundraising event or the Oscars!

This is an excerpt form the Stand Up to Cancer website:

"Here we stand, on the verge of unlocking the answers that will finally conquer the devastation that is cancer.

We now understand the very biology that drives cancer. With knowledge gained from the mapping of the human genome, we can now target the genes and pathways that are involved in turning normal cells into cancerous ones. We are on the brink of possessing a toolbox full of new, advanced technologies just waiting to be adapted to benefit patients. Right before us, so close we can almost touch them, are scientific breakthroughs in the prevention, detection, treatment and even reversal of this disease.

For the first time we can envision the possibility of stopping cancer in its tracks. But just when science is on the verge of giving us the breakthroughs that can end cancer, the will and the funding to do so are disappearing from the national agenda and from our collective consciousness.

Cancer takes one person every minute. One life in a moment. They are our brothers, our sisters, our fathers and mothers, our husbands and wives, our best friends, our children, ourselves. Every day in America 1500 people die and yet the means to save them are literally within our reach. To wait any longer for someone else to save our lives and the lives of those we love is unforgivable.

Inspired to act by our own personal experiences with cancer, we recognize that we can no longer rely on the current system alone to give us the breakthroughs we need. So, we are calling on the public to help take matters into our own hands, investing in a revolution that will change the way scientist and clinicians work to understand and treat these diseases. Stand Up To Cancer is more than a rallying cry. It is a galvanizing force created to urgently move cancer research forward.

This is where the end of cancer begins: when we unite in one unstoppable movement and Stand Up To Cancer.

How?

Working with the top experts in cancer research, Stand Up To Cancer is forging a new way to develop breakthroughs that will end cancer. We’re putting together the best and the brightest minds in cancer research – those on the edge of accomplishment – investing in their projects and taking the bureaucratic obstacles out of their way. We are building interdisciplinary “Dream Teams” of scientists, clinicians, technicians and other experts, who will focus on a specific cancer problem. We’ll track their progress in real time, so that everyone who invests can see how their participation is creating real change.

Funds will be administered by the American Association for Cancer Research, the largest scientific organization in the world focusing on every aspect of high-quality, innovative cancer research. Together with their scientific Blue Ribbon Advisory Committee, comprised of world-class scientists across several disciplines and patient advocates, the most promising projects will be identified.

There are many ways you can support the cause. I purchased the song available on iTunes and am looking into getting a t-shirt to wear around in support. If the consumer approach isn't for you there is an easy method to donate on their website at StandUp2Cancer.org. Even if donating is not within your means, I urge you to check out the website and learn about cancer and what you can do to help. Just learning about it is the best way to prevent yourself from becoming another statistic.

Helping Homeless Kids in NYC

I got an email the other day about an event being held at the Highline Ballroom in New York City on September 21st, 2008 at 7pm by Harmony4Kidz, a not-for-profit committed to improving the lives of needy and homeless children throughout the world. The event will be a benefit concert with several artists including Ray J, Irena and the Bermuda Road, Badi, Bellringer, Raye 6, and Shakti amongst others. A great mix of known and up-and-coming talent. Tickets are $25 and can be purchased online through their website at Harmony4Kidz.org If you aren't able to attend the concert there are other ways to support the growth of the organization, including joining their Facebook Page and becoming a FAN. Check them out and leave them a note of encouragement.

Here is the press release:

RAY-J TO PERFORM AT BENEFIT CONCERT FOR THE HOMELESS KIDS OF NEW YORK CITY
Harmony4Kidz Presents Their Second “Artists Who Care” Benefit Show

Harmony4Kidz is proud to present its second annual New York City “Artists Who Care” benefit concert featuring R&B superstar Ray J and DJ Whutevva from Power 105.1 FM on Sept. 21st at the Highline Ballroom. All proceeds from ticket sales will help a child find shelter immediately.

Harmony4Kidz is committed to transforming the lives of homeless children by providing shelters, educational and developmental programs. The organization specializes in creating musical events to benefit children focusing on giving, peace and sharing through a message of hope. Harmony4Kidz is partnering with others in the music industry to develop creative, fund raising events that will help get homeless children off the streets. The event will be hosted by Power 105.1 FM’s DJ Whutevva and will feature a performance from superstar actor, entertainer and top celebrity, Ray J in addition to an international lineup of upcoming acts: Irena and Bermuda Road, Badi, Bellringer, Raye 6 and Shakti.

The founder of Harmony4Kidz is Irena Makarchuk who is also a singer, songwriter and composer. She will perform her song, “Save The World” which was her inspiration for creating the Harmony4Kidz organization. Irena’s passion for music and her commitment to helping others is a huge part of her life. She came up with the idea for Harmony4Kidz when she was planning another musical event in New York City. She encountered a group of children eager to help her promote the concert and she was shocked to discover that over 200 of the kids were actually homeless. Irena was amazed that in spite of all their problems the kids still had great attitudes and they wanted to be involved with the event and set up booths to sell their artwork. Irena was moved by their strength and courage and the next morning she wrote her song, “Save The World”.

The “Artists Who Care” Benefit will take place on Sept.21st, 2008 7:00 PM at the Highline Ballroom, tickets are available for $25.00 online and $28.00 at the door. During the evening auditions will also be held for the Harmony4Kidz reality TV show. People will also have a chance to submit their artwork, poetry, and music to be considered for publication in the Harmony4Kidz upcoming book and Mix CD. Submissions for any Harmony4Kidz projects will only be accepted at the event.
For more information on Harmony4Kidz visit:
www.harmony4kidz.com/benefit-concert.php
Visit The Harmony4Kidz Facebook Page
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Uwi0SvQsO4Y

If you have an event that you would like to share, please don't hesitate to whip me an email about it with details about the event as well as about the organization. If I think it is a worthy cause I would be more than happy to put something on this blog for others to see, and if I am in the area I would love to attend.

I Got a Job!

It is official, September 22nd will mark my first day as a member of Plan Canada. I will be joining the team as Youth Engagement and Development Education Specialist. It has been a busy couple of weeks as I had taken on two internships and a part time job. Starting this week I will be transitioning out of these positions and into my role at Plan. My posts may be sparse in the mean time as I have to find an apartment in Toronto and get settled. I have so much to share about both of my internships and then what my role will entail at Plan. Lots of great information to come so please bear with me!

Thoughts on Leadership - Round 3

Teamwork and Geese:

As each goose flaps its wings, it creates an 'uplift' for the birds that follow. By flying in a "V" formation, the whole flock flies 71% farther than any single bird could fly on its own.

Lesson - Each member of the team benefits from the others' presence

When a goose falls out of formation, it suddenly feels the drag and resistance of flying alone. It quickly moves back into formation to take advantage of the lifting power of the bird immediately in front of it. When the lead bird tires, it rotates back into formation to take advantage of the lifting power of the bird immediately in front of it.

Lesson - It is important that the head of the team work as hard, or harder, than all the members of the team. This will provide an example of others to follow. And if that member of the team needs support or a "rest", then the other members of the team must be there to step into the leadership role.

The geese flying in formation honk to encourage those up front to keep up their speed.

Lesson - Constant support and encouragement are essential in helping the team feel a sense of togetherness.

If a goose gets sick, wounded, or shot down, two geese will drop out of formation and follow it down to help and protect it. They stay with it until it dies or is able to fly again. Then, they launch out with another formation or catch up with the flock.

Lesson - Any member of the team who has troubles should never be left to handle them on their own. Supporting team members during difficult times is critical in helping them overcome challenges

"When working as a team, everyone must fly together. Then you will ALL soar above the rest." - anon (if you know where this quote came from please let me know and I will site it accordingly)

Teamwork can often be the most trying and difficult part of our daily work. It is also the most rewarding. I think we often fail to recognize that our entire lives are a result of teamwork. None of us will attain our goals and achieve success without the support of a team. There is a myth that we can exist on our own. That we can survive without assistance and that individual success is individual. We are all a result of a team of people teaching us and imparting advice and knowledge. No man is an island, as the saying goes. Although we may face individual challenges and overcome obstacles on our own, to do so is not in isolation. We are equipped with the ability to do so by others.

What if instead of approaching our lives as if it is every person for themselves, we approached it as if everything is for each other? What if every day you woke up you attempted the day as if it was with everyone around you? In the developing world the expression is often used that "it takes a village to raise a child". We are all apart of this village, we are all a goose in the 'V'. Approach everyone you encounter, everyone you work with and alongside, as if they are your teammate. In each of these interactions you will make each other better for having done so. You will learn new things and teach others.

The world is a far more surmountable obstacle when we believe in one another, when we trust in one another. We are all a team and the minute you realize it will be the minute you become more than yourself. We can learn a lot from Geese, but especially that no one is greater than a team.

Blog Action Day 2008: Poverty

Blog Action Day 2008 Poverty from Blog Action Day on Vimeo.

Very cool international call to action taking place October 15. Bloggers from around the world will unite to bring into focus Poverty as it affects us all. If you are a blogger then please take the opportunity to sign up your blog and join everyone in the discussion. This is the website for Blog Action Day. No matter what the topic of your blog is take this one day to let everyone know about Poverty and what they can do to help.

Inevitable Horizon

Another great post by Tyler Herman over at The Beauty of Uganda.

Thoughts of the highest contemplation, emotions flowing with mountainous sensation,
Democratic intention, falling to the wayside at the onset of wars mention.
Bullets flying past baby's bottles,
the jarheads' adrenaline junkie fix at full throttle,
and all for resource gain,
for expanding the hegemonic geopolitical plane?
It's a measureless shame,
and it's all of humanity to blame.
Human rights violations at an all time peak,
so many silenced by force, with no voice to speak.
Liberties taken away with oppression as the beasts force,
a timeline of humanities history shows consistent remorse.
Each voice must be heard, for this world belongs to all,
Governments ears need to open, leaders listening to humanities call.
The golden age is nearing its long awaited appearance,
but in your own heart you must usher in its' clearance.
Must embrace the loving nature that humanity has always intended to live,
must open the gates to your heart and soul and continuously strive to give.
Give in any way possible, for the nature of giving multiplies,
paying it forward lifts the veil of illusion from our own eyes.
We are on a path that needs positive reinforcement,
one that embraces unified cooperative endorsement.
One that places idealism at the forefront of visionary progression,
one that acts on realism, leading to widespread positive succession.
Each positive action forming the foundation for the golden age,
Beauty growing out of scars, universal love taking center stage.
Keep hope at the forefront of your outlook and intention,
And a world of peace and prosperity will gain its' retention.
The stepping stones are being laid, the path is clearly paved,
The seeds of change have sprout, an action many have craved.
A new dawn is arising, the horizon of possibility is breaking,
Share of your heart, and take part in the World Peace staking.
Go now in peace and find yourself in a world positively evolving,
Spin your world of hope with others, and the reaction will continue revolving.

Thoughts On Leadership - Round 2

One of the most influential people in the world happens to be one of my idols. He has spent years advocating for a better world and taking big steps towards accomplishing this goal. He is a man who's name is recognizable even to those with no knowledge of what he has done. He was once considered a terrorist by the U.S. government, and was jailed for a large period of his life. He is, in my opinion, the greatest leader in my brief lifetime. His name is Nelson Mandela, or Madiba as his friends call him, and he recently reached the ripe old age of 90.

About a month ago Time magazine released an article entitled, "The Secrets of Leadership: Eight lessons from one of history's icons" by Richard Stengel. The article was about Nelson Mandela and his experience with spending a good portion of his life in prison on Robben Island and his triumphant return to the presidency of South Africa and the dismantling of Apartheid. I am going to share these 8 secrets because I think they are essential for a leaders toolkit. As you also know, I think he is pretty darn awesome.

No 1.
Courage is not the absence of fear-it's inspiring others to move beyond it

No 2.
Lead from the front-but don't leave your base behind

No 3.
Lead from the back-and let others believe they are in front

No 4.
Know your enemy-and learn about his favorite sport

No 5.
Keep your friends close-and your rivals even closer

No 6.
Appearances matter-and remember to smile

No 7.
Nothing is black or white

No 8.
Quitting is leading too

The full article is available here on the Time website and it is worth a read.

Nelson Mandela is a man I admire a great deal and who's philosophy on leadership mirrors my own in many ways. It is important to find someone you look up to and who you can draw experience from, even if it is just from a book about them. Leading a group of people can, at times, feel like trial and error. Some things work and others will fail miserably. The important thing is to take these important lessons, in success and in failure, and learn from them. There are many people who have walked down the unbeaten path and blazed a trail. It does not mean that they didn't draw inspiration from another source, it just means the destination they reached was one that had been ignored by others. When you look back at the feats you accomplish and take a moment to admire where you came from and where you ended up, you may recognize the distance you have traveled, others will probably only see where you ended up.

Which brings me to one of my favorite quotes by Ralph Waldo Emerson.

"Life is a journey, not a destination."

Leadership, like life, is a journey. You will have some innate skills and others will be picked up along the way. Your philosophy on how to lead will be ever evolving. You do not need to have the answers now, nobody does, what you need is the courage to try. When you get where you wish to go the failures and bumps along the way will end up being the reason you got there. No one gets everything right all of the time, but that one magical moment, the only one people will recognize in the end, that will be part of your journey. No one remembers the failures Nelson Mandela was dealt, all they remember is the icon he became. You shouldn't be afraid of failure, or the difficult journey. If there is one thing we can all learn from Madiba it is that we are all capable of special things in our lives if we are willing to learn from our failures and accept the difficult journey on our way to success.

What Is Your Disposition

dis·po·si·tion: the predominant or prevailing tendency of one's spirits; natural mental and emotional outlook or mood; characteristic attitude

I used to often find myself in a place in life where I didn't want to be, with no recollection of how I got there. I woke up each morning with a feeling of anxiety and no motivation to start the day. All I could do is force myself to move and go through the motions as if nothing was wrong. Sometimes that simple act was enough to change the course of my day, week, month, other times it only exacerbated the problem. I would go through my day wishing nothing more than for it to be over. I would day dream about what I could be doing with my time, what fun I could be having, what movie I could be curled up on the couch watching. I would lull myself into a state of pity and blame the world around me for the place I was in. Of course I wasn't going to take any responsibility for things, it couldn't be my own fault.

Then one day when I unexpectedly found myself examining and reflecting on who I was. I realized that it was indeed me who was digging myself into these ruts. I was dismayed with the world but I was passively participating in the process. I was reacting, not acting, and I was watching rather than playing. The world was doing its thing and I was acting powerless to interject. However, the world around me was of my own creation. I was choosing to view the world through pitiful, angry, depressed eyes. While I chose not to see it this way, it was only because I didn't know how to change things.

Then I learned the power of thinking positively about the world. I learned that I could create and live my disposition in a way that gave me power to enjoy life. To be happy could be of my own doing and not because someone handed it to me or because I bought it off the shelf. If you could, and you can, choose to live the life you want or the one that you have been dealt, what would you choose? You aren't a powerless person. If you find yourself in a place, doing or being someone you don't want to be then you can choose to be somewhere or someone else. If you think of yourself as an ever evolving painting, the painter is you. You get to choose what to portray, the colors you want to use, the angle of the brush. If you can wrap your head around this simple, yet extremely difficult, idea, then you can immediately make an impact on the world around you.

We can all choose to see what is wrong in the world or we can choose to see what is right and what is possible. We can react or we can act. What disposition will you choose today?

The Beauty of Life

Today we have an excellent guest post from a friend mine, Tyler. We both just finished the International Project Management Program and while I have yet to go anywhere, his path has taken him to Uganda. He has recently started blogging of his new adventures while working in Uganda and he and I both thought his latest post would be a fitting addition to this blog. I encourage you to check out his blog if you are interested in working abroad and want to know the inner thoughts and emotions of someone who is already there. Tyler is an excellent writer and puts my writing to shame in comparison. If you want to check out his blog it is here at Seeds of Hope Uganda.

The Beauty of Life

My heart feels like an open canvas, letting the random strokes and colours of life paint the canvas as it progresses, each day revealing a little bit more vibrancy and detail to the larger picture of life. Each stroke coming with a different purpose, some much deeper and darker, representing the subtle hardships that we go through on a day to day basis, and other lighter strokes, rich in wholesome colour signifying the onset of a lesson learned or a passionate truth discovered, or the depth of having an engaging, somewhat enlightening conversation with a fellow human being. This canvas is endless, continuously evolving, and forever becoming more and more beautiful as we sail ourselves down the river of life.

A river greatly represents oneself, and ones path here on Earth. A river is formless, moving in one general direction, but able to branch off into streams and tributaries, each lending itself to new directions, new possibilities, unbounded and undiscovered territory where ANYTHING is possible. This shapeless, formless, open-directional reality is what makes living so amazing. It's what makes this very moment in time so special. I am now discovering that when we place a dam on our life, a point in the river where we harbour future directions from freely developing, we find ourselves in a state of stillness, of motionless life, where the amazement of the world becomes ordinary, where excitement turns to drab, where ones ability to look outside oneself becomes crippled. I am excited to break free of my subconscious dams that have kept me in a state of clingy comfort, and to go boundless into the open, hoping that my river leads me to the vast depths of the limitless ocean of life and the universe beyond.

As I sit here, sniffling away my flu, chugging back copious amounts of cough syrup, bails of Kleenex stretching the landscape of my room, I pause in great thanks for the world around us. The intricacy of life is mind boggling. Take a moment to look inside yourself, look around the room where you currently are, peer outside a window, take a long heartfelt gander at the world in your presence. Think just how intricate, detailed and in clockwork everything is. It is a constant wonder how any of this is possible. How humanity has come so far in innovation that I can sit here in Africa with my thoughts, and relate them to the rest of the world with a click of a button. It is an ever fascinating time to be alive and an extremely significant time to take what we have been given and truly shape ourselves and the world around us into the most caring, collaborative, humble place we can create.

Random Thought!!!!
I was thinking that what we truly believe is the world that is shaped in reality. It has been said by Darwin that the survival of the fittest is the reality of nature and is inherent in all aspects of life. This universally shared notion of reality maintains us being pegged against one another, lacking a sense of cooperative sharing on a universal scale. Humanity is constantly plagued by unending self interest, by a burning desire to benefit oneself over the needs of all those around us. Is this inherent, or has this become reality because of a universally share notion that we have all come to accept? What would the world be like if we all stepped back and gave collaboration, cooperation and sharing a chance. A place where we consistently step outside ourselves and into the lives and needs of others. People may say, "then my own needs wont be met". But if we were all reaching out to one another, other peoples kind efforts would be meeting our relative needs. It is also important for us to define need in this case. Do we really need all the false illusions that championed marketing campaigns tell us we need to live life? How often do you see people slaving away to make a top notch income, so that they can go buy things that they don't need in the first place. Does it bring happiness, fulfilment, a greater sense of meaning? We are all part of this vicious cycle, and it is deeply engrained in our minds. No doubt the world would become a brighter place if we rebuilt communities in our midst, placed focus on sharing with one another rather then the fear that has been fabricated to separate us apart. People may say this is extreme idealism, but what is a future without having a positive vision of what we want to become as citizens of this Earth.

May we all begin to wake up,
May we all begin to cooperate,
May we all see the shared benefit of one another,
May we all see that this planet is for ALL, not a select few,
May we all just be…

Tyler

Thoughts on Leadership - Round 1

Many of you will have heard this story in one form or another. It is one of my favorite passages and I felt it would be the perfect first addition to the Thoughts on Leadership. Without further ado...

The Young Man and the Starfish
A story inspired by Loren Eiseley

A wise man was taking a sunrise walk along the beach. In the distance he caught sight of a young man who seemed to be dancing along the waves. As he got closer he saw the young man was picking up starfish from the sand and tossing them gently back into the ocean. "What are you doing?" the wise man asked. "The sun is coming up and the tide is going out; if I don't throw them in they'll die." "But young man, there are miles and miles of beach with starfish all along it, you can't possibly make a difference." The young man bent down, picked up another starfish, and threw it lovingly back into the ocean, past the breaking waves. "It made a difference for that one," he replied.

This story illustrates an important point for all of us. Every little bit, every small action, makes a difference. It sends repercussions and reverberations around the world. If we each do a part, small or large, we make a difference. If we choose only to focus on the large picture and how many 'starfish' or people in the world need our help, and how can we possibly help them all, then the task becomes daunting. If we focus instead on making a difference for just one person or 'starfish' then the task becomes far more manageable. Each of us are blessed with the gift and ability to make a difference. It is upon each one of us to recognize and exercise this ability.

"Vision without action is merely a dream. Action without vision just passes the time. Vision with action can change the world." - Joel Arthur Barker

New Blog Features

I have decided to add a couple of new features to the blog, one you may have already seen, and the other I will start today. You may have seen my "Thought of the Day" feature in the right sidebar. If you use Twitter you can follow my feed by adding CoreyNorman, or you can just add my blog feed and check it out that way. The "Thought of the Day" will be a quote, followed by a simple question. If you have a particular quote you would like to see me add, then by all mean send me an email or leave a comment on one of my posts and I will see that it is added.

Starting today, I will also be adding a new feature on Fridays called "Thoughts on Leadership". This feature will include famous peoples thoughts on leadership, quotes by famous leaders, activities you can do to help you discover your own thoughts on leadership, book revues, as well as my own ideas on leadership. I think it is an important area of personal growth to continually challenge our thoughts and actions as it pertains to leadership. I also think that for people to change the world they must be strong leaders, and since many of you may be reading my blog for insight in this area, I felt it would be a good thing to open up for discussion. If you have anything you would like to add to this feature, again, please contact me or leave a comment.

With that said, here is the first ever Thoughts on Leadership...

Update On My Dietary Changes

So it has now been a few months since I changed my diet with the help of a Naturopath. As I said before I ran into some health problems and instead of going on any medications I thought it would be good to first try changing my diet. I had also gained an undisclosed amount of weight over the past year that I want to lose so I figured this would also be the time for that. So the first step with the Naturopath was to fill out a questionnaire detailing all the changes in my life, dreams (which I thought was odd), what you eat, what you like/dislike eating, and really everything else under the moon. The first appointment took close to 2 hours in total!

I was then told I couldn't eat wheat, dairy, red meat or pork, mushrooms, and vinegar. So essentially everything! It was really hard the first few weeks because I really had to pay attention to everything I was putting into my system. Grocery shopping took me hours because I had to read every label and check it against my list of don'ts. But I figured out what worked for me and found some meals that I liked and could make quite easily. I got in a groove. It is really surprising how many chemicals and preservatives and overall junk I was putting in my system. You just don't realize it until you are forced to take notice!

I also started a regimen of vitamins, minerals, and supplements to help me get to a level where my energy was normalized and I could start to see some of the changes both physically and mentally that my new program was supposed to show. Over the last few months, prior to the changes, I had noticed a sharp drop in my energy and the overall felling of malaise. Without telling you exactly what I am on, I will say I have 3 extra large pill containers to hold them all!

I am pleased to say that after 2 and a half months I have lost 22 pounds and seen many other benefits of the diet. I have made it my goal to lose 9 more in the month of August and 29 more before the end of the year. It is a lofty goal that would see me far below my regular weight (or at least since I hit puberty!). I think I can do it and do it without being unhealthy, but it will take some effort.

If you have any questions about going to a Naturopath please let me know. I am a firm believer in healing the body naturally without the intervention of medication. There are some things and times that medication is necessary, but if you feel comfortable with giving your body the changes it needs without drugs then it is worth the effort.

The Point

I came across this interesting website because someone had shamelessly used Bono's name to garner publicity. The ruse is completely unrelated to the website, but it has brought The Point.com some nice attention. I will profile the website in a second but first I would like to address this person's efforts on making the world a better place and how it in fact just added to what is already wrong in the world.

The so called 'campaign' was started to raise money to get Bono to stop doing his philanthropic activities with the funds raised going to the Global Fund to fight HIV/AIDS, Tuberculosis and Malaria. The argument the person (and you can see his/her name if you log onto the website)is that the RED campaign that Bono created has spent more on advertising and marketing than it has donated to the Global Fund.

The ignorance is deplorable. If, and I hope you choose to do better things with your time, you decide to put something or someone else down for their efforts to make the world a better place, then please make sure you understand what you are saying negative things about. The fact that this person could not understand the business model that RED supports just makes him look bad but also brings unnecessary negative publicity and criticism from others who also know no better and do not take the time to find out the truth. The world needs more positive actions, not negative.

On that note, I just finished reading The Audacity of Hope by Barak Obama and near the end of the book one passage stuck out to me;

I wonder if Sasha will remember that moment when she is grown. Probably not; it seems as if I can retrieve only the barest fragments of memory from when I was five. But I suspect that the happiness she felt on that parachute registers permanently in her; that such moments accumulate and embed themselves in a child's character, becoming a part of their soul.

I think that this passage and the 'campaign' have something in common that we should all take heed of. Our lives are an accumulation of thoughts, feelings, and events. The more we can add positives to the equation the more that the answer will also be positive. The world is filled with negatives, every where we turn, so start outputting some positives and watch the world change for the better.

As promised I wanted to talk briefly about the website The Point. Here is what The Point has to say about its purpose:

What is The Point? The Point is a website where anyone can start a campaign to organize group action or raise money. We help people congregate around the issues they care about and combine forces to make things happen. Here’s The Point’s big idea: campaign members only act when the conditions exist for them to have the greatest possible impact. For example, donating one dollar toward a one-thousand dollar goal is a waste of a dollar if you’re the only one. But if 999 others are willing, then the goal is reached and that dollar makes sense. The Point allows communities to use the Web to do more than talk it helps them coordinate each person’s small contribution to make big things happen. It’s an entirely new approach to collective action.

How does it work? You can start a campaign on The Point to do anything a group of people might do: gather enough people for a softball game; raise money for a charity; or boycott a company to force change, to name a few. All you need to know is your goal, and what you want people to do to reach it.

Another great spot to explore and share your social conscious. There are lots of great campaigns currently going on (one's with a positive purpose) that you can check out and join. You can even start your own if you feel so inclined.

Remember, do what you do for the better and worry about yourself and how you can contribute to a better world. Focus your energy on the positives that you can share and let the rest take care of itself. There is a time and a place to speak out against the things that make the world worse off, but make a greater effort to understand the subject of your efforts or else risk doing the opposite of what you hope to achieve.

Social Vibe

I just signed up for an interesting new social network called Social Vibe. If you scroll down a bit you will see a badge with Apples logo as well as who it benefits, Invisible Children. It works where sponsors, like Apple, pay a fee to have there logo put on your blog or social network and the money goes to the charity or cause that you choose (there is a whole list of them). So by signing up and putting the badge on one or all of your social media hangouts you earn points that support your cause. Periodically whatever money has been made is split according to how many points each cause has earned. It is an interesting new service and I thought it was worth a try. If Invisible Children earns a few extra dollars because of a badge I put on my blog, then why not? If you are interested in checking it out further I encourage you to do so.

Job Posting - Executive Director of Million Dollar Youth

I wanted to share an excellent opportunity that has recently become available. After some organizational shuffling the Executive Director position for Million Dollar Youth, an organization I worked with this past year, has become available. For those of you who might be interested please read on. This is the call for resumes by Jeremie, the founder and former ED.

To Whom It May Concern:

Million Dollar Youth, a non-profit education and fundraising organization run by youth, for youth, is looking for a dynamic, passionate and dedicated Executive Director.

Founded in 2006, Million Dollar Youth (MDY) was born after its founder returned from a life-changing service mission to Peru. From facilitating skills workshops to providing hands-on experience in developing and implementing creative fundraising initiatives and awareness campaigns, Million Dollar Youth provides young people with the foundation necessary to create positive social change and make a sustainable contribution to the world.

By joining the Million Dollar Youth team you will have the opportunity to work with some of Canada’s most influential youth and professionals. MDY is fortunate to have a number of prominent names on their Board of Advisors, including the founder of Free the Children and a United Nations Goodwill Youth Ambassador for Canada. The National Steering Committee is comprised of dynamic, well-connected and dedicated young people, and a very talented marketing and promotions team is already in place. The founder of the organization also remains involved in an advisory capacity.

Upon hiring an Executive Director, MDY will pursue opportunities currently available to the organization, including working with Juno-nominated artist (and MDY spokesperson) Justin Nozuka, as well as forming exciting partnerships that will allow MDY to grow in the months and years to come.

Million Dollar Youth prides itself on being open to hearing and considering all ideas from volunteers. As the organization is still young, the new Executive Director will have a once in a lifetime opportunity to make the organization their own. The successful applicant will have the chance to work with the National Steering Committee, Board of Directors and Founder to determine the best course to take for the future of the organization.

The Executive Director position is currently a volunteer position, with the potential for it to develop into a full-time paid position in the future.

If you are interested in applying for the position of Executive Director of Million Dollar Youth, please visit the MDY website at www.milliondollaryouth.ca, fill out an application form and send the form, with your resume, to Jeremie@milliondollaryouth.ca

Thank you,

--
Jeremie Poirier
Founder & Board Member,
Million Dollar Youth

It is a great opportunity for someone who is both entrepreneurial and a go-getter. There is a real opportunity to take the organization to its next level as it continues to grow. Pass it along to anyone you know that might be interested as well.

Dreambank

One of the readers of this blog passed along this great website and I thought I would share it. It is called Dreambank and it is exactly what it sounds like. Dreamers post their dreams and Supporters help them realize these dreams. It has a bunch of other interesting tid bits and this is the run down according to the website.

What We Do
Dreams are inspiring! Just imagine how much happier the world would be if more of our dreams could come true. That’s why we created DreamBank. We want to help you fulfil dreams in a way that also cares for the planet and contributes to important social causes.

Here’s How We Do It.
First, we provide a fun, easy way for you to fund your dreams. By posting a dream on www.dreambank.org, friends, family and fans can contribute to your dream fund. Each contribution brings your dream closer to reality. Funding dreams is important, but so is support. DreamBank is also built as a community so you can connect and communicate with fellow Dreamers to: follow their progress, share ideas and resources, or just cheer them on.

Second, DreamBank is about helping the planet. By contributing to a dream, you spare the planet some of the nasty side effects of manufacturing, packaging and shipping gifts that, although we appreciate, we often don’t really need or want. Did you know that 83% of Americans[1] received unwanted gifts during the 2006 holiday season? All that ‘stuff’ puts a strain on the environment.

Last but not least, every time a contributor supports a dream, life gets a little better for someone else on the planet. That’s because DreamBank contributions are pooled into one big fund and the interest it generates is distributed to international charities and non profit organizations. Dreamers are given a choice of organizations to associate with their dream. This acts as a vote and tells us how to divvy up the charity pot according to our Dreamers' wishes.

At DreamBank everyone wins. Dreamers get a chance to fulfil their dreams; friends and family get to play a role in making dreams come true for the people they care about; the planet is spared needless environmental damage; and people in need get more help.

Give Dreams. Not Stuff.

A great idea that might be handy come holidays or birthdays instead of receiving gifts from a bevy of people you could post your dream (in some cases a gift you could never afford) and your friends and family can put a little towards the dream to help you realize it. Not only that but a not-for-profit will see something from it as well!

Life In All Its Complexities

Would it not be nice if life were simple? I often find my head and environment so cluttered that thinking becomes a full time job. I don't mean thinking about my next big idea or how I might change the world today, I mean thinking about getting out of bed in the morning, to what pair of shorts to wear. The problem isn't that these are difficult decisions, the difficulty is that my life is full of so many other more complex decisions that even the simple ones become chores. Making life more simple, unfortunately, requires a great deal of effort. Blocking out the myriad of thoughts and noise that exists both within and around ourselves is hard. For me I know it is so difficult because I want to do so many things. I want to stick my nose in everything and not tomorrow, I want to do it now!

We'll I can't. And unless you possess super powers, neither can you. We need to declutter our worlds. Take out the garbage so to speak. Simplification is the key to achieving all the our dreams. To make a difference we need to focus and put our efforts into one task at a time instead of spreading our mind into the many distractions that exist. I read many great bloggers on this topic and collect many tools and ideas that I think might just help me make the change. However, they become just another wasted expense or waste of time. The problem can't be fixed with these external aids because it is an internal problem. Sure, reading about the problem might help you understand the problem, but it wont help you change it. You have to want to change it. For me, the complexity of life is like an addiction. I am addicted to the clutter, to the noise. It makes me feel normal and I don't know how to kick the habit.

Every day I try a little more to simplify my life. I try to trim my list of things to do, or put off something in favor of something else. One of these days I will break the cycle. and maybe you will too. We have to want it, and then we have to make it so. The 'making it so' part is the key. Everyone says it is a good idea but very few actually do it. You might recognize that this is the exact same thing that separates the brilliant world changers from those who talk about it. Unless you do it, it means little. We are measured by our actions not our intentions. Simplifying your life is one step towards becoming the person who will change the world. If for nothing else than the process it will take to get you there. Take the first step.

Avaaz.org

Here is another website some of you may be interested in. It is called Avaaz.org: The World In Action. Their mission is:

Avaaz.org is a new global web movement with a simple democratic mission: to close the gap between the world we have, and the world most people everywhere want. Across the world, most people want stronger protections for the environment, greater respect for human rights, and concerted efforts to end poverty, corruption and war. Yet globalization faces a huge democratic deficit as international decisions are shaped by political elites and unaccountable corporations -- not the views and values of the world’s people.

Technology and the internet have allowed citizens to connect and mobilize like never before. The rise of a new model of internet-driven, people-powered politics is changing countries from Australia to the Philippines to the United States. Avaaz takes this model global, connecting people across borders to bring people powered politics to international decision-making.

“Avaaz” means “Voice” in many Asian, Middle Eastern and Eastern European languages, according to the website.

Furthermore it is described as, "a community of global citizens who take action on the major issues facing the world today. The aim of Avaaz.org is to ensure that the views and values of the world’s people shape global decisions. Avaaz.org members act for a more just and peaceful world and a globalisation with a human face."

Take a look and let me know what you think. There are so many different places now for global citizens to congregate, many of which I have written about, that it would be nice to know what people think about each of them and for what purpose each one could be used. They are certainly all valuable resources, but each has a different reason for using.

Ideal World Project - Update

Check back soon for details on the launch of the Ideal World Project. Exciting times!

A Few Items Of Interest

I thought I would share a few things I have come across in the last couple of months that might be of interest to someone. They are all ideas on change and making the world a better place.

Do Something Awards:
Their mission statement is -

"We believe young people have the power to make a difference. It is our aim to inspire, support and celebrate a generation of do-ers: people who see the need to do something, believe in their ability to get it done, and then take action.

Our website is a community where young people learn, listen, speak, vote, volunteer, ask, and take action to make the world a better place. Currently, only 23% of this generation actively volunteers. Our hope is to create a do something generation: a world where more than 51% of young people are involved with community action."

Wiser Earth:
Their mission is -

"WiserEarth serves the people who are transforming the world. It is a community-editable international directory and networking forum that maps and connects the largest movement in the world – the hundreds of thousands of organizations and concerned individuals within civil society that address social justice, poverty, and the environment.

WiserEarth provides the tools and a platform for non-profit organizations, funders, social entrepreneurs, students, organizers, academics, activists, scientists, and citizens to find each other, make connections, build alliances and share resources.

WISER stands for World Index for Social and Environmental Responsibility."

Change Me:
Here is a screen capture of their website -


and finally,

The Better World Essay Contest:
This was a contest to write an essay about how to become a better world. There are five essays, each with some great ideas and meaning.

Paycheck or Service?

An article in the New York Times on June 23 entitled "Big Paycheck or Service? Students Are Put To Test" delves into the the world of top colleges and the consulting and financial jobs that follow and asks students to question where it is they want to go in life. A professor at Harvard has started leading reflection sessions to get undergraduates to think more about public service. There would appear a trend at Ivey league schools for students to head to wall street after graduation, which would seem peculiar since so many students go to school with the intentions of changing the world.

Is the lure of a large paycheck enough to stop people from pursuing their dreams and aspirations? The security? The fear of the unknown? What happens to the sense of adventure that so many young people possess? I watched the movie Accepted the other day and at the end of the movie one scene really strikes a chord with me. The only real professor at the school is leading a session where he says, "This is not your orientation; you have been oriented your entire life. This is your disorientation." Is that what school is? In my estimation I would say YES. It is a paradigm we exist in. The paradigm I have consistently said needs to be changed. The very method of thought orients everyone coming up through the school system to be brainwashed into thinking that a paycheck is the answer. Somehow we learn to believe that we can purchase our dreams and aspirations later if we abandon them now.

I am in this peculiar position right now where I have just finished school and am left to think about what is next. Do I go for the security of a job that I can certainly do but would rather not, or do I pursue what I have passion for, what I love? It isn't an easy question. Many of my friends now have jobs, are getting married, may soon start families, and here I am without even a job. It is too easy to follow the money, but there is this little voice inside my head and my heart telling me there is more awaiting me. What if my dreams and aspirations are within my power? What if I can change the world? I can't take the easy path until I know for sure. I have found myself disoriented from my disorientation but I trust I will eventually find my path. What about you, do you trust yourself enough to find yours?

Where The Hell Is Matt?

You may have already seen this video, Where the Hell Is Matt. Apparently it has been very popular, but somehow I missed it. What an awesome idea! A fun little dance move that people all around the world joined in on to create a video spanning the entire globe. Funny how something so small can bring people together.



I would just like to say the sponsor, Stride Gum, deserves a big thank you for making it happen.

Enough

This is a great resource for those of you who want to learn more about how to end genocide and crimes against humanity. It is called Enough Project and this is what it it has to say:

"ENOUGH was born out of frustration and hope.
We ran out of patience with the world's shameful lack of progress in combating terrible horrors. We knew there were many examples of successful conflict resolution processes throughout Africa, but the lessons weren’t widely known. We found confidence in the growing number of Americans who are demanding more aggressive, more successful solutions. And we have faith that we can end genocide and crimes against humanity once and for all.

We know that people care, but many assume that the crises in Africa and elsewhere are intractable. This inaccurate perception of futility sustains the killing of thousands and destroys the hopes of a safe and secure future for millions more. With every passing minute, the slaughter continues.

ENOUGH is a project of the Center for American Progress which aims to answer questions about what is really happening and offer a clear path to sustainable solutions. We were co-founded by CAP and the International Crisis Group in early 2007, setting out to establish a new paradigm for action.

We use in-depth knowledge to create clear, viable policy recommendations, and engage activists to apply pressure on the perpetrators and well-meaning governments whose own inertia prevents them from taking the steps necessary to stop genocide and crimes against humanity.

We shine a spotlight on policies that work. We aim to change the international conversation by demonstrating that progress is possible, and that rhetoric is meaningless without resolute, committed action. We are focusing currently on the situations in Congo, northern Uganda, Darfur, southern Sudan and the spillover violence in Chad.

We aim for real change to close the book on these horrible recurring chapters of human history."

Check it out. With the Olympics approaching there is going to be a lot of talk about human rights and if you want to be informed before the conversation starts this website is a great place to start and learn what is going on.

Global Lives Project

This idea is very 'balance on earth - esque'. It is called the Global Lives Project and this is the blurb on the website,

"Our goal is to record 24 hours in the lives of ten people that roughly represent the diversity of our planet's population. These ten lives will come together in an innovative video installation and form the basis of a collaborative online video encyclopedia of human life experiences."

I think they have hit the nail on the head with this one. Anything that aims to take people out of their own lives and let them see the world through the eyes of someone else is going to impact the viewer. One of the major issues confronting the progress the world can make is acceptance of diversity. To embrace difference is to embrace change - the biggest hurdle we face is change. We are a change adverse world, but if we can come to accept others we can accept that change will not destroy us. Instead it will bring us closer together, capable of taking on any challenge that lies ahead. (Global Warming, Conflict/War, Terrorism, Health Epidemics, etc.)

The more projects like this delve into the issue the more accepting we will all become. If you have an idea about how to increase our understanding of diversity, I would love to hear about it.

Amnesty International Olympic Ads

This series of ads is floating around in cyberspace. The ads have not been confirmed as actual ads by Amnesty but may have been created for them and not been approved yet. We shall see as the Olympics get closer what else will be in store. It is an exciting time to witness all that is occurring with human rights awareness and these are one of many examples that are popping up in reaction to China being host to the Olympics.

Greening Photography

I saw this the other day and thought I would share it. Not sure where the original comes from but I read it here on Boing Boing. A very interesting use of photography with grass as the medium. What can't you do with grass?

Miss Landmine

I was doing some research for a project I was doing on land mine awareness and I came across this great contest in Angola called Miss Landmine. It is held every year to help bring light to those women who have suffered lost limbs or injury due to land mines, and remove some of the stigma that exists for many of the sufferers. This is the Manifesto for the organization responsible for the event:

THE MISS LANDMINE MANIFESTO
(in no particular order)

* Female pride and empowerment.

* Disabled pride and empowerment.

* Global and local landmine awareness and information.

* Challenge inferiority and/or guilt complexes that hinder creativity-
historical, cultural, social, personal, African, European.

* Question established concepts of physical perfection.

* Challenge old and ingrown concepts of cultural cooperation.

* Celebrate true beauty.

* Replace the passive term 'Victim' with the active term 'Survivor'

And have a good time for all involved while doing so!

These are a couple of the ads created to showcase the event for media:





Really is an interesting notion, and one that we fail, here in the Western world, to play with. We hide our 'abnormalities' behind closed doors, or at least we certainly don't give them a contest or pageant. Why don't we? Clearly these women disprove our notions of beauty and flip around our notions of what is normal. This is truly a world changing idea. How can anything be the same?

More On The Need For A New Paradigm

I wasn't the first and certainly will not be the last person to call for the need for a new paradigm of thinking and living. I was going through some old magazines the last couple of days and found an interview with Brad Pitt in the October 2006 Esquire magazine. In the interview he says this:

"Nature consumes and then reuses; there is a cycle to things. But humans just consume. It's obviously time for a new paradigm. And the question is, Do we adopt it now, or do we wait until we're really in trouble? We're going to have to make the tough choices. Some people are going to have to lose money, but new people will begin making money. Industry and environment don't have to be at odds with each other; they can work harmoniously."

This is just one part of the new paradigm that must be considered. What else should be included?

Im Baaaack

I am finally finished school - for the foreseeable future anyways. It was a stressful last month between classes, applying for jobs/internships (although not many, as I will explain) and some health problems I have been dealing with for a couple of months now. Unfortunately something had to give in my schedule and this blog was one of the things that had to go on the back burner until some time freed up.

Today was my first day off and I am going to have the next couple of months to look after me and put some effort into some of my passion projects. It is an exciting time and I am really looking forward to this opportunity to decompress and plot out my future path. I have spent the last 20 years in school and this will be the first time when I won't be going back after the summer. My future is ahead and I don't have a clue what it will look like.

As I said my health took a bit of a turn a couple of months ago and its been a tad stressful. I had some neurological problems and as a result I am seeing a naturopath to help me get sorted out. I have been put on a slew of supplements and vitamins, revamped my entire diet, and I am about to embark on a heavy exercise program. My diet has been the tough part to get a grasp on as I can't eat wheat, dairy, mushrooms, vinegar, red meat and fried foods. Its been a rough 6 weeks I tell you! While my health problems aren't something to be happy about, I think they are a blessing in disguise. I wasn't paying attention to myself or giving myself the necessary time and this i just a reason to get back to myself. I have set a goal of losing 35 pounds by the end of the year, and 25 of those in the next 3 months. I will make sure to give some monthly updates to let you know how I am doing.

As for jobs/internships, I have been looking and expect that something will come up that both fits me and I fit as well. I will be keeping my eyes peeled for an opportunity but in the meantime I am also going to enjoy the relaxation that this brief respite will give me. There are so many things I want to do and I could really use this time to sort it all out.

I want you to know I have been collecting lots of interesting information to pass on to you readers and things will be a lot more regular now. So stay tuned and let others know about this blog.

No Posts - Your Chance to Guest Post

It is a busy time right now. School is almost done (2 weeks to go) and I am still searching for a job/internship. It might not sound like much but at the moment it has my mind completely preoccupied. So I may have a chance to post something between now and then but you will have to forgive me if I don't get around to it. I promise that I will be back and that I have not abandoned this blog. Please bear with me and don't delete this feed. In the meantime if you want to write a post for others to see, please feel free to send me an email and we'll get it on here. Look forward to getting back at it!

Human Universals

On Pangea Day, Donald Brown spoke about his years of studying humans for universal things we all have in common. He has compiled a list and this is it. Human Universals.

A New Paradigm

I have mentioned previously that in order for the world to be changed there needs to be a realignment of values, in other words, a paradigm shift. Our entire way of thinking needs to be changed. In order for this to happen, unfortunately, it will require that this new way of thinking be created for the average person. The average person is more passive in their way of living, they are dictated by the system in which the live within, instead of actively questioning and engaging the system. We, the people who want to see a change in the system, the ones who actively think about the world we live in, must create a new one. A paradigm defined with hope, inspiration, global values, etc.

Craig Kielburger had a great quote today in the Toronto Star about just this shift in thinking. He said, "The idea behind (it) is that if we're going to truly end poverty it's more than just writing a cheque. It's shifting how young people look at the world, how they shop, how they vote, how they give of their time". His brother and him describe it as a movement but I think it is more than just that. A movement can fade over time, whereas a shift in the way we live our lives is timeless.

Try to think about how you can contribute to the paradigm shift, where would you be able to influence those around you to change the way they think about their interaction with the world. Actively make the world a better place and don't just wait for someone else to create your new world for you.

It Starts With One Person

Here is a great video showcasing the power one person has to start a movement. Through action others will follow.

Would Tim Horton Be Proud?

I read an interesting story today about a Tim Hortons manager berating an individual for purchasing food for a homeless person and then leaving her in the restaurant to eat it. Apparently it was this stores policy not to allow homeless people to eat in the restaurant because they are 'too messy', regardless if they are a paying customer or not.

Ludicrous. Appalling. How dare they treat another human being with such disrespect. A policy against homeless people? They should be brought up on charges of discrimination. It crosses the line. Sure the restaurant must provide an atmosphere where all customers must feel comfortable and not to be bothered, so I can understand a no panhandling policy, but to deliberately target homeless people as being less than human is too far. Sure, they are ok if the homeless person wants to pay for the food, but to enjoy it like any other customer would be against the rules.

What happened to caring for people down on their luck? lending a hand when someone is down? What I would like to know is how many donuts Tim Hortons discards on a daily basis. Why not offer them to those who are starving and in obvious need of some help. Afraid that more homeless people might show up looking for a handout? That argument has always blown me away, "If we can't help everyone we wont help anyone" is essentially what they are saying. If every Tim Hortons gave out a dozen donuts to homeless people then, without doing the math, my guess is every homeless person would receive one. 12 donuts. How many do they throw out?

Homeless people aren't to be treated with disdain, they should be treated with the respect you or I would give each other, to our families, and to our friends. I am appalled that this happens and I hope this isn't the last we will hear of this story. I hope that in the coming months we hear reports of this particular Tim Hortons being reprimanded, or a customer boycott against them. It shouldn't happen, and Tim Horton would be disgusted if he were alive to see it.

Whats Worth More

Let me ask you this:

What is worth more
A dollar or a kind word
A dollar or a smile
A dollar or hug
A dollar or giving hope
A dollar or a minute or your time

We get so caught up in giving money we forget what all of us can give. You don't need a dollar to make a difference. I know what I would rather receive and while a dollar for some can make the difference between life and death, it doesn't change the fact that everyday we could give so much more, and change the lives of so many more without a pocket full of money. What is worth more to you?

Triage and An Imperfect Offering

One of my idols is Dr. James Orbinski. He is an incredible human being having taken part in several of Medicines Sans Frontiers missions in some of the most horrible conditions imaginable. Recently, he came out with both a book and a documentary about the experiences he has endured and the sense of understanding he has tried to find. I picked up my copy of the book, An Imperfect Offering, but haven't yet been able to crack it open. It is next on my list to read, however.



I also came across the website for the documentary, Triage, which has the following synopsis.

"Leaving his young family behind in Toronto, Canada-where he's a university professor and doctor-Orbinski returns to Africa, revisiting the past and engaging with the present. He hopes that here, in the place where he witnessed humanity literally torn apart, he can rediscover the true heart of humanitarianism.

In Triage: Dr. James Orbinski's Humanitarian Dilemma, Patrick Reed's feature-length documentary, Orbinski travels to war-torn Somalia, the first place he was posted with MSF in 1992; then to Rwanda, where he was MSF Head of Mission during the 1994 genocide. Finally he goes to Goma, Democratic Republic of Congo, where it seems humanitarian dreams go to die.

Filmed in an intense vérité style, Triage presents a unique view of the world through the penetrating eyes of Orbinski. He refuses to turn away when confronting troubling memories or realizing disturbing truths and, in the most unlikely of places, he finds where bonds of solidarity are forged and human spirits remain unbroken.

Orbinski has seen lives saved and lives lost and has personally witnessed a world gone astray. In Triage: Dr. James Orbinski's Humanitarian Dilemma, he searches for a new path and invites the viewer to follow."

Check out the website for Triage to check out the trailer for the film.

Amnesty International and Imagine

Amnesty International and Yoko Ono teamed up recently in a new campaign for human rights. Using John Lennons song Imagine (which I posted here), Amnesty recreated the song in a video with children passing along their dreams for a better world. I am a big fan of the song, and am now a big fan of the campaign. Here is the video for your viewing pleasure:

AMAM - Association of Woman Against Genital Mutilation

I came across this really good advertising campaign. It is provocative but gets the point across in a way that no one can miss. Not-For-Profits are gradually getting better at making things that people respond to and this is a great example. The same old PSA's don't cut it anymore, people tune out.

Maybe it is wrong in a way and some people will certainly disagree but the message has to be catered to the mainstream. The early adopters and those who care without hesitation will read or watch anything, but the mainstream is far more choosy and, yes, not as responsive. Marketing a cause will alienate some but it is about creating groundswell, and moving the paradigm, which can't be done by the early adopters (what I will call those who are on board from the start regardless of marketing) alone.

Catering and directing ads at this large population of people can in some ways prove fruitless, however, it is more about graduating this group up towards the early adopters. This is done bit by bit, little by little, through awareness and information. Most people are not ignorant, they are just uninformed and if you can inform them they will respond.

In this day and age where people see hundreds upon thousands of ads a day getting an important message across is increasingly more difficult. It will require something poignant and provocative just like this campaign. Not everyone will respond but they will notice and that, as much as anything, should be the idea.