Disappointment

We have all at times become disappointed in life. With someone, over something, we can't escape a let down here and there. It is a part of life, unfortunately, that not everything goes our way. However, take a second to think about that. The mere notion that we could become so wrapped up in our own lives that we forget that our disappointment could infact be another persons proudest moment, is cause for concern. The world does not revolve around us, which is a good thing. The world is not ours, which is a good thing.

You should take disappointment and flip it around. Take a new perspective on life, take a step back and examine the possibilities that can come from disappointment. The old saying of when "one door closes another opens" is a comment on how we should look at the world. Take applying for a new job, what looks to be a perfect job and one that you would die for might not be right for you. If you don't get the job then the person who did get it may have been perfect for it, maybe it was their big break, maybe they needed it more. We live in a world where we think about "me" first, but not only could we be much happier, but we could allow those around us to be happier as well.

Disappointment rubs off on others. Our bad mood is projected out on the world and we propagate the I/Me way of thinking. People see that we are wrapped up in our own problems and our own negativity that they react by doing the same. Others will look at us and see how self-centered our thoughts are and they will do likewise. Try the opposite sometime. The next disappointment you have turn it around. Propagate the feeling of a "We" world, one where your disappointment is another persons moment. See what kind of a reaction those around you give. See how that in turn makes you feel. The positive will come back, the people around us will think about "us". The world will be a better place.

Disappointment can seem like an insurmountable mountain. It will plant itself in the middle of our lives and take them over. The solution is to think about things as if we are already at the top. Life can be a magical success or an utter failure - it is a choice you can make.

Global Day For Darfur

Today, April 13, is Global Day for Darfur. All around the world events will be held to bring to focus what is happening in Darfur. To learn more about the day and to see if there is an event in your area visit www.savedarfur.org

Here in Toronto at Nathan Philips Square, there will be a gathering with a few bands and a couple of notable speakers. Check it out here at Day 4 Darfur. It should be an enlightening experience.

If you don't have the chance to attend I still urge you to show your support by logging onto SaveDarfur.org and signing the petition. Every little bit helps. After attending the Rwandan Genocide Memorial on Friday it saddens me to think that 10 years from now I will also be attending one for Darfur. We said "Never Again" and I think it is about time we stand by our words.

Rwandan Genocide Memorial

Yesterday I had the privilege of attending a special event coordinated by one of my classmates. Herself a survivor of the 1994 Rwandan Genocide, she wanted to create a venue for other survivors to come and mourn and express themselves to help one another heal. This period of time 14 years ago was when the violence and systematic killing of the Tutsi population of Rwanda began.

The entire commemoration was a surreal experience. Several survivors gave testimonies of their ordeal and it was absolutely heart wrenching. Songs were sung in the remembrance of friends and family lost, poems were read which were a reaction to the world and its failure, and silence was given to all those who are no longer with us. Through it all there were prayers of hope.

The Rwandan Ambassador to Canada was in attendance and gave a brief speech about the importance of remembering and about healing. The Communications and PR advisor to the President Of Rwanda was also in attendance and he spoke about some of the controversy that surrounds some of the more Hollywood aspects of the genocide. It was a welcome show of support for both my classmate and the rest of the Rwandan community in attendance that they were able to join us.

After having attended I am more confused than ever about how we remain so distant from the front lines. The face of genocide is an ugly one, and I realize it is far easier to turn away then to stand up and look it in the eyes. However, we can't. We may have the ability but we should not have the option. "Never Again" are words that have been associated with the end of the Rwandan Genocide. What I didn't know until last night was that those same words were the spokes-words for after the Holocaust. They are also the words we are trying to inject into the Darfur dialogue. These words are only words until we give them meaning. They represent our inaction until we choose to make them about action.

The memorial was about never forgetting Rwanda and its lost mothers, fathers, children, grandchildren, grandparents, aunts, uncles, cousins. Never Forget. Never Again. That is a conscious decision you have to make. I hope you make it because the stories I heard are not stories you would wish to hear from your friends or family. It hasn't been on your front lines, but it doesn't mean it won't be. If we fail to stand up for others they either wont be there to stand up for you or they will turn away just as you did. Never Forget.

Al Gores New Presentation

Al Gore recently updated his climate change presentation on TED.com. It lasts about a half hour and is viewable through this link. New Thinking on Climate Crisis or you can view it in its entirety below.

Alicia in Africa

Alicia Keys recently made a small documentary about her trip to Africa. She is offering it free for download at Alicia In Africa. You can also view a preview of it below.

Clean Water Africa with Jennifer Connelly

This PSA aired tonight on Idol Gives Back.

Zimbabwe Election

As some of you may already know there was a recent Presidential election in Zimbabwe that has led to a lot of controversy. The embattled President, Robert Mugabe, has been at the helm of a once promising state, which now has the highest rate of inflation from all over the world at 100 000%. Unemployment is at an estimated 80%, and at current the country sees very little hope of things getting better. It would be unfair of me to presume I know that President Mugabe is to blame for the mess - there is just too much political joisting and rhetoric involved, for someone with no practical knowledge of the area or its people. However, change for the sake of change would appear to be the best course of action.

Mugabe has had a long run of leading the country, seeing it through both good times (independence from white rule) to the bad times they currently sit. For nearly 30 years now he has been the voice of the country - bad or not is not my call. Take the opportunity to read some of the very many news reports available, in lieu of the election, and you can see that the country is at a crossroads. What could swiftly turn into an all out violent civil conflict, could even more easily be diverted if the chance is given for a new voice. It is at a point where the country needs to pull together not separate further.

I don't care much for who runs the country, I only care that whoever does does so to help save and provide better lives for his fellow countrymen/women. Positions of power, such as being a President, are too often seen as being a leader. Position does not equal leader. In times such as these true leaders rise to the occasion to help others, not themselves. Zimbabwe clearly needs leadership to step forward - leadership FOR the people not OF the people.