Thank you to all the people who have blessed me with their contributions to my life. I am forever grateful and hope that this site serve as a means so that I might share with you the ramifications of your contributions.
I am but a simple person, dedicated to the love and truth of this world, and dedicated to serve God's will.
I intend to live a life of service.
Sunday, March 20, 2005
Friday, March 04, 2005
Reflection on Life
Everyone is playing a game. A game with rules and a goal. Few people really know what the rules are to their own game… or they would know exactly how to win, or that all their effort was exactly futile.
The ONLY game, truly worth living for, is the game where EVERY PERSON is playing the SAME game, together- called Love for All on earth.
The goal isn’t even a game about life or death I don’t think. People nearest to death seem potentially even more aware of what matters in life (and deeper into the real game) than those who are 'wealthy' or 'privileged.' Many of the poorest of the poor on our earth have a kind of deep understanding that Love is all that matters…and may live a ‘greater’ life than those of the very rich. Life is precious, but it is not necessarily scarce. If you look around, life is abundant. People will give up life in the name of Love. Those who have had near-death experiences consistantly fail to describe any 'horror' or 'fear'… instead they talk about an intense feeling of Love.
All of our suffering feels very real. But it is of the kind of reality that we create.
School children, the ones who are trying to make a difference… like in this Be The Change Movement… are looking to create the 100% best school of their dreams, but what are their dreams??
People talk of the ‘right of every child’… they ask kids/students… so “what are YOU going to do to live a ‘successful’ life?”
But it is not about you. Or about me. It is simply about ALL of us. US. We are all of flesh. We are all of God it seems.
We need a world of 100% leaders.
What are the real rules?
______________________________________________________________
I would also like to share that the above reflection is what I came up with when I was trying to truly face the question, 'why life?'.
When you're constantly reflecting on life, looking to find real meaning that EVERY person can relate to... a 'reason why' people should join together in creating a miracle in anything... you're really faced with what is at the core of our experience of reality.
Sometimes, when I reeally get into it... the question of 'why' becomes quite daunting.
My solution, today (as usual), was to go to my favorite spot-- the kids section at the local barnes & noble... at night there's almost never anyone there... and during the day... lots of curious kids laughing or exploring... .
However, it must be noted, that a LOT of the times when I go to b&n I reeally don't feel like going. In fact, I really don't feel like doing anything... And so... today I went, close to fully determined to maintain my bad mood... and voila...
The book I picked up, (which I highly recommend to anyone who is determined to be in a bad mood) was Angelina Jolie' Notes from My Travels, 2003. The book is about her visits with refugees in Africa, Cambodia, Pakistan, and Ecuador. Reading it is a very humbling, and compelling experience.
The book is written in simple, plain text. She describes what she can of her experience in a written chronicle of events, emotions, and revelations. I will likely post quotes in the future... but it seems that so far... one of the most interesting things she notices and points out... is that even though these people might be under the direst of circumstances... --not being able to live on their own, living with and amputated limbs and surrounded by hunger and deadly disease, lives wrecked by war, and living without certainty of life in the next moment-- these people still live and breath amazing courage in the face of it all. Many live strong. Boldly, from day to day. Laughing and full of curiosity. Angelina was taken aback by their intense presence and life.
Reading her stories... my life just seems to fade away, humbled by the experience she recounts.
The ONLY game, truly worth living for, is the game where EVERY PERSON is playing the SAME game, together- called Love for All on earth.
The goal isn’t even a game about life or death I don’t think. People nearest to death seem potentially even more aware of what matters in life (and deeper into the real game) than those who are 'wealthy' or 'privileged.' Many of the poorest of the poor on our earth have a kind of deep understanding that Love is all that matters…and may live a ‘greater’ life than those of the very rich. Life is precious, but it is not necessarily scarce. If you look around, life is abundant. People will give up life in the name of Love. Those who have had near-death experiences consistantly fail to describe any 'horror' or 'fear'… instead they talk about an intense feeling of Love.
All of our suffering feels very real. But it is of the kind of reality that we create.
School children, the ones who are trying to make a difference… like in this Be The Change Movement… are looking to create the 100% best school of their dreams, but what are their dreams??
People talk of the ‘right of every child’… they ask kids/students… so “what are YOU going to do to live a ‘successful’ life?”
But it is not about you. Or about me. It is simply about ALL of us. US. We are all of flesh. We are all of God it seems.
We need a world of 100% leaders.
What are the real rules?
______________________________________________________________
I would also like to share that the above reflection is what I came up with when I was trying to truly face the question, 'why life?'.
When you're constantly reflecting on life, looking to find real meaning that EVERY person can relate to... a 'reason why' people should join together in creating a miracle in anything... you're really faced with what is at the core of our experience of reality.
Sometimes, when I reeally get into it... the question of 'why' becomes quite daunting.
My solution, today (as usual), was to go to my favorite spot-- the kids section at the local barnes & noble... at night there's almost never anyone there... and during the day... lots of curious kids laughing or exploring... .
However, it must be noted, that a LOT of the times when I go to b&n I reeally don't feel like going. In fact, I really don't feel like doing anything... And so... today I went, close to fully determined to maintain my bad mood... and voila...
The book I picked up, (which I highly recommend to anyone who is determined to be in a bad mood) was Angelina Jolie' Notes from My Travels, 2003. The book is about her visits with refugees in Africa, Cambodia, Pakistan, and Ecuador. Reading it is a very humbling, and compelling experience.
The book is written in simple, plain text. She describes what she can of her experience in a written chronicle of events, emotions, and revelations. I will likely post quotes in the future... but it seems that so far... one of the most interesting things she notices and points out... is that even though these people might be under the direst of circumstances... --not being able to live on their own, living with and amputated limbs and surrounded by hunger and deadly disease, lives wrecked by war, and living without certainty of life in the next moment-- these people still live and breath amazing courage in the face of it all. Many live strong. Boldly, from day to day. Laughing and full of curiosity. Angelina was taken aback by their intense presence and life.
Reading her stories... my life just seems to fade away, humbled by the experience she recounts.
Thursday, March 03, 2005
On Leaders, Leadership, and Nelson Mandela
It is becoming increasingly apparent to me that the only way to lead TRULY effectively, is to lead by example. Imagination, Knowledge, and Vision all seem important... but it does not seeem that a 'leader' who does not live by all that he preaches... can ever truly lead. I cannot envision a hypocrite at the forefront of any transformational movement.
Myself, I am committed to inspiring and encouraging all to fulfill on what is possible. I need to do what I know is thus possible.
It seems like the 'Be the Change' Movement founders got it right when they based their movement on Ghandi's statement: 'We must be the change we wish to see in the world.'
Part of discovering how to lead effectively seems to be to understand what it is like to 'be' a leader and to actually just 'be' that. Throughout this blog I will include quotes and comments of many leaders... I intend to shed light on the world as they see it; the world that calls to them to lead.
_____________________________________________________________
Nelson Mandela on Education...
regarding the opening of a school...
'The project whose completion we are marking today provides an example of the spirit of partnership which must be our guiding principle. The government has taken important steps to define and start phasing in an educational policy which meets the needs of our people and our times. This can only succeed in cooperation with communities, the private sector and the donor community. Masakhane! Let us build each other and build together.'
Nelson Mandela's vision seems to be one void of criticism. In our society today, many leaders spend much time criticizing others, rather than speaking to what is good and what is possible. In no way do I mean that we should pretend that all things are 'hunky dory'... but a vision that calls attention to the faults of others is not one that can truly capture the meaning of an entire community coming together in 'the spirit of partnership' in order to 'build each other and build together.'
Many teachers across our nation point out their struggle in the face the vast amount of criticism about public schools and the outcry about a 'crisis' in education. These teachers are also a huge source of strength for our nation. Not a focus for complaint.
Myself, I am committed to inspiring and encouraging all to fulfill on what is possible. I need to do what I know is thus possible.
It seems like the 'Be the Change' Movement founders got it right when they based their movement on Ghandi's statement: 'We must be the change we wish to see in the world.'
Part of discovering how to lead effectively seems to be to understand what it is like to 'be' a leader and to actually just 'be' that. Throughout this blog I will include quotes and comments of many leaders... I intend to shed light on the world as they see it; the world that calls to them to lead.
_____________________________________________________________
Nelson Mandela on Education...
'Our children are the rock on which our future will be built, our greatest asset as a nation. They will be the leaders of our country, the creators of our national wealth, those who care for and protect our people. But if they are to take on this great responsability, the rich potential in every child must be developed into the skills and the knowledge that our society needs. Education is the key to that process. It is also a door which opens from every village and city onto our larger society and indeed onto the whole world.'
regarding the opening of a school...
'The project whose completion we are marking today provides an example of the spirit of partnership which must be our guiding principle. The government has taken important steps to define and start phasing in an educational policy which meets the needs of our people and our times. This can only succeed in cooperation with communities, the private sector and the donor community. Masakhane! Let us build each other and build together.'
Nelson Mandela's vision seems to be one void of criticism. In our society today, many leaders spend much time criticizing others, rather than speaking to what is good and what is possible. In no way do I mean that we should pretend that all things are 'hunky dory'... but a vision that calls attention to the faults of others is not one that can truly capture the meaning of an entire community coming together in 'the spirit of partnership' in order to 'build each other and build together.'
Many teachers across our nation point out their struggle in the face the vast amount of criticism about public schools and the outcry about a 'crisis' in education. These teachers are also a huge source of strength for our nation. Not a focus for complaint.
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~Yup. I'm not kidding you guys. Check out the sites yourself. So what IS this education stuff REALLY about?
become the next... DR. YOU!!!
http://degree-in-5-days.com/
or....
if you need an accredited degree... try this!!! Your very own Real Life Experience Degree!!!
http://www.belforduniversity.org/university/BachelorsProgram.asp?mcid=2
(note: The package includes following documents:
• 1 Original Accredited Degree
• 2 Original Transcripts
• 1 Award of Excellence
• 1 Certificate of Distinction
• 1 Certificate of Membership )
make it a degree in NeuroScience?? yup. you said it!
hee hee :)
~Yup. I'm not kidding you guys. Check out the sites yourself. So what IS this education stuff REALLY about?
Wednesday, March 02, 2005
a note on Mother Teresa
It is possible that no one person has ever received more awards and honors than Mother Teresa.
She succeeded in transforming the ideas and faith she had, into awe-inspiring reality. By 1987 she had over 400,000 followers, all contributing and living a life devoted to her cause. She is a living example of the saying,
'The more you give away, the more you receive.'
She was a living example of what is possible as a result of the commitment of one human being. And we can learn from her faith and understanding.
She said,
'The biggest disease today is the feeling of being unwanted, uncared for, and deserted by everybody.'
(note: this same observation is essentially the core philosophy of Challenge Day and the Challenge Day Movement, see link at right...)
'Outcasts are found at every stage of life, from the aged to the newborn infant. I have never refused a child, never. Not one.'
"And whomever receives one child such as this is My name, receives Me." Matthew, 18.5
Mother Teresa also talks about the Leper Colony she founded, that was created entirely by the people of the colony and was self-sufficient...
'This success was because of the amount of love put into it. And God sustained that love...'
'I listen to the Lord and I have the gift of obedience. Because of that, miracles follow. Divine Providence is much greater than our little minds and will never let us down.'
___________________________________________________________
Thus sustainability of charitable acts and organizations seems critical.
Mother Teresa sustained her movement by powerfully enrolling others to her cause, and through her successes was able to create some amount of ongoing value... empowering people, such as the Lepers... to meet their own needs.
I wonder as to what value an educational system or even just a school could create... so that it might be sustainable even without constant federal or state funding...
A school is a school with, for, and by the community. Teachers, it seems, are faced with the task of creating a community inside a classroom, so that the students might know the world... (of course, there is a community already exisiting outside the classroom...)
The potential in truly enrolling an entire community succesfully... so that all might benefit in the education of all... would be a miracle in my eyes.
She succeeded in transforming the ideas and faith she had, into awe-inspiring reality. By 1987 she had over 400,000 followers, all contributing and living a life devoted to her cause. She is a living example of the saying,
'The more you give away, the more you receive.'
She was a living example of what is possible as a result of the commitment of one human being. And we can learn from her faith and understanding.
She said,
'The biggest disease today is the feeling of being unwanted, uncared for, and deserted by everybody.'
(note: this same observation is essentially the core philosophy of Challenge Day and the Challenge Day Movement, see link at right...)
'Outcasts are found at every stage of life, from the aged to the newborn infant. I have never refused a child, never. Not one.'
"And whomever receives one child such as this is My name, receives Me." Matthew, 18.5
Mother Teresa also talks about the Leper Colony she founded, that was created entirely by the people of the colony and was self-sufficient...
'This success was because of the amount of love put into it. And God sustained that love...'
'I listen to the Lord and I have the gift of obedience. Because of that, miracles follow. Divine Providence is much greater than our little minds and will never let us down.'
___________________________________________________________
Thus sustainability of charitable acts and organizations seems critical.
Mother Teresa sustained her movement by powerfully enrolling others to her cause, and through her successes was able to create some amount of ongoing value... empowering people, such as the Lepers... to meet their own needs.
I wonder as to what value an educational system or even just a school could create... so that it might be sustainable even without constant federal or state funding...
A school is a school with, for, and by the community. Teachers, it seems, are faced with the task of creating a community inside a classroom, so that the students might know the world... (of course, there is a community already exisiting outside the classroom...)
The potential in truly enrolling an entire community succesfully... so that all might benefit in the education of all... would be a miracle in my eyes.
Tuesday, March 01, 2005
everything starts somewhere..
This blog is the beginning of an education miracle that I intend to create.
A miracle is when something occurs that has us redefine reality, and have a new understanding of what is possible in life.
A miracle is when something occurs that has us redefine reality, and have a new understanding of what is possible in life.
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