Frozen Grand Central
The concerted efforts of 207 ...
Dan Eldon
In 2003, Dan Eldon, a photojournalist lost his life at 22. At the age of 7, Dan grew up in Kenya. He returned to the Africa from his childhood to immerse himself in the social joys and conflicts of their people. Dan kept journals, pages and pages filled with inspiration, images, art, and photographs. The people there called him the "laughing one." Dan found the balance between compassion and joy! Dan's life reminds us that we can care about the world, that we are all artists, and that we can laugh along the way.
Sir Ken Robinson
Sir Ken Robinson speaks at TED 2006 about the need for paying attention to fostering creativity. In particular, he quotes Picasso as saying "All children are born as artists. The problem is to remain as artists as we grow up.” To this, I say, if you don't see yourself as artist, what would happen if you did?
Paul Potts
Have you heard NPR's story about this guy? It's amazing. A cell phone salesman who sings his heart out. When I first say this I had this feeling that he was from singing from his soul. What an inspiration! For anyone who ever doubted their dreams, Paul is a shining beacon about what is possible.
the currency of money and meaning intersect
Matt and Jessica Flannery created Kiva out of their personal dream and ambition, through their commitments to their own individual passions, they created a business that not only fed their own meaningfulness but are also giving to hundreds of others who are working on their dreams, too. What inspires me is about how two passions merged and created something bigger than had they each taken their own paths.
I want to see more of these moments in my life, more people like Matt and Jessica who cross my path, and we find ways to create something bigger out of our individual passions, for ourselves, and for hundreds and thousands of others.
Jonathan Santos's Mother
On Saturday, October 27, Jan and I volunteered to help setup the Eyes Wide Open Exhibit as part of the nationwide movement to "Fall Out Against the War." We began at 8am, and within a very short time, we were handling the boots of the soldiers from Oregon and Washington who have lost their lives in the war. Their names and photos with other memorabilia placed by their families brought me wave after wave of emotion. 
After most of the exhibit was complete, Jan and I left to attend the rally and march here in Seattle. Knowing that the march would end up at the exhibit, I offered to come back and volunteer to answer questions and to watch over the exhibit.
The rally and march was so awesome, being around and with so many people who wanted peace. The papers say there were 2,000 marching, it felt like 10,000. All of the signs and sweatshirts and t-shirts, all with statements asking, demanding that the war end. Just being with them gave me hope that things could change, that the lives of the young men and women may be returned to their loved ones.
Within a very short time after I arrived at the exhibit, a woman dropped to her knees by one of the shoes. As she took off a placard of two large photos that were draped over her shoulders, I knew that she had found a loved one. When I saw the photos, I sensed that it was her son, Jonathan Santos. I was so moved by her loss, that I went to her and let her know that this exhibit would be touring in Washington state, and that her son's life will be remembered.
When Jan and I returned home later that evening, he downloaded his photos, and as we went through them, we spotted one image where I was walking right next to her earlier in the parade. At that moment, I felt that she and I were meant to cross paths that day. In the days that followed, we exchanged emails and she shared with me this video clip of Jonathan.
There is another documentary that she is working on that I hope to share more information about at a later date.
I needed this experience. I needed to make this war personal, so that I could find a place inside of me to be part of the solution, to contribute in some small way. As a result, I am volunteering to help promote the Eyes Wide Open Exhibit in the state of Washington. If you are interested in hosting this exhibit in your organization, church, neighborhood, or community, please contact Carol Menkhaus.
I need more moments like this, more moments that wake me up to what is happening in this world, and that provoke me to do more than just read the newspapers and change the channel.
Movie, Soldiers of Conscience
I just returned home from seeing the movie, Soldiers of Conscience at SIFF. For all of the emotions that I have about this war we are involved in, the stories of Major Peter Kilner, Aidan Delgado, Joshua Casteel, and Kevin Benderman, four soldiers who gave me hope in a possible future of peace.
I wish that anyone who is contemplating enlisting in the service see this film so that they can see that there are soldiers just like themselves who wrestle with the morality of killing against their religious, spiritual, and personal beliefs.
One of the soldiers really hit a chord when he asks (and I paraphrase), "What would have happened if most, if not all, of the Nazi German soldiers were conscientious objectors?" At some point later, the directors provide the statistic in Germany in 2004, out of 150,000 who were enlisted in the service, 80,000 were conscientious objectors. That inspires me! 80,000 individuals who took a stand for humanity and for peace.
Soldiers of Conscience was directed by Catherine Ryan & Gary Weimberg. If you are interested, you can arrange for a viewing of the movie at your organization or place of worship.
Patrick Conway, Homeless, and a Teacher
Caught the article "Lessons in Humanity" by Joseph Kahn through my email subscription to dailygood.org.
Joe tells the story about Patrick Conway, a man who is homeless, diagnosed with a tumor, and only has a few months to live. I am inspired by Patrick's compassion with others. Under his life circumstances, his life is a gift to others, and maybe most importantly, to Patrick, he is feeling that from his interactions with others.
His story, and why he is homeless, is a lesson to me about the caution that I must have when I am faced with someone on the streets, about why they are homeless. I am so moved by this man's life, that I've contacted my friend Colin Turner who lives in Boston, to ask him to capture some video of him, and some photos, so that I can use them for a painting. And, to also, let Patrick know that when the painting sells, that the proceeds will be sent to anyone of his choosing. It's my way of expressing my gratitude to him for his life.
Pursuing Passion
Received this story from the Good News Network. It's inspiring to me that these three college grads went out and listened to the stories of so many who love their jobs. Their stories are posted at pursuethepassion.com.
Someday, I'll do this. Take a road trip and get out to hear the stories of so many others. When I do, I'll listen to the stories of people who are taking action on a social issue -- to hear the whats and whys, and share that so that others can find that same place within themselves to make different choices about where to spend their time and efforts.
Mahema and Manohar Devadoss
In India, the couple produce cards every year to contribute to important charities. What's extraordinary is that Mahema is physically disabled from a car accident and her husband is almost totally blind. Their story is one of strength and grace. As I move the conscience of my art towards social issues, Mahema and Manohar have inspired me to utilize my ability to create for what I care about.
