I just watched this presentation by Michael Wersch from Kansas State University about a study he and his students about YouTube. It moved me. It made me laugh. I made me rethink where I'm going. It made me want to create a video.
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.
Have you heard <a href="http://www.npr.org/templates/story/story.php?storyId=16587051">NPR's story</a> 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.
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.
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.
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.
Randy Pausch, Professor at Carnegie Mellon, husband and father of three children was given an opportunity give his due in his battle against pancreatic cancer.
My partner shared this link with me a few weeks ago. Randy's story inspired me to write my last lecture, as I was in the midst of writing a script for a telecon event with the Life Path Unlimited community. The only thing missing in my last lecture was my tribute to loved ones, family and friends.
The essence of what I believe to this day is my legacy is what I refer to as the "art of unexpected possibilities. Patrick Combs, moderator of the call, really caught what I'm about. While most teachers tell us that there is so much to know, I am facing in the other direction, asking people to stand in the not-knowing. It's not that I don't believe that there are things important to know, it's just that it needs to be balanced, to stand holding lightly what we know, yet being open and trusting.
The world asks us to prove ourselves, and to have the answers. This is why it's important, so that we are more compassionate and understanding of ourselves, releasing us from the judgments of what we haven't done, and the judgments of being better. This is the paradox of life -- to be compassionate towards oneself and others, yet also live every moment passionately towards a more just and good society -- without hurting ourselves or anyone else.
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.
