richard radstone

I never fully get the opportunity to ask Sandy the two 365 questions, there is just no time for it as the clock begins to turn close to the 4:00pm mark.

It’s been a very eventful day.

6:15am: Load car with luggage.

6:30am: Begin first leg of rush hour traffic.

7:45am: Drop wife and daughter at airport (They are flying to visit my sister-in-law who has had her first baby).

7:48am: Begin second leg of rush hour traffic.

7:50am: Hit zero miles an hour traffic.

7:51am: Begin circle of thought… curse the sky, relax, curse the sky, relax, curse…

8:00am: Lock eyes with stranger in car next to me as she giggles at my talking to myself.

8:01am: Regain composure.

8:30am: Call gym to let them know where I am and to tell class to not kill me.

8:50am: Arrive spinning room to begin teaching my 8:30am class.

8:50am: Beg for forgiveness.

8:50am to 9:50am: Sweat like a peddling dog.

10:00am: Conference call with my producer.

11:00am: Shower (Finally).

12:00pm: Conference call with my producer.

12:45pm: Finally eat (my body is eating itself after high intensity morning bike ride).

1:30pm: Conference call with my producer and our client.

3:00pm: Go to mall to meet friend.

3:30pm: Begin wandering mall.

3:45pm: Meet Sandy (finally get to sit for a relaxed moment with a new friend).

4:00pm: Select and upload photos to blog.

4:15pm: Begin writing while talking to a new friend who is sharing a Wi-Fi seeing table with me.

4:33pm: Oh! That’s now.

Per Sandy, he is gracious, warm personality, seventy-six years young and a man who welcomes me as if in his living room. Our conversation is open and life revealing. Things like marrying his wife after only knowing her for ten days, of their forty-seven years of happy marriage, their three children and of his years of service to his community.

“When I look back on my life…” Sandy reflects, “… I can sleep at night knowing that I have touched a lot of people.” Something that he gives a great deal of acknowledgement to his wife in helping him to become the man he is.

What really strikes me about Sandy is that he takes no glory in his accomplishments. He does not proclaim of any grand power, other than in the admiration and respect he demonstrates in crediting others before himself.

4:40pm: Want to write more about the lessons in humility that Sandy has just taught me. But in not wanting to miss our time stamp, I’ll let him speak for himself.

“’If somebody says hello to you, don’t just say ‘I’m fine.’ That is kind of a cop-out. Nobody is really going to say; ‘I’m not feeling very good today’ are they? But, what I recommend the answer be, ‘I’m grateful.’ That is a very powerful answer.

I’ll always remember my junior high basketball coach. He taught me something that I transferred into different wording when I coached some junior high basketball. I volunteered for seventeen years and I always tried to teach my kids that if they lived by this saying, they would have a good life. That saying, ‘Attitude is the best aptitude in anything that they do.’”

4:50pm: Must upload; talk tomorrow friends, and Sandy… thanks for calming my day.

It’s been quite an interesting week… my business is busier than ever, my commitment to 365 is not faltering, and despite the emotional hit I took from the lack of attendance at our Ping Pong Council of Saturday past, the opportunity to meet like minded people has not eluded me.

Another unexplainable few days have passed, where contrary to any profiled effort on my part, 365 has somehow grabbed my arm in carrying me towards people who all share a similar perspective as well as wishes for a closer world.

New friends who are actively participating in sharing my message within their own networks, and friends who present the finest acts of solidarity in halting their agendas in making time to talk with us.

Today deviates in no way from the same path in spending time with our new friend, Kay, boyfriend of yesterday’s stranger now friend, Vanessa.

I’ll admit I cheated a little in my approach to offering Kay our 365 questions. You see, having very briefly met him yesterday, actually more of a passing of a business card as Vanessa and I concluded our chat; I invited Kay to 365 in promising to email him our questions…

…There was no way around it… and even though I was extremely late in getting home for family reasons, there was something about Kay that would not let me pass by on an opportunity to speak further with him. The voice in my head would not silence in ignoring Kay (Oh, no…! Richard…! Not the voices in your head thing again… your not going psychotic on us… are you?).

No I’m as sane as every, but what can I say, when my brainwaves kick in, I just listen and do as they tell.

And in this instance, the muffled screaming in my cerebral cortex is one hundred percent on target in inspiring me to reach out to a young man of great substance.

Here is what Kay write to us, “’Strive to be the best person you can be, not only for yourself, but for those around you as well. Culture is how we choose to identify ourselves and where we come from, it gives us a perspective of life that is unique and distinct to our own. Often times in the process of maintaining our cultural beliefs, we tend disregard other cultural perspectives instead of embracing them for their own.

Aldous Huxley once wrote that, ‘[w]e live together, we act on, and react to, one another; but always in all circumstances we are by ourselves.’ So, to answer the second part of the question I believe in regards to the future, we should continue to move forward in bringing people closer together in this world. By putting differences aside and encouraging cooperation and compassion the possibilities are endless. In the beginning of human existence, groups of people that banned together and cooperated with one another developed languages, those who created larger groups of people created better language systems. I believe this can be applied to our collaborative progress towards the future.’”

All this is in my mind as I knock at the door of Kay’s parents house, our agreed meeting place. And once my knees stop shaking from the friendly greeting of the family German Shepherd (perhaps I was a little to aggressive in patting my new K9 friend on the head… my bad), Kay and I grab a living room couch for a little more personal conversation.

It does not take me long to understand how Kay has found the inspiration for his well-constructed words. Kay has lived a life of what he preaches: a first generation American… hailing from Iran, a Bachelors degree in Global and International Relations and a well-stamped passport in traveling the globe during his studies. China, Europe, The Middle East and South America are the places where Kay sharpened his chops of humanity.

So we sit and casually chat, and less a break in meeting his brothers upon their arrival home (two guys equally at peace with their surroundings) Kay and I speak of the cultural climate of our now world. And as we do, it is impossible for me to make relevant notes to explain the depth of Kay’s outlook as he calls himself a realist. A point of view that he respectfully credits to the example his father has set for him, “My Father is a Lawyer, and he taught me to have an analytical mind.”

Kay is fascinating in his analysis of society, crafting a blend of real life experience with the sensitivity of an artists mind. There is only one way I can encapsulate what he says, my mind is just to slow to keep up, maybe due to a restless night of sleep after submitting to trade beds with my daughter, when she wake me saying, “Dad, my bed is uncomfortable, I cant sleep.”

I switch rooms with her and pay my dues; as a result, today I’m a bit fried. I guess I owe my kid a new bed. The mattress is just not cutting it anymore.

“What is the point of that Segway?” you ask.

Well… It was shamefully easy for me to dismiss the requests for a new mattress. I even reasoned in getting her a memory pad as a topper to the bed she has. But after my own rest deprived night… I get it now.

Kay calls it empathy, something that he briefly refers to in our conversation. Hearing it charges me to invite Kay to compose one more email in refining his points. Here is what he sends.

“Just to expand on what I was saying. To me, personal liberty is crucial for human progression in today’s world. If people are less concerned about themselves… then there can be room for empathy to help others that don’t have the luxury of self-expression. Those less fortunate need to know that there are success stories of people who have triumphed against the odds, simply because they had the capacity to do so. Personal liberty to me is optimal of human abilities and possibilities.

Hope that works, it’s been a real pleasure Richard.” Kay wraps his email.

I know… A hard mattress example is feeble compared to the global perspective in which Kay refers. But the habit of understanding has to start somewhere, and for me (at least last night) it was to listen to my kid’s request with a sincere heart.

Bottom she was right… her bed provides a terrible nights sleep…  maybe even a contributor to the moodiness she has been demonstrating for a few weeks. No, I’m not being a martyr in publically beating myself; she is turning out to be a pretty good kid, she just wants, and deserves, a better bed.

But via this campy admission I have intent; that is to water the seeds that Kay has planted… As personal as my reference is… one global call to action is revealed.

“If people are less concerned about themselves then there can be room for empathy,” Kay charges in gathering us to duty.

“Help others that don’t have the luxury of self-expression,” he expands.

And if we do, Kay promises a result greater than our own self-gratification or a regretful dismissal of felt emotions, “Those less fortunate need to know that there are success stories,” Kay applauds, “People who have triumphed against the odds, simply because they had the capacity to do so.

And for a little more intellectual fodder to contemplate, Kay leaves us this. “Personal liberty to me is optimal of human abilities and possibilities.”

Kay, I’m sure we will be speaking again, my friend.

You may remember Betsy of day sixty-three, a really cool lady and the art teacher of my daughter. Not only is she sincere in her collaboration with the world, she is a very talented artist who since our meeting, has embarked on her own 365 day blog commitment in hitting her over 180 day mark this month: The Pinups of Betsy VanDeusen.

I have a lot of respect for Betsy, so when yesterday in popping a head into the studio at where she teaches, she suggests that I interview her teaching colleague, I hesitate not in returning today to inquire of recommended stranger now friend, Vanessa.

Vanessa has an infectious laugh and a charming personality. It is quickly apparent why she has dedicated her life to the teaching of our future generation.

Vanessa truly cares our children and the world they will be stepping into, a fact that can be absorbed in every words she shares.

“Can I give advice about anything?” Vanessa inquires.

“Absolutely, the microphone is yours,” I smile.

Vanessa responds with an enchanting charisma. “’I’ll hand down some advice that I read in a book, it is called ‘The Last Lecture.’

Basically it talks about people making promised that they make, and what to believe from people… what they tell you.

The advice was to judge a person not by what they say… but by their actions.

I take that with everything that I do. People can say anything… it is easier to say than to do. And when someone does something it really proves they’re character and it proves the type of person that they are.’”

We talk of the world to come.

“When I think about the future,” Vanessa positions, “…I mainly think about having kids and of the future I want them to have. I think about the kind of world that they will be living in, and how it will shape them in who they are later on.

And when I think about it… probably ten years from now when I have kids… I question what the world will by like? And I think there will probably be some kind of progression of disconnection between people… I see it happening now and I don’t see it improving. I think that disconnection has something to do with technology, even though the point of technology is to connect people in other ways. But, a lot of the times people forget how to really connect with other people on a personal level.

I work at a middle school and I see kids with information at their fingertips. It is so easy for them to get information than when I was younger when you had to actually go to the library and look up books. I remember that is what research was like for me. It astounds me how kids want to know it now… and how they will find a way to get it now.

It is important, especially for kids, to learn how to do it old school, to go to a library and to look something up… to put down the technology for just a minute… and just remember what it should be like… and to remember how we did it back then.

It’s good know technology and to be current, because it does do so much good. But we have to know it all. And with kids, the more they know the better they are… it never hurts to know the traditional stuff.

Technology is not the only solution; we need to learn how to overcome things without getting lost in it.”

Vanessa talks of kids who she takes to the library and of how they don’t know the basics of using a table of contents or an index.

“It really surprises me, it not that hard.” she says in reciting the encouragement she gives to her students.

And with this I give you her words, they go like this, “Come on… you can do this… figure it out.”

I’m shutting down my web browser now… there are a lot of books upstairs and I’m off to search for a good chapter.

Talk tomorrow friends, and by the way, I still own you a report on the Ping Pong Council.

You know, I a little speechless in writing today… strange to say, but true. Seventeen days left of 365 and the emotions I am feeling are sublime.  Some mornings I wake looking forward to a day off from writing, yet on others… almost a tear drawing mood encapsulates me in not wanting to see the end of such a life changing experiment; one that has changed my outlook on the world in more ways than I can explain in a quick blog entry.

365 has been a journey that has defined the way I will be approaching the next chapter of my life. A chapter that will be visible to you all, and a commitment to do what I can to make a difference in whatever way I can. Many of you, through your comments, have proven to me that there is great hope for mankind. And it is your acceptance of my 365 message, “We are all in this thing together,” that has never failed to push me forward in doing what I can to connect us all.

The countdown is on, and our one-year anniversary is so very near, September 9^th to be exact; a day that I have anticipated since the inception of 365 and a Sunday that will mark the beginning of the next phase of our uniting outreach. I’m putting my final touches on exactly what the next steps are, but I promise to bring you up to speed shortly after the 9^th.

You have proven to me that there are far too many of us who are doing the works: In thoughts, in deeds and in outlook towards each other.

No better to example this finding than in the words of today’s friends, Mike and his lovely British wife, Nina, both of whom radiate a certain kind of acceptance of 365’s campaign for unity, in very short and succinct words of advice.

Nina:
“My words of wisdom if everybody were listening…? This too will pass, because everything is transient in life… This too will pass.”

Michael:
“I wrote this about you originally…” Michael looks at Nina, crediting her for his inspiration, “…She who dies with the most love… wins.”

I’ll not blab on in asking you to reflect upon what this loving couple is saying. And in their predictions of the future, again, both Nina and Michael stay true to their hopes for a more connected people.

Nina:
“…Kindness… I hope the world is heading in that direction. I want the planet to be kinder… Kinder to each other… kinder to the planet, it’s the only way things can progress forward.”

Michael:
“When people see that happiness and wellbeing are our natural state… we are born happy. Then all the things that are out in the world that we are trying to get, and are messing up the world, they will fade. There is a kindness to this design.”

I must go… the Ping Pong Council is starting in less than thirty minutes. Not sure if anyone is showing up… worst case scenario… I’ll get a few games of pong with my daughter. That in itself is cause for joy. Sorry to be a mushy dad. But by now you probably have realized that my book is pretty open.

Yet, I know that I will be taking with me the seeds planted this day by our sweet friends of day 349.

Nina, Michael, thank you for your kindness, and your words of the same… you have directed us onto the right path.

Take care my friends.

AND TODAY IS THE DAY… THE PING PONG COUNCIL… HOPE TO SEE YOU THERE!

On Saturday, August 25 (that’s today), between the hours of 3:00pm and 7:00pm, let’s get as many Angeleno’s as we can to play a few rounds of Table Tennis at Vahid’s club. It’s not the expensive, $7 each and I’m sure will prove to be a lot of fun.

I see two things that can come from it. One: A great opportunity to share thoughts and witness just how in common we all are, and Two: to help a deserving dude get his business off the ground. And in either I see no downside.

So friends within commuting distance of Vahid’s “Table Tennis Club” we look forward to seeing you at the tables.

Table Tennis Club
21911 Sherman Way
Canoga Park, California 91303

Click for the full story

I call him a gentle giant. He smiles graciously as we share a few minutes together as he waits for his wife to conclude a doctor’s appointment.

It would have been easy for me to judge, to profile, to make assumptions to the intent of my new friend Michael, as he sits ominously under the shade of a tree. His sheer stature taking a dominant section of city bench.

But to make any assumption is not my job, or a burden that I wish to carry. 365 has taught me to see the world for what it is. A surface covered with frail people. People who, in majority, are unknowingly deeply united with a unanimous want to be loved, appreciated and respected for who they are; or in difficult cases, who they were, or even want to become. Definitely, it is not any one of our duties to cast ourselves as judge, jury and prosecutor.

Sure, I’ve just rebounded from an expected flurry of rejections in course to meeting Michael. Even a little shaken as I approach him in not really wanting to receive another deflating brush off. But here is the thing, in every face turned away from me this day; I know that deep in my heart, I’ve done my by best to keep my intent pure. That in itself is the greatest healer to any esteem hit that I have taken over the course of 365s stranger meeting experiment.

Now I’m not saying that I a master of Zen by any means. I’m as mortal as any of us. Just as suspect to projecting the negative as well as the positive; and yes, my emotions run away the same as, I guess, it does for many of us. They key though is keeping our internal dialogue in check. Hard to do, but I promise, the rewards are great. The amazing lesson taught to me by the hundreds of individuals I have met over the last year.

So it is with this subtext that I reach out to Michael in approaching him under his shaded rescue from the heat of the early afternoon sun. No malice to hurt, no judgmental finger pointed, nor any agenda other than wanting to meet another human for who they are.

Upon my introduction, Michael is reserved, yet in his held back caution, I see an open mind. “It’s always a little scary approaching stranger,” I expose in my summation of 365 and in opening my perspectives to him.

Michael thinks for beat, “Yeh… I’ll do it.” He invites me to take seat beside him in our sanctuary of traffic noised shade.

As we talk, and despite the occasional thunder of passing trucks, we find our time together is rather peaceful. And even though we are further besieged by the hum of the continued pulse of smaller moving vehicles, Michael give’s his opening advice to the world, “I’d tell everybody to treat each other like you want to be treated.

There are a lot of different people in the world, but still we are cut from the same cloth… We’re people… We’re human. It’s not about ethnicity… even though the world sees it that way. But I don’t see it that way.”

An eighteen-wheeler thunders by… shaking the ground a little.

A brief pause and Michael picks up where he left off, “I think we’d live in a whole much better world if people would just take the time and hear what the next person’s got to say… and to pass something on that is good if they do have something to say.”

Michael speaks of his observations of society, “You have people that are here for one reason or another. For whatever they think they may stand for… or what they might do… or something like that…

…I find today that a lot of people are unapproachable… but still, there are a lot of people who are approachable.

I’m no individual to judge, but you can pretty much see the good from the bad, and sometimes I miss a call: The person that you think is bad, is not… and the person you think is good, is actually bad. It all depends on how well you get to know the individual and what they are going through.”

Therein the wisdom in Michael’s eye’s is revealed. My take on what he is challenging us to do… We need to at least be open in getting to know the people around us, not judging, and surely not attacking. It’s like that “I can put my head on the pillow and sleep tonight” feeling. The knowledge of day well spent in not carrying malice home to dream about.

It all depends on how well you get to know the individual and what they are going through,” Michael points out.

We have no idea of what is inside a person at first glance. What appears as dismissible intolerance could actually be feelings of loss, despair or lowliness. Or, the grasping sound of ecstatic laughter could be a shroud in escaping any range of hidden hurts. There is no absolute answer to being able to know of any deep experience that any one of us is going through, but we can at least look at each other with compassion and inquiring minds.

I’m not saying that we have to be saviors to the world, just open to taking an extra second in governing our mind waves as we view of all that we meet or pass by.

This is an exercise that I do from time to time, I tell myself, “They were once infants, just like all of us, what happened to them to make them who they are?”

And as Michael has brought to our attention, “We have no idea of what they have gone through, or are going through.”

“People seem to be disconnected today…” Michael suggests,  “… and a lot of it has to do with technology.

You walk and you see a lot of young kids… they have headphones on, and they’re really not paying attention to their surroundings. They are looking up… they are looking down at their phone screens, or texting.

To me it seems that if we keep heading in that direction, we are going to fall out of touch with the real value of human socialness. And if it keeps going like it is… people are just going to fall out of touch with each other.

People are not aware of their surroundings, and I don’t think they really care. It’s all about right now… they are not looking into the future.

I don’t see a real good future for us… that is in the next twenty years or so. I would hope things would change or get better… but I don’t know?

People don’t talk anymore… really talk! You know… try to see where you are coming from.

The way I look at it… the Internet, the iPhones, the iPads… even with them, everyone is disconnected.”

My only words to Michael, “You’re not alone, my friend.”

So to readers of my blog… to all users of the social media… and to any who find hours past in gazing into the entertaining grip of technology… please, and by all means keep using it.

But in your routines, Michael asks us one basic request. To put them aside in balancing our lives… to get out… to meet people… and to socialize the old-fashioned way… face to face. Then you can tell the world about it with whatever device you choose. It works better that way… 365 has taught me that.

Michael, thank you for you direction, and we’ll do our best to stay connected the right way!

No secrets anymore… the new friends I hid from you last night take center stage today, Young family, Anthony, Kristen and son Israel.

At under twenty-four, both Anthony and Kristen want with a peace that is beyond their years. I made quick reference to it in my writing yesterday. But tonight In sitting with them, nothing has changed.

Recently relocated to Los Angeles from Rhode Island, they say, “It is a miracle we even made it here, we both come from backgrounds of being very poor.”

Perhaps that is what matured them, but the light that they invisibly shine is deeper than the humility learned through the school of hard knocks. Not knocking the wisdom that is to be learned through trials. But still, I can’t exactly put my hand on it… and even as I write, I continue to review of the feeling that I felt emitting from both Anthony and Kristen, a peace that can even be seen in the loving attitude of Israel as he plays with my girl.

I forgot to tell you, I have brought my daughter with me tonight, so with our kids playing in the background, we take time to chill as friends.

“Things are going better now that we are here, but it is still hard to stay positive,” Anthony notes while Kristen listens intently.

Our conversation ranges from talking of the cultural differences of the West coast as compared to the East coast, faith, parenting, and some sharing of our life histories. Another one of those we don’t know each other, but we are now family moments.

And per all those feeling I expressed in my last entry as I pre-introduced the special qualities I sensed in first meeting of Anthony and Kristen? I’ll turn to page to them in allowing their responses. I hope you will be able to fully absorb the character they carry.

Anthony, Kristen… If you had any words of wisdom, advice or counsel for the world, and they were listening, what would you say?

Anthony:
“There’s no one single perfect thing I could say to an imperfect world. There’s such a wide spectrum of complex issues from one end of the earth to the other. From the slums in southeast Asia to the hustlers in inner-city America, to the billionaire corporate owners…I can only give one bit of my own imperfect advice; Seek God… Above, within… or around us… seek God.

Kristen:
“Protect our children at all costs. Hold utmost responsibility for the wellbeing of the children we bring into this world. Preserve their innocence during their youth and nurture their minds. Be proactive in their development and encourage their imagination. While you complain about the minds of the younger generations remind yourselves who raised them. Instill good values and spirituality, and never be afraid to speak out against worldly traditions of today’s society to your children.

Be your son’s and daughter’s role model instead of celebrities and reality show actors. Let your child be the difference, the diamond in the rough, the gem among hundreds. That is the most important thing you can do in this life as a parent.”

Anthony, Kristen… Looking towards the future, as close or as far as you want to. Where do you think we will be, or how do you advise us to approach the future?

Anthony:
“Looking towards the future I advise that individually and collectively we look to the example of two great men who defined a portion of our past, Bruce Lee and Muhammad Ali (Did not tell you that Anthony is an amateur boxer).

Learning from them, let’s be ambassadors of our cultures, express our arts, stand up against our oppressors, exude confidence, and always remember that sometimes we must FIGHT and fight hard. So float like a butterfly and sting like a bee.

Love.”

Kristen:
“Tie strong bonds with the good people you meet through the guidance of spirituality. There are fun times to be had, places to see, goals to accomplish, but even the most successful man is empty without spirituality. At the end of every hard day, find time to reflect and include prayer and meditation. Discuss with people topics of substance and share good values. Don’t ever think someone may not understand where you come from or who you are. Revive the sense of community we are gradually losing. This is how we have to approach our future as a people.”

I can’t top what Anthony and Kristen have encapsulated in their early found fountains of life wisdom.

Wisdom that is inspiring to hear… and wisdom that I am certain was the genesis to drawing us together last night.

Like Kristen says, “Tie strong bonds with the good people you meet through the guidance of spirituality.”

Not saying that I am any great spiritualist, or guru in any form, but one thing is undeniable… The more I simply keep my chin up and eyes to the world, dropping my fears in greeting all who lock eyes with me, and, the more I notice, or hear what I see at a heart level. It is proven to me again and again in meeting so many uniquely different people.

And this evening I am definitely blessed in being able to spend time with a special and loving family.

Anthony, Kristen and Israel, thank you for letting my daughter and I into your hearts. You are good people. Hope to see you at the park again!

DON’T FORGET, MARK YOUR CALENDARS, TWO DAYS TO THE PING PONG COUNCIL

On Saturday, August 25 (that’s two days from today), between the hours of 3:00pm and 7:00pm, let’s get as many Angeleno’s as we can to play a few rounds of Table Tennis at Vahid’s club. It’s not the expensive, $7 each and I’m sure will prove to be a lot of fun.

I see two things that can come from it. One: A great opportunity to share thoughts and witness just how in common we all are, and Two: to help a deserving dude get his business off the ground. And in either I see no downside.

So friends within commuting distance of Vahid’s “Table Tennis Club” we look forward to seeing you at the tables.

Table Tennis Club
21911 Sherman Way
Canoga Park, California 91303

Click for the full story

I’m standing in the middle of a field under the artificial light of incandescent floods. To the left of me is a gathering of soccer kids, their parents and coach, all deep in practice ending chatter. Ahead of me are two female teenagers in the middle of some type of gymnastic exercise, and to the right of me are three gentlemen engaged in a round of somewhat aggressive Cricket.

Why I am here? I don’t fully know, other than the residue of a strong impression that hit me only minutes ago. One that absolutely directed me to stop here this evening.

Still, my thoughts are wavering as to exactly why my brains GPS kicked into overload as it places me in the center of this grassy open space, especially after already receiving one very kind, “not tonight for an interview, but we will follow you” response I just received from a friendly couple upon my arrival.

So here I stand, feeling very vulnerable in sticking out like the strange stalker at a park family night.

But like I mentioned, for some higher reason, I am here. A feeling that my gut tells me, and even though I feel a reserved caution in the back of my voice box, I approach my not known Cricketing neighbors in telling them of 365.

They accept the offer, and I am instantly ingratiated to be part of a team like meeting between sporting buddies. The time is heartfelt and new friends I have made. But, even with the meeting of these three fine gentlemen, all of which have invited me to join them in play on some other night, I feel as if I have not found the full reason I am here; a reason that is found in my departing from said field in route back to my car. But before I get to that, let me share with you the words of tonight’s friends:

THE BOWLER… KIRAN

For the present:
“Be honest, because there is a lot of violence and criminal activity going on all over the world… in every country in the world we see people are killing each other, terrorism, it is really not good… we should really start thinking about establishing peace. You never know what is going to happen tomorrow… so people need to be more conscious about it, and be honest in all things… their jobs, their families and all that they do.”

For the future:
“Technology is going to take over… every day people are inventing different new technologies, and in the future people will be doing lesser and lesser jobs. It will be a world run by technology in the next one hundred years.”

Question:
“Is that a good thing?” I ask.

Answer:
“I think in some points it is… but not totally, because people will start getting lazy and begin to rely on non-human things. They will start depending on the technology and maybe one day it will not work out.”

THE STRIKER… SANJAYA

For the present:
“The first important thing is how we look at each other economically. If there is, like, a different world economy… then I don’t think there would be any wars… or something like that. But since there is class difference between the rich and poor people, that’s why there is fighting and violence.

We have help the poor people, and make the United Nations find better solutions and organize more and more. To go out to the villages in the countries… like myself, being from Nepal. We should help those people so that they can do good. We should give them an education so they have a chance to come up and provide for themselves, that they can have a chance.”

For the future:
“Like Kiran said, the technology is growing more and more every day, so maybe we will depend too much on technology. Not like before, we have to do things for ourselves. We are going to be more and more dependent on machines.”

Question:
Once again, I ask, “Is that a good thing or a bad thing?”

Answer:
“I’d say it is a bad thing. We wouldn’t be moving our bodies, we would lean more on technology.

When we were kids, we didn’t even see a computer… we spent our time running, playing soccer or something else. And right now… kids are staying in their rooms, playing video games, on the computers, watching movies. They won’t get a chance to think higher.”

THE FIELDER… BINU

For the present:
“The people have to turn back to God.”

For the future:
“I believe this world will not go more than thirty years. I believe that Jesus will come back… and after that, the world will be chaos. Almost all the signs have almost been fulfilled… we are in the end days.”

Question:
“Should we be frightened?” I inquire.

Answer:
“No, not frightened… If we believe, we do not have to be frightened.”

My time with Kiran, Sanjaya and Binu has been well-spent, all exceptional human beings, all polite and accepting in sharing their wealth of wisdom. Men who I look forward to sharing future rounds or Cricket with, but as I telegraphed above, even in meeting them, I know there is another group of people I am meant to meet. And meet them I do as a stroll the sidewalk in route back to the parking lot.

I spent a bit of time talking with these new friends, and for the integrity of 365, as well as respecting the energy spent with Kiran, Sanjaya and Binu, we mutually agree to meet tomorrow evening… same place… same time…

…However, I’ll give you this; they are an exception family with a wonderful spirit. To quote them, “You could not have approached us at a more perfect time.”

In meeting them, the Look, Listen, and Hear challenge of yesterday manifest itself as if in three-dimensional color; for the invisible bond that drew me to approach this fine family, pulled us together in a united perspective of trust and respect. A pull that is too strong to overlook. I invite them to participate in 365.

They accept, and with it, I know that I am in the right place… at the right time.

Come back tomorrow for the full story.

Be well my friends, talk tomorrow!

The environment is at the top of the list this week. And over a summer escaping chilled Jamba Juice pit stop we run into Erin.

It’s very late in the afternoon and the day has been packed with start-up business. Part of which has been planning for the next phase of 365. Yes friends, the locomotive has way too much momentum to stop now. So readers, be expecting announcements of next destinations very soon.

And with minutes left to our publishing time code deadline, this is one more of those entries that spares you from too much Radstone dialogue, I know, you’ll miss me!

But with the sparkle of this week’s unsolicited topic, that being the environment, Erin does more than enough to gracefully follow theme with her giving heart and emphasis towards the power of one.

“How important it is to give to people.” Erin sincerely encourages. “That’s something that we don’t do very often. A lot of the time we are so focused on our own lives… and we forget about other people. When I think about something like that… how much you get from it… and also how much it means to other people. It’s easier to do the works.

I try to have a positive outlook, but sometimes it is hard… environmental issues in particular; I’m worried about the future. I think that with technology, we have a good chance of turning things around. But, I still think we are going to have a struggle.

In the next one hundred years…? The water… the food… a growing population, the whole system… that’s my biggest concern… the environmental issues.

The hardest part is each person trying to make a difference in getting everybody together… no one themselves thinks that they can change it. That’s the hardest part… getting everybody on the same page.”

I’ve got seconds left to publishing deadline, and I really have no message any greater than Erin’s this day. The environment is a huge intersecting point in bringing us together, and Erin has smacked us head on in directing us to the same book, a book that we can all quietly read into our daily rituals.

The resolve then rests with us, that in each of our routines of living, that we strive to give, just give… not only to people… but as importantly… to the planet.

“That’s the hardest part” Erin gleams, “Getting everybody on the same page.”

So without any more wasted delay, I’m off to Chapter One/Page One, “Sorting Recyclables.” Anyone want to join me?

6:00am… take a walk in the neighborhood in readying myself for the day. As I stroll, passing many a house, I ponder the years have I lived in my home, the added twenty my wife has resided on our block (we bought her parents house) and the one year of my 365 awareness. In it, a stream of thought, one that directs me to a stark conclusion, “I am nowhere near even cracking the surface of the depth of humanity that lives in my area.”

Absolutely, I am more in touch with my community, both with those who readily accept me, as well as those who time and time again choose to ignore my subtle hellos (must be the edgy impression that I throw off. Sure dad… your out of control… not).

But turned heads, and eyes locked to the ground do not sway me, for in every rejection there is an equally resonating acknowledgement of what we are doing with 365.

And with two bold brush-offs beginning my morning, I stagger not. For there are visions of new friendships in my head… so I forge on, knowing that to odds are in my favor.

Across Alfonso my route takes me, and just as I have done for thirty minute, I reach out with a smiling, “Good Morning My Friend.”

Alfonso reciprocates and we strike up a 1940’s style sidewalk conversation. Our language is a little struggled, but not too much to see eye-to-eye on the importance of community.

“Respect each other,” Alfonso contributes as I find out he has lived in his house for twenty-two years.

Originally from Mexico, he has settled into a comfortable life in raising children and grandchildren. And inspired by his career (Alfonso works in electronics manufacturing) plus opinions grown from watching the activities of his grandchildren, he asks us to be aware regarding the society ahead.

“There are a lot of electronics… if we have a problem… it is going to be a big problem.”

Everything is going that way.”

I confirm what he is expressing in wanting to be sure we are on the same page. So I reconfirm, “Is it going to be a problem?”

Alfonso: “In my life… No… Maybe another generation,” he speculates.

We might think that Alfonso has lived the larger percentage of his life, and is turning the world issues over to the next generation, but that is not the case. And, as 365 has proven on many an occasion, this week is running it’s own theme… conservation.

And for Alfonso, it is a conscious choice to conserve water, something that I can tell instantly by comparing our matching front yards of yellowed grass. I guess it’s better to grow a few more weeds than to overuse our resources. Also, I’ll be shallow enough to admit, I’m trying to save a buck or two.

It’s funny how the utility companies have a shrewd way of accessing yearly rate increases, claiming drought as the reasoning. But on the other side of the season, when the rainfall begins, and the water use drops, they never quite seem to figure out how to lower our utilities using the same scale. I’ve given up trying to figure the math.

Sorry, another Radstone rant, and again my Achilles heel has been exposed. But, meter readers… know that I still like you guys… and gals… It’s not your fault what happens in the boardrooms.

Alfonso obviously is in the same boat as I and has it nailed as far as conservation; low pressure water as he washes his car on the grass, cleaning and watering at the same time… Really smart, greener grass, shiny chrome, and lower H2O use, all at the same time… very cool.

And once more, I see no stream of polluting detergent running into the street gutter, a detail that eloquently hits me in reflecting the copy of a sidewalk sign I just passed. Over it a plaque reads, “Whatever you put in here reaches the ocean.”

I can’t say that Alfonso has chimed any new chords in his advice and actions, but after 343 days, that is a hard thing to do for anybody who contributes to 365. We have covered so much ground, but equally powerful as unheard words is the empowering fact that the more we hear of similar perspective, the greater the impact of 365. Many a language we have spoken, many a faith we have approached and many an opinion or attitude have we encountered. But the wonderment of it all is this. “We share far too many concerns to turn away from each other.”

Yes, it is a fact that this first version of 365 is nearing it’s close. I’m proud to be part of such a growing community. And amazingly, our numbers are large enough to be of influence to the world around us. Never have I been so absolute about anything as this statement. Literally twenty-three days to the end of this chapter of our call, “We are all in the thing together”

And in our journeys I have not held back in doing my part to pass on the message of community and tolerance. So to save your ears from having to hear me express a charge, I relieve myself of post for a moment, in turning the podium to Alfonso’s words,“Respect each other.”

Pass it on… my friends… we are only just beginning our outreach!

And for you LA locals, don’t forget to mark you calendars, This Saturday, August 25, 3:00pm to 7:00pm… The Ping Pong Council. Click for details.