richard radstone

I’m sitting here watching the clock tick by, and with my time stamp getting very close to advancing to tomorrow, I’m feeling a little nervous in being able to get you comments from today’s friend John.

It’s been an interesting day in keeping the 365 flame burning. Not so much so in regards to my perspective of the world about us, but in the general undertaking of story finding.

You see I’ve had to prioritize my personal life for a few days in promising my family a staycation. They have been very patient and supportive in loosing me to the extensive time required in keeping 365 moving forward. Not begrudgingly do they set me free. We are committed to the mission of 365 and in it have seen great blessing within the walls of our home. And as I mentioned, they have been very supportive in our destination of bridging gaps to the cultures and world around us. But this said, it is still only fair for me to give back to them in allowing us a bit of quality family time.

Yesterday it was Long Beach and Whale watching, and today it is phones off the hook, delivered food, Farrell’s for ice cream, and back home for fun, naps and general activities.

Yet, as I promised, no matter what… I’ll never a day miss in meeting a stranger turned friend, especially being so close to the completion of my one-year commitment. And in revealing the real truth, I actually meet more people than I can write about. You know, that “Chin up and eyes open to the world” stuff that I keep talking about. It’s affected my life more than I can express, and I hope you are feeling what I mean in your life adjustments.

So, this morning, knowing that my day is pressed with family commitments, I decide to leave a little early in my commute to teach my spinning class, my aim… to find a new friend in route to class.

Twenty minutes of extra time is what I have, not that long in 365 time, and knowing this, I push into the back of my mind the fact that every time I do not let go and begin trying overly hard to profile, select, or control whom I interview and where I will meet them, never do I meet a stranger turned friend.

And because of the sort window of time I have, I go a little further in ignoring a second fact that the average 365 interview has run anywhere between thirty minutes and two hours.

Forgetting any agenda, except twenty minutes before I need to be happily pedaling to twenty or so of my regular riding buddies, I veer into a strip mall directly across from the gym at where I teach. Up the driveway I cruise, completely lost in thought of where to stop and who to mingle with. I tour the parking lot for a few minutes, and although I see quite a few people, no impression is brought to mind in who I should approach. The throw in the towel voice starts to creep up on me, but before it can take full hold of my enthusiasm, and at the exact instant that I decide to exit the area, a man on the horizon strikes me to alertness, the above-mentioned John.

I pull up beside him, introduce myself and within a heartbeat, it is apparent that he is on the same page as I in needing to be to work within minutes. But even with this, there is something about our dialogue that is worthy of noting… John is equally accepting of the notion of; “We are all this thing together,” in the excitement he directs back to me.

“Man, I’d love to do this, but I’m already close to being late for work.” John positions.

“Me too…” I chime in, “…how about we take a few pictures and catch up later.” I propose.

We agree, and it only takes us about three minutes to grab a few snap shots and share information.

So here I sit, writing, and with message in to John in waiting for a response, I’ll wait as long as I can to post, but the last thing I want to do is miss my time stamp… We’ll stand down for a minute.

…Cool… John just called, fifteen minutes to publishing time, now you will know how fast I write.

His reason, “Sorry it took me so long to get back to you, there is no reception at work. This is the first time I’ve had a break.”

Wow! I quick read as to how I see John’s character. Nine hours ago I first spoke with him, Nine hour to a break, and now back to work for another five hours. Why. In his words, “I just wanted to help out some of the kids I work with. It’s the weekend and they want to do stuff. It no problem for me to cover for them.”

John is truly a man who puts others before himself, and some of the reasons why are revealed in his optimistic responses to our 365 questions:

Question 1) If you could share any advise, council or wisdom with the world. What would you say?

John: “Be respectful to others, have real confidence in yourself, and to be humble, and I think that would make the world a better place.”

Question 2) Looking towards the future, 1, 5, 10, 20, 50, 100 years. As far, or as close as you want to look. Where do you see the people or the planet being. Or where do you suggest we steer towards in our decisions today?

John: “In ten years I think the economy will be better than what it is right now, no more war, because everybody is trying to calm down about things like that. Technology is going to skyrocket through the roof. I hope and believe that there will be better natural resources… instead of gas and oil.”

I credit his with optimism. “Where are you from?” I ask.

“I’m from Tonga, a small Island over by Fiji and Samoa. I was born here, but my parents were born and raised there. We moved to America around 1975.”

“Is you outlook based on any of the island outlooks, like in Hawaii where Aloha means something and there is a love for the land?” I question again.

John links his perspective to his upbringing, “’Our island has a saying, it called ‘The Friendly Islands.’ And that’s the way I was born and raised; be respectful, to actually pick up after yourself and take responsibility for what you do. Basically that is how we learn to live… actually being humble to people, no matter what size, color, shape or wherever others are.’”

“I’m actually a really shy guy, I get that from my dad. But my mom… she has been trying to raise us to be more socializing. To speak our mind and to actually meet new people… and that’s funny how you came up to me this morning. And then how this all came about.”

He ends, “Is there anything else I can help you with, just let me know?”

John, thanks for just giving your words. You are a good man, my friend.

I’m on short vacation in Long Beach, home of the Queen Mary, and harbor to many a commissioned cruise line. But it is a much shorter excursion that I find myself, and family, on today. For being the land-legged buccaneers that we are, we have decided to hit the high seas, well at least the channel between the coast and Catalina, for a three tour (less the Gilligan’s Island storm). And no, the weather never started getting rough. And if it did, we are covered… thought ahead and took our sea-sickness meds. Pacific ocean… bring it on.

But storm we do travel through, not rain, not the charging of a Moby Dick sized mammal, or the attack of bow breaking waves; a storm that chime as a narrative voice of loudspeaker charm and enthusiasm, as it informs all on board of the ocean’s wonders.

Her name is Jennifer, and not only is she a wealth of knowledge in regards to the magnificent Blue Whale’s we have spent hour along side of, but is a charming advocate for the seas she adores.

You can see it in her eyes as she speaks of her love for the ocean and of her concern for the way human is treating it.

“’Everyone needs to realize that every single person in this world has an impact on their environment, more specifically the ocean environment. For those of us who live on the coast, we see it, and we really don’t understand it. For the people who never really see the ocean, they may have a tendency to say, ‘How do I impact the ocean…? What do I do here in the middle of the country…? How can I touch the ocean…” and how does the ocean really impact me…?’”

Jennifer explains, “’The truth is… the ocean impacts everyone… every single day.” She throws a couple of facts, “The ocean creates about seventy percent of the oxygen we breathe; the toothpaste we use comes from kelp… It provides us all the sorts of things that we use in everyday life, and what happens to it severely impacts us in every way.

It does not matter where you live… the impact is the same, even if you drop a piece of trash into the grass, it is going to find its way into the habitat of an animal. That is really important to realize… The lights we leave on, the trash, pesticides we use.

So many talk about making big change… but really, it is the small changes that each one of us can do. Whether it’s turning off the lights that we’re not using, picking up the trash on the sidewalk, carpooling or biking to work.

We can actually make a difference. What if we all went around, picking up one piece of trash and throwing it away, we would probably reduce the Great Pacific Garbage Patch, or all the garbage patches, that are in the ocean right now.

My words of wisdom… Realize that you can make a difference, even one person; it just takes a little effort.

Right now we are sort of standing at a fork, and we can go one of two ways. If we continue to act as we are… to fish irresponsibly… to trash what we want… and to fail to reuse and recycle… basically to keep taking and dumping more and more, we are going to find ourselves in a really scary position in about twenty-five to fifty years. We see oceans that are a lot emptier.

A lot of people look at the ocean and say, ‘That will be there forever.’

We can’t guarantee that if we continue to over fish that it won’t be gone… and once it is, we can’t bring it back. We are on the brink of losing species like Tuna. Who could imagine a world without Tuna sandwiches?

If we are not more responsible, we are going to see a very different ecosystem. We’ll lose or grazers, we’ll loose our kelp forests, we are going to lose a lot.

But if we can stand at this fork and go the other way… to a place where we each do something, and in working to inform our generation and our generations to come.

We have to take responsibility to be stewards to the ocean; and if we do, we can potentially look forward to a really beautiful future.

We have to accept that we are coming very close to the point of no return… and it’s going to get scary.”

Jennifer meets many people, working at the Aquarium of the Pacific. A job that brings giggles of joy to her. Working there has given her first hand communication to hundreds of kids and teens, all of whom she has the greatest admiration.

“There are a lot of really smart kids out there…” Jennifer notes, “…and they are teaching us. I know our middle schoolers and our high schoolers are going to do something amazing for the future. We need to listen to them… and we might have some cleaning up of our own to do.”

And with Jennifer’s calling of us old folk to accountability, she throws rays of hope of what the upcoming generation will do, “There are new ideas to come up with to fixing things that we have done. Things that at this point are looking fairly irreversible. So maybe, in the next one hundred years we will be able to still have this beautiful world… it really deserves our love and care.

If you can’t see that when you are out on this ocean… I don’t know what else will tell you how wonderful this planet is.”

It really has been an amazing cruise, and Jennifer’s willingness to spend a bit of on ship and on land time with us has been very enlightening. And with the radiant optimism that she emits, Jennifer give’s us departing instructions, “’A lot of us are disheartened, but everyone will find themselves at a point where they are at the right point to see that they can make a difference. Many will say, ‘There is so much.’

But they have to remember, it is baby steps… we can’t expect to take these giant strides. We need to understand that to make our goal of a cleaner, healthier planet, it just takes the baby steps forward.

We’ll find that each thing that we add to our repertoire of helping out the planet is going to expand, so that fifty years from now, when our kids are old and grey, they’ll be able to look at how much they have learned… how much they will be doing… the lights will be turning off and the trash will be ending up in the right place.

It just has to start from one point. Its baby steps… not large strides.’”

Now cast off maties, we have an ocean to save.

I run into Damian, who with one reservation, “I have a few minutes, I’m waiting to meet a friend,” agrees to share a few words with us and in our meeting I have no idea of the wisdoms to follow.

Damian is a gentle guy and very accepting to sit with me in offering his advice. “Worship music, and reopen the ear to music and life… to find the rhythm of life, not just ignoring it.

Don’t turn music off… it’s like turning the power off.

It’s a hidden treasure that is being buried again and again. It’s becoming so overly commercialized that you can’t find any real artists anymore. There is no variety,” he begins as his phone rings mid conversation.

“Excuse me, this is my friend,” he pauses to answer the call.

I know we are pressed for time, so I quickly transition to question two regarding the years ahead.

Damian resumes, “I think everyone is going to be mostly the same. We are steering toward insanity because everyone is being neutral. It’s kind of sad, but at least people are surviving…”

Again our conversation is broken with the arrival of his carpooling friend, Shashanna.

“Do you think she would be interested to contribute to 365,” I petition.

Damian turns to Shashanna and brings us all together through a thoughtful introduction.

At first she is a little resistant. “It sounds like a very cool project, I’m just not sure I’m ready to have my photo taken, it’s been a long day.”

“Don’t worry, I never force anyone to be in my project,” I comfort as I ask her to pass it on.

No I want to do this,” Shashanna replies and with the support of her friend Damian, she launches into what she preempts, “I have a lot to say.”

“The stage is yours… share all you want,” I invite as we settle in side by side on the bench where Damian and I had only minutes before met.

“Try to find lasting fulfillment, rather than momentary pleasure…” Shashanna ramps up with the most hypnotic of energy, “…things that we find that are quick fix to happiness, or to pleasure… they don’t last long. They are distractions. Lasting fulfillment is what every human seeks.”

I find myself smitten by the most interesting blend of youthful glow and wisdom of the aged.

“To different people it might look like different things…” Shashanna resumes, “’…but overall, it’s things like love, peace of mind, joy, relationships, and in this day and age we have a lot of distractions. And a lot of things that are readily available for us… that we sometimes go for, thinking that is what we really want, end up being counterproductive to what we really truly desire in the long run.

If you keep on repeating something that doesn’t work… try something different. A lot of times it is because we are being reactive to life… rather than being proactive to it. We really do have a lot of power… and one person can make a difference in the world.

It’s really easy to say, ‘I’m only one person and I don’t matter… or, what I do doesn’t really matter.’

But like every penny does add up to a dollar… every person does add up to something bigger.’”

Shashanna warns, “’Consumerism is driving our culture and there is so much more to life than that.

Plus, the media, entertainment, politics, sports, even education and religion, although, all of it has its place and there are good bits of wisdom and value in each of those spheres. But right now, I think they are really used as tools for distraction. It’s like the group mentality, especially if we are not aware, living in autopilot going through life. It’s like being herded.

We all have our own cultures, but we are all interrelated, and we really are not all as different as we think we are. We all are coming from different races, different backgrounds, different skin colors, but we are all people… and we all desire the same things.

Everyone knows what it feels like to laugh, to have joy, to have a broken heart, or to experience pain. We are all the same in those ways… but when we focus on our differences rather than our similarities, that is why we have all the dissention, the wars, anger and misunderstandings.

I think there are some forces in this world that like to inflame those fires and continue to stoke them because maybe they benefit in some way. Someone is benefitting off the wars we are fighting… someone is benefitting off the economic crash and collapse.

We each need to realize the power that we have, not only in how we are affecting the entire world, but in our own lives. We have the power to transform our entire lives. We have to believe, and to never give up.

We can create something that has never been done before. Just like Edison created the light bulb.

If we continue to think, ‘This is what it is’ we will cease to progress. Don’t be afraid to speak out and to be different… to fight for what you believe in. You really can have what you want.

We need to question what is being handed to us, or served to us as reality through the news. Everything has an agenda. If we just accept what is and we think, ‘I’m limited by what I currently see,’ that is a mistake.

It is up to us to make the changes. The rules are meant to be broken, obviously, not the laws, they are there for our well-being. But overall, if we look at things with, ‘There is a lack of this,” perspective, then it is up to us to go fill those gaps.’”

“Like the rule ‘Don’t talk to strangers,’” I ask.

“’That’s what I’m saying…” Shashanna energetically and happily aligns, “…we get taught certain rules that we never think to question. But really, it is good for every individual to look at everything they have been taught their whole lives, even the things they believe; the things that they are telling themselves about themselves or the world. And then to ask themselves, ‘Is it substantiated?’”

Shashanna strikes on yet another impactful thought, “And if we believe the negative then we will become that.”

Per the future, in anticipated Shashanna form, she steps back to the podium, “’The way things are going right now… I see us heading towards a worldwide dictatorship. Everyone is afraid of that… and no one wants to talk about it. And if you do talk about it, then you are labeled as a conspiracy theorist.

Throughout history, for thousands of years, we have had many rise and falls of many great civilizations. Power is something that people crave… they get drunk off it.

My hope is that the good causes are eventually going to take over. But, as long as people are living in fear, we are going to continue to hand over our liberty, and we are going to make our decisions under the disguise of safety.

Fear is an illusion. My father used to tell me, ‘Any decision made in fear is the wrong decision,’

It is fear that is keeping us in slavery to the big system, and directing us in the comparisons we place on each other. We need to learn to trust in ourselves more in being part of the change. We are smarter than we are given credit for. And as long as we keep our walls up… and as long as the walls are up in looking at our differences… the detention will keep on going. We have to look through the chaos… we need to wise up in not just listening to the news.

We have a lot of power and need to not automatically believe what we hear on TV or read in the newspapers. To go beyond that and rise up amongst ourselves… we have the voice to go beyond that.

I see the world moving towards more consolidation for power, with more and more people handing things over to their governments. I think it will get to a point where people will become resistant to it.

I would recommend people look toward listening to their inner voices, or higher powers, if they believe in that; or, at least some sort of spirituality… because in a way, we are all saying the same thing. There is a lot of focus being put on everyone’s differences… and that is what is keeping us at odds with one another.

We need to reconnect. Community is the most important thing, whether one to one or in group, like what we are doing right now,’” She gestures to our conversation, “This is what’s real.

Let’s not be so naive to be shaped by what we are told by the media and the authorities, let’s listen to ourselves… let’s listen to each other.”

Shashanna is advising us that the course of future is not out of our hands. And in her words she proposes a challenge. “Do we perpetuate the snowball of fear, or are we burying ourselves with blind eye in hording what we can.”

“We are in a bubble…” She summarizes, “…and that should concern people.

I know I may sound extreme. But we need to question.”

Shashanna smiles, “I know, I sound crazy… don’t I?”

Shashanna, you are as sane as any of us, and your words are all inspiring. And in supporting the wishes of your patient friend, Damian, your voice has been music to our ears.

“The moment I saw her, I could tell that she had a peace about her,” says my wife in looking over my shoulder as I write about today’s stranger, now friend, Anahita.

Her name alone is closely associated by many mythologies with fertility, healing and wisdom. And in noticing her, the spirit she emits is nothing but magical. So much so that on this hot summer day, one in which my family has taking refuge on the Santa Monica beach, I can not help but to notice the presence of Anahita in staking sand claim only a few yards from us.

In no way is she shrouded by any large presence, quite the opposite, it is more of the self-comfort that Anahita seems to carry that grabs our attention. And via its attraction, my 365 subconscious, grips my awareness towards her from afar. But, still my thinking gets the best of me in not wanting to bother her with a 365 invitation. “Leave her alone, this is her private retreat time… you can meet someone later,” it tells me.

Plus, I’m so comfortable under the shade of my umbrella, and with the ocean breeze cooling my skin, I fall to my intellect in ignoring a deeper inspiration to reach out to my, at this point, unknown friend of Pacific coast shared.

Many believe we are drawn together by forces unseen. And, perhaps today, we are sitting in this particular stretch of beach to meet Anahita. I can’t say for sure, but one thing is certain, my meeting her is by no means a result of any facilitating action taken by me.

Here I am, sinking further into my folding chair, when to the left of us Anahita approaches, “Can you watch my things for me while I go for a swim?” she asks.

We agree to watch her belongings, and with smiles, challenge her to swim to the 200-yard marker. Again, any mention of 365 escapes me as I suppress it to the bottom of my vocal chords.

She departs for her swim, and in watching her grow smaller and smaller, distancing herself from us in every swim stroke, I commit myself to extend an explanation of 365 upon her return.

Anahita is a crazy strong swimmer; it’s only minutes before she returns to our camp. I ask her to join us. Quietly kind are the only words that come to mind in defining the personality of Anahita. And in interviewing her, she turns my question back on us.

“Instead of giving any advice to the world, I’d reverse it and tell them to listen. There is a lot to be learned just by being quiet,” she shares.

That’s it? Just listen… No great fan fare of council, and why the tremendous draw to her? Yet, in stepping back to fully absorb her words, Anahita has given us a powerful admonition, one that rings louder and brighter than any long sermon.

Anahita is a collaborator, “I hope like this little project, that we are all becoming closer. It’s like watching the Olympics… how we are all seeking the same goal… we are all the same people, just different habitats. I hope we just keep heading towards peace.”

We have had many conversations regarding the global desire for peace. Dialogues that always fall back in calling us to accountability of how we navigate our individual lives and personal interactions. And with it we have defined an ownable concept, that being, “World peace starts in the hearts of all of us.”

It is us who have the freedom to choose our outlook towards one another, and we have to start somewhere. Peace does not come from the works of big power and large overly funded initiatives. It starts in the decisions of every silent voice, and the more of us who independently select bridge-building lifestyles are on the front lines of a new type of warfare; a battle of self-control and a charge to a reformation of mind, action and social view.

“The power of one is remarkable,” I often say, and you know what… I believe it. I’ve seen too much, have met too many people and have come too far to turn away from the claim.

And today, I know I am in the right place, at the right time, in meeting Anahita. For more than an athletic swimmer of great ability is she. Anahita is a subtle peacemaker of the greatest kind. As evidenced by her parting words, “Treat everybody with love and compassion.”

Anahita, my family appreciates your reaching out to us today. Your example has been heart-felt. Keep swimming and keep sharing my new friend.

Last night the sun was gone, yet the sound of busy traffic deafened my senses in blocking my ears. This morning proves to be a different, and contrasting, numbness of senses, for the sun is blazing into the sky, and even though my ears are not ringing from scurrying motorists, my senses are still blurred by the glare of heated daylight.

But underneath it all is a crazy seventh sense that has been developing over the last year. It’s not a psychic ability by any means, but still, it is a kind of sense non-the-less.

Really it is more of a rather self-taught perspective and not that supernatural. It’s definitely not an ability to read minds or to grow any form of clairvoyance. There is no magic to it and it is a gift that can be developed in any human, regardless of what their state of life. And what’s so cool about it is that any of us can do it if we have the desire to do so.

So what is it? OK, it’s broken record time… “Look, Listen and Understand.”

“Chin up and eyes open to the world” I keep promoting to all I meet. And the more I share it the more I realize just how infectious of a statement it is. To date, less the around 500 rejections I’ve encountered, over 1500 people have universally accepted the encouragement.

And in my two most recent meetings of two distinctively diverse personalities, one message aligns in almost the same degree.

Like I said, the sun is beating on me this morning, yet as I drive in the isolation of my air-conditioned car (man I’m beginning to like walking and biking so much more than driving), I see an isolated woman, resting in the shade at the side of a shopping center. Something tells me to stop and speak with her, and seconds later I find myself in dialogue with Tina, new friend and inventory manager of the supermarket that has provided us this moment of sun shielded conversation.

As most often, time is short, Tina is on a break and must soon return to work.

And, with no time to waste, we jump right in discussing the first 365 question, “If you had any words of wisdom, advice or council for the world… you had the microphone … and everybody was listening, what would you say?”

Tina playfully reacts with much laughter, “You’ve put me on the spot!”

She pauses… “I would just tell them live life to the fullest… live day by day… and to do their best and be all that they can be.

You’ve got to live life… you can’t live in the past. It’s done, the past is the past… just move forward.”

I am stricken with a peculiar resonance in reflecting to just last night, when our new friend Pharaoh, in his own way, mirrored Tina’s council. “Take every day one day at a time…Too often people get stressed out because they are taking on too much; they worry about tomorrow, or the day after.” He advised.

In the comparison a message is loudly broadcast, “We are all not that different.” Two uniquely different people, both with different professions and I’m sure different lifestyles. Yet in the comparison… no, with united voice… they are of the same community in looking toward the future with optimistic eyes.

Tina says, “We need to be nicer to each other. There are a lot of people out there who are just not nice… not friendly. I see it every day. We have to treat others as we want to be treated… and it begins with you.”

“We are all in this thing together,” I regularly mention. And for some reason I am inspired to link Pharaoh’s and Tina’s council this day. Not sure why? But the still small voice in my head tells me I have to.

In their words is a common declaration, one that if embraced by the many, can possible be a catalyst to great change. In Pharaoh’s words, “Everyone has a valid perspective. Everyone has their own set of problems that they were born into. I truly believe that if we focus on unity… we will become stronger as a people.”

Tina, we thank you for carrying the call forward. You are absolutely correct; we need to be nicer to each other. Perhaps that is the key to developing our own seventh sense.

Talk tomorrow my friends.

“Be kind to each other… give of yourself… allow your gifts to be manifest, and let other people to have their gifts instead of expecting them to follow yours. We are all different… we all have different things that we do well. I’m a good teacher; I’m terrible at other things. I can’t be a nurse… not my thing… but I can be a good teacher. And, I can give away sewing knowledge and that is what I love to do. I love to give it away… and if she gets hooked (referring to my daughter who has just finished one of Carol’s, today’s stranger turned friend, week-long sewing camps), then she will teach her daughter… and her daughters will teach their daughters.”

Yes, Carol teaches sewing, quite complex sewing at that, proven by the highly intricate quilt that my daughter made as her camp project. But what is more important in Carol’s example is the precept she communicates.

“Be kind to each other… give of yourself… allow your gifts to be manifest, and let other people to have their gifts instead of expecting them to follow yours. We are all different… we all have different things that we do well,” Carol says as she tells me of students from classes past, many of whom have been learning from her well into their teenage years. “My hope is that they pass it on to everyone around them. And in them, I see the esteem and happiness that learning has brought to their lives.”

Yes again, Carol loves what she does as a teacher of sewing. Yet in speaking with her, and in spending a little time watching just how she interacts with her class, I see more than needle, fabric and thread, I see a dedicated teacher who is planting seeds of confidence, self-esteem and skills to positive outlook. “These kids are our future,” Carol cheers in setting up for talking of the future.

“I don’t think it is going to happen soon…” Carol contemplates, “…but, I think we are going to cross over the hump and get back into kindness. At some point we have to stop hating people and shooting them. To flat-out stop being mean!

I don’t know if we have hit that hump yet, because it’s worse every day… we hear it every day. But I think it will cycle through and I think we will go over the brink and then we will come back. And, when we do, we will eventually end up in kindness. It probably won’t be in our lifetime, but we are planting seeds.

The problem is the scarcity syndrome… too many people worrying that there is not enough in the world for everybody. People are hording and they need to realize that there is plenty for everyone. This world can be a world of abundance, and the more we give away… the more comes back to us. It’s when you hoard that the energy stops.

And right now I think we need to give even more spiritual and emotional than physical. People are discouraged, out of jobs, pay is getting cut back, they’re benefits are getting cut back… so they are holding back and hoarding resources. But the biggest problem is that they are also emotionally hoarding.

I think we are coming to the cusp of where we are at as a people, and we are becoming more willing to open up. And, once we break through that, I think we will go, Oh…! There is a better way to live…! I can be nice to that guy… he has apples and I have oranges… and we can share… as opposed to me keeping all the oranges.”

Carol’s wraps up with a recommendation to us all, “Time… kindness… Just give it away. If you do, I promise it will come back to you.”

Carol, it has been a joy partaking of your energy. And, in leaving your camp, one title comes to mind that can fully describe your presence, you are the “Sewer of Happiness.”

Remember last week when I mentioned that my wife and I were doing a role reversal, well as much as we can while still running a business and redeveloping our website.

We extended it to two weeks. Day’s that have been a great eye-opening to my family, and days that I will do by best to recreate in the raising of my daughter, even though she is still having issues with my needing to double duty at time in doing my part in the workings of our business.

You may also remember our Table Tennis outing several entries ago, where we challenged all who can to attend the “Table Tennis Council” on Saturday, August 25, between the hours of 3:00pm and 7:00pm. A concept inspired by the words of Coach Vahid and his student Joseph.

So as I said, Daddy/Daughter time continues, and inspired by our newly found interest in paddling the zipping Ping Pong ball we decide to head to practice at where else…? The Table Tennis Club, now more formerly known as the “Alan and Sons Table Tennis Club.”

That’s right Alan and Sons, and although Vahid carries his involvement with the establishment with the pride and professionalism of it owner, what I find out this evening is that he is the resident Pro.

And Alan, who I meet this evening is the man behind the scenes in bringing the venue of quick sport to the area.

Now this evening, I had no real intentions of meeting a stranger turned friend in spending time with my kid. Heaven knows she has been very patient in standing by my side for many a 365 interview. But after her dissing me for the tutelage of a much better player than myself, I get the opportunity to grab a few games (no, more like humbling’s) with proprietor Alan, who in less than thirty minutes forces me to bring my game to a whole new level. I’m quickly schooled and have to tell you that table tennis is a very hot sport when it is played as it is intended to be played…

And play we do… I’m completely hooked and with sweat running down my brow, side-barred by Alan’s friend’s requesting his presence for a set of doubles, we do not have time for a 365 interview. And, with Alan’s promise of a follow-up email in answering my questions, he does take pause for a few quick snap shots.

Alan is a gentleman of his word, and as he committed, email we do. For the sake of honesty in interpretation, I give you our complete virtual dialogue. Hope you enjoy the vicarious read.

“Hi Alan,

It was an absolute pleasure meeting you tonight. Thank you so much for the table tennis pointers.

Here are the questions I promised.

1) If you could share any advise, council or wisdom with the world. What would you say?

2) Looking towards the future, 1, 5, 10, 20, 50, 100 years. As far, or as close, as you want to look. Where do you see the people or the planet being? Or where do you suggest we steer towards in our decisions today?

It is an honor to have you contribute to my project.

Can you have your answers to my by 12pm? That will give me enough time to write the story.

I look forward to grabbing another match with you soon.”

Best,

Richard

…

“Hi Richard

Like I promise here are my answers:

1. The future belongs to the ones who prepared for future.

2. The population should get rid of oil addiction.

See you in the Club.

Alan..

To stay healthy every day, play Ping – Pong on Sherman Way.”

…

“Alan,

One last quick question. Where are you from? You have such a distinguished accent. I’d like to give a little more background to your character.

And yes, you will see me, and others, at the Club; I’m passing it on to all my friends.

Thanks,

Richard”

…

“Hi Richard

I am from Soviet Union. Unfortunately this country doesn’t exist anymore. But my motherland is Ukraine. Economics and engineering are my majors. For last 20 years I am Founder and GM of Allen and Sons appliance repair, one of the largest in So. California Company.

Any questing? Welcome.

Alan”

…

I do have a few questions, so I pick up the phone to call my new friend Alan. There is only so much that can be shared via text message.

As expected, Alan greeting is warm and gracious. I find out of his history… Past generations who moved to Russia prior to the inception of the Communist regime, a government that he refers to as “The jail that kept me in.”

And now that the walls have fallen, Alan has embraced all that the world has to offer. “I was in jail, now I watch the world through my own eyes,” Allen explains.

“I left in 1991 in search of equal opportunities… in America everybody can do anything,” he adds.

In writing of my meeting with Vahid, I spoke of noticing the birth of “The Table Tennis Club,” but in learning of it’s tie to Alan, I understand a little more about it’s address… directly next to “Alan and Sons Appliance Repair,” a business that for a least the last fifteen years has been no stranger to my line of sight.

“I’ve been here twenty years,” Alan describes, “I started playing Table Tennis four years for health reasons, now it is a passion for me. Opening the Club next to my existing business was simply a natural progression in something that I am passionate about.

The sport has made me much healthier and I think clearer because of it.”

Alan tells me of an article published in the Los Angeles Times in which a study of Ping Pong as therapy for Alzheimer patients proved to be effective in strengthening their mental capacity. Here is a link to the article.

Let me confirm, Alan is not suffering from Alzheimer’s, but he does acknowledge the positive effects the game has had on his thinking and retention. More the reason to smack a few more hundred forehands I presume.

And as for me, Table Tennis has graduated to a whole new level, one that I plan on enjoying in sharpening not only my athletic stamina, but, as I hope, my mental focus as well.

Only a couple of weeks until the eve of our community experiment… the August 25^th Table Tennis Council. If you can, please join us for a little exercise of the body and mind… can’t think of a better way to build bridges than through a bit of sport and friendship. See you there my friends.

My email freaks out today. The activity bar tells me that data is flowing in, but nothing registers in my incoming mailbox. I’ve done my due diligence, set up the same account three times and nothing. And in this world of virtual business… I need my connectivity.

Crud…! I’m hooked, pulled into the techno abyss of the disconnected. And the whole is getting deeper… Help! Assistance needed! I’m over my head in emotions of “What the heck!”

And with the land of Apple only two miles away, I make a hasty appointment at the nearest watering hole for the digitally lost… The Apple Store’s Genius Bar… not really the social watering holes I frequented in the eighties, but less the alcohol, not much less addictive. For to get to the Genius counter, one needs to wear blinders in avoiding the enchanting temptress new CPU, or evil Queen iMac as she seduces you to purchase her 27 inches of high-definition beauty…

“…Stop! halt this angle of writing Richard; you are only going to work yourself up into a frenzy of Mac addiction… Get off the thought train! Do it now, while you still have a chance to tell the tale of Alberta, your new friend of laptop malfunction.”

Alright, I’ve regained control of my senses and my brain is refocused on the time spent in side-by-side camaraderie with Alberta, and with system rebuilds installing in the background we get down to chatting.

The hum of the bustling store fades into the background as I ask Alberta for her advise to us.

Not new words, but powerful ones that we should never tire of hearing. “Treat other’s as you would like to be treated,” Alberta recommends, “If that happened we wouldn’t have war… we wouldn’t have crime… and that’ how I try to live.”

Alberta is just like you and I. A real person, with a real life history, and with a real set of challenges and blessings… Basically another member of the “The Silent Majority.”

We talk for a while and I discover of a life dedicated to service, to loving fellow-man and of a life that has not sat silent in actively enrolling in volunteer work. Alberta tells of her years of service and of her latest need, “I want to find one more thing to get involved in.”

The Silent Majority at is finest. Alberta does not seek recognition for her service… She does it just because it matters to someone. Makes me question, What if the visible majority, and the policy makers, could model the same example. And if so, what would the world become? Who knows? But, anyway, it’s nice to have a dream.

Alberta looks forward realistically, “As long as we continue in the way we are going with religion… nothing is going to change. If you look back at all the wars we have had over the years… you will see the majority of them have started over religious beliefs

The way I see the world, unless there are drastic changes…! Is that it will be about what it is now… Except, maybe, we will create new enemies.”

I have to ask. “Do you have any advice on how we can change the future for the better?”

“Not really…” Alberta responds,  “…That is, unless we get very, very strong leaders.”

I won’t even get into my thoughts on what a strong leader is, but if you have been reading my blog for a while, we may be sharing a similar perspective.

“What about on an individual level?” I further inquire.

Alberta kicks back to her opening advice, “Again… treat others as you would like to be treated…. and interact with people. People are so important. And, it’s the interaction… it’s the networking these days that really helps the world.

I think on a personal level, if we looked, most of us would find some sort of humanity in others, that is, if we choose the right path. I’m not a religious person… so to me, it’s about how we treat each other.

But unfortunately there are a lot of people in this world who have not considered that everyone basically wants the same.”

“How do we do that…?” Alberta explains, “…It’s about putting yourself in their shoes and walking in their place,” she concludes.

And per my disconnected email, no worries, it’s been much better talking face-to-face with a fascinating person.

Alberta, thank you for your time!

Talk tomorrow friends, and by the way, my email is back up, throw me a line if you will.

“We are all in this thing together!”