a better world

“When I was a kid people where concerned about the oceans and natural resources. We were taught about nature, the importance of the animals on the earth and how we needed to be careful to not allow any species to become extinct.”

At forty years young, basketball player and hobbyist on-line sneaker seller Chris is an advocate for progressive thinking.

A disciplined athlete he lives by the creed of coaching legend John Wooden, “Do not let what you cannot do interfere with what you can do.”

A mantra that Chris explains is a big part of his life.

“I’ve worked for ten years at the same company, overall it’s been pretty good, but last year it was bought-out by a large corporation that does not fully understand our product. We went from 500 employees to 30. Since then it has been a little more difficult. I like our product and what I do, so I have adapted. You have to focus on what you can do, not the problem.”

Chris goes on with his own philosophy of inspiration, “We need to ask ourselves, what are we going to do?”

“What are we going to do?” Chris challenges.

It is a matter of thought, yet; I am curious in wondering what the result would be if we all changed it from the reflective (?) to the active (!)… “What are we going to do!”

We have had many discussions regarding the power possible by one individual. The simple acts or change of perspectives that all of us have the ability to undertake. I remember a while back when a couple of our friends said, “We’d rather see constant works of kindness from many single individuals than that of one giant organization;” or, Ben (Day 174), who at five was shot and almost died via an act of racial hatred. A kid who now at eighteen says, “I have no anger or hatred towards the man who shot me. I have to forgive and live my life with a more positive perspective. If I don’t, I too carry forward the problem of hatred.”

These two references alone are cause for the call to action Chris has brought to our attention… so what are we going to do?

For me, my simple act is to keep reaching out in sharing what I can with you. In turn, I ask you to continue passing it on. No matter what the situation. For as brought to attention by our 365 friends of the last 218 days, we have much to share with each other.

In this voice of solidarity shall we lift up our voices, our deeds and open our social networks to expand upon the wisdom of our life weary and reborn friend of day fifteen, Mark, who said­, “Be good and do good.”

My friend J.C. and I approach Chris as he is taking a few photos of the sneakers he is selling today. What at first bonds us is the camaraderie of both having cameras in hand.

But what really brought us into conversation is the simple fact that we did not ignore the situation.

Here J.C and I are walking and we simply come across Chris as he is reviewing the self-portraits he has just finished. It would have been easy to just wander by.

Instead we choose to say a friendly hello, adding, “What are you shooting?”

It seems, hello, has become the topic of the week. But I can’t think of a more powerful statement to connect us as a people, well maybe, I apologize (another big topic in itself).

J.C and I could have chosen to walk by, ignoring a possibility of making a friend. And many a time I make just that decision. Life is fast, and responsibilities are many. Yet, in the pauses between the storm of life, what I am slowly learning is this, The world is filled with amazing people, all of whom have something to say… and the majority share a desire for a better society.

Chris, tells me of his life experience. “It’s difficult living in Los Angeles, it’s hard to trust people. It’s not like it was when I was a kid.”

Being the sports fan that he is, Chris uses a sports analogy to support his point. “It’s hard for me to even wear my San Francisco baseball cap. I’m a fan, but if I wear it on the streets, I get attacked.”

He states a case study, “It blew me away when the Lakers won the championship. Everyone went crazy and burned things. That’s out of control. People do not value each other the way they should.

So, I’ve had to learn to live my life and do my thing.”

Our conversation turns sober; “It doesn’t look so bright for the kids nowadays…” Chris notes.

“…The tech is great, but also, it is an obstacle and a distraction. And with the other things going on, things like terrorism, gangs and violent world news, it’s even harder to get our kids to focus on the future.”

Chris references the youth, however, I take his concern to heart, and after cresting the over 900 count in the people I have approached since the inception of 365, married their advice to my own fifty-years of life experience, I take liberty to expand on his statement in including all ages.

Chris finalizes, “We are so distracted that it is hard think about our future, the people, our resources and our planet…

…We have to… or everything will be gone.”

Chris, thank you for taking the chance in speaking with us today. You’re words do matter, and we are all taking them to heart.

I’m sure our paths, or should I say, our sneakers, will pass again my friend.

“Look at people for who they are inside, and respect everyone. Not for what they look like on the outside…and don’t judge by clothing, job or looks.”

The day is ending, and even though the weather is screaming of an on-coming rainstorm. I’ve been in Culver City all day, casting for a project we are shooting next week. I’m tired and wanting to find an area vibrant with activity, decide to hit the coastal streets of Santa Monica to meet our friend for the day.

The sun is setting fast and as I hurry to park my car, I ready myself for an athletic event in making a foot dash for the crowds of the streets below. Its one of those days where for whatever reason the universe transpires against me. Turns out that slip number one zillion, on  top-level eight, is the only open space to be found for parking. I take it as I accept the fact of meeting someone on a dark street (the sun is just hitting the horizon and will soon be gone).

I lean on my precision driving skills, or lack there of, and in a last dash veer in at G-forces that are perhaps a little excessive. Seemed safe to do, the lot is empty of people after all, or at least I think. Getting out of the car I realize that I am not alone in my speed racing moment. Walking towards me is a man who seems to be in a rush of his own.

I think, “Stay out of his path, he looks like is has someplace to go… and in a hurry?”

But in a spark of thought, that line of reason is extinguished as I reach out with a simple, “Hello.”

The hello leads to a kind gesture returned, and that kind gesture leads to a brief conversation. I invite him to 365.

Please welcome stranger now friend, refrigeration repairman and author of today’s opening quote, Gaetaio.

A transplant to United States from Sicily, Gaetiao speaks of his reasoning for coming to America. “I’m a mafia refuge.” He smilingly begins.

“A mafia refuge?” I inquire.

Gaetiao smiles again as he elaborates, “I’m just kidding about the mafia… but it is very difficult to get a job in Sicily unless you know someone. That is what I mean by my joke. Every day I was working very hard for a better life… and I did not like the rules. If you needed a job, it was about who you knew… not what you could do… or who you were. And in a way, I guess it is a little of the same everywhere. They change the music, but the rhythm is still the same.”

“What about the future Gaetiao?” I expand.

With grace he replies, “The most important thing that I want to tell the world is to respect everyone, the planet and everything. Nobody talks for real peace, everyone tries to fix the problem. But the way they are doing it is creating more problems. We need to show more open hand than the fist.”

“Are we getting close to being finished?” Gaetiao asks, “I have to finish a job I’m working on.”

Ah, now I understand his rushed pace through the parking structure.

“All wrapped up, we just need to grab a few snap shots and you’re free.” I respond.

The light is kind to us as it shines its last rays of the afternoon… perfect for a quick photo shoot. Mother Nature is apparently watching our back in making it easy to conclude our interview with three final minutes of picture-taking, and Gaetiao is off to work.

Gaetiao, thanks for the warm hand shake my friend. And I’m with you, “We need to show more open hand than the fist.”

“It’s OK to be bored every once in a while.

For some people… being bored is a sin, but if you look at it as a space where you can shut down stimulus so your mind can work… it’s really a place where you can come up with fresh ideas.

Boredom is not pleasant… there are external things to combat it… or you can simply let your mind wander.

If you accept it, it can become a garden where you can grow new ideas.”

At first I am a little confused by this council provided to us by Kiev born friend of the day, Dmitry.

In a considerate and heavily accented Russian voice, Dmitry is calm and calculated in his words as he sets the stage for our curbside discussion in a fashionable Beverly Hills shopping and dining district.

He is a wonderful anomalies to the general tone of the public that is usual to the 90210 destination; part one of the reason why his appearance strikes me to reach out to him.

Part two, he is reading as he walks. On a street where so many are caught up in the happenings of browsing from store window to store window, it is quite curious as to who this Jimmy Hendrix attired and haired man is.

And a Russian student of law, studying at the prestigious Pepperdine University of Law was farthest from my mind.

“I came to the United States thirty-three years ago, back when the Soviet Union was still Communist.

My family was allowed to leave during the 2^nd wave of the great Jewish migration.

We were helped by the State of Israel and other organizations in the Untied States. 250 thousand were allowed to leave. Eventually all of my family was allowed to leave, I was ten years old.

It was a very interesting experience, a week in Vienna, a couple of months in Rome being processed, and then to a Chicago family who sponsored us. A year after that we came to Los Angeles.”

I have to ask, “Was the persecution apparent?”

“’I did not experience any direct Anti-Semitism; I was shielded by my teachers, parents and grandparents.

But I do remember my father telling me that, as a Jew, if I was to get any kind of education, I would have to be a perfect student and get all A’s. I carried that with me for a lot of years. The thought that in order to get accepted, or to be successful, I would have to do everything perfect… Perfect… Because I was a Jew.

I’ve since then let go of the idea of perfection. I can best explain it with an expression I heard from a film editor, ‘Perfect is the enemy of the good.’

It was said in the context of art, but it can apply to any human endeavor.

It’s like if you are trying to make a good painting, maybe even a great painting, if the focus in on perfection… the painting will most likely be inferior.

This is true to life in general; politics, business and relationships… definitely true for relationships.’”

Dmitry elaborates on his philosophy of boredom, “With TV, Satellite, Social Media… iPads, iPhones, it’s easy to be entertained every minute of the day. But do we actually listen for new ideas, poems, business ideas, songs or anything else.”

“Do we actually listen?” I pause.

Earlier Dmitry suggests, “…there are external things to combat it…”

What business is he actually doing this day…? I do not know. Is he stimulated by the storefronts…? I don’t think so… Is he bored…? I’m uncertain…

Yet whether bored or not, Dmitry is engaged in his mind-set of shutting out external stimulus as he strides with novel in hand… reading and carefully navigating the sidewalk.

“…or you can simply let your mind wander…” he says.

Perhaps Dmitry is seemingly disengaged from society with face in book? Or is he living as he preaches in simply letting his mind wander?

“…If you accept it, it can become a garden where you can grow new ideas.”

In the way Dmitry quickly and pleasantly converses with me, the answer is uncovered. Dmitry is putting something into his mind.

“’Boredom is one of those dumb words like kingdom, freedom or abandon, I know abandon is a ‘don’ rather than a ‘dom’ end of word,'” he explains.

“Words ending in dom are dominion words, referring to a place or a state to inhabit. If you shut yourself of from boredom, you are reducing your space to roam, or graze. It is a space where you can plant and develop ideas.”

Dmitry is confident thinker, with a mind tempered for careful examination of humanity and a heartfelt desire to better the planet.

“The number one challenge for the future is to find a source of energy that does not rely on limited resources. We had the Manhattan projects Nuclear Fission and they managed to do it in three years.

We need another Manhattan project for Fusion… it is the alternate source.

Fusion not Fission, Fission’s byproduct is radioactive, Fusion’s byproduct is Helium.”

He lengthens his progressive point of view towards what is to come, “There will be more of us. We have to ethically and morally commit that is a good thing. To not do so would be genocide”

It is 8:00pm on a very chilly and foggy weeknight, the Promenade is buzzing with people of character and great diversity. From street performers to locals to tourists the boulevard is just beginning to energize in readying itself for the nights progression.

And after 178 days of wandering for strangers I see it as a heaven-sent change of pace to be circulating in a highly bustling area, The Third Street Promenade, a Santa Monica central point for shopping and dining.

Even though the evening air is brisk and filled with the moisture of coastal dew, the atmosphere is warmed by the ebbing movement of man and sound; so when from amidst the wandering chaos appears to me a voice, “Sir, are you a registered voter?” I halt my quest for stranger in opening a 365 hand of friendship to an unknown solicitor as he works to acquire signatures to support upcoming voting initiatives. A very tough thing to do in the 2012’s. Times where so many of us are continually bombarded with unrequested sales calls, spam and the ongoing assault of door knocks and excuse me’s. Plus, in my own journeys I have developed a soft spot for anyone who has the courage to reach out to strangers with any legitimate request.

“What’s your name?” I ask as I am brought up to speed on issues ranging from the FDA to education to the environment.

“Josh,” my new friend answers.

He and I decide to grab a seat by a nearby planter to review the list of ballot items he has on his clipboard, as well as engage in a conversation of life and personal histories.

Josh has had a hard life… felony convictions, alcoholism and past of pain and violence. His perspective is dark, but as he speaks the importance of family and of protecting the children rises to the top of his priorities.

“We have to protect our kids,” Josh boldly postures. He has a zero tolerance rule when it comes to protecting the innocence and virtue of the child. Again boldly and obviously from the heart, “I advise us all to be vigilantes against child molesters.”

Josh and I speak of recovery from addiction and the pain of overcoming its evil grasps. “I’ve seen demons,” he tells me. Words that I’ve heard often from many of my 365 friends who are in the depths of addictions or on the path to recovery.

I ask Josh if he has any words of wisdom for us. “Can I answer that with a question?” he requests.

“This is your time Josh, you can answer any way you like,” I inform.

He advises us to consider, “If you had three wishes, what would they be?”

“Do you want to hear mine?” says Josh.

And his answer is peacefully dark.  Peacefully Dark? That’s a very strange set of words to link… “I know. But they truly describe the safe feeling that emits from Josh.”

Yet, I am saddened by his dreams, “I’d like to know if there is a way to die a three-way death. A death of not only my body, but a death of my spirit and soul. I don’t trust that I’m going to heaven, and I don’t even believe in heaven or hell. I believe we have a Creator, but no one really knows what will happen when we die… and I don’t want to be part of if.”

Now, I have no idea of the pains Josh has lived through, nor do I judge him for his outlook. Whatever has brought him to this place in life is not mine to carry. What is important is to do whatever I can to understand him as a person.

My perspective on the thought of where we go after death? I have hope for where we are going and nothing in this life happens for naught. Be it tragic, or be it glorious… all experiences in some way or another can bring us light and move us forward.

We have spoken often of tolerance and compassion, and of learning to accept each other for who we are and to do what we can to pass it on.

I tell Josh of some of my past dark times. Times that were not quite as deep as Josh’s history, but dark enough to at least help us to see a little commonality.

“I’ve had times that I’ve felt similar to you, but I promise if you hang on, a light will appear,” I reveal to Josh, and now you know that too.

I cannot say for certain that we wholly agreed, but non-the-less, Josh and I find a union in a momentary voice of friendship.

Josh, stretches his shirt, “This is my family; my grandson David, my step daughter Ester, my daughter Anna and sons Elijah and Erik.”

The picture becomes clearer. True… Josh has led a difficult life, but in his soberness of thought for the children and through his uncertainty of what is to come after this life, I see a man who is searching for a better world and questioning his own place in it.

Apparently the world has hit Josh hard in some way. However, he is here. Raising children, sober and doing the best he can to support them.

Can any of us who have not walked in the footsteps of Josh accurately say how we would cope in a life after prison and addiction?

This is a cruel world at times. The news shows that to us every day. In the media and life we witness some of the most hideous atrocities. But at the end of the day, we also see many great acts of kindness and growth in humanity.

My take away from meeting Josh… He has humanity and is a survivor with a purpose… and that purpose is his children.

Any man who proudly bears the names of his kids on a tee-shirt and hold the strongest concern for their future is good in my book.

Per his hope for what is to come… Josh, we wish you a life full of peace and may the darkness dissipate.

Josh is a provider, eight bucks a signature… I sign them all.

Let us keep moving forward in our effort to unite as a people. Day 170 has hit us and 365 is moving so fast. I can’t believe that in less than two weeks we will be at the halfway point. Not sure how we are going to celebrate this mid-point mark. If anyone has a suggestion, please pass it on. And whatever we decide to do, lets thinks of a way to get the message out further.

“We are all in this thing together,” I never get tired of saying it, and I sincerely hope it is becoming a mantra to us all. One-by-one may we pass it forward as a tribute to the individual influence we are to the world around us. We are a powerful bunch and with our united voice the combined acts we carry forward are nothing to ignore.

I know, it’s crazy to me in seeing how my photographer’s blog has evolved to carry a social message. And weirder yet, I’m starting to become an activist of some kind. That is something that has occurred beyond my control. I must express my appreciation to all who have helped to form the basis of my blogs content, over 200 photographs, and in excess of 150,000 words to date. All with meaning that is not of me, but of my strangers turned friends. Perspectives that are further fueled by the dedicated following of you, my readers. Please keep the comments coming. And by all means, keep passing it on.

I run into another friend today who edifies our effort in seeing beyond the veil of cultural difference, “Don’t let religious differences or politics get in the way of us existing globally. What is important is the health of the planet and learning to coexist peacefully,” Opening advice from producer, father and writer, Rusty.

I meet Rusty at the garage sale of another new friend of mine. Garage sale is a huge understatement. It is more of a high-end gem and antique store hidden in the veins of suburbia lifestyle.

I’d like to spend this whole entry talking on my buddies sale, but needless to say, the story here has to be dedicated to Rusty.

Rusty expresses a concern regarding a block to the world he wishes for. A world where more will have a greater respect for the environment and humanity. “Corporate greed will not let that happen,” he warns.

Yet he does expose a glimmer of hope in charging us to duty. “It is kind of scary seeing what is happening, but in this is the age of information, we can create a domino effect in getting the word out, to open people’s eyes. We have the ability to stir up the pot.”

I have kids; I’m worried about this country and about what the future will bring for them, and us all.

In the 50’s we worried about Russia and the cold war. My children won’t have to deal with things like that. Now the war is with ourselves, and I wonder what is going on behind the closed doors of corporations and politics. But it is good that more and more people are starting to open their eyes.”

“How do we repair the damage,” Rusty proposes.

He answers his own query, “We have to become proactive, I don’t want to see a collective anarchy or people over reacting. Anarchy scares me, but if we do fall to it, I hope that once the dust settles, we will be in a better place.”

Even tough Rusty and I speak of the worries of anarchy there is a real peace in our conversation. A peace that I will admit is core to my spiritual outlook on life. But a peace that has been strengthened by the many who have graciously accepted my invitations to contribute to 365. And yes, even those who have mocked me over the last few months have collectively contributed to the song that we are beginning to sing.

There are a lot of great people on this planet; I know this first hand in meeting many of them. For this, I am grateful for Rusty’s words.

May we all be united in building a better planet. The time is right and the seeds are planted. It is up to us to nurture the garden in growing respect for one another. One kind word or act is more influential than we think. As Rusty advises, “We have to become proactive.”