Fine Art

Open, honest and informed, three principles that have become grounding benchmarks to the messages shared during our 365 meetings.

And with so many interviewed thus far, I’m sure we have read entries that strike to the core of our beliefs, as well as experienced emotions of confusion or rejection to the words of some.

Feelings that I empathize with you in owning, for each day I ride an emotional roller coaster as I circulate within the world around me in throwing my acknowledgments to all that I can lock eyes with.

Many opt to not engage with me, turning a head down or verbally shrugging me off. An accepted byproduct of reaching out, but the refreshing part of the experiment is having the opportunity to meet the so many amazingly diverse people who have engaged with us.

Not all have allowed their photos taken or to be interviewed, many have just shared conversation and life perspectives with me. So as painful as the rejections are… I have grown to expect the four to six brush-offs I receive on every outing. They are bearable, only a few times have I felt threatened or unsafe. What is impactful is that over the course of 365, regardless of person, faith, view, or positive or negative outlook, one glimmer of hope is universally pushing through, both from those we have met and from those who have chosen to remain anonymous.

All accept or at least acknowledge, “We Are All In This Thing Together.”

A confession… today I started with a lowness of heart. It’s hot, I’m tired from a long week, my day is packed, I’m overwhelmed by a seemingly endless list of tasks for the week to come, and in thirty minutes I’m teaching a spinning class and have not yet made acquaintance with a new friend. (“OK, Richard, we know you like to ride your bike”).

Lastly, I’ve not spent much time with my family for a while, and looking into their supportive eyes, I can see the 365 countdown happening as we mark the under sixty days to completion of this leg of 365… more surprises to come in 2013.

Even now, as I am writing of this mornings meeting with stranger now friend Vicki, I sit typing on laptop through the sound of my daughter’s laugher as she bakes cakes with friends and my wife. And, as I pause to visualize what I am missing, I self-review the positive changes I have seen in my family over the last 308 days.

I see a daughter who is aware, engaged and concerned for the world’s people, as well as the planet. A wife, that through her felt sacrifice of time with me, is excited by every entry as she too gets closer to the world around her, and a set of friends and colleagues who ceaselessly encourage me to go forward in the journey as they too open their eyes to those around them.

Readers, Vicki, thank you for allowing me this bit of narrative therapy, for in it I realize what is of the greatest importance to us all, that being our family. Dysfunctional, lost, found, adopted or as self-created as it may be. Whatever the place in life or state of emotion, I’m pretty certain that the basic need to belong… to be accepted… and to be loved is the unifying and edifying award we all desire.

And even though 365 has taken four to six hours of daily commitment from me, much of it coming from personal time, I cannot exclude the blessings in has brought into my life, and I hope yours.

“Why do I share this?” you might ask.

Trust me, I’m not grandstanding… I’m listening and observing.

I said in the beginning of 365, “Let’s see what happens!”

Well… we’re deep into the project now, things are sharpening into focus and I want to publish a couple of observations that are worthy of noting: 1) My jitters in approaching strangers has not gone away, at time they are even more powerful than at the beginning of 365; 2) The majority of people speak of the ‘Golden Rule’ of loving thy neighbor as thyself; 3) Many share a dream for a people who respect one another, accepting them for who they are, and 4) The greater majority of people have a relationship with God lingering in the depths of their bosoms, and are resolute in seeking some kind of better world.

So with jitters created by three early morning rejections I approach Vicki in admitting that it’s been a scary and uplifting thing reaching out to the over 1800 people I have approached to date.

“We are in this thing together,” I say.

And in response Vicki bravely opens her heart to what drives her to loving her neighbors in quoting from the Old Testament:

The Second Book Of Chronicles, Chapter 7, Verse 14
“If my people, which are called by my name, shall humble themselves, and pray, and seek my face, and turn from their wicked ways; then will I hear from heaven, and will forgive their sin, and will heal their land.”

“…That is my dream,” Vicki expresses.

“We need to pray for our nation… to admit our sin, all of the liberalism, the way our children are fed this sexual freedom, and the words to the music they listen too are so harmful.

We need to recognize that what we are doing is so far from the way God originally meant it. And, at we have to understand that at this point we are not too far gone… if we can reach to him for guidance and forgiveness… in praying to him to heal our nation… And if we all did that… he would.

It’s really scary what President Obama is doing to our country. I truly fear for us… I fear for our children and our grandchildren. We’ve created a place that is not safe for them, and they are not being taught about God… They are not being taught about their creator.

So, I’m afraid we will self-destruct at some point. Where we might be when we self-destruct…? I don’t know.

I’m afraid of this Obama-Care thing. I think it is going to totally devastate our country.

We’ve lost the patriotism we had when my grandparents, my parents and even I enjoyed as a young girl. We are becoming more and more of a melting pot and are loosing our identity. Along the way we will no longer be called the United States, or so to speak. We will just be this huge country that anyone and everyone will be allowed into… no matter what… and we will be so in debt.

It’s just really scary.”

Maybe some of you agree with Vicki, maybe some of you do not. But here is what resonates. Vicki is not speaking of her self. Her outlook is towards the children and their place in the world to come. Sure, she expresses a few tremendous fears and worries for the patriotism of America. But if you were standing with me in meeting her, I’m positive you would agree with the integrity of character that she walks with.

Vicki speaks of society, of helping our youth to look towards a loving God, and in her critique of the culture and government we live in, her message is unifying, that we should listen to the instincts of our hearts and teach our children to walk in the light of a higher power.

Vicki, thank you for the few minutes you shared today. We hear your dream and will do what we can to pass it on.

Sorry if I am sounding too religious, not my intent, but the following closure just seems appropriate in honoring Vicki.

May we all be healed.

On day 124, we met Fernando and spoke about an invisible border that separates two distinctly different neighborhoods. Thirty feet of auto traveled asphalt that I defined as the Farralone line, a black-topped river that parts two cultures, each with their own dynamic ways of daily living. My side being communicatively isolated within its walls and the other side open with street activity at day’s end and weekends when music regularly rings out and where families are seen gathering in front yard conversation.

In a way… it is reminiscent of vintage America. A time where neighbors knew neighbor, and cups of flour were exchanged.

The irony, not often can a single Anglo be seen present navigating the shores of the Farralone line. And in my observation of times past, a question is posed. What is happening to the American spirit of unity? For in a country, in which the very title, The United States, screams of knowing thy neighbor, many still point a finger at the richness of it diversity; a diversity that is the very foundation of it’s creation. And, a foundation that, as observed by my Hispanic friends on the other side of the Farralone banks, has been respected as long as I have lived in my house.

Yes, I have many friends on both side of the river, but to be quite honest, at many a time I feel more at home across the stream.

Today is such a day when I run into two new friends, neighbors Robert and Erik. Now I’d be a liar if I told you I have never seen them. For often as I have walked past their home, we have met eyes with an exchanged hello. But after a while even this distanced acknowledgment has grown old and lacking of depth.

And with this admission… time has come to pause in conversation. After all, Robert and Erik are my neighbors, only four houses and a street divide have parted our knowing each other a little better, and its well time we talked.

I ask Robert to share his words of council with us. “Live every day like it is your last. Because you never know what is going to happen.”

Without fail I’ve heard this from many a youth throughout our 365 interviews. And, every time I hear it, it sounds different… especially from the way I said it way back when I was a teen and young adult. For me at the time, it was about self and looking only for self-fulfilling fun. I’m a little embarrassed in looking back upon not only myself, but my generation, the… “If it feels good… do it” era.

The eighties…? And, although there were a host of global and political problems then, the era bred a youth that were in no way comparable to the informed generation that is walking the planet these days.

So when Robert speaks of living every day like it is the last; it is implied that his meaning is based in a much greater depth.

He elaborates as he looks toward the world to come, “There will be no more gas, everything will be run off of electric, like water and solar panels. There will be no poles and electrical wires. Everything will be wireless.

Tires won’t be rubber. We will be hovering over the ground, helping the environment and all that.”

Sure it sounds Sci-Fi. But in reading through the lines, Robert is speaking of environmentalism. Taking care of the world that has been given to us.

I turn to Erik, “What words of wisdom do you have to share with us?”

He gives us more of a petition than advice. “I’d like to see world peace,” he says.

I could write more, but how do I top, “World Peace.”

And as far as this afternoon, let’s just say this, The Farralone Line is slowly disappearing in my world. My hope is that we all join in working on dropping our boarders to support Erik’s admonition… again… he dreams of World Peace.

For as history continually illustrates, the efforts of one can be great, and if each one of us does our part in our own neighborhoods, perhaps Erik’s words might not have fallen not fall on deaf ears.

It’s not about riots, big groups of protestors, or even subscribing to one party or another. It’s much simpler than that…

The answer is lurking in your own circle of influence… where one good deed, or thought, has the power to yield another. And from there, who know what can happen. The choices are ours, and I think we know the answer. So the question lingers, “Do we choose to listen?”

Pass it on my friends!

“I don’t want to depress you…” Jerry responds to my inviting his comment to 365… “My words might not be that popular.”

“You can say whatever you like Jerry…” I assure “…what is important is that you express your opinion. That is what my 365 project is all about; letting people know how other people feel: Good, bad or indifferent.”

Jerry joins us, “We need to straighten this country up… we need to lock down our boarders… export everybody who is not here legally… it’s not looking good.”

Now… I am a British immigrant. Came here, with my family, way back in the sixties. I have many close and dear friends from Mexico, South America, Asia and many other parts of the world. Some arrived by the book, and others under the radar. But in all, hard-working people who are doing all that they can to establish a better life for themselves, and for their families. You can’t know anybody for that!

Yet, one thing runs common to all of these courageous people, who in face of great financial and cultural struggles, came to the United States with the intention of citizenship; and, all of who have paid their full load of taxes and fees in order to reside in America.

Jerry says, “It’s not looking good.” He elaborates. “It’s not that I am against anyone, or that I judge any culture. This county was built at a time when everybody here was a foreigner. It’s not that I don’t want people to come here… they just need to do it legally. Too many come into this country illegally and it gives them everything. While the citizens struggle for healthcare and to just make a living. It just does not make any sense.”

We shift to an economic discussion when I ask Jerry about his perspective on the import / export of good and services. Sort of dangling a carrot to get a better picture of Jerry’s openness to the world around us. His answer gives a deeper look into his understanding of fellow-man.

“The world needs a strong import / export trade… doesn’t matter where it’s coming from… or who is making it… as long as it is not being made by children. People need things.

Yea, we need more export… but that is a problem we have created, we don’t even ship our cars overseas. Other countries won’t accept them. Look what Kennedy did back in the seventies. They said if you are not going to build a better quality car, we are not going to buy it.”

Jerry is an advocate for the environment and has no love for the auto industry.

“We don’t have a future… It’s a bonus… bud. Look at the planet. We’re sucking billions of gallons of blood out of the planet and replacing it with water. What is the earth going to have to live on… and that is what the world lives on… oil. WE should not be living on oil… that is put there for the planet itself.”

Being the hopeless optimist that I am and have to ask, “Jerry, what should we do on an individual level?”

Jerry stays on course, “Get rid of cars… there is no reason for us to own one. They are creating air pollution and are tearing the earth apart. We don’t need automobiles.

“I’ve seen the Yucon… it’s unreal, there are just oils well everywhere!” Jerry pleas.

I do a Google search, “Negative environmental impact of oil wells in the Yukon.”

I won’t say that I have been turning blind eye to the problem. Always considered myself somewhat informed. But the shear count of references where astronomical; 569,000… the number of links that came up. Far too many for me to research, but in scanning them, it is evident that Jerry is right on the money in his expressed fears.

“People are spending millions of gallons a day just waiting at stop lights and other forms of idling… Millions at gallons wasted! (I looked up this one reference, and Jerry is very correct), That is why I don’t stop at red lights,” he soulfully jests.

“There are other alternatives other than cycling or walking. Instead of the government spending all those billions of dollars on the auto industry, we should build real public transportation. Not Amtrak, that’s just another eighty million dollars a year for the government to spend money on. It’s not thought out right.”

Jerry decline to allow his portrait to be taken, ‘There are too many people that have something against me,” he again smiles as he allows me to snap an iconic photo of his lower torso and bike.

“Any last thoughts Jerry?” I ask in giving Jerry opportunity for a personal sign off.

He thinks for a moment… “Yea… I’ve got one… Our problems are not the Mayan calendar… They are about our society.”

“The lighter the luggage… the bigger the smile.

Sometimes we don’t even know what the baggage is. Life most often tells us what it is, and we need to eliminate it… whatever it is,” Advises Christina.

The least worries, or the least baggage, that we carry with us, in many aspects, starting with the material tasks… the bigger the smile!

You don’t need to have a lot to give a lot.”

“Appreciate people and humanity more than the stuff that you have or the stuff that they have?” I ask in confirming that I am hearing what Christina is saying.

“Correct…” Christina replies, “… I truly believe that.

There is nothing that matters about the journey and tide, what does matter is the spiritual aspect of why we are doing what we do, rather than focusing on the materialistic things.”

The paradox of the moment, Christina and I have been introduced by a common friend, and in meeting, we are having a very informal phone interview. What is wholly bazaar is the location in which Cristina is calling from. Thanks to our wireless devices (got to love modern communication), she and I are able to converse while Christina and her family are touring the Hollywood Walk of Fame, probably one of the most in your face and materialistic places on Earth.

And amidst the background noise, and I’m sure costumed faces, Christina and I bond in a very spiritual conversation.

“I had a dream to be a Ballerina at a very young age…” Christina reveals, “’…I was very shy, and dance was a way for me to communicate without words. Then life took that away when I had an injury.

And then, against all predictions, I got a career in communications, which for someone as shy as I was as a child was… as my father said, ‘Was a miracle.’

Now, I’ve left all that the world considers success… position, money and all that… leaving a career in communications to become a dance and theatre teacher. Which brings me back to what I am saying, ‘The lighter the luggage the bigger the smile.’

When I let go of many of the reward of being quote… unquote… successful in the eyes of others, I truly became successful in the eyes of myself. Now I feel very lucky and am enjoying my life very much.

My friends ask me, ‘How could you leave a successful career in communications?’

I tell them, ‘I thought it would be difficult, but it was really easy… once I made the decision.’ It was a blessing in disguise.’”

I catch up with Christina today at UCLA where she is touring with the children of she and her boyfriend Steve (not pictured) for a very quick photo session.

What about the future?  Christina shares more of her positive mindset.

“I’m probably not the person to predict the future, it’s a very difficult question,” she pauses for a long breath…

… Then magical words come forth, “I see greatness… and I see light. I see people evolving to another place. I don’t have too many facts socially, but still, I see a big light. I see beauty and I see so much awareness. I truly believe that people really want peace and harmony and to be happy… all of us.

If everybody could pay if forward… If everybody could just smile at each other, just smile randomly… one hundred times a day… it would be a much better world.

And, I want my ten-year old to live in that much happier world…

I want the fairytale!”

In inadvertently meet California royalty today. The kind leader who seeks not applauds of the general populace or the ratifying vote of the house floor, but the kind of man who promotes self-control and unity through actions. A claim that he does not speak of in any boastful way, or arrogantly scream from the rooftops to a numbed audience.

His name is Rick and I run into him, unsuspected, at a local shopping center.

Ricks quite claim to fame is an iconic display that he has constructed in the highly trafficked Topanga Canyon pass; a route that I frequent in my daily travels from inland to the coast.

Rick calls it “The Great Wall Of Topanga.”

I call it a funky little doorway to humanity. One that if not paying attention passes ever so quickly as you drive by it. But non-impactful it is not. For in grasping it’s meaning… it’s presence projects an impression that is lasting and impactful.

For businessman to homemaker, for the poor to the rich, for Christian to Jew, and regardless of whatever creed or perspective one may have. The Great Wall Of Topanga rises as a testament to diversity and in a quite way is becoming a centralized, and uniting, talking point for many a person. So much so that it is rapidly gaining press in mainstream publications the like of LA Weekly.

From oversized mousetrap to much subtler content this Southern California point of interest is holding strong in making a cultural stance. A stance that creator Rick humbly takes no credit for as he quotes American cultural anthropologist, the late Margaret Mead.

“Never doubt that a small group of committed people can change the world. Indeed, it is the only thing that ever has.”

Rick is so to the point in using Margaret Mead’s observation. For in it, the purpose of 365 is again defined. How often have we talked of passing it on and of the power each one of us possesses to evoke positive change in our daily lives? And for this purpose, Rick has summed it up perfectly with his choice of reference.

An athlete, Rick has competed in many a velo cycling event in his younger years. And to this day human-powered transport is key to his healthy outlook on life.

“If fear for the future…” Rick sobers up with a projection, “’…I guess the image that comes to mind is the movie ‘WALL-E,’ where you see the succession of the captains of the spaceship just going from large… to larger… to larger… to larger… to larger… then to immense. We have basically invented ourselves into complacency about our size and such.

There are fewer and fewer people who live in a healthy way. We have to go back to the basics of walking, cycling and human power. Using our muscles for life in a way that our species has forgotten. How important that is!

And we are just turning into these blobs of fat. Everything is too easy for us. Society is now built on drive to… and then sit down. I fight that all I can with cycling.

I cycle with my kids. My five-year old rode sixty-five miles with me on our tandem. Now… he did not do that all at once… We took breaks… but he did it.’”

Rick goes on to tell me of the many way he and his family conserve through riding bikes and the reasoning behind the Great Wall he has created.

In all, I pick up on two agendas telegraphed by Rick. One: His desire to bring us together, and Two: To respect the planet.

Rick, prior to meeting you the clock was ticking and I was feeling rather stressed in not knowing where to turn in meeting a friend today. Nothing was working out, and as always, the moment I let go to speak to whomever was in front of me, you appeared.  I thanks you for that.

And in knowing you, I have come closer to a local landmark that has grown to be part of my daily commute. An Icon that has touched me greatly, and an Icon that I am now proud to say is the results of someone I know.

Rick you are right in referencing Margaret Mead, “Never doubt that a small group of committed people can change the world. Indeed, it is the only thing that ever has.”

You are doing it my fine friend.

Okay… this is starting to get ridiculous. Summer is here and with beads of sweat dripping down my forehead, I am doing my best to fight my dry mouth’s desire to guide me away from my enthusiasm in meeting a friend today.

For over an hour I have walked mostly empty streets, and with the three-digit temperature rising most are staying inside… and its only 9:00am.

Yep… Summer is here and I’m feeling a bit slow roasted walking in the direct sun.

Discouragement is a temptation, but one that is being subdued due to a sign that I am passing on every street corner. It has quickly become a symbolic companion who is proving to me that, even in the barren streets, I am not really alone…

I call this companion, “lost bird.” Who, through the implied love of his owner, has become an icon to me in opening yet another glimpse of the love society is capable of putting forth.

It is this plea, which in a strange and surreal way pulls me from street to street in unwavering desire to meet unknown friends. Can’t explain it fully, but for some reason, the posting for this lost friend has strengthened my obligation to stay open-minded, even in the midst of a solar barrage.

Maybe it’s the implied love read into the copy, maybe it’s the absence of human presence at each posting, or maybe it’s a hidden wish to find the noted lost feathered friend. But whatever it is, my eyes are double opened in my blistering walk.

Heat waves are beginning to rise from the pavement, and in a patch of shade I see a fellow washing his car. With the awareness of the hot day slowly fading into the background of my brain, I approach him… hoping that if he will not speak with me, he will at least blast me with a stream of cool water.

Well, the water soaking takes not form, but in its place I am refreshed with the words of new friend, Noor.

At plus seventy years of age, Noor pick up the theme of yesterday’s Drake, our fifteen-year-old friend of peaceful wisdom.

The generation gaps is closed when with the same hope of young Drake, Noor expresses his greatest advice, “Try to find a way to have more peace in the world and less violence… everybody should get together in having the same respect for each other.

If we continue on the path where we are going, especially with our government system, we will have another revolution. The middle class is being shrunk down. We will have the rich, the super rich and the poor, with nothing in the middle. That’s what I am afraid will happen.”

Now, I speak from experience, because I am a little bit older. My dad was born in Pakistan, he was a Muslim, but I converted to Catholicism many, many years ago. And, I’ve learned that regardless of what you believe in, we all hold the same truth to our heart. And if things don’t change… I see a revolution in this country, that is if the bomb does not drop first.

I grew up in New York, and we all got alone with each other… Sikh, Muslim, Jewish, we all respected each other and were friends.”

I’ve been watching the film Gandhi, starring Ben Kingsley. It’s a very long flick, but in it lies the secret that made Gandhi the great man that he was. And, in his greatness there was no malice, no charge to kill, maim or torture. No quest for personal gain. No senseless anger or contemptuous and greedy thought for self. He had one wish only; that was for his, and all people, to be treated with love and kindness; to be respected for who they are and be allowed to live in equality and harmony with fellow-man. Not having to be crafted of the same cultural or governmental mold, and to be governed, or to govern, unjustly. But, to accept one another’s faith and beliefs with one basic rule: Acceptance and love towards one another.

What’s sad… is that in the end, he was murdered for his good works, But in that Gandhi still live on in the hearts of many, an inspiring statue of right to us all.

Noor, smiles at the reflection of Gandhi’s works, “We can live in peace and still get what we want,” he concludes as he get back to the business of washing his car.

Noor, thanks for the shade and kind conversation. Peace to you my new friend.

Young Drake steps to the stage, “Most things that happen in society, and to us, are no big deal; and we always blow things out of proportion. If we just looked over a situation and not react, there would be a lot more peace than violence. We are like children now days.”

Young and pure in intent, many might dismiss Drake’s observation as overly simplified, unrealistic and highly optimistic; but non-the-less, words that have been propelled by a majority of teenagers and young adults throughout the 365 voyage.

Sentiments, that sounding like visionary dreams to write and to read, are not that realistic to apply to the real world. A perspective that far too many adults adapt in quite often ignoring with an endless creation of “You’ll know better when you grow up” thoughts and responses.

But here are the palpable facts that are emerging from our, however infant, but existent, 365 cross-section of individuals: The youth, and a growing percentage of mid adults, are accepting the notion of a closer people. A people who engage with one another, in both disagreement and agreement, a people who in doing so, open the doors to Drake’s dream of “If we just looked over a situation and not react, there would be a lot more peace than violence.

And in his assessment, “We are like children now days,” he does not imply of our inability to reason. Quite the opposite; what I feel Drake is saying is that we, as adults, have the mental fortitude to look beyond the moment… to reason… and to come to a logical and unified consensus. But in his finger point, he calls us to accountability to step away from our fears, from any un-researched assessment beyond any judgment based on hearsay.

Drake is overflowing with well-founded hope. And as an old geezer, I take heed to his view of humanity. Absolutely, Drake speaks of a utopian world, and I see no harm in that. We need kids with this embodiment of spirit. For through their positive eyes and the actions that I am sure they are readying to enact, there is place for the greatest of wonderment.

“My council, if the world will take it…” Drake imagines forward, “…I would see… even as we fight in the future… it would be resolved a lot quicker. And hopefully, that will go along the lines of both the physical and environmental wars. Even the wars going on right now… all the wars between humans, which are literally stupid.

Drake is a Sci-Fi fan and references fiction, “In a utopian society it is usually planet vs. planet… not planet vs. itself. That is in the plot of most sci-fi movies. I think they got it kind of half right…

…The truth of the equation…

…The fighting, we should all just unite as one. Because when people are separated they are weak, but when people come together they are stronger.”

If you are skeptical and afraid of such a straightforward and complicated council, Drake provides us four steps to start the train rolling down the track to peace.

Step One:
Look at people and situations for what they really are… Without any biases.

Step Two:
Before making any decision… make sure to be in a rational state of mind.

Step Three:
Learn from mistakes, either one that you have made or the one’s that have been made throughout history.

Step Four:
Practice ceaseless humility.

Four well structured thoughts… Four admonitions originated in the mind of a young teen. Four concepts, that if owned, could possibly be a key to growing us older folks closer together. Makes us consider who is the child, the old or the young.

They say, “Out of the mouth of babes.”

One may look at Drake as a child, but his mind is sharp and realistically unaffected by the negative hype that runs ramped in many a community.

Drake directs us to mobility in speaking of his four steps to peace. “This is mostly self-improvement… not for the improvement of others,” he expands.

And our minds should be considered our most powerful asset.”

Drake refers to the Doppler effect. “You can change a situation by physically observing and thinking about what the outcome will be.”

Doppler or not, what Drake is illustrating is that we can evoke great change through the act of self-mastery. Mastery of our outlook on the people, and the world we live in.

I’m sure you have experienced times when you received the same emotion you projected, or even thought. Or maybe have been slapped for engaging a particular point of view in you mind, that what you project is what you receive theory. Drake is asking us to think about this in disciplining our minds.

He asks us, “When is enough hate and death enough?”

And he charges us to remember we are a bigger part of this planet Earth than we realize.

May we all choose, as has Drake… our wise beyond his year’s young man… to accept his lecture in taking a breath to monitor our thoughts before we react.

Drake… thank you kindly… Kids like you give us hope that the world is in good hands.

Tanner is cut, and bold in his conviction. The kind of guy that looks at home in a gym, the hub of self-absorbed culture and petri dish for assumed vanity. A place where three times a week I teach spinning. Lucky for me, that the beliefs of the majority of my class are that of accepting friendship. For this reason, it is always a pleasure to enter the doors of this ‘look at my abs’ nation.

An assessment that I admit I make in jest of my own insecurity as I gaze over the stored fat fuel that is accumulation in what I have been becoming proud to label as my “One Pack.”

But still… even with the extra fuel, I boast that I can maintain quite a cadence on a bike. And now, just celebrating my fifty-first birthday, that is good enough for me.

So in my final analysis, the gym I work at is OK. Sure, there are those who are walled into their own shells. But on the whole, I’ve met some very well-adjusted people. And hat’s off to them for bettering their state of health. There is no sin in that.

Tanner is such a man. A loving father of five, a survivor of economic turn down and target of life’s judgments, he has learned to grab onto every moment for all it has to offer. Yet in his powerfully forward thinking there is an air of compassion. “Live life to the fullest… Be positive… Motivating and have a life that is structured. Know that the sky is the limit… you can do whatever you want to do… and accept that there is a divine spirit.”

We talk for a while about this point of “living life to the fullest.” For some may say, “Sound like a selfish claim, that is dismissive to the trials of others.” But in reading Tanner’s interpretation of the statement, we have to listen to the way he weaves it. “Live life to the fullest… Be positive… Motivating and have a life that is structured.”

Tanner speaks of being positive and motivating. If you were siting with us, you would fully understand what Tanner is feeling as he says this. Bottom line, Tanner is not absorbed in himself; he is doing what he can to live a life that can be an example to others. “Know that the sky is the limit… you can do whatever you want to do… and accept that there is a divine spirit.” He says. And, I promise you he means it. Not so much as a reminder to himself… but as an understanding outreach to us, his neighbors.

“Never let anyone tell you that you can’t do anything. Be strong. Always challenge yourself to get to the next level.” He inspires.

Tanner is a listener, so I have to push his thinking a little in asking, “’What would you say to the person who is having hard times finding the first step… Who might be saying, ‘It’s easy for them to say it, but they don’t know what my life is like.’”

He responds without holding back. “Stop placing blame. Don’t blame others… you can’t blame society… and you can’t blame the government… You have to look at yourself in the mirror and realize that you have control over your situation. As soon as you take self-responsibility… you enable yourself… you can’t blame others.”

I press again. “What about all those out there that are in situations that are truly beyond their control; genocides and other atrocities? Where people are trying, yet the world around them is conspiring in against them. Is there any advice you can give them?”

Again he charges self-reliance. “Number one is you have to be motivated. No one told us life is going to be easy. What makes us master life is how we deal with difficult times.

I’ll admit, I grew up where I never had a want and a need, but as I became an adult and I saw and experienced struggle, and I feel strongly deep inside that we can conquer any struggle that is put in front of us.

As far as what is going on in the world… that is going to happen. It has been going on since the beginning of time. We have to look at the situation, and as hard as it is to do, look at it in a positive aspect.

I’ve traveled the world, and the media has taught that in certain places of the world I would be killed. But when I went to those places no one harmed me. Yea, they were poor, but there was food in the trees, there was a lake full of fish… These were hard-working and happy people… and I did not see anyone hungry.

So we have to educate ourselves and not believe what the media teaches us.

We all go through hard times, but we have to learn from them and just keep pushing forward.”

This point has been driven home so many different ways in 365: The teenager who was shot two times as a child in an act of Anti-Semitism. His outlook of forgiveness and strength is awe-inspiring. The Croatian man, who during the years of genocide, walked his family his family hundreds of mile to safety; who with a smile of compassion on his face, holds only gratitude for his looking at the positive choices of his situation. The x-gangster, whom admits that at one time had no remorse in any way and of a terrible childhood. A man who has turned his life to God and walks the streets in serving his fellow-man is whatever capacity he can.

The list goes on and on, but in all, the message is clear. Man has the ability to overcome anything and to love with the purest of intent.

Tanner calls it will power, destiny and the results of working hard.

“What’s funny, is I think the world is getting better…” Tanner pauses, “…I think we are eating better, we are more cautious of the fuel that we burn… we are more cautious not to leave our lights on… we are conserving water… buying power efficient cars and items for our homes.

I think we are heading on the right path. The Internet is here to educate us… people are reading more books… We are now more conscious of about what’s around us.

We are heading in the right direction… and we are using our words. People are actually speaking out now and educating each other.

I don’t think we are heading into destruction what-so-ever.”

In many ways we have all been singing the same tune. Some in animated optimism, others in reserved fear. What is inspiring is this; that in all, the sum vision is of living with ownership of a united hope regarding the years ahead. And a unanimous dream that we can come closer together as a people.

I call us “The Silent Majority.”

We are all seeking the same truth after all; a truth that can be cannot be fully defined by many a religion, government or culture. A truth however that is already at the core of who we are as species human.

Tanner talks of his parenting, “’I tell my kids, ‘You are in control of your own destiny. Don’t look for any man, or any woman, to lift your spirit… to tell you that you’re great, or you’re good. You look in the mirror and lift your own spirit; number one. And never let anyone tell you that you can’t do something. You can do whatever you want to do.’”

My hope in what we chose to do is palpable? That we learn to love our neighbor as ourselves, “The Golden Rule” that has so often come up in our 365 conversations.

Tanner concludes in exposing his daily affirmation. “Every morning when I get up I say this little speech: I’m Alive… I’m Alert… And I Feel Great…

I say it loud and alive.

As a society, I think we need to stay away from the media and look toward one another. To not get hooked on Facebook or Twitter… walking around like a zombies.

Appreciate the birds and the world around us.

And Find things that lift our spirit.

I think in this world it is easy to blame someone… or yourself. In my career I’m always hearing people complaining. They complain first… over small itty-bitty things.

If we blame others, or ourselves, we can’t get past core issues. Our society needs to stop blaming, and to take personal responsibility for our actions. Even if we have done something extremely wild when we were kids… We have to accept that’s in the past… and just go on. But a lot of people live in the past.”

One word comes to mind in reviewing my time spent with Tanner. Sure, he is a motivator; and absolutely, he is successful by the world’s standards. But in talking between the lines, and hearing of what he reveals to me about his life history, Tanner screams one powerful word in all that he says… Empathy.

I will not sugar coat reality. Absolutely, the world is filled with the greatest of wonders and the most disheartening of actions. But in all, several questions bear strong in navigating us to greener pastures.

In cracking our eyes at each dawn might we ponder. “What have I overcome? What am I thankful for? And how do I apply my life history to helping, or at least opening a door to a better understanding of my fellow human?”

From there, quite possibly, we can as Tanner suggests, “Live Life To The Fullest.”

You know what. I’ve been a little wordy the last couple of days. And with the depth of what is shared with us today from our new friends Caitlin and Farra, I rescue you from a Radstone dissertation.

There is only one point I will soapbox today. My broken record statement, say hello.

Not hard to do and for in it rests the catalyst to running into two remarkably focused young ladies. Both of whom are living examples of the goodness that can be found in the world.

Caitlin remarks, “I think we need to love others and be more selfless.” And as she does there is a certain glow in her eyes, a glow that is mirrored by friend Farra who reveals the source of there compassionate presence. “To love Jesus… That is the ultimate… If you know that… if you know your creator… if you know that you have been forgiven of your sins. You will understand what the ultimate goal is.

Life is hard. We are going to struggle in our faults… We are going to struggle with selfishness… But we can definitely overcome if we have that relationship. We can be transformed… it starts in the heart.

And humanity has a heart.”

We’ve met will just about every faith over the history of 365. And what warms my heart is that in all the religions one bold commonality shines through: Love thy neighbor and respect God.

Farra elaborates, “At the end of the day it is relationships, it doesn’t matter how much money, its how many people did you touch… did you leave a legacy, did you stand for something and what was that?

It’s your integrity and your character. That is what is comes down to. But people get caught up in the media and to society, and they need to live out what they see on the TV. That becomes what they believe… it becomes what they worship… it becomes their idol… it becomes their God. They fall into the system.”

Caitlin picks up the conversation, “I think we all need to wake up. I think everybody is walking around sleeping.” She references as she speaks of her relationship with Jesus.

“We are not prepared, that is the biggest problem. We are very content accepting mediocrity; I’ve seen it. Society is spoon-fed and that’s not going to be me.

We need believe and we need to take steps to educate ourselves; to not just be content in leaving it to the world to direct us.

Maybe not the sweetest words, but truth that needs to be heard.

We need to accept that there is a bigger picture.”

“We are so caught up in the instant gratification of the world…” Farra chimes in,

“’…None of us want to hurt or sacrifice. We don’t want to do that whatsoever.

They say, ‘I don’t want to be hurt, I don’t want to sacrifice, I don’t want to be sad. I want to be content and happy at all times.’ Whatever it is to have that, even if it is just for that moment.

To go into the future, we really have to do more than to look at where we are now, but to understand the situation, to understand the past, to understand what we are talking about. I always think of the movie ‘A Few Good Men,’ where he said, ‘You can’t handle the truth.’ That is like the world today, If people really knew the truth… Oh my goodness! It would blow our minds!

We don’t realize the potential in the things we do, and understand our full potential. This life is not about everything being perfect. Our time on this Earth is a time to learn. It’s a journey and it’s not easy. But, when you have people that really love each other… that support each other… that are there encouraging… that are able to say that we already know where we are going. We get caught up in the here and in the now. Like Caitlin said, ‘Society is spoon-fed.’

Too many people don’t really want to know for themselves, they don’t want to dig deep enough. They just want to go off of what they see or what they think is the right thing to do. Why do you think there is so much ugly in the world? People are not happy. How many people are truly happy… happiness comes from within… that peace and joy that comes from knowing Christ.

All the violence, and drugs, and hatred, and the road rage that goes on; the anger… people just being disrespectful.

Why is it so hard for people to just be able to speak now, to open the door for each other anymore? It about simplicity. It’s not like we have to do something major… it’s just the little things. Back to the simplicity.

It goes back to, what are we standing for morally.

There are boundaries in everything. It’s not someone saying, ‘No you can’t have that.’ It’s about saving us from ourselves. Keeping us off the wrong side of the tracks from in telling ourselves, ‘I want this for this fifteen minutes of fun. Whatever is may be… so be it.’

That mentality is so weak.

Why not reach for the top in choosing a life consistency. Some form of where life is just decent and good, and people are loving each other. At the end of the day, that’s what it’s about.

For the future I agree with Caitlin, ‘People just need to wake up.’”

Caitlin, Farra, I accept you wisdom and as a matter of action, I set my alarm clock immediately.

Shall none of us fall asleep.

Talk tomorrow my friends.