“No more treating people like crap. Respect your fellow human being. We’re all here together on this disk flying through the universe…” —Shane
karma
Sidewalk Ghosts / Interview 404 Part Two: "The Hood Is My Heart… And My Heart Is The Hood…"
“You can’t live in a bubble… there is no way…” —Dolores Sheen
I don’t know… just sitting here watching the render bar time out, has given me pause as I struggle to figure the best way to summarize the effects Dolores has had on me. Trying to give her justice in representing her wisdom and long history is a rather humbling experience. One that I hope has been somewhat engaging for you. Even though I did my best to keep todays edit brief, and after screening a few hours of footage, a five-minute segment was the shortest I could cut.
Meeting Dolores is like stepping into a vault of history. Like a virtual documentary her stories of meeting presidents, first ladies, and triumphs at the United Nations shadow the reports I’ve seen through many a news feed. Yes, Dolores is the real deal, and having spent time with her has truly made me a better person. My hope is that I introduced her fairly, and that you, my good 365 friends, appreciate the words she has given to us.
So with a warm heart, it is time for us to part ways after this episode. Yet it is with the greatest of appreciation, we dedicate one more day to you Dolores, my dear new friend.
Talk tomorrow,
Richard
Sidewalk Ghosts / Interview 404 Part One: “We’ll Call That Train Sankofa”
“I think people should plant a seed and understand that seed will grow into a tree, and become the shade of the world after you are gone…” Dolores Sheen
Sankofa: The word in the Akan language of Ghana that translates in English to “reach back and get it” or the Asante Adinkra symbols of a bird with its head turned backwards taking an egg off its back, or of a stylized heart shape. It symbolizes one taking from the past what is good and bringing it into the present in order to make positive progress through the benevolent use of knowledge.
Sidewalk Ghosts / Interview 394: “Why Don’t We Quite Ourselves?”
“I am humbled to think of the possibility of future where people are serving one another. Not just because they are of the same religion, race or of the same anything, but, simply for the fact that they are another person who has a story just like they do. Everyone wants to tell their story… but they don’t necessarily want to hear someone else’s…” —Brian
Something about them drew me in. Perhaps it was the feeling as we passed on the sidewalk. Maybe it was my mind profiling those who seemed open and approachable. Or quite possibly it was the fatigue setting in as I fought off the day end weight of tired and heavy eyelids. But whatever it was, it stopped me in my tracks to interview todays “Strangers…” now “Friends,” Brian and fiancé Melissa.
In watching their interview, it is not a far reach to realize that Brian and Melissa are people with great conviction of their beliefs– smiling and enthusiastic followers of Jesus Christ. Speaking with ministerial excitement they express perspectives on sharing, listening and what’s to come.
Brian sums it up. “Why don’t we make it a future of looking outwardly, laterally, around us, and not just inwardly at ourselves; and ultimately, my prayer is, that we would look upwardly.”
Brian, Melissa, thank you for your faithful word. May we all take them into consideration as we ponder our own spirituality? For at the core of our discussion there is one undeniable condition. We are all of similar blood and have right to worship as our heart and spirit dictate. As Brian and Melissa have so eloquently displayed, so shall we be inspired to shine our light upon the world around us.
Talk tomorrow my good friends,
Richard
Sidewalk Ghosts / Interview 392: “More Positive Vibes Out There… That’s For Sure.”
“Be kind… Put a smile on someone’s face, even if you don’t know them.” — Angie
Sidewalk Ghosts / Interview 388: More Love Than Expected
“Sharing is the most important thing in life… and when it comes to sharing we get to know people better than who we are…” —Milton
It’s a crazy day, slammed with deadline and commitments. Even as I write this I’m rushing to make a meeting. That’s the way it is when doing a 365 consecutive day outreach. I’ve done them before and this go-around is no different. But in the midst of the mad dash to make daily entries, comes the greatest of payoffs, one that I reach out in asking you to try.
No, I’m not challenging you to structure your life to a daily blog, or forcing any heavy addition to your already busy schedules. What I ask is much simpler: Take breath to engage with those around you. For it is around the edges of our self-focused agenda’s where many a jewel of unity can be found.
Today is such a day. For as I rush from place to place, I force myself to take a short hike. But it is more than a slowdown… it is a let go. With only a little over a week into O-365 blogumentary I’m already seeing a calming change in my heart rate (Even though the daily editing and writing routine is quite time-consuming).
That change I credit to one major cause, the turning of my focus away from myself and towards my fellow human (hearing an overwhelming expression of love from people I don’t even know). There in lies a challenge (and motivator) for all of us. That we may all take pause to look, listen and see the people around us. In this might we, as today’s friends, Milton and Manny have clearly spoken, “get to know people better than who we are.”
Operation-365… we were once “Strangers… now we are “Friends.”
Talk tomorrow my friends,
Richard
Sidewalk Ghosts / Interview 386: "Dream Big… The Right Way"
“All things that happen in your life is designed… That God put people in your life for a reason… Faith is first… then it is integrity.” —Kenny
He resembles Hall of Fame’s Dave Winfield, Frank Thomas and Ozzie Newsome as he played for the Texas Rangers, San Diego Padres and Montreal Expo’s. Then there is his time with the Buffalo Bills when he realized that the skies the limit in playing two Super Bowls. But his depth is deeper than his athletic success, charming character and pleasant disposition. Today’s stranger… now friend, Kenny, speaks of faith, respect, community, love and culture.
With the confidence of a seasoned coach he encourages us to dream big… the right way.
He quotes, “That is all I know how to do.”
Sidewalk Ghosts / Interview 385: In One Word… “Harmony”
“We often times to get stuck with the expectations of society, what we’re supposed to do, how we are supposed to live our lives and you don’t want to get caught up in other people’s expectations…” — Erik
Sidewalk Ghosts / Interview 384: "Authentically You… That’s My Advice."
“Remember to be you. Authentically you and smile to strangers and love everybody but love yourself. Always, always, always just do that little bit extra, even if it’s not convenient. That’s my advice.” —Roshan
So there I was, sitting at my desk, consumed in completing a long list of tasks as I prioritized my actions. It’s a common ritual for all of us. Our life, our work and our play expands and contracts with deadlines and commitments. We end days on highs, and we end days on lows. Yet in all, lessons are learned.
On a regular basis we gaze upon our goal lists, contemplating our futures as we dream of “that day when.”
Why the sentimental intro? You might ask. Well, I re-learned another lesson today, one that directly links to the very reasoning that grounds why Operation-365 exists, and to why I will do my part in growing our community.
5:00pm… I peeled myself from my desk, redirected (by a nagging subconscious) away from what I perceived as the days priorities. You know, those quite thoughts that dwell in the background of what we agonize as have to do’s.
“Time to stop…” it whispered… “Get out of yourself,” It advised… “Your day has been full and there is someone you are meant to meet,” It challenged.
Now I’m only a few short days into our second one-year commitment of daily interviews of strangers (now friends), and today’s new friend has proven just how united we can be.
5:15pm… that little voice in my mind has directed me to Warner Park. I’ve been here before, even have made a few friends of 365 here. But today’s whisper feels more direct than ever. If there is one thing 365 has taught me, it is to acknowledge that little thing we call intuition. We all have it… but the question to ask ourselves is, do we follow it?
5:20pm… Park the car, and as I do, I notice two women walking towards me on the sidewalk. Something pushes me to approach them. OK, could be a creepy guy moment. I ready myself for rejection. But to ignore a first impression of my mind would have only left me questioning my motives. For I have promised myself, and you, that I will not profile whom I approach. That I would raise my chin to the world and follow the direction of the whispering voice to approach all that I lock eyes with.
5:21’sh pm. With business card in hand, “Hi I’m Richard, I’m a photographer and film maker…” I go on in beginning to explain O-365…
I’m stopped in my tracks as Roshan and her friend shut me down… “We know you!”
I’m shocked and a little worried. “You have,” I wobble.
“Yea, a while back you interviewed my friends (Project-365 Day 93 / “The Trail Is Our Therapy”). Remember them, you met them on the hiking trail at the top of Victory.”
“Wow, yes, I totally remember them. Great couple. Loved talking with them.” We open into a wonderful conversation.
That lesson I spoke of earlier, the re-kindling of the flame we call Operation 365. It truly is more than a series of interviews. It is the beginning of a great and united community. Roshan and her friends have proven this fact. For in a city of millions, it is possible for the paths of strangers to unite on common ground. The skeptics might lean on premises the likes of 6 degrees of separation or other similar theories. But for me, the idea is much simpler… Just speak with each other and simply leave it at that.
Talk tomorrow my good friends, and Roshan, your words have smitten us.
Sidewalk Ghosts / Interview 383: “Pass It Around… We Need It.”
