“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.
“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.
“I love when I see these things on television and they show these students that go out on boats, and their like, Oh, we wanted to see where all this stuff is that goes in the ocean…” —Jaymie
Do you fear your anger? Do you fear not having control? Do you fear of loosing control? Do you fear of being judged..? —Benny “The Jet” Urquidez
When you first meet him it is hard to look into his gaze. His history reads as who’s who list of martial arts and film credits (check out his IMDB). Just observing the poised body language he carries might make a person or two somewhat intimidated to engage with him as his eyes pierce deep into their subconscious.
At first I try to look away as I talk with him, but there is something too hypnotic in his expression to ignore. My role is to interview him, and for a brief moment I catch myself speechless, caught completely off guard, and not sure how to loosen my fears in getting to know him.
So I ask, a little wobbly, in anticipating a response, “Are people intimidated by your eyes?”
He smiles, “A lot of people say that,” and the ice is broken.
Benny is his name, rather “Benny The Jet,” an honorary title he has earned after decades of blending his authentic spirit of compassion to a field that can only be expressed as warlike. But The Jet is not a war searching man. He is a man who possesses an inner tranquility that is the genesis to his piercing eyes. In getting to know him it is apparent that he is sizing you up for the kill. He is inviting you in to a world of self-development.
Check out what Benny has to share, might pause you as it paused me.
“It’s good for all to find common ground, and when you are put on the spot like this, you really tell the truth about how you feel about what’s going on; and you can only go forward when you get a bunch of great ideas together…” —Tasha
“I’ve got to get my head in the right place,” rings in my head as I am writing this entry. Yesterday Lucy gave us advice on responsible use of technology. I agree with her. Yet, as a tool in bringing us together, it is equally as relevant. This age of worldwide web has allowed us an instant connectivity live never before.
Through it, it is almost uncomfortable to think about how easy it is to connect when comparing it to that of engaged face to face. I guess it is easier to commune within the seemingly safe walls of electronic distance. A place where we are free from physical attack or hard to escape exchange. A place where one quick mouse, or button-click, terminates just about any dialogue or uncomfortable situation. Although with this protective barrier we are at risk of paying a price that is possibly worse than the risk of engaging in good old face to face.
I know there is many a time where we are afraid or intimidated to reach out to the physical beings that are walking flesh and blood. After all we all have that sense of self-protection and do deserve our privacy. So we default to the mind connect (or is it?) of digital bliss. Reject me or accept me, it matters not. For If I find myself in strange places, or hearing words that I don’t understand, a new connection or found similarities are only a message, or comment away.
Now don’t get me wrong, as I regularly state, our modern methods of communication and its aligned information stream are a fantastic thing. But as yesterday’s friend, Lucy, has called out, only if used wisely.
Why this preemptive reasoning in introducing today’s episode and friends? Call it a comparison. For today has not been an easy one in talking to strangers. I’ve learned over time that there are days when it seems that the world is conspiring against me, and today is such a day. It’s late, and with 3 hours of rejection after rejection behind me, I default to one of my halls of comfort to lick my wounds… Starbucks, corner of Fallbrook and Victory. A place where I have had many a friendly conversation with that guy, or gal, at the table next to me.
Yes, I am that annoying man who is always saying “good day” and trying to talk to you. Most of the time it is an engaging experience. While I do admit, some throw those piercing “stay the hell away from me!” eye glares; something that I have learned to appreciate in a bizarre way. After all, we all deserve our private time, and must respect the reactions put upon us via the cultures we live in.
The reality is pretty straight forward, there is no way we can have an idea of what is going on in the mind of our unknown neighbors. The only thing we do have control over is our own thoughts and actions. That is the free agency we all have right to. That right to be left alone is an inalienable one that we all have claim to.
But here is the thing, how do we choose to express ourselves? Is it in the many a time falsified world of Facebook, Twitter, Instagram or the plethora of vicarious devices that are readily at our keystroke? Or, is it through taking the risk of good old face-to-face dialogue?
There is no black and white, right or wrong, answer to this question. Only a nagging examination of our own hearts, lifestyle and even the content we choose to contribute that can truly govern our answer… and more profoundly, our actions.
My camp? I’m all for the new tech, but with one distinctive amendment, “It must be used as an augmentation to humanly connected interactions.” For to get lost in the maze of online tunnels of relationships, and information, is par with a socialized form of solitary confinement.
Yes, I’ve been heavily rejected this evening, and do not bring to you an experience of meeting, or hearing the council of a complete stranger. I’m bowing to the acceptance of this is OK. Because at least I had a chance to feel of the emotions experienced by not being accepted through this night.
However there is a silver lining to this experience, one that is pulling at my intellectual self (even as I write this rather lengthily entry). A commodity that is free to purchase as I settle back at the patio of my fallback healing place, namely this Starbucks, corner of Fallbrook and Victory. For here, and unexpectedly, I commune with past “Strangers…” now “Friends” as we again resume our dialogues of politics, education and society(365 Day 245 / “The Patio Rats Convene”). Some points we wholly agree on, others we adamantly debate, but in the ends one fact stands strong, I have no idea of who we’ll meet tomorrow and what we will talk about, and my friends, that is way OK with me.
Operation-365… we were once “Strangers…” now we are “Friends.”
“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.
“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
“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.
“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.
“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.
