Operation-365: Video Interviews

Sidewalk Ghosts / Interview 455: "The Power of One Is Remarkable" (a few faces of our YouTube trailer)

January 1, 2023May 2, 2014 by richard radstone

Hundred of people have we met through Operation-365. Years of meeting strangers (all of whom have become vicarious friends in growing us together), months of hearing your comments and days filled with challenges calling us to engage in the 365 experience.

The sum whole of what we are doing is ever-expanding as our awakening progresses, as one by one our subscription base (and better yet, the knowledge of others who embrace our cause) continues to expand into new borders.

Yes, the world is shrinking as we grow our community; and although we are connected in a rather voyeuristic way, we are joining hands as a living and breathing society of the involved and aware. We are a population with no limits on what we can achieve in seeing each other for what we each have to offer. A statement that is not derived from the rumbling of my own brain, but more powerfully, one that can only be credited to true authors of what drives our thesis of unity. Mainly, the 100s of real people who have so graciously shared their real wisdom with us.

In listening to these 1000s (and hopefully growing to become 10s of thousands) that have embraced our mission, we have joined hand in a call to action. Empowered. Uplifted. Dedicated the likes of an elite athlete. Our minds and spirits strengthened as we raise our chins towards our fellow humans in declaring… “You matter, and you have something unique to offer.”

Straight forward and to the point… Our work (no, our joy) at present, are in a state of infancy, yet our timing is perfect. For as we develop to our highest heights, we can be assured that in these modern times of Instagrammed texts, Twittered comments and YouTubed dialogues there is a tool greater than there net worth. That is, as we use them responsibly, that we make take pause to look into the eyes of each other. “And that, my friends, is indeed a beautiful thing.”

For the last several days I’ve been in stranger meeting overdrive. Journeying, from sunrise to sunset, the 100-mile radius that surrounds my home. Many a rejection have I weathered and, happily, many an open conversation have I had. But, all in all, (as Operation-365 has proven over and over again) the majority of people are ready to be heard, and better yet, excited to listen.

No doubt, 365 is here to stay. My stubborn Taurus self keep pushing me into the ring of stewardship. A role that inspires me to do whatever I can to sail us forward to look at each other as human of great worth, and a motivation that is pushing me at breakneck momentum over the next few weeks to produce our first viral spot (the trailer for #O365blogumentary). One that I hope will do justice to the true contributors of Operation-366… you, (better yet, us… and we)… the silent majority.

You and I, everyday people living everyday lives… and absolutely, we have something to share!

Sidewalk Ghosts / Interview 446: “Everything Else Falls Into Place”

January 1, 2023April 22, 2014 by richard radstone

“One singular word… just respect. Respect one another; and why…?” —John

A Four Letter Word

January 1, 2023April 8, 2014 by richard radstone

I sit here writing, contemplative, examining… I sit here, looking at my wife and daughter across the room, wondering about the example I am setting for them? I sit here thinking about the sum whole of why Operation-365 even exists and the blood, sweat and tears put into building it. I sit here in analysis—self-debating as I decide to recommit to my essays in adding a different spin on our daily entries.

For almost three years Operation-365 has allowed us to meet and get to know 100s of absolute strangers, and it will continue to do so. To read about, and now with the video entries, to literally hear the words shared by these hundreds of brave people. All walks of life have we met. All manner of attitudes have we approached, and to be open, the big take away is still being developed.

However, I can faithfully say this: each and every day we are getting closer to our end goal of building our globally connected and diverse community. A place where we can eventually do more than simply listen to each other (not a bad thing at all), but to eventually activate our efforts in doing something to better each other’s lives. We have many ideas as to how to do this, and over the next months and years (yes, we are here to stay) we will continue to promote our challenges, create more interactivity and start a path toward our greatest of goals—to generate revenue that can be invested back into helping those in our community.

We are a virtual city in the making. A place where the silent majority truly matters. Our boarders are unlimited and our populous is made up of everyday people living everyday lives—you and I… the mothers, the fathers, the lonely, the popular, the weak, the strong, the wealthy, the poor, the young and the old.

Technology has allowed 365 to bring us together in a cause that is ever evolving. Our culture is forming and it is wonderfully composed of all faiths, races, situations and outlooks. We are a people who embrace diversity and are real in our opinions. Opinions that for almost 36 months have been able to find common ground, even when we have differences in our personal point of view. That is the beauty of 365.

100s of strangers have been asked one basic question. From those who have intimidated us, to those who have invited us in, we have asked this query. It is not a radical survey or a long form in any degree. It’s actually quite an innate request. Simply this, “What single word would you like to share with the world?”

We’ve heard them all. From “Supercalifragilisticexpialidocious” to “Freedom.” Streams of creative to thoughtful insights have flowed in, yet in all we have interviewed, added to the many who I have personally spoken to on the streets, one expression has risen to the surface. It emerges from both those who have, to be honest, frightened us at first, to those who have hugged us as friends. This magical word resonates; a word that is so easy to roll off our tongues, but one that is so very difficult to act upon in this modern world of hidden hurt and doubt.

In revealing the word, know that I am not asking us to have a Kumbaya moment. Nor am I directing us to overcompensate in reproving ourselves (or others) for the past, and I am certainly not asking us to to overindulge in a sense of “do good.” What I am proposing is a basic consideration. A consideration that we might take pause to reflect upon as we navigate in this fast paced world. Think of it as a rest of heart and mind that perhaps can transform our individual reasoning as to how we view our fellow man.

“That word is?” you ask. You might even be guessing already, and I bet many of you are correct in your assumptions: LOVE.

Call me a sentimental fool, but I’m even tearing up as I reveal it. Its four letters have the power to reach deep into our soul as they conjure up an endless list of pains and joys. Feelings that, if used for the right purposes, can facilitate the grandest of healing and action.

Yes, we all know the word. However, the depth of understanding it is an ever-eluding puzzle, one that if assembled correctly has the potential to move us towards the light; or, if left in the box, can isolate us into the shadows.

I could go on and on about the word, but I choose not to. I’ve said enough. It is time for me to step off the soapbox and put myself at the back of the room to partake of your wisdom. Wisdom that we have been so graced with over the years. Wisdom that has come to us by people we don’t even know. Wisdom that is timeless. Wisdom that has the bandwidth to bind us in unity. That is, if we are together and active in sharing it.

Friends of Operation-365, we salute you. It is you who are the true spirit of what we are doing. Every day of every year we have the ability to evoke universal good. The secret to our mission is pure and sweet. To do what we can in our own circle of influence, for that is where the real change begins.

Talk soon my good friends,

Richard

Buckeye Pie

January 1, 2023March 30, 2014 by richard radstone

Writing? In my wildest dreams is something that I though I would never be doing with the frequency I now find in my life.

Photography has been good to me. My passion. My primary form of expression. My sole medium and provider for so many wonderful years. No, this is not the beginning of a morose leaving it behind note. My marriage to my chosen craft is deeper than ever before, and I am committing to a future of image making and story telling with zeal greater than ever. But I must admit, in doing so, I have succumbed to the realization that the written word has just become an intricate part on my messaging vocabulary. The characters of “A” through “Z” have been kind to me, and despite my constant struggle with spelling and punctuation (and your kind overlooking of my faulted grammer… Opps! Grammar), I wish to thank you for your faith in following me, as well as for your efforts in growing operation-365. We really are in this thing together.

Hundreds of people have we met during the past three years. 365 has broadened our horizons as we have taken pause to look upon the literal words and faces of so many a stranger. A consensus is forming. We are ramping up our efforts, and every day we get new subscribers, contributors and sharers. My gratitude to you is genuine. Without you our mission and social network would not be flourishing as it is.

I look in the mirror and realize that I have become an ambassador of sorts. Again, something that is so far beyond my wildest dream, and something that, in all humility, is only just beginning to feel comfortable on my skin.

The past few days have called me to accountability. 48 hours of personal growth that has ignited from someplace other that of any self-assessment. I am awakened as a human, and even though my eyes are exhausted and travel blurry (after the most remarkable visit with an uncountable list of new friends, sleep is not an option. My emotions are far too charged for that. I’m sitting in a cramped plane now, typing away at my keyboard. Second can of Sierra Mist soda helping a little, and yes, accompanied be the usual bag of dry Almonds, my body is held awake.

“What has pumped you up?” You ask.

Here is a riddle. Where do you freeze you butt off in the winter, have a humidity clear complexion in the summer and expand upon the dreams of your heart?

One more hint. Buckeye Pie?

You got it… Ohio State University: The academic epicenter of the heartland and home of many a gifted mind and talent.

I sit here, elbows jammed into my gut happily writing this note as I travel back to Los Angeles– the experience behind me nothing short of life expanding. The conversations had, the intellectual stimulation and the warmth of student body and faculty are embedded memories. People, whose words and kindness will continue to enrich my every effort as I push forward in a quest to facilitate a fresh, engaged and united community. I have been blessed to be part of a culture and for that I will be ever grateful.

So here I sit… cramped… writing… nibbling on my $6 airplane almonds. Reviewing all that I have absorbed. In my head flows an essay of all that I shared and all that which has been shared with me. 48 hours I have been immersed in 365 dialogues. My thoughts are focused away from my own reflection, and in the magical mirror is replaced an image that is more like an out-of-body tribute. Hats off and the warmest of acknowledgements to the many fine new friends I have in the heartland of America. All Special. All Unique… All Magnificent.

Hope to again walk with you on the “Oval” my good friends.

Richard