“Be kind… Put a smile on someone’s face, even if you don’t know them.” — Angie
Operation-365
Sidewalk Ghosts / Interview 390: “Is Open-Minded 2 Words?”
“One of the most difficult things we have is to try and convince folks to do something other than what they’ve been doing for the last 10 or 20 years…” –Vince
Sidewalk Ghosts / Interview 389: “Beautiful Music”
“We need to all live together as a single unit. Care about each other, It’s not about race or religion. It’s about people. I’m blind, which means I’m color blind. Everybody is just a person and we need to view people as equals…” —Sean
They are called CRE OUTREACH – Theatre by the blind.
The show is called “Walk Me Home:” A fitting title for a group of people who have literally touched on the very subject of community. Jenifer is her name and upon spotting her sitting for a break (outside of an alley building in Santa Monica), I invite her to O-365 Blogumentary. A little resistant at first, she agrees as she quickly edits her response. “My boyfriend is inside rehearsing for a show that his all-blind theatre troupe in producing, we should go see if they are interested.”
Two minutes later I’m standing center stage, introducing 365 to a room full amazing people. I look around getting to know the cast and as I do, I realize I’ve been invited into a melting pot of culture and personal history. Heads nod and faces smile with a wisdom that profiles me not. I’m humbled by this acceptance and quickly am relieved from the insecurities I felt at first invite. My heart is warmed as I think, “this is the way we all need to treat each other.”
There is a negative saying in the world. One that (forgive me friends of CRE) is used far to flippantly by one to many an eye-sighted person. That phrase, “The blind leading the blind.” What an insensitively written premise and one that I am ashamed to publish in digital domain. But in authoring its review, I call us to accountability.
Some may inquire. “Richard, why are you beating on us, Operation-365 is supposed to be a feel good read?”
Know that I love you guys and no terse tone is meant in this entry today. Really quite the opposite, it’s just sometimes we meet people who shake us up to gaze upon the positive. Today is such a day. For in a quite alley, and through Jennifer’s reserved outreach this afternoon, our vision has been opened.
The answer remains to be felt and a poignant question is posed. Who is leading who?
I have no definitive answer and leave it to each of us for thoughtful consideration. Yes, a ballot has been cast and our minds have been opened (all thanks to a room full of visionary people).
To sum it up let us meet musician Sean, our new friend (no, new spokesman) of Operation-365).
SHAMELESS PLUG:
I’ve promised not to submit to the advertisers of the world in allowing them to exploit the reach of Opeation-365. Yet, after meeting the troupe of CRE Outreach, it would be utterly wrong to not promote what they do. So here you go. Lets see if we can fill their performances!
When Tristan, a blind High School Senior is suddenly faced with the return of his absentee, alcoholic father, he finds a friend in Ashley, his new neighbor and classmate who is also blind. As Ashley fights for freedom from her overprotective parents, the two help each other navigate the turbulent waters of their senior year and realize that their connection is stronger than either of them could have anticipated.
But just as Tristan is forced to confront his father, their bond is threatened when Ashley is faced with the choice of staying with Tristan or attending a prestigious college. At the end of the day, will their love for each other withstand the current, or will the tide pull them in opposite directions?
CLICK HERE FOR SHOWTIMES AND TICKETS
Talk tomorrow my good friends,
Richard
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 387: “Authenticity and Love… That’s Two.”
“Stay true to your authentic self in everything that you do. I think a lot of people spend a lot of time worrying about what other people think and are afraid to…” –Gina
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.”
