photojournalism

5:58am, sitting next to a new friend…. as we wait for the 9:30am door opening of registration for the community centers summer arts classes that our kids will be attending.

To give you a feel for the geography, to the left of me is the entry of the center and between it and I are around ten people. To the right a line that is growing to be longer than I can count, literally wrapping the sidewall as far as I can see with a quick lean forward from my position in line.

Usually my wife does the morning wait, but this year I have become the chosen one, partially by my decision, and partially in respect to my wife for the past four years of her sitting in the folding chair that I now find myself occupying.

I’ve mentioned my friends to my left, and the length of persons to my right, but let me introduce you to our new 365 friend who I have already hinted of. To my immediate right, mother and artist, So-Ok.

And in regards to the aforementioned 5:58am arrival and the knowledge of the much later opening for class sign-up, I settle in for a morning of meaningful conversation with So-Ok. It is not often that I get to spend extended time with my new friends and I must give thanks for being able to set with a person that I consider a highlight in my 365 journeys.

Three hours I share sidewalk with So-Ok and from it I can definitely say I am a better person for breaking morning bread with her.

I ask So-Ok for her words of advice to us. Humility is an understatement in describing So-Ok as she pauses in grabbing her jacket while reflection how to answer our questions.

Jacket on, she shares three simple words, “Respect the other.”

Yet in her succinct summation there is deeper meaning, So-Ok quote, “People can become selfish and they have to begin to think not only for themselves. They need to learn to be concerned for the other people. That is what it means to not be selfish.

Relationships will never end: Spouses, friends, people and in-laws.

If you don’t now how to deal with it, you are loosing out. If we don’t think about only ourselves… we gain.

I am scared for the future. We have to be organic in the way we treat each other. What is most important is the relationship.”

As we talk, a palpable trust is forming. Perhaps it is the fact that we are both enrolling children in the same community center class, arts and crafts. Quite possibly it is the morning grogginess that has numbed our senses. Or maybe it is the fact that we are stranded together in wait and are merely entertaining one another… All thoughts that are questionable, and all are results of the pessimistic side of my brain.

Yet, what is really overpowering is the spirit I feel when speaking with my new friend So-Ok. It is palpable in her every word, and she is enveloped in peace. No pessimism here, just acceptance of another human who has meaningful thought to share. I am engrossed.

“When my kids grow up, it might be a little different…” So-Ok explains, “…like in a Sci-Fi movie…isolated… individual… The way they communicate will be different from now. I am a little sad about it.”

So-Ok references an advertising campaign that addresses the perils of irresponsible use of new technology. A series of billboards, sponsored by the Ad Council, that compare the joysticks of the virtual world to that of interacting with nature, Like the ad proves, we need to be more organic in turning away from digital facades to appreciate the real beauty of the world around us.

“Advice to the future?” So-Ok again becomes reflective. “We have to realize what the true value of life are… living with others. If you don’t lose that part, the future won’t be as difficult.”

So-Ok speaks of relationship, “If you think about living by yourself… it is so sad. I am always with my kids. And I am sad for those who are lonely… being lonely is really bad.”

And if you are lonely So-Ok offers this encouragement, “The person who is lonely has the key to open the door. If you are, do what you can to get out the house and be ready to accept that people are there to greet you. Otherwise it does not work.”

And for those of us who are not lonely, So-Ok gives us this. “It is hard to approach the lonely person, because the loneliness is based on their life and you don’t know what they have gone through. Like if someone is in depression in your family… it creates a whole depression in your family. At least that family member can try to help within your family or circle of friends.

Although we are not like a counselor who spends a lot of time to know the life of their patients, we at least need to open our hearts to those that are lonely.”

So-Ok is a compassionate and loving person, but as importantly, she is a mother of two children. “As a parent, my heart goes out for children who don’t have parents, that must be a really sad thing. It is not their choice to be here and we need to be aware of that.

I volunteer in my children’s classes and I see it in the faces of children, some are angry, some are not. We need to take care of our children.

Too many parents don’t care. Some teachers don’t care. That will carry in their character.

For me, saying I love my children is never enough. Love is the starting point. If it does not happen in the family, we should express it. Love is like water… like nutrition.

That is how my parents raise me and that is what I believe.”

HOME-TO-HOME REACH-OUT CONTINUES – PLEASE SUBMIT

The Home-To-Home Reach-Out is still open, Please submit your snap shots. We are still at fifteen pictures in so far. I’m still expecting many more than that. Your input is vital to really make this outreach impactful. So wherever you are, you matter and your photos can be part in bringing us all closer together. Thanks friends.

CLICK HERE FOR MORE DETAILS

Wherever I travelith… 365 travelith. And with my daughter in hand, tonight is no exception. It’s outdoor movie night at CSUN (California State University Northridge), and with it, our befriending way of life is simply part of our family ritual. One byproduct of 365 that I will always cherish is the positive influence it has had on my family. Sure at times it can feel burdensome.

“Great! Dad has the camera again;” or, “Should we start dinner without you?” Even the occasional resentment from any of us as I drop household responsibilities in priority to 365.

But you know what? At the end of the day, we all feel better about the world we live in, and are gaining a greater empathy and understanding for our fellow human beings. And that is worth all the gold in the world to us.

So tonight, with blankets, popcorn and camera in hand, my girl and I seek open grass in setting camp in wait of this evenings feature, “Despicable Me.”

Spot found, blankets spread and strawberry lemonade purchased, I ask the question, “Should we find our 365 friend?”

“Can we go play the game first, daddy?” my favorite girl responds.

There is no way I will let this moment pass, and after a few beanbag tosses and the consumption of character painted Twinkies, we sugar rush away from the activities. As we do, we come across our very intellectual and grounded man of the hour, stranger now friend, Lindsay, who in leaving the university library has decided to enjoy an evening of big screen animation.

In contrast to the surrealistic entertainment we are about to screen, Lindsay proclaims of a more realistic source of enlightenment.

“I’m building a website he introduces, it’s called simplesolitaryintellegent.com, and it mirrors my outlook on life.”

I checked it out and as Lindsay states, it is very much in it’s infancy of development. But young in mind or underdeveloped is not of Lindsay’s makeup, his words are impactful.

“It’s the people who are forgotten in their time who become memorable. You know, like Van Gogh, he was in an insane asylum. Their were prophets not recognized at their time…Jesus for one. And that’s what I’m trying to do.”

Lindsay is not claiming he is a self-proclaimed prophet, and absolutely is not touting himself as a Christ. What he is suggesting is that we open our minds to the greater light of reflection. He calls it, “Simple Solitary and Intelligence,” stating, “That is where it all comes from.

There are sayings: To thine own self be true… If a man can’t get along with himself, he can’t get along with others. Simple Solitary and Intelligence… That is where it all starts.”

Lindsay advises us to do what we can to keep our mind clear and uncluttered, “I try to avoid the news of the day, and too many topical things. I devote myself to intelligence in trying to gain wisdom. And, that’s what I want to promote.”

I call Lindsay realistic and enlightened, a set of titles that I am motivated to place after hearing his perspectives on what’s in store for humanity.

“In the immediate future… The next generation… times will be grim. I think America is on the descent… on the decline. Other powers will ascend, and they are not going to have any sympathy for us.” He excuses himself as he points to my daughter, “Sorry to say that.”

“No worries,” I assure him, knowing that for a nine-year old, my daughters value system and faithful outlook on the world she is approaching gives her the strength to decipher concepts with maturity beyond her years.

I know… I rather hokey and fatherly statement, and I tell you what; I have no idea of where she gets her wisdom. I guess there must have been a very enlightened Radstone century’s ago, and somehow their recessive gene has passed on to my daughter.

Lindsay quotes a source. “I remember a Nobel-laureate economist, Franco Modigliani. Thirty years ago I heard him. He was saying things are not going to be good for the coming generation. In my case he was correct. So I think more of what he said is in store for America’s future.

But for humanity… if people could be more appreciative of intelligence… if they could apply themselves to living intelligently, so that the larger problems have their roots in simple human needs…? The whole world would evolve toward greater peace and happiness.”

Simple Solitary and Intelligent… Lindsay titles it.

With it he calls us to accountability in pondering not only our own existence, but of the existence to come. And looking at my little girl, who has been patiently participation in today’s interview, I can only have one conclusion. Or better yet, a concerned prayer… “That we will all see the light and be willing to do the works to assure a better future for the children’s sake.”

I’ll jump of my metaphoric soapbox for the moment…. I’ve got a movie to catch… Roll the film.

Talk tomorrow my friends.

HOME-TO-HOME REACH-OUT CONTINUES – PLEASE SUBMIT

The Home-To-Home Reach-Out is still open, Please submit your snap shots. We are up to fifteen pictures in so far. I’m still expecting many more than that. Your input is vital to really make this outreach impactful. So wherever you are, you matter and your photos can be part in bringing us all closer together. Thanks friends.

CLICK HERE FOR MORE DETAILS

My day has been rocked by kindness, power and trust in meeting today’s friend, engineer, businessman, husband, son, father and artist, Puzant.

“’I’m Armenian, born in Syria. When I was young I wanted to be an artist after high school. I studied art in Venice, Italy, and one day my father wrote me a letter after one year of study, he said, ‘My son, you’ll be a starving artist.’ I changed my subject and studied engineering.’”

As Puzant reveals this part of his history I get my initial impression of my new friend. It’s in his eyes. For in them is seen compassion towards people and an obvious love for family blazes a capturing blend of softness and wisdom hard-earned.

“’I did well… I was pretty successful, I did not do art at all. I listened to my father’s advice… ‘Starving artist.’

Then I worked, opened a service station… I opened a garage… Then I was successful… I was very successful as a matter of fact.

I bought some land… some shops… I was OK… Right here.’”

Puzant divulges his key to success.

“Self-confidence is an important part of life… Know what you are doing.”

Yeah. Easy to say, we here it… But, by the sound of it, it looks like Puzant was provided for (well, not really). But what about us who are being persecuted, or are living in deep burden?

Trust me, I’m not pointing a finger to make any of us feel bad, or trying to be a martyr, or even the dude standing on the hill with meaningless positive affirmations. That would be so contrary to real life and the world we are living in.

The fact is, as amazing as the planet and its people can be, it is equally pressed by human acts that are terribly atrocious to absorb, let alone navigate through.

And if you are deep under the pains of the hands of oppression, perhaps Puzant’s history can shed some light and a glimmer of hope.

Sure Puzant is successful by the world’s standards. He has lived a long life, has earned a measure of success and now after eighty-years is proud to say; “I am now an artist…”

I ask Puzant about the future; yet, with the wisdom of a spiritually fed philosopher, Puzant parables the future to citing from his past.

“Every man has his own heritage… no matter what you do… you cannot take me out of my heritage and I cannot take you out of your heritage.

That is how we can go forward… We need to modernize our heritage.

Like my sculpture today… it is different than what it used to be twenty-years ago… It is more modern… It is more reflective.”

More modern… more reflective, Puzant defines a life perspective – a perspective that has not been easily gained.

“When I look back twenty… thirty years, I saw many changes in my life, but they are good changes in my life,” Puzant channels to the depth of compassion that I earlier mentioned.

“The changes that I got from my heritage as an Armenian. They massacred us… 1.5 million… and that stayed in my blood. The Turks forced us from our homeland.”

My father escaped from the massacres… he survived. My mother survived.”

Puzant’s speak of heritage, and with tears in eyes, he opens up a deeper wound, “Bad things happen in our life…” (Eye’s welling up)… Long pause… “When your father tells you that there were seven sisters and brothers killed and he was the survivor…” (The conversation becomes silent).

Puzant has experienced pain, pain that even tough he has found a place of peace and balance in life, is still part of his emotional and historical DNA. In his tears it is evident that his path has not been an easy one. And in his powerfully peaceful countenance, it is manifest that his love for family and values in respecting his heritage is well deserved.

I ask Puzant what he can share with those who are casting any judgment.

“Advice…? I hope it never happens again. Now we have the United Nations as a referee of the world. They have to say what is right or what is wrong. Not like before the first world war, 1918, 1916, 1910.”

And to support his global dream Puzant directs us towards ourselves, “I don’t know what the future is… We’re living a life that day after day we modernize ourselves.

Every day we have a new concept… a new way of doing things. That is the modernization.

I’m eighty; it is not easy to stay healthy in this country. Smog, eating, the way of life here… where fifty to sixty percent of American’s are overweigh and not healthy.”

Puzant has granted us a gamut of perspectives, from historical awareness of the lowest moments of mankind, to the courage to stay true to dreams while managing responsibilities, to advice on both physical and spiritual health, he has lifted our eyes.

“If there is one thing I’ve grown to understand…” Puzant departs, …Success does not come with money… of course it helps.

“And for now… Art makes my life happy”

HOME-TO-HOME REACH-OUT CONTINUES – PLEASE SUBMIT

The Home-To-Home Reach-Out is still open, Please submit your snap shots. We are up to fifteen pictures in so far. I’m still expecting many more than that. Your input is vital to really make this outreach impactful. So wherever you are, you matter and your photos can be part in bringing us all closer together. Thanks friends.

CLICK HERE FOR MORE DETAILS

The world is an awesome planet. I’m driving down the street and when arriving at a stop sign I notice the gentleman in the vehicle next to me is wearing a fedora that is much similar to the one I’m wearing. But even more appreciated is the warm greeting he gestures with the tip of his hat, and rolling down his window, he compliments, “Nice Hat!”

Right then and there I know this is a true neighbor of life and that it is important that we meet this man. We have a very brief car-to-car discussion and within minutes we find ourselves parked in the little baseball field just off the busy street where we first met.

It is unsolicited gesture of kindness like this that proves to me that humankind has the potential to become a gregarious and loving people, a premise that 365 has burned deeply into both my mind and heart.

Not saying that we are on path to be a global government or homogenized society. For our diversity is what makes us rich and magnificently unique. What I am say is this, that in our own communities or in our travels, do we view one another we love and acceptance, without preconceived notions of the negative, but with optimism is seeking our similarities as species human.

And tonight as I aimlessly drive, an unknown friend has done just that, reduced the size of our community with the simplest of gestures, a hat tip and a smile. And as minute as it may seem, the humble acknowledgement has brightened my day more than I can accurately express.

I’m on the receiving side of kindness today, and to tell you the truth, I needed to be here today. It is for this reason I write this with the utmost gratitude and honor for my new friends: Rom, his daughter Anne, son Tom and their young friend Yoadd.

I love this project, it has been a life changer for me; and, my dreams it that it is the same for you. It’s about real everyday people with real-life concerns and experiences. My hope is that from it none of us will ever look at the world the same.

Rom and his children are very a family, and have proven again to us the power within the realms of caring for our neighbors. Their enthusiasm for life and love of the world is evident not only in their countenance but in their literal words.

I’ve coined a phrase, “The silent majority.” In it I am referring to us, the everyday people. For after speaking with so many strangers turned friends, I am realizing that the greater population of us, “real-people,” are all saying the same thing. “We want to get along, be loved and respected for who we are and desire to know that the children will have a safe world to live in. A world with less oppression, less governmental control, and the opportunity to safely live, love and worship, as we desire. Trust me I am not trying to get political, but I just found a quote from the late Ronald Reagan. Whether you approve of his late administration or not, his thought strikes resonance. He stated this, “Government’s first duty is to protect the people, not run their lives.”

Call it a dream or not, but we are the silent majority, and we have the power to build our communities into loving safe havens. It takes not much to be effective in uplifting each other, like for me this evening. I was a little down, but through the tip of a hat from an unknown man my life became much richer. The lesson is there to be learned, and the tuition is free to all. The fee…? Only a sincere smile and a warm heart towards our neighbors. My hope, that we all receive our Master’s degree from the University of Planet Earth (UPH).

Let class begin!

Youthful Instructor Anne takes the podium.

“At school I’m part of the recycling club, and I want to tell everyone to go green.”

She describes her definition of world, “It’s called a community.” Out of the mouths of the children. We have to ask ourselves in checking our outlooks on the youth: Who is the wiser? The old… or the young? And are we listening?

Professor Tom addresses the student body.

“Always stay positive and be happy about what you have, because if everyone becomes negative… then neighbor will turn on neighbor, and the world won’t be a happy place.”

Dean Ram sets the tone for his faculty and all visiting students.

“We should never prejudge anyone, not by color, not religion, not by where we come from. Just be good people, the rest will come from self.”

Visiting student, family friend Yoadd contributes to the curriculum.

“Everyone should be happy with one another. Live life to it’s extreme because it is short… and kind of fun.”

Four distinct views, four sets of suggestions for us all to consider and four lists of concerns and advice that has become a constant within the over 1000 people who have conversed with us in 365.

We shift to the future in part two of our educational workshop.

Again instructor Anne starts the ball rolling.

“The word war will go away and everyone in the world will come together as one big family, and they will notice that no matter how someone looks or is, as long as they respect you and you respect them, we can all be like one family.”

Professor Tom concurs.

“How you look and what you do now will be less important. People will be more thinking about what you do for the whole world, not as much how important you are, but how important you are to everyone else.”

Ram looks at his faculty with loving eyes, but grounds them with a challenging mountain to overcome.

“I’m really, really scared about the level of communication between people. As of today: I love you, I miss you, I need you, is gone. Everything is texting, everything is computerized and the feelings, the emotions, are dissipating from the world. Everything is very technical and I’m really, really scared. I think in ten years it is going to be much worse. I’m afraid parents will not communicate with their kids, kids will not communicate with their friends. They barely do today. Honestly, I think it is going to get worse.”

Instructor Anne contributes to the dean’s comments.

“I see it two ways… Technology, it could be a good thing and a bad thing, like my dad said, people will talk to each other less. Like on their computer or iPad or something. That’s what makes their life… and their life evolves around that.

It is also good for contacting someone or finding someone. We are definitely going to go more green and technology will help that.

But if life totally revolves around your phone or your computer or something like that, that will mess up your life.”

Visiting student Yoadd queues in on the environment.

“Technology will definitely be more advanced, especially when it comes to saving the planet and going green.”

Something is going on right at UPH. And I must credit Dean Ram for his leadership and example to us all. Its youthful faculty is on fire in training itself, and I hope us, to be active in working towards a better future while strengthening our existing communities. Through their example and words today, I know one thing first hand.

I was tired, I was missing being home with my family and I was clueless as to where to journey to meet a friend. And at the particular moment that I let go of my self-control in submitting to whatever is to come, a hat is tipped to me. Call it fate, call it coincidence or call it anything you wish.

Whatever the cause… and trying to not be selfish, I must say, THANK YOU to my new friends, our well has been filled.

For who knew that in the parking lot of a quite little baseball in the burbs of the San Fernando Valley, I would encounter the wisdom of future leaders and the man who is planting the seeds.

And best of all, UPH is open registration with no limits to enrollment. Better yet, it courses are self-created and at will to your development. Consider today the day of orientation and with you at the center of the lecture hall, UPH permissions you, without any limitations, to open your own annex campus wherever you are.

Good luck class of 2012, we are with you.

Lest we never forget, “We are in this thing together.”

“I’ve been through a lot. I’m only twenty-three years old, but still… I’ve been through a lot… a lot of judgment, and a whole lot of that ridicule,” says father, caring boyfriend and young man of street earned wisdom, Latin.

 “Definitely do not judge a book by its cover. That one of my hugest pet peeves, I’m a really great guy,” Latin builds his story.

Many may think that Latin’s claim is self-serving. But in his proclamation there is no essence of boastfulness. Even holding his newborn daughter close to his cheek as he tosses us the self-analysis. There is an inescapable spirit of compassion in Latin’s eyes, one of the first things I pick up on as I approach he and his family today. Latin is not about serving himself. I’ll be upfront in a conclusion, I think Latin is on Planet Earth to be of service to society and I have to call him a peace giver.

And with the accepting nod from Caprice, his significant other, I am confirmed of my assumption in agreeing; Latin is a really great guy!

There is not an ounce of malice or contempt in him as he tells me of his trials, “Because of the color of my skin color and my tattoos, and the way I dress, walk and talk, even the words I use, people misconceive that I am just another thug on the street. They probably think that I have no goals, I have no ambition, and basically my life is going to come to a halt and I that I am going to give up at some point of time.”

And for those who feel the barb of others judgments, Latin give us a pep talk, “I want people to know that there are actually people out there who do care, that want to know the other side of the story. So none of us should judge a book by its cover.

God works in mysterious way, it’s crazy.”

And per Latin’s experiences, “The biggest thing that an African-American, probably mostly males, but females get it too, has to deal with is the whole racial profile.”

He quotes an experience he had with a police officer in Long Beach, A huge white guy who assumed that Latin was a gang member. And that same officer harshly questioned hem about being in a gang the he had never even heard of. On top of that Latin has managed to steer clean of any gang association, other than knowing friend and family that have fallen into the gang grasp. But even with this, Latin did get terribly harassed for just riding his bike on the street.

“No one can do anything about the profiling…” Latin positions, “… a lot of people… especially those in the poverty driven areas, think there is nothing they can do about profiling. They run out of hope. There goals are not being supported, all their dreams are being tarnished… it is really bad.

But there are a few that are out there, like myself, that never want to give up on their dreams, no matter how hard it gets.”

“No matter how hard it gets,” Latin inspires.

He has more, “No matter what type of tough terrain you have to drive through, you have to get there somehow, someway… I never let a situation like the cop, or anyone, profiling me to stop me from ever-moving forward and putting one foot in front of the other. We all have to learn to do that.”

“How would you council people out there who are being profiled?” I ask.

“I’m not a violent person…” Latin explains, “… so I would not fight if I did not have to. I would just keep moving forward. There is nothing you can do about those people, just let them be those people. There is no possible way that they can be helped, as far gone, as they are mentally, that we can turn them back. We Just need to focus on the things that we know we can get done; like living our dreams, going to school, being a good parent, being there for our families. Getting out there and trying hard to be the man or woman or son or daughter or whatever they are trying to be and to just become that.

Look at yourself and the people you know are good people… and help those people.

And to all the negativity… just stay away from it.”

Caprice to this point has been sitting quietly listening. I turn to her in asking for her advice to us.

She thinks for the longest time and then responds with quite a remarkable point of view.

“Toward the world in general?” Caprice ponders… “There is too much negativity: If people could just see the world, and people, through a child’s eyes. To be carefree as if they did not know judgment, or if they did not know there is so much snideness and hateful things out there.

People should be ably to walk down the street and be able to say hi to someone… like in a community. But nowadays people don’t even speak to each other in their own community, in the grocery store or in their own neighborhood. Most of that just comes from people having their nose stuck in the air.

People need to come together, to break this class type of thing and to just to be humble towards everyone.

Everybody would be a lot happier if they were to see the world through a child’s eyes and not to care about what people think.”

Look at life through a child’s eyes. How sweet is that thought! What do you think? Can we do it even for just a few hours a day? Maybe we should accept that as a challenge? I’ll leave it in your court to decide.

Latin looks at what’s ahead.

“All of us need to enter the direction of being positive, smiling at people’s faces, saying hello, giving a handshake instead of a frown or a mean mode.

But still, looking at the future, I have to say that we are heading towards destruction. And if you and I and the others don’t step it up and try to help change what we can change, and what we have the power to change, even that and more… honestly. We are in big trouble.

If we don’t… Destruction and hatred towards one other is going to continue in the same cycle, and that is exactly were we are heading right now; that cycle of hatred and isolation amongst people of all different colors, all different races and all walks of life. People don’t seem to want to get out there and get themselves known or know anybody else. They want to worry about just themselves, or just what they have going on. They want to live life selfishly. And I don’t think that is what life is about. It about getting out there and learning about people and not judging them on a constant basis.

Definitely destruction if we choose to not do something about the way things are now. On the good side, the future is changeable if people can learn to shine in a positive light.”

Caprice again supports Latin’s perspective, but projects a sobering projection, “Ten to fifteen years from now the people will be the same… unless we do something about it. The problem is that a lot of people are stuck in their ways.”

After 280 days and having meaningful discussions with over 1000 people, I am coming to a conclusion, “We are a silent majority.”

The findings are slowly rolling in, and what I am witnessing through the words and histories of the many strangers that I am now proud to call friends in this. There are more people of like mind than we realize.

May we all begin to speak up! Not necessarily in our words, but in our deeds and outlooks towards one another.

Latin summarizes it well, “All of us need to enter the direction of being positive, smiling at people’s faces, saying hello, giving a handshake instead of a frown or a mean mode.

And Caprice gives us the tools do so, “There is too much negativity: If people could just see the world, and people, through a child’s eyes. To be carefree as if they did not know judgment.”

I’ll leave it at that.

Talk tomorrow… My friends.

I’m literally driving down PCH and despite my fear of being ticketed for another $160 mobile device violation that the Highway Patrol so happily issue, I take the chance to dictate into a cool little iPad app that is tolerant to my voice.

I do so because my heart is on fire from the meeting I just completed; one in which, without anticipating, has lifted me up after a few weeks of fatigue. So as I drive, eyes on the horizon, scanning for flashing lights, I can’t stop reflecting upon the essence of my conversation with stranger turned friend, the lovely Patricia.

“Awareness is the only way we can make change…” Patricia warmly encourages. “Our behavior as humans being, for all of us, is a default mode. It is like a computer. It’s how we have programmed ourselves. We have to reprogram ourselves from the past. You cannot change the present if you disregard everything you have done up until now. And that default mode is there for a reason. And, if you want to change, you have to be aware. In our comfort zone we are in that default mode that we did yesterday, and the day before, and the year before.

“You have you have the desire to change; you have to look outside of that default zone, even if it is uncomfortable. You have to want to change, and for many that’s not easy.

“Too many people are trapped in the concept of how old am I. What does that mean? And how old you are? Whatever number it is, it only tells us how long you have been here. It really does not tell us much of anything else, does it?

“You have to ask, what are you doing here and why are you doing what you do while you are here? It is far more important than how long you are here.

“We should be laughing more,” Patricia advises.

“If you focus on time only you are putting yourself in a prison. If you want to do something… do it. Stop looking at time. Age is an excuse. Find a way to have fun in whatever you do.

“Life is nothing more than an experience. It’s all about us interpreting and making choices and how we interpret. We are born to see if we can see through the illusion. Fear creates an illusion that we ‘can’t,’ and if we buy into the illusion it become real.”

Patricia answers the 365 questions:

If you could give the people of the world any advice, council, or pass on any wisdom, what would you tell them?

“’First, I would pass on this advice; there is an infinite intelligence, one presence, one power in this universe and we are not separate from it.  It doesn’t matter what religion you may practice, or doctrines you follow, if you are breathing right now then this one presence, this one power, one life is breathing you to be you… so you are not separate from it. It permeates through every cell of your body, vibrates in all your energy.  With this you can always know that you are connected, there is no ‘alone.’

“Second, I would tell people, ‘beauty’ has nothing to do with what someone or something looks like.  Beauty is a feeling.  When we look at the ocean, the mountains, a painting, a person, it is the FEELING it gives us that determines if we think it is beautiful.  So actually, beauty is in the heart of the beholder.’”

Looking ahead five, ten, fifteen, twenty even one-hundred years and beyond, where do you see the planet, or the people being? Or how, or what, do you advise us regarding the future?

“Spend less time worrying about how long the path is and focus more concern on what you’re doing on the path.  It’s never the number of years that matters, it’s what you do with the ones you have.”

In closing Patricia point us to the trail head of the path she speaks of, “Baby steps will get us to the top of the mountain.”

“Success is the best revenge.” Says nurse Maribel, whom I meet this evening at a local blood drive…. a rather aggressive stance coming from a person who walks with sweetest of compassion and charm.

Instantly, I have to question Maribel’s outlook. It just feels out of character coming from a person who is all about helping others.

“Revenge against what?” I query.

Maribel is a champion for the underdog, “Just for people who always put you down. Who underestimated you… or feel the need to insult you in order to better themselves.”

I question again, “So, then, what is success?”

“Success is about being happy with yourself. No matter whatever weakness you have. Sure, you could have a million dollars, but you can still be miserable, or maybe a terminal illness and be miserable. But you could also be broke as a joke and be happy.”

It’s true; life does have a peculiar way of counseling us. And at its center, life is really not about gaining status or growing wealth beyond measure. It’s about discovery and learning. In my opinion, it is a schoolyard, and we are here to learn what we can before we depart from the Earths surface.

Our lives are full of experiences, what Maribel is proposing is this: That we need to look upon every daily experience as opportunities to learn. Even better yet, as gifts to learn from.

Now I promise you, I’m not looking at life with rose-colored glasses, I’ve had my days of homelessness, my moments of pain and regret and I’ve definitely lived my days of blame from both sides of the window.

There is no way to ignore the terrible circumstances we often find ourselves in, and writing this, I assure you that I am painfully aware of the horrible things that are occurring in the world, many of which bring tears to my eyes in a cry to a higher power… “WHY!”

I’ll not turn away from the fact that atrocities happen every day, and own the knowledge that for many the temptation to retreat or to bury heads in the sand is ever-present.

But still, how many of us have found ourselves in the worst of situations, or perhaps have first hand witnessed any of an endless list of wrong doings. And in such, have either overcome or been inspired by the courage of others.

It matters not whether the glass is half full or half empty. What matters is our willingness to fill to glass and to protect the glass of others… to not let any one glass dry up into oblivion.

And even though that for many, the glass may often be close to dry, while at the same time is overflowing for others, one global question remains, “Did we honor each others glass?”

I’ll be bold in saying this; maybe the troubled are truly the blessed. For without trial, how can one fully appreciate drinking of joy to its fullest potential?

Maribel sort of mirrors this sentiment with her observations of society, “It’s so funny to me; borderline ridiculous, how we are quick to react to negative, but we disregard the positive.”

“Quick to react to the negative,” Maribel points out.

I ponder her finding and come to a conclusion. A conclusion that arrived from asking myself a question. “Is man’s core instinct to react?”

But even further, do we seek the negative and in some subconscious way, direct our path towards pain and away from peace.

Trust me, I am not burying my head in the sand with the above statement. And I’ll be the first to do whatever I can to help those who are being abused beyond their control.

Yet, still I must question, how many of us would rather carry upon ourselves the weight of pessimism, distrust and doubt than to risk exposing ourselves to the light of optimism, hope and outreach. “Yeah… I know… What if I get hurt?”

Well… what if you do? Will you grow from the experience?

I choose growth… How about you?

Maribel brings a bit of perspective to my claim, “’Because of my line of work, I get to go see a lot of businesses, and I get to meet many different people. I interact with a lot of people, and unfortunately, some of the most ‘successful’ people are the most miserable people. They don’t even give us half an hour because they are so pressed on everything. How is that happiness? How is not having half and hour to exchange words with another human happiness.

Yeah it’s a paycheck… but… so what! Where do you end up…? Eighty years old and lonely?

I hope that in the future we come back, or at least turn around. There is no human contact anymore. There are emails… there are voice mails… there is text messaging… but, there is no human interaction.

It’s beautiful that we’re advancing technologically and that we are constantly evolving in that sense. But it is so unfortunate that we don’t take the time to meet our neighbors.

So, I think if we don’t take the time to do that human experience, we’re done!’”

The blood drive is wrapping up and Maribel has graciously given of her time. But in fairness to her co-workers we need to let her help them in wrapping their set-up.

“Do you have any last word of council for us Maribel?”

She paused in thought… and then gives us two winners.

“Be careful for what you wish for…”

And

“…Always! Just give without expecting to receive.”

History repeats itself with a different result. You may or may not remember the Third Street Promenade experiment that I conducted several months ago, or as I have now nicknamed it, operation SMO (Santa Monica Hello).

In it, I spent almost an hour reaching out with greetings to all that I passed before even one person responded with a positive verbal. And that person did so because it was their job in advertising a small café.

And today I find myself in the same situation. I don’t get it? There are thousands of people around, and this time in walking with my wife, I am definitely much less threatening than my last solo Promenade excursion.

I think the tourists are worried that I am trying to sell them something and the locals are buried in their own rushed agenda. For a place that is supposed to be a destination, it surely has a suppressive spirit. I may or may not return, time will tell.

Also, now that we have hit the less ninety-day countdown to the end of this phase of 365, I am reconsidering the communities that I travel too. So in desire of lengthening my stride, soon you will see me in the yet not visited China Town, The Korean District, Olvera Street, Little Vietnam, The Jewish Quarter, Little Armenia and whatever equally culturally colorful burbs I can get to before we hit September 9, 2012 (The official ending date of this portion of my 365 life change, more will be coming, I promise you that).

I confess my time has been limited. Trying to manage my business and personal time with that required of 365 has been quite a challenge. So The travel time is always a consideration in selecting my destinations, Plus, the cost of fuel is becoming a drag to my pocketbook. But, 365 is deep under my skin now, and I hope it is sinking into yours as well. I’ll do what I can to give us all more exposure to other ways of life.

Still, even though the bulk of our strangers turned friends have mostly been met in a fifty-mile radius of my home, we have been fortunate enough to meet quite the range of world citizens. This alone has revealed to us a very interesting cross-section of faiths, genders, ages, political views, race and countries of origin.

And, Richard, why the “History repeats itself with a different result” introduction?

I’ll explain… Today after another one-hour stroll, I am the one who this time receives the warm hello; it comes completely unsolicited, from someone who is completely aware of my presence and is also completely sincere and open in approaching me.

All give a warm welcome to Nazanin. Haling from Iran, she has been in the USA for 2 ½ years and is currently a student at a nearby college.

“Are you a professional photographer?” Nazanin asks.

You have to picture me; jeans, Columbian button down shirt and ten pounds of camera strapped over my shoulder. Perhaps yet another reason people are running from the tourist or paparazzi dude.

What’s really cool is Nazanin sees me not as a threat, but as an artist and fellow human. “Do you take portraits of people?” She questions.

Seems Nazanin is in need of some personal photos taken of her and has correctly profiled me.

We talk about her photos needs for a moment and as we conclude, I realize it would be completely wrong if I do not invite her to join us in 365.

At first Nazanin is a little reserved, but once we talk about the audience 365 has formed as well as the community it is creating, she comes on board without reservation.

“Avoid stereotypes,” Nazanin advises. “We need to not judge people. Like, if you know someone is Muslim, or Jewish or a different ethnicities, or from different religious backgrounds… we must avoid stereotypes.

We need to try to know each person on an individual level. If everyone would practice that… the world would be a much more peaceful place.

Too many people get victimized by general stereotypes that other people create, either politicians or ordinary people, it does not matter where it starts… we just have to treat each other better.

I’m quite idealistic, I know, but I hope that all countries will one day merge under one government. A government that keeps things in order, but I’m a liberal, so a government that does not too much meddle in people’s lives.

People forget what horrible things are happening in other parts of the world… And it is happening… People are getting killed.

I would like to see a world where everyone has a more awake consciousness towards other humans. The problem is that this just doesn’t come ordinary to them in focusing on the fact that people are getting killed or dying of hunger or all that…

…I just hope for a more conscious world.”