portraiture

I get into a sidewalk discussion with a couple of unknown neighbors. Denise (not pictured) digs the 365 project, “You should interview my sixteen year old son, he always has something to say.”

Five minutes later, I’m standing at the door meeting her the young and brilliantly outspoken Daniel.

I’ve often said, “The future is in good hands,” and Daniel is at the front of the pack in supporting that notion.

With a perfect 4.0 GPA, Daniel is not only intelligent; he is wise beyond his years.

Denise invites me into their home for a neighborly visit. I have to tell you it’s been really cool getting to know not only the people of my city and wherever I travel, but also those that live so close to me. This alone forces me to challenge us all to do the same.

You often hear me spout from my soapbox, “Say hello to the world.” And with the experience of this entry, I guess we have to ask ourselves, “Do we know our neighbors?”

I’ll admit, that until 365, I was a little reclusive in my community. That will never be the same again. The quest to know my neighbors is ramping up, and I encourage you to join me. If you have any stories, please comment. Know that we all always appreciate your contributions.

…Back to Daniel.

“Look to tomorrow” he proposes in positioning a secondary thought that accelerates our conversation to a deeper level. That thought… “Today’s problems are going to be gone.”

We talk about his point for a while and agree on a conclusion. What Daniel is saying is too many people are caught up in the wants of the now, or distracted by the influences, both negative and positive, that hit them, and us, every day. We’ve called it “The Storm Of Life” in past entries.

And at sixteen Daniel has found the secret that many of us much older folks are still trying to master. The way I see it, he is living towards the future, not obsessing about the now, and letting go of what he can’t control in acting on what he can.

“Today’s problems are going to be gone.” Daniel advises.

And in his council he leaves us a palpable action point. Do what we can now, and ponder how our actions will affect the future.

Daniel talks of letting go and of his view of the world, “If everything was answered for us, or life was perfect, there would be no point in living.

It’s hard being a teenager. There is peer pressure, insecurity, discovering emotions, feelings your don’t understand, bullying and starting to notice girls – a big part in being a teenage guy.

You start to get depressed because it’s too much to absorb. You think there is no way out… but eventually you start to understand.”

With a smile on his face Daniel put it into its plainest expression, “If life were perfect then everything would suck and there would be nothing to learn.

We need to find humanity. There is very little of it in our society. Everyone is all about being the best at any cost. They focus on the me, the individual. Asking what makes me happy, and never looking at how they can help others.”

Balance is what Daniel is discussing and I am strikingly impressed that in speaking with such a young man, the topic has even arisen.

Daniel is proof to us that the future truly is in good hands; hands that are forward thinking, compassionate in seeking a better world and best of all… realistic.

“It’s going to get worse,” Daniel forecasts.

Yet with his prediction, he directs us in what we can do to positively influence his apprehensions of a worsening path, “Live your life in a way that you feel is actually helpful.

 Don’t worry about what others are doing… just do what is right.”

But… Hey I’m just a teenager… I don’t know everything.

I had no idea that today is a solar eclipse, and it’s crazy that I did not know about it. It’s not that I’ve been a slacker or overly focused on self or materialistic things. And I promise you that I’ll not publicly beat myself up or launch into an overly emotional or self-analytical throw up in blog form. That would be too self-absorbed. I’m just exposing my mind fart as a symbolic reference to the distractions of modern living, and as a sign to us all in encouraging a slow down to smell the roses.

How do I come to know of the eclipse? In steps today’s friends, dating couple Kelly and Mike, of whom I run into through stopping at a park where a curious group of people are gathering to observe moons passing in front of the sun.

And with this theme, Mike departs a relevant link in his advice to us. “Make sure you pay attention to the beautiful things in the world, and in the solar system. Nature is beautiful and there are things happening all the time… too many of us get too busy and don’t notice at all.

This is a couple of times in a lifetime event and I think most people don’t know it is happening.”

I missed the eclipse memo, and lucky for me Mike has brought me up to speed.

Kelly shares, “Make sure to take time for yourself and your family, because life is too short… it really goes by fast, and you lose people in your life pretty quickly. We need to realize this before it’s too late and they’re gone, leaving you with regret after they’re gone. So take time, life is not about your job… money… life is about friendship and family… taking time for yourself.

I’ve learned this in the last few years.

I’m still a work in progress. I literally made my job my life, it was my friendships, it was where I socialized, it was the money, and it was all I lived and breathed… the job.

It was that way until I had to deal with other things in my life happening, till it took me down, and once it took me down it really took me down. I’m still in that kind of career, but I’ll never have the kind of drive or tenacity again… like I had before, it will never be the same… I don’t want it to be… I never want to be that person ever again… Never.”

“Do you have a hope for what’s to come for the people?” I inquire of Kelly.

“I hope that our economy bounces back and that we all can have nice lives again and not have to worry about if we are going to have social security money when we retire, or if we are going to have to work until the day we die.”

Mike cues in, “I hope that people can come together and get beyond the petty difference that we often have as a focal point in our daily lives, and that they can focus instead on the fact that we are all part of humanity.

When disaster strikes we all seem to pull together. It would be nice if we could do that all the time.”

Kelly, “’I’m from Buffalo, New York… Everybody says hi there, everybody nods and says how you doing…! Let me get the door for you…! Everybody! That’s why it’s called ‘The City Of Neighbors.’”

Today there is no disaster, no contempt, nor any class distinction. Gathered is a diverse group of park goers, all with one unified intent in witnessing a magical moment of solar cycles.

And to close lets pick from Mike’s quote, “It would be nice if we could do this all the time.”

Kelly, Mike, thank you for you’re input, good to be able to call you neighbors.

I’ll be completely transparent in letting you know that I am still recovering on my sleep and family commitments from the two long days of effort that our word challenge of Thursday required.

Yet needless to say, and even though I’m prioritizing family time today, I do so with the accompaniment of my 365 camera backpack, an appendage that my family has now learned to love and to accept in our everyday life. To quote my beloved, “You better go get your second wife (of course, she is refereeing to my camera bag, what kind of guy do you think I am).”

It’s like we are becoming The Three Musketeers of outreach. So much so that every time my well is low, either my wife or daughter picks me up, or throws me out of the house in supporting me in meeting my 365 friends.

Thus, credit to who credit is due. Got to love my daughter, who with the purest of intent takes control of today’s friend finding.

“Lets go to my art class dad, maybe you can take a picture of my teacher Miss Vanessa.”

I’m tired… she speaks… I follow.

Well Miss Vanessa is not in, but the studio is full of activity. A teen and adult class is in session, and sitting at the reception desk, in wait of his teen-age daughters completion of class, is proud father Stuart.

On his lap is his youngest girl, who somehow my girl had noticed getting her ears pierced earlier in the afternoon. Now as I previously mentioned, I’m a little tired. And because of that, my personality switch is in neutral.

My kid is my hero today, “I saw you getting your ears pierced,” she inquires of her equally aged stranger. At nine years old, she impresses me with her social gesture and before I have a chance to think I find myself drawn into a conversation with Stuart.

We chat art history and family for a few minutes as I smile at my daughter’s happiness in helping to friendship Stuart and his daughters. These are the moments that count.

With tremendous warmth and a very welcoming and lighthearted demeanor Stuart gives us a several short hand responses (his wife has just arrived and is waiting to meet he and daughters).

And with our needing to get to a birthday party, we all agree to keep it short.

A couple last notes before I report on Stuart’s council. Know that I give you the above journal in the pursuit of disclosure, not in the quest of shoulder pats. I do this for a few reasons. 1) Several of our followers are contemplating, or have embarked on their own 365 quests, and, for their comparison, I feel it a responsibility to report as much as I can on my daily attitudes. 2) It’s my way of opening a more vicarious view to my changing head space. Just consider me the guinea pig of reaching out. My hope in doing so? That in some way it may be helpful in connecting us all to do our part in sharing our hello’s. And, perhaps via exposing the circumstances of my meetings, I might throw a light is some way.

That said, on to Stuart’s first enlightenment.

Simply stated, “People need to lighten up.”

The people working in the studio (all of whom have been listening to our conversation) stop in their tracks, “That a good one,” they express in seconding Stuarts advice.

Cool… Stuart’s words are already working!

“Per the future… Free policy economics is the only thing that is going to save humanity,” Stuart predicts accompanied by a smile and a humble side bar, “We all have our biases… right?”

“Can you elaborate on that concept?” I ask.

Stuart takes a short break to gather his thoughts and gives us a few supporting bullet points:

• The individual’s ability to follow their desires in the marketplace.
• Ideas will allow for a greater sharing of information.
• Knowledge will inspire economic growth and social improvement.
• Otherwise we are a going down hill.

“And I don’t know how we get there.”

 “That’s pretty honest.” I encourage Stuart.

He corrects, “That pretty pessimistic actually.”

I differ though. I see no pessimism. I see an opinion… and one that has merit.

What is good about Stuart’s comments are that in them we can all take away a greater awareness of the words of others. And with this awareness, and if we choose to listen, we can then nurture a greater apathy for the conditions or thoughts of others. Wouldn’t that be a start in opening a better dialogue in general?

Stuart wraps with a cultural observation. “We should probably stop watching TV… better yet… it’s a pretty good medium… we should stop relying on it.

Go read a book… A newspaper… Or learn how to think.”

Only blocks from my house I run into Joe as he crouches under a car, repairing it radiator. He is on a side street… looks intimidating… and leaves question as to if is friend of foe.

I approach him, grab a curb seat beside him, and we embark on a most pleasant perspective.

I quote Joe in entirety. But before I leave you with his advice, I give you a personal finding, one that I have grown to cleave unto in my daily life. Forgive me if I sound like a minister. That is something that I definitely claim not to be.

“Judge not by the external, but seek the internal. In that may we all find our own humanity.”

Joe, the curtains are opening, and the stage is yours my friend.

“’There are two men sitting in a bar, up in Alaska, and they are having their discussion. It is theological topic. One man leans to the other and says, ‘I cannot believe in your God.’ And the other man says, ‘Why not?’

I gave him a chance to prove himself one day… And he didn’t. Did you give him a chance to prove himself to you, the other man says.

I went to check my traps several miles out of town. And this total white out snowstorm comes along and I couldn’t see nothing. I had no supplies and, basically, I couldn’t find my way back to town. So I got down on my knees and said, ‘God if your there, you know, I’m gonna die if you don’t help me!’ The other man says, ‘Surely you must believe… you’re here today!’

And he say’s some God*!* Eskimo came along and showed me the way back to town!’

‘So that’s all God has to work with is people. And he sends people everywhere there is work that needs to be done… Everything happens for a reason. We are all where we are supposed to be…. whether we believe it or not.

So everyone is an Eskimo, because we all help each other. Some people, even in being something bad, are being an Eskimo, because, they’re creating something somewhere. Someone that people think is crazy could be on the brink of some major discovery!

We always sell our selves short! Thinking that we are not nothing, but everyone has the possibility to be vitally important. We’re all Eskimos.

Time is actually a place, because when you’re trying to describe time you always refer to it as a place. Remember when we lived over there, when we hung out over there. Remember when we did this there.

Time is described as a place… it seems like. We were there, we were here, and yet, we see time as being…(pause)… Time.

But the only time there is… Is now!

What do I see in the future?

There is only now, and if everyone, or if I stay living in the now. And make my decisions on what I am doing now, based upon what I am feeling inside, you know, down there in the gut. I’m gonna do good.

We all know the difference between what’s wright and what’s wrong. We just don’t want to listen. We just want to sever that connection. And for whatever reasons people have, they do. That’s why I think we should all go into therapy. It gets you in touch with what’s really inside.

Pay attention to what is going on now, instead of for the future or in the past like so many people seem to do. I think people would be a whole hell of a lot nicer, or at least more sensitive to each other and get away from the ‘I’m thinking of my future…therefor I am not going to allow you to get in my way’ attitude.

If your just in the now, ‘I’m here we’re people there is nothing to gain.’ If you get ahead of me so what… where are you going… your not going anywhere, because there is only now.

It’s all about a faith.

God wants you to have faith… To believe.

I don’t believe in God… I know… I know… It’s fact to me.

When Jesus was asked, ‘Where is the kingdom of God?’ He responded, ‘To find the kingdom of God, look inside yourself.’”

Joe goes onto tell me about times in his life where he found himself in the right place at the right time to help other people out. We chat for an hour and there are too many experiences to easily express in this little blog. I’ll leave you with one of his generalizations.

“25 years ago, if I was walking around asking these questions, I’m curious to how they would have been answered.

 And for today, don’t we see that what we are doing is causing a problem here? There are a lot of people out there trying to get awareness, but not a lot are doing anything about it.”

Joe is a very intelligent man, and with his sober perspective might we take his advice and grab our Mukluks.

His opinion is bold, and his faith is humbly intact, but in sharing a lighter side, Joe leaves us with a quote from Hollywood Legend Errol Flynn, “The most important thing you need to do every day is to shave.”

Looks like we will be very well groomed Eskimos.

Talk tomorrow my friends.

Three days ago you met artist Mardy, “It’s Scary, It’s Uncomfortable, But It Keeps Me Alive.” It that discussion we talked about the Canoga Park Art Walk.

The next day I said hello to my new neighbor, Rachel, who stirred us to have a conversation on the idiom of water seeking it’s own level, as it applies to human attraction; a topic that in a way, is being proven true with today’s 365 experiment.

And then there is the lovely Nicole, friend of day 251 / “Let The Talks Begin”, who graciously answers our questions in her own words, and void of my influence, gallantly takes the time to self reflect in sending us a personal email releasing her deeply thought out responses.

All three friends uniquely different… all three experiences wholly unlinked… yet in all I am inspired as if smacked clearly in the brain with one, two, thee punch of motivation to link the three lessons learned; lessons that have directed me to a last-minute decision that has led us to today’s entry.

That decision… a cultural outreach to a mass crowd.

The crowd in focus… The Art Walk Mardy has brought to our attention.

The water seeking the same level… Myly, Director of the Art Walk, who by the way is our friend of day fifty-one “Leader Of The Community Brigade”. And even though my request is last-minute, she generously donates a 10×10 foot space to our 365 movement.

The self-reflection… Nicole’s self motivated writing of her own words and her willingness to share them with us.

Today is Art Walk day, and I wake with an empty pallet, other than the premise of a goal to meet as many people as I can in talking of the 365 mission, “We are all in this thing together,” my exact approach is undefined.

Then it hits me…! A word challenge…!

To the garage I go to build a booth with whatever scraps I can find, and with the help of the talents of my creative director wife and personal friend Kim, we all roll up our sleeves to pool our efforts in constructing our mobile meeting place.

The day flies by and after about ten hours of design work, sign printing and booth building, we find ourselves standing in front of the first physical meeting hub for 365, readying for the fives hours of Art Walk visitors we will be commingling with.

The only regret I have at the writing of this entry is that I did not get a photograph of the booth or the event. However, what I can say is this, the people are fantastic, and the diversity is marvelous. At no point do I have any remorse for the day of prep we have sacrificed in order to be here. It’s all worth the sweat, time and expense, and as the community forms, I know that we have made the right decision in setting the theme as a word challenge.

We find ourselves situated directly across from the bandstand, and because of this, the mass of bodies surrounding the booth is overwhelming. So many that at that at times, our signage is hidden all together.

And per not posting a photo of the booth or event, I promise we will get snap shots for you next month, the adventure was so cool that we are committing to do it every third Thursday of the month until the event closes the 2012 season on September 20th.

Our next visit is in June, we may do a word challenge again, or some other kind of social experiment. I’m thinking it could be different to let our new friends hold a camera release and allowing them the opportunity to take they’re own self-portrait, that might be very interesting. But I’m open to any fresh idea, so if you have thoughts, please pass them on.

I wont over talk with a moment by moment accounting of the evening, I’ll just give you a few bullet points in releasing you to enjoy the words of the many who collaborated with us this night.

Bullets:
Great People
Good Food
Loud Music
Perfect Weather
Meaningful Conversation
Loud Music
More Good Food
Endless Talented Artists
More Meaningful Conversation
Much Laughter
Loud Music
New Friends
Running Into Old Friends (Some of whom are past 365 contributors)
Fun Photo Moments
Loud Music
And Best of all, a majority who are all on the same page with us in respecting one another.
Oh yeah… “Did I mention loud music?

Without further adieu, sixty new friends… sixty words…

Talk tomorrow, my friends.

Three digits of summer weather drive my daughter and I into an indoor shopping center for a bit of cool air and frosty beverage. And fearing the spirit of mall commerce, plus my kids need for more stuff, I wander no deeper than the entryway in guard of retail hades.

We decide to leave, and upon exiting, we run into one of my daughter friends and accompanied by her mother, they offer us a combined excursion of said mall.

An invite that I cannot ignore, for if I do, the agony of my daughters, “Why Dad!” would most likely leave me with the second greatest of shopping stress, a stress almost equal to that of the mall experience alone.

For if I exit at this time, on this day, the dreaded, “Why Dad?” would undoubtedly become the theme of the evening. You have to know that I am not a pushover father, and that respect, manners and discipline run important in our home. But as every good negotiator knows, you lose a few battles in order to win a few… and this battle is not a prudent one to fight.

I agree to the excursion with one condition… I get to stay put. The verbal contract is confirmed and with gleeful cheers, my kid, her friend and mom disappear into the kiosk and storefront jungle.

The negotiation behind me, I settle in to my quite space, and as I do, I am pulled to introduce myself to a young lady who is quietly sitting, enjoying the same private sphere as I am entering into.

“Excuse me, forgive my interruption,” I introduce myself as well as the 365 project.

“I’d love to be part of it, but I have to be back to work in five minutes, can I email you my answers?” my new friend Nicole responds in a wonderfully engaging and pleasant manner.

We take a few snapshots, review the questions, and off we both go… back to our daily routines. I have to say, this is the quickest 365 interview to date.

Only hours pass, and true to her promise, Nicole give us this:

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

“Lately, I’ve been coming to terms with the fact that my life isn’t easy–that no one’s life is easy–that much about life is simply about working hard and driving forward. I’m having a hard time with not knowing what lies ahead, but being okay with that.

The one piece of advice that has kept me sane is that while all the ebbing and flowing and flux within the universe may be new and scary to me, change is nothing new. It is an infinite and eternal force and without it, life could not exist and would not have meaning. It is necessary and I must make peace with it. I assume that somehow this advice is capable of touching or at least resonating with other people, hence my offering it.”

Question Two:
Looking ahead 5, 10, 15, 20 even 100 years and beyond, where do you see the planet, or the people being? Or how, or what, do you advise us regarding the future?

“As time passes, I see both people and the planet becoming increasingly reliant on technology to perform a variety of tasks and to solve various problems, and while technology definitely has the capability of creating more efficient and effective systems, it also tends to lead us toward over-generalization, to lack of personalization, and toward a more myopic view of the world around us.

If I could offer any piece of advice to people of future generations, it would be to stay centered and focused, to step back and take a look around them. Sometimes technology seems easier; more convenient, but it leads toward dependence on artificial systems.

We need to remember to take a step back, to communicate face-to-face, to face issues that affect our lives, such as global warming from a common sensical point of view. Sometimes technology is a crutch.”

Nicole points out, “Change is nothing new” and encourage us “To stay centered and focused.”

And per her words she has advised us to “Take a look around us.”

Nicole, in honor of your charge, may we all remember to take a step back, and more importantly, to put aside our inhibitions, insecurities, preconceived notions or judgments. That we can universally partner in one unified task. A task that you have so tactfully brought to our attention in your summation, “We need to communicate face-to-face.”

Let the talks begin!

“The problem with people today… Things were created to be used… and people were created to be loved. And, we are loving things and using people.

The biggest thing the planet is missing is respect,” Todays new neighbor turned Rachel speaks out.

Rachel is relatively new to California. Who, along with her significant guy and a girlfriend, moved into my neighborhood, only a short two weeks ago.

Often I speak of the importance of getting to know our neighbors, and every time I reach out to those living so close to me, it strengthens my thoughts on the premise of positive attraction. Namely the “Water seeks its own level theory.”

Some refer to the theory solely as an idiom, when in reality it is based on scientific fact: A hose can be used for a water level with hundreds of feet between two points. And as long as two bodies of water are connected somehow, they will be at the same level. As an idiom, it would mean a person tends to seek out people they feel are equal or have the same point of view.

It’s not that my new neighbors and I are clones of perspective; that would be an unrealistic expectation. But what is powerfully apparent in my meeting of Rachel, as well as all those who have engaged with me in this 365 journeys, close neighbors or not, is that fact that there are more people who care about each other than we realize.

This claim I can now support via the testimonials from the hundreds of people I have now approached and interviewed. Most of whom have spoken of desires for a more united planet, or at least communities. And all of whom have bought into the 365 mission of “We are all in this thing together.”

As so eloquently communicated by Rachel, “The problem with people today… Things were created to be used… and people were created to be loved. And, we are loving things and using people.

And with is Rachel trumpets us to action, “The biggest thing the planet is missing is respect.”

“I was raised in a small town in upper New York State, I knew everyone and the whole town respected each other. It’s not like that in Los Angeles, and I miss my friends and family.” Rachel opens up as she describes her childhood.

“My dad was a big disciplinarian, he taught me to treat others with respect and the importance of politeness and manners.”

All traits that are obviously being carried on through the attitude and humanistic perspective that Rachel apparently lives by. She states, “Too many people are terribly rude and ignorant or just doing bad things to each other. I’m not perfect, I’ve even fallen into a few bad habits, but I’m doing my best to be a good person.

We have to simply do nice things for the people around us. For no reason other than it is the right thing to do. It’s all about our approach to life.

I have a hard time understanding where all the negativity comes from.

What would the world be like if we payed it forward and spread the positive?

Life is not about having to prove others wrong. We see that too much in the working world.”

Rachel is part of a unique and courageous group of citizens, able to look at herself and the country that she calls home. Yet, in doing so, she takes stock in looking at current culture with an evaluative mind, “American greed is responsible for many of our problems. Everyone wants something better, and that’s OK. The problem is… that too many Americans will do anything to get it. And when they get what they want, they complain that it is not enough.

This greed is going to drive us to a war with ourselves, a war between the people here in America. For that not to happen we need to find a way to come together as a people and drop the self-entitlement.

America would benefit from some discipline.”

Sure, we have heard many rants on the good old USA. Some are founded in reality, worthy of consideration, while others are merely excuses to justify horrible behavior from those who have no agenda other than to take what they can.

Rachel is on the bright side of the argument and has earned her point of view through her actions. “I served in the military…” she reveals, “…It made me a better person. It should be mandatory that we all serve in the military. If we did, we would have more discipline, and with that… more respect towards each other.”

I’m on the fence with this challenge. And will be the first to confess that I never served, or that I can even come close to understanding the full experience of enlistment.

But luckily, I have had quite a bit of exposure to the armed forces, both throughout my life and throughout my career. In doing so I have interacted with some of the most noble of people as well as some, who I am reluctant to admit, have no respect or compassion for humankind (although I can confidently state that the majority of the modern service men and women are of the highest integrity and character).

And why is it that in an organization of unwavering discipline can there exist a dark side?

Rachel resolves my self-debate in bridging her militaristic stance with a greater priority, “The most important thing in your life is your family,” she expands.

Ah! There is the key point!

In 365 we have met the full gamut of parents: Single mothers and fathers, family dynamics of every demographic, faith and economic situations and countless kids from all sides of the tracks.

The one commonality to all, good life values are regularly instilled by the family unit… no matter what it’s construct and status. Therein lies the reform.

“I don’t believe our society is going to get any better. Too many generations have lost respect and it goes back to the family and it’s values,” Rachel observes.

“It blows me away that twelve-year-old girls are now getting pregnant. When I was twelve, I did not even know what sex was. What is going on in the families that are allowing this to happen?”

Rachel speaks of respect, of discipline, of manners and of politeness. And in her words, I perceive an ambassadorship, a personable outcry that encourages an implied quest of unity in promoting the power of good values; a power that we all have the ability to lean into, or to close our eyes in leaning away from. It’s our choice.

If chosen well, we have limitless strength. Whether we find ourselves in the lap of luxury or in the depths of the darkest circumstances, we can never be stripped of our will. And with that will, might I propose a review.

“Water really does seek its own level,” We addressed.

And with our own personal reservoirs filled correctly, with focus on one another and away from of own greed’s, the genesis is set.

We may feel as if we are alone, but I promise we are not. 365 has revealed a mini matrix of sorts for us to reflect upon. And even though many have spoken of the downfall to come, might we exit today’s entry with Rachel’s words of council:

”What would the world be like if we payed it forward and spread the positive?”

“The most important thing in your life is your family.”

And in a way, we are all family…. Family Human.

Shall we seek the right level?

“Never give up on your dreams and passions,” Mardy tells us as I speak with him while he paints a window.

“I know that’s a little cliché, can I elaborate?” he asks.

“Please do, we’d love to hear more,” and we’re off.

“It’s all about honesty…” Mardy starts, “’…. It is the best policy in all situations. Like when looking for a job, so many people say ‘lets say this… or lets say that.’ What about if they say the truth? We have to be honest about who we are, and with that honesty, comes a good attitude.

It applies to everything we do. It’s the same in dating. A lot of people try to be something they are not. They try to dress or act to impress. If you are unemployed… say it. Women like honesty and resourcefulness.

Stand up for what you believe, even if you are the last one in the room, or the last one standing.

Like Columbus: At first, no one listened to or believed him. They thought the earth was flat and they thought he was insane.

What would have happened if Christopher Columbus was not honest with himself in standing up for what he believed in?’”

Mardy tells us who he is.

“I am an artist, and my work is about bringing people together. There is meaning in my art. I paint windows as a living, and so far it has supported me. But what is most important to me is following my passion.

I think people are more inspired by passion than by money. That’s how it is for me.

The arts bring people together, they are the international language.”

My opinion, Mardy is right on track in his commentary. Creative and independent thinking is a core element in uniting society. Through art, history has been revealed, and via it, we have been educated to both the grandeur and plight of ages past. It has document humanity as far back as we can study, and has given us lessons ranging from science to culture. From days of battle to days of peace, the works of inspired and creative minds have provided us glimpses into the literal evolution of mankind. And with this our eyes are constantly opened to new avenues of thought and outlooks on the world.

In a way, we are all modern-day explorers of art. And for those of us who are able to connect with the right lobe, are in my opinion, on a better course to a better understanding of fellow-man and a greater fulfilled life.

With great passion, Mardy politics, “’I can’t stand what I am seeing in education. Schools are attacking the arts, and it’s a huge mistake!

Think about the harm it is doing to reduce the study of the arts, and ask yourself this, ‘What is the first thing kids start to do in they’re learning years?’ That’s right… They draw or they paint. It’s the formation of their view of the world. To take is away as they grow older is a terrible thing.

We have to do something to support the arts. ’”

Again Mardy hits the nail on the head. He is not saying that we all have to become a Picasso, a Mozart or a Tolstoy. What he is saying is this; in his words, “We have to learn to think outside of the box, and the arts teach us how to do that.”

He ups the ante, “On top of losing the arts, our kids are loosing touch with human contact, burying their faces into texting and video games. The pace is speeding up, families don’t sit together art the dinner table any more.”

We have heard this techno worry from over 75% of our 365 friends. Evidence enough, I’ll leave it at that for now.

“What about the future Mardy, Where do you think we are heading?”

With expected Mardy passion, “The way we are going…? There will be no middle class. There will be only two classes, and the middle class will become either the elite or the poor.

Even today the middle class is paying for the mistakes and greed of the rich, and also the middle class is left to carry the weight of paying for the benefits to the poor.”

Mardy has equally strong comments regarding big business and politics.

“I’ve got a problem with corporate America, it is only worried about how it can give less and make more.

And what’s sad about it is that the number one export in America is jobs.

I’d be happy to pay more if it would provide jobs for the unemployed and stimulate the economy.

Our leaders will always make mistakes, we have to accept that, but they need to admit to it. Not cover it up.

A good idea is a good idea, it does not matter what party it comes from.

For a better future, we all need to just work together. And the politicians are here to serve the people. Not to serve themselves. That’s what we vote for.”

In finishing Mardy reflects, “Being an artist is like being Christopher Columbus… It’s scary, it’s uncomfortable, but that’s what keep me alive!”

For any of you are local and would like to meet Mardy or see his artwork, visit the Conaga Park Art Walk, This Thursday May 17, 6:00pm to 10:00pm. It looks like it will be a lively evening. I’ll be there, maybe I’ll see you!

I’m a little soft-hearted at the moment. Thoughts of my daughter race through my mind as I write the entry. I ask that you be patient in your reading, soon I will reveal the reasoning for the soft emotions I am feeling as I type. Emotions that reeling after leaving a doctor’s appointment in which I soothed the teary eyed fears of my injection fearing young girl.

We exit the medical complex and as my kid and I walk to get a gift shop treat, we encounter the welcoming exchange of Jonathan, who by courage is sharing his Christian beliefs with all who will greet eye line with him.

He is not threatening, defiantly void of aggression, and seemingly intent on knowing the community that passes by him.

Jonathan reaches out to us, and within minutes he, my daughter and I are engaged in a pleasant spiritual conversation.

“We are all called to evangelize, to love people enough to tell them the truth.” Jonathan encourages in proposing a very heavy question, “If you where on your way to hell… when would you want to be warned?” A very deep and self-reflective question, and one that brings pause to me in answering. And of course, there is only one obvious answer, “At that very moment.”

We begin a discussion of the nature of God, Repentance, Love, Forgiveness and the Role of Jesus Christ.

What is refreshing is that, even though Jonathan is powerfully convicted to his outreach, at no moment did he step on any one of my boundaries.

What I do experience is a two-way dialogue based on Jonathan’s reference of a very powerful teaching from Jesus, “To love your neighbors as you love yourselves.”

I did a little reading and found an applicable account of the premise.

From Luke (The New Testament): Chapter 10
A little background, Christ is talking to a group of educated men. Men, some of whom see Christ as a master teacher, as well as a threat to their power. During the discussion the following occurred.

“And, behold, a certain lawyer stood up, and tempted him, saying, Master, what shall I do to inherit eternal life?

 He said unto him, What is written in the law? how readest thou?

 And he answering said, Thou shalt love the Lord thy God with all thy heart, and with all thy soul, and with all thy strength, and with all thy mind; and thy neighbour as thyself.

 And he said unto him, Thou hast answered right: this do, and thou shalt live.

 But he, willing to justify himself, said unto Jesus, And who is my neighbour?

 And Jesus answering said, A certain man went down from Jerusalem to Jericho, and fell among thieves, which stripped him of his raiment, and wounded him, and departed, leaving him half dead.

And by chance there came down a certain priest that way: and when he saw him, he passed by on the other side.

And likewise a Levite, when he was at the place, came and looked on him, and passed by on the other side.

But a certain Samaritan, as he journeyed, came where he was: and when he saw him, he had compassion on him,

 And went to him, and bound up his wounds, pouring in oil and wine, and set him on his own beast, and brought him to an inn, and took care of him.

And on the morrow when he departed, he took out two pence, and gave them to the host, and said unto him, Take care of him; and whatsoever thou spendest more, when I come again, I will repay thee.

Which now of these three, thinkest thou, was neighbour unto him that fell among the thieves?

And he said, He that shewed mercy on him. Then said Jesus unto him, Go, and do thou likewise.”

This story is so relevant in today’s world. Now I am not pointing any fingers in proclaiming any one faith in this post. But I will stand up in using Christ’s parable in referencing the actions of the lawyer, the Priest, the Levite and the Samaritan.

I’ll pose a question, which one of the four characters would we rather mirror in our life decisions? My hope is that we lean towards modeling the behavior of the Samaritan.

Trust me, I’m not saying that we should find ourselves in the midst of a mugging or in the depths of legal ease in questioning our own personal rights and wrongs. What I am saying is, in pondering the four characters in the story… who’s eyes are humble open to the world, and can we act similarly in our daily interactions with fellow-man.

Possibly, I could have run from Jonathan’s friendly hello and choose to wall my mind or profile the message of my blog. And yes, I could have made an argument for differing perspectives or try to manipulate Jonathan’s words for popularity, but what good would that do.

I openly express to Jonathan that our beliefs are 90% aligned. Would it have profited anyone for us to engage in a battle, even if we where 180% in differing spiritual outlooks? With that only conflict can be the resolve. And resolve that is not.

Jonathan is a good man, who is working with all his faith and might to proclaim a message that is close to his heart… Is that wrong?

He asks me, “Who is the most loved man of all time?”

Followed by, “Who is the most hated man of all time?”

In both the answer is universal, “Jesus Christ.”

Leaves us to consider a self-test, “Do we love, or do we hate?

Jonathan wears a logo on his shirt, “180movie.com.”

He give’s me a business card with a 180movie.com link, “If you do anything, you have to check it out… It will change your life.”

And even though I promise to link it to my blog, I’ll admit, initially I was a touch wary as to what I was about to post. Yet in respect to the integrity of Jonathan, I screen the documentary.

Jonathan is right. Here is where the welling up of my eyes in thinking of my daughter enters my story, and that, linked with my Jewish heritage, chokes me up.

“180” compares the genocide of Hitler to that of abortion. I know a very hot comparison, and a bold approach in linking the murder of millions of innocent people to that of the pro-choice debate. But in the 180 Movie, a possible solution is promoted, that of adoption.

Through a set of aggressive questions and historical explorations the documentary blends archived footage to the interviews of a variety of modern day citizens. And in doing so, it examines the worth of a life and the question of when does life actually begin.

A subject that is close to my family as we lost a pregnancy at six weeks; a blow that came as a terrible surprise after seeing a series of Ultrasounds of a healthy beating heart.

I’d be a complete liar to say that the experience was not a powerful blow to our faith. It was a pain equal to the loss of a walking breathing child, and since then we have not been able to conceive again.

Even today, my daughter refers to her as her lost sister Audrey. A sister that she says she will meet in heaven one day.

And per the choice of adoption, another point that hits directly home after screening the film. We are a family in the midst of serious consideration in bringing an adopted child into our home, and have done much research on the subject.

The worth of a life, and when it begins, is a gigantic topic. A topic riddled with war prompting pros and cons. Yet a fight that is fundamentally pure to answer with responsible birth control and compassionate support to those who are frightened and pregnant. And with this assertion, I’ll ready my email for a blast of, “I hate you Richard” comments. But if you choose to send one, please take into account, that I have a family, have lost a child, cast no judgment and position myself in accepting how, where and who you choose to worship and the lifestyle you follow.

Oh yea, I’m also OK with a few positive words as well.

I ask Jonathan for his vision of the future.

“I can’t answer for the future… that is not for us to decide…” Jonathan bids… “’…but I will say this, ‘Today is the day to get right with the Lord… Tomorrow is not promised to any of us.’”

Jonathan, you have opened your mouth and your heart to us all. It takes character to do that… And in your admonitions I can truly take heed in your proclamations of Christ…

“And he said, He that shewed mercy on him. Then said Jesus unto him, Go, and do thou likewise.”

We don’t all have to become best friends, not even casual acquaintances. But the more we empower ourselves to, without reticule, lust or contempt, put our feet in the shoes of other’s, working to do our part of building an accepting community while looking towards a greater God in having faith of what is to come. Then perhaps we may begin a path to having a broader understanding of what is to come.

Per Jonathan, “Tomorrow is not promised to any of us.”