“Everybody needs to take it down a notch…” —Brandon
technology
Sidewalk Ghosts / Interview 450: “Life… The Continuum”
“We are hung up on politics, race relations, all these little things that we feel like we have to overcome…” —Simba & Saundra
Sidewalk Ghosts / "Purposefully Look To Expand Your View"
“Make friends of many different backgrounds.
(And you’ll learn we’re not so different after all.)” —Maren and Brian
Maren, Brian, Thank you for sending us your photo and words of wisdom.
It is so easy to get caught in our own worlds and in this new digital age, forgetting about the power of real contact and face to face.
May we all take a moment of pause, and as you suggest… send more cards and letters.
Readers, we want to hear from you. Please take a moment to send us your thoughts regarding our founding questions.
Operation-365… we were once “Strangers…” now we are “Friends.”
If you had the stage… the undivided attention of the world… and all were listening… What words of wisdom, council or advice would you share?
“Write actual cards and letters– everyone loves getting a handwritten note in the mail or personally delivered. Be kind to everyone; we all have burdens that don’t show. Help each other more.”
Looking toward the future… as far, or as close as you want to imagine (one year or hundreds of years)– What do you think we should be doing now to prepare for the future?
“To survive as a world, we need to build understanding. Purposefully look to expand your view. Make friends of many different backgrounds. (And you’ll learn we’re not so different after all.)”
Sidewalk Ghosts / Interview 439: “The Moments That We Have Now”
“I guess if you think too much about work and business the future can be a little scary…” —David
Sidewalk Ghosts / Interview 434: “Learn From Everybody And Be Yourself”
“Here we are with our friend Ursula…”
Often I’m asked, “How do you know who to approach?” Well, sorry to say that I am clueless for a standard answer. It just happens. Sometimes I walk up to people; sometimes they walk up to me. Yes, I am Mr. Vicarious in life. I’m that guy with the “hello” or “good day.” You know, that stranger who for whatever reason finds a way to get into your space or acknowledges you into his. Not in an annoying way mind you. More like the dude from a 40s sitcom, sans the “howdy neighbor” (and know that I’ve been rejected many a time in my quest). You bet, I’ve been dismissed by silent eyes and outright verbal attacks. But I’m down with that, no harm, no foul—but it does knock the wind out of my sails when someone profiles me the wrong way. I won’t lie about that.
On the other hand, the better part of the equation is the 1,000s (yes,1,000s), of strangers I’ve been blessed with sharing meaningful conversation (not everyone wants to be formally interviewed). Moments that have not only proved enlightening, but more profoundly, bonding. I’ve shared hugs, been fed and have been trusted with heartfelt feeling on the most intimate of private thoughts. The experience of 365 is has been, and continues to be, nothing less than life enhancing.
Selfishly, that is one of the motivators that drives me to find the 4 to 6 hours a day I dedicate to our mission of unity. Hours that are in addition to my career and family responsibilities. In this weighing of time, please know that I am not complaining at all. There is lucid (I hope) reasoning backing this seemingly self-proclaiming exposition. In opening my heart, grandstanding as my words may seem at times (I hope not), please know that I assume the humbler side of the above statements. I consider myself an active source as a case study. For the best trials are the ones we individually experience.
I’ve done my best to be honest over the years we’ve been together in 365. Days that (other than the occasional vent on the frustrated day) I pray have brought us a little closer together in this cause and helped us to breath freely as we wade deeper into the water of our initiatives and outreach.
So how do I know who to approach? Does it really matter? For in every heart, in every brain and in every spirit there is a truth to be shared, and ultimately that truth leads us back to our own reflection. That is why I do what I do. Yes, it is selfish to a small degree. Yet in my mirror reflection I ask myself, are you putting your actions where you mouth is?
Sure, a mirrored image that has landed me the target of criticism from time to time. Well worth the hits. Knocks that I gladly take if they are in the path of the awakening happening before our very eyes. Absolutely, it is an extremely slow process and I won’t hide the fact that I’ve dreamed of a viral phenomenon for Operation-365. A vision I admit I’m still holding onto.
So I remain optimistic, assured by your subscriptions, comments and likes. We are here because of you. In this compliment to you, I won’t martyr in taking no claim to my position. Respectfully, I won’t be passive in denying my contributions to 365. I will always roll up my sleeves in reaching out to the world around me and in providing content for 365. It’s a win/win from my perspective. But more importantly, and as we grow, I look forward to my growing role into an expanded set of shoes, that of a facilitator. Doing my part in inviting your efforts to be active as we grow our community of sharing.
As Ursula has inspired us, “Absorb as much knowledge as you can and learn from everybody.”
In a way, each of us are teachers. In a formal sense…? Maybe not. But as life ambassadors of what’s right, Ursula sums it up well, “Learn from everybody.”
Shameless Plug
You can check out Ursula’s fundraising outreach at http://www.blackboxexchange.org
Sidewalk Ghosts / Interview 433: “The Right Type Of Love”
“Every interaction that you have in the entire world or throughout your entire life is meaningful, whether it is bad or good…” —Alexia and Carlos
Sidewalk Ghosts / Interview 421: “Getting Back To The Root”
“Love yourself and love people unconditionally…” —Steel
Sidewalk Ghosts / Interview 409: “If The Answer Is Because… Then It Is Probably Not The Best Answer”
“I hate to say we are kind of leaning more towards consumerism. Consuming things that are not necessary, wasting things. I think that at some point we will realize…” —Brandon
Sidewalk Ghosts / Interview 404 Prologue: Hard Words To A Soft Message.
We sit talking… surrounded by walls filled with pictures, art and history. Photo opportunities posed with presidents and celebrities, tribal masks and musical instruments fill a home that is more like museum. Those alone are topics worthy of conversation. Yet, in minutes they somehow fall into the shadows as we converse; and as we do, one painting somehow takes on a light of it’s own. “That’s my father” she pauses with a grace of appreciation.
For two hours I spend with my new friend of the day… No… I hope for life, Dolores Sheen as she talks about her life, the seeds her father planted and the work she is committed to. Her depth of spirit, character and wisdom is heartfelt and her mission to love her neighbors, and educate our children, is powerful.
She is one of those special people. The kind who like many great doers, walks with a warmth, peace and courage in reaching out to better the world around her. By no means is she financially wealthy (actually turns the bulk of her income back to community); carries no mainstream fame (although she has rubbed elbows with many of the worlds elite) and refreshingly asks for no glory in her accomplishments (which are more than enough the cover her walls, and then some).
76 years strong she has walked planet earth, and in all, has stood as a beacon to her cause: That is to do her part in getting people to look at one another as, well, basically human; unique contributors to a world filled withst diversity. Dolores holds the torch high, in boldly saying, “there is no such thing as a Nigger.” A statement that I know would cause the gaping grasp of prejudice to fall upon my shoulders if uttered from my lips. But Dolores has the credentials to make such an aggressive statement, and although I’m caught off guard at her first mention of the term (Nigger being one of the most derogatory words on the planet). How could I not respect her council, a woman of such presence, peace and knowledge?
We talk about it for a while, and as we do clarity comes to my mind. Dolores is not making a racial statement at all. What she is saying is crystal clear. What Dolores is proclaiming is the simplest fact that we are all equally human. I know, hard to swallow for some. Especially when history and much of modern mainstream media have disgracefully proven that, even though we all bleed the same red blood, many terrible atrocities have come and continue to pass. Just look at the fight for the civil rights movement and the enslaved conditions that remain on many a continent. I could go on and on, and I’m sure you have a few shadows in the closet as well. But still, with Dolores’ bold statement we have been shocked into perspective.
In her admonition, she challenges us to reflect upon our own situations, biases and personal histories, and in doing so are encouraged to deeply ponder the labels we put on each other, as well as ourselves.
Regretfully, the dark side of the equation does have negative merit. For there are many who are a divided and opposing people. Forgive me if I sound a touch fatalistic or terse. But I call it as I see it, and if I watered down my observations that would only enlist me into the club of hypocrites and over-inflated evangelists.
That said… I’ll now jump into the brighter end of the swimming pool, the side where no one has pee’d in the water.
For it is because of you, our readers; and through you, the brave many who have stepped forward to be interviewed; and with you, the contributors and followers of Operation 365, that we may all courageously unite in willingly taking the punches to simply love our neighbors. Thus a thesis is proposed and it is up to us to prove its merits.
We are “The Silent Majority.” You and I… everyday people living everyday lives. It is through us that the walls of the misinformed can be toppled down. No, we don’t all have to live the same lives or lifestyles. We don’t even have to agree with each other. That is the beauty of it all. The utter diversity is the very thing that can not only bind us together, but more importantly help us to adjust our personal perspectives. That is if we allow ourselves to drop our own barriers that block what we see at first glace.
Yes, the world is full of pains, disagreements and injustices; and most of us are injured in some way. Yes, there will always be those who exalt their power over the weaker; and yes, with the advent of new technology, along with its rapid distribution of information, the temptation to make quick assertions is ever present. But one the other hand, there is an alternate point-of-view, and its impact is certain. A cause, that through this advent of new media along with the bravery of a new generation of young warriors, could quite possibly begin to turn the wheels of perception. Therefore, might we, the old and the wise ones, do our part to teach as we listen?
Shall we all raise our chins to the world, us… the green, the purple and the orange, to embrace the message that Dolores has so eloquently encapsulated in her proclamation, “There is no such thing as a Nigger!”
Please come back tomorrow to meet Dolores, She has so much good to share and I’ve got way too much interview footage to cut in one day.
Operation-365… we were once “Strangers…” now we are “Friends.”