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Happy Holidays!

It is hard to believe that over 50 weeks of Soul Food Friday’s have transpired as part of my new year’s resolution to extend positive energy out into our little part of the universe every week, come heck or high water.

They say, “What you focus on manifests” and “You rise by lifting others”. How TRUE!

Thanks to each and every one of you that all year long have sent over clips, stories, slide decks and other messages to inspire, transform and keep what is most important top of mind…

At work we conclude our 50 Acts of Kindness as part of Mission Fed’s 50^th Anniversary. In that spirit, I want to share this link that touches on the complex mixture of Kindness, Humanity and Respect that transpires between people. It is a fitting conclusion to a year focused on kindness in our community. (Thanks Amy KR)

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=sU30nlcVSIg&feature=fvsr

As holiday cheer fills our hearts and homes, enjoy this visual and global rendition of  “What a Wonderful World” (Thanks Larry)

http://wimp.com/wonderfulworld/

Flash mobs have become quite the rage this year. Enjoy this holiday flavored example of engagement  (Thanks Carrie)

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=uH8FvERQHtM&sns=fb

Since most of the country is not expecting a white Christmas, here is an amazing digital alternative (Thanks again Larry)

Tombe la neige- Adamo

Got an extra 10 minutes?

Here is a Holiday Bonus Movie that should touch your heart (Thanks yet again Larry)

http://www.youtube.com/embed/YBIwCdvhgX4?rel=0

Happiest of Holidays everyone.

Be the change you want to see in the world.

Peace, Love and Well-Being to You and Yours!

Love,
Neville

Here are three flavors of soul food for this week: rich, bitter and sweet.

1. Inspired to change your world? Enjoy more from TEDx San Diego with some insight from its co-founder. – Thanks Jack
2. Believe in the importance of keeping kids safe? Here is a somber reminder about the deadly impact of bullying and cyber-bullying and how it is Cool to Be Kind     – Thanks Anna
3. Seeking some tips to make life a tad easier? Just scroll down…- Thanks Larry

First, a follow up from last week’s TEDx Conference. As promised, here is some insight from TEDx SD co-founder Jack Abbott and how to turn stumbling blocks into stepping stones:

“The TED conference had been food for my soul for a few years from when the financial crisis hit my business hard.

I was going to skip the event in 2008 due to a fairly desperate effort to keep my business alive as it was heavily dependent on the real estate market.

I didn’t have the time or heart space to get the value out of it, but since I had paid the admission fee, and I didn’t want to lose my TED status, I went.

The session were all about “RE”. “Rethink”, “Reboot”, “Reimagine”, “Recreate” and so on….it was what I needed because as we all know, letting go is very difficult.

I drove home after the event and called my staff together and advised them that it was time for me to reboot. I “gave” the company to a competitor and whaled away.

Best thing I’ve ever done on so many levels….I  had long thought about my desire to “pay back” the TED organization. Two years later the TEDx program was launched.

I signed up and that was the beginning…”

Here is a summary of this year’s event from Jack:

A day that took the minds and emotions of a sold-out crowd on a roller coaster thrill ride began with a literal bang. San Diego Taiko’s energized and energizing performance set the tone for a line-up of 28 speakers and performers to present interpretations of this year’s theme, The World in Our Grasp. For nearly 8 hours, they demonstrated- with personal experiences- how anyone who sufficiently inspired can make a difference locally, nationally or even globally. Throughout the day, break sessions provided opportunities to explore various interactive experiences including a photographic installation showing the many faces of America’s homeless, street artist Tracy Lee Strum’s 3D chalk art interpretation of the event logo and graphic recorder Jeannel King’s delightful notes from each presentation.

The event was divided into four sessions and co-emceed by Emmy-award winning news anchor Susan Taylor and award-winning food writer Troy Johnson.
The first session, Self, challenged the audience to explore the expansive power we have as individuals to create the internal transformations that trigger innovation, creativity and action. It began with spoken word artist Sekou Andrews urging us to sprout our stunted wings and fearlessly realize our potential. Other self-challenging presentations ranged from conquering inner demons with lucid dreams, altering our perceptions and reactions, keeping family histories vibrantly alive and dissolving the iron cage of rationalism to free our minds.

During Session 2, Community, presenters looked at the meaning of local in a globally connected world and explored ways to bring about lasting, positive change. Topics ranged from rethinking accepted wisdom to find innovative solutions, tapping new sources of community activism and reaching out to new, often neglected segments of our communities including the homeless and under-privileged girls.

Session 3 dealt with Finding solutions to global problems. Speakers from such diverse disciplines as oceanography, climatology, genomics, bio-mimicry, music and software development demonstrated practical and visionary innovations. Along the way, we journeyed beyond our solar system and through explored coral reefs that hold the promise of cancer cures.

The final session, Seeds of Change, provided the ideas and inspirations each of us could employ to be active, motivated agents of meaningful change. We heard an impassioned case for teaching civics to our children, learned how simple changes at our family dinner table could help alleviate world hunger and found ways to make creative use of the many crevices in our busy lives. We also got progress reports from five of last year’s presenters on their global projects.

TEDxSanDiego 2011 concluded as it had begun, with Sekou Andrews delivering an rhythmic , upbeat recap of the day’s presentations and all we had experienced in our quest to take the world in our grasp.

 

I want to excerpt a couple of the ideas that resonated for me…

 

From the Self (session #1):

When challenged in life with the “it can’t be done, that would take a miracle” mindset, do you respond,

“It WILL take a miracle. Thank goodness I am one!”- Sekou Andrews

 

Are You a Super-Coder? With Martha Beck

All Wisdom Traditions (and I am not talking about knowledge here but wisdom) share certain commonalities. If we tap into these and learn from those that have gone before, we can put them into practice regardless of the time, culture, orientation and values of the (current) tribe.

Those in touch with their spiritual self are “super-coders” of the human brain as they use a larger frame of knowing and a re-definition of possibilities.

As Arthur C Clarke famously stated, “Any sufficiently advanced technology is indistinguishable from magic”. But it is not magic to the magicians!

4 Technologies we might choose to explore as we strive to lead magical lives and make our dreams come true:

1. Accessing a state of Word Less Ness– Cultivate our capacity to transcend the verbal/rational part of our brain/processing to access a broader way of experiencing. Sinking into a worldless state, creates an altered state of heightened perception where our over-focused attention shifts, our attentional blindness recedes and we tap that inner stillness.
2. Experiencing One Ness– Our wrong identification of self as this body/mind expands to include a larger definition of self not limited by restricted beliefs or pure self-interest. An all-connected feeling opens our hearts to others even beyond borders, de-tribalizing, de-nationalizing is intuitive and normal not some externally taught moral value system that we either buy into or don’t. “Above all…CONNECT!”
3. Unleashing the Imagination– Foster the ability to imagine what has never happened before. Zero-based thinking and re-framing what is possible are key skills of Super-coders. Shrinking what is possible to what is practical is utilitarian but only one tool in the tool kit. When all you have is a hammer, everything looks like a nail! “If we always do what we’ve always done, we will always get what we’ve always got”
4. Practice Forming- “To know and not to do, it not to know”. One we cultivate the skill of thinking differently we must manifest that. Play is a fundamental way to do this. Our natural state is to play until we rest and then rest until we play, but modern life has taken a lot of the play out and left nothing but the drama. It is up to us to put the play back in our lives. It is in play that newness is found with more regularity than “structured” work. Alas, we are not compensated to “play” unless of course we are musicians, professional athletes or in other type roles…

On Civility: Richard Dreyfuss

Most of us know Richard as the consummate and Oscar-winning actor. I had the privilege of meeting him last year at  Nonprofit Management Solutions Salute to Excellence Awards (See below)

He lives in North County and today as a community leader his current focus and passion is to encourage, revive, elevate and enhance the teaching of civics in American Schools. He is the Founder of the non-profit organization, www.TheDreyfussInitiative.org. and is leading a nation-wide effort to bring back civics to our American youth: “All people have a right to know who they are and why they are who they are. Clarity of thought and honesty in self-reflection are more than needed utilities – they are the building blocks of our national moral character.”, says Dreyfuss.

At TEDx, Dreyfuss posited that the goal of education is “mobility of the mind”. The real war on independence was a revolution of education for all. In his view the constitution has been co-opted by the political parties (in the constitution there is no mention of political parties). Today instead of focusing on the constitution we find ourselves held hostage by the political parties playing each other. In his view, and I agree, emotional maturity means we can share space with those with whom we disagree. Civics untaught begets values untaught- leaving current and future generations with no idea of who we are and why we are here and becomes a white collar form of child abandonment. The USA is the richest country that has ever been, so to say we can’t afford to teach civics (or anything else for that matter) is not a matter of economics, it is a matter of priorities.

You can get a flavor for his call to civics and its power at his website or here:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fd7p1SGMuqU

 

One dire consequence of the absence of civility with manifestations both in schools and online is bullying.

See it, STOP it-Zero Tolerance!

Left unchecked, bullying’s impact can be devastating as a former colleague of mine found out first hand with the tragic loss of their child

Here is an article that  came out recently regarding Daniel, bullying, and why it’s Cool to be Kind (C2BK) at San Clemente High School.

http://www.ocfamily.com/t-Education-bullies-social-interaction-status-teen-suicide-1211.aspx

On a lighter note, we could all use an easier life. Click the link below to read some awesome tips for solving every day problems!

Tips to solve every day problems

May your days be merry and bright, and your soul filled verily with light!

Pay it forward,

Love, Nev

Happy Soul Food Friday,

I am sure many of you are familiar with TED talks (Ideas Worth Spreading)

My big “aha’s” for this week happened last Saturday at TEDx San Diego 2011 “The World in Our Grasp”, http://www.tedx-sandiego.com/about/

It is co-founded by a friend of mine Jack Abbott and put on by a slew of talented and committed volunteers and was a sold out event.

I will invite Jack to guest blog about what inspired him to co-found TEDx San Diego, one of hundreds of TEDx’s occurring all over the world for an upcoming post, but for now here are a few of the highlights and some links to a few gems to whet your appetite and get your soul a-soaring!

While it is virtually impossible to convey a whole days’ worth of exceptional content, here is a synthesis of  some of the ideas worth sharing that really resonated for me and I hope they spark something in you too.

There was so much good content that I am going to break it up into a couple of Soul Food e-Missives so as not to dilute the impact of this elixir…

 

Connections, Creations and Commitments:

Thematically, while the subject matter experts and their focus varied, the call to wake up, live the dream, face our humanity and in some cases our inhumanity and then redefine our self to include our broader community and planet, as well as take a commitment to be a force of good in our world – however we define it- and plant and cultivate the seeds of change to leave our planet better than we found it was the goal, aim and purpose of the conference.

Some speakers bent our minds with intellect, others touched our hearts with their kindness and wisdom, some enflamed our courage with their conviction and bravery, while others reached our soul with music, poetry and metaphor.

First some killer links for those that want to cut right to the experience without any mediation:

 

Heart: Happiness Revealed by Louie Schwartzberg was one of the TED videos shown that really touched me as we cultivate the gratefulness response & revisit time with a sense of wonder.

It makes you go, “Oh My God!”

Oh- brings you into the present with mindfulness

My- connects us with something deep inside our very soul

God- is that personal journey we all want to be on as we are deeply inspired

If 80% of the information we receive comes through our eyes, and in comparing light energy to musical scales the reality is that the naked eye can only see ONE OCTAVE, then this is a sight to behold…

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=GxbOjp0qSjs

 

Science: Think that NASA is dead?

You’ve got another think coming…

Going beyond just “The World in Our Grasp” this link will blow your mind as you can see our solar system in 3D, watching planets and even satellites moving through space and in real time.

Think Google Earth for the Solar System and you get the drift.

You can even time travel back in time to see Voyager and other missions, and then advance into time to see where they will be 20 years from now.

Click on: http://solarsystem.nasa.gov/eyes/ download the unity 3D plug in, watch the introduction as well as the video tutorials, start experimenting with the controls and SPACE OUT!

Do share this with your friends and family to expand their vision about space, exploration and this tiny blue planet we call home…

 

Life is a Marathon. Here is What YOU can do in the Crevices of Life : Amy Krouse Rosenthal

Ok so you are thinking this is cool stuff, but given my commitments and schedule, when can I possible manifest these parts of myself?

In a terrific presentation, about Capitalizing on the Crevices of Life, Amy Krouse Rosenthal a bestselling author and filmmaker of both adult and children’s content, shared how she uses the gaps in her day and rather than squander… she wanders and uses these short bursts of time to create, write books (16 kids books written between 2005 and 2011 this way) and totally debunks the myth that there is not enough time for the vital stuff because we are so bogged down with the urgent!

This short project with minimal planning and maximum impact is a terrific way to give back energetically to people in our respective communities and leave their day better…

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vosCMUGvd8Y

 

“Nothing is so powerful as an idea whose time has come” – Hugo

The time has come, the idea(s) are here, and YOU are part of creating our new and better world.

How do I know?
You are still reading this!

Pay it forward…

Neville

Happy Soul Food Friday!

Quite a post-thanksgiving week…

First some humor to “pattern interrupt” your routine, and bring a smile to your face from the mouth of babes:

KIDS IN CHURCH

3-year-old Reese :
‘Our Father, Who does art in heaven,
Harold is His name..
Amen.’
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

A little boy was overheard praying:
‘Lord, if you can’t make me a better boy,

don’t worry about it.
I’m having a real good time like I am.’

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

After the christening of his baby brother in church,
Jason sobbed all the way home in the back seat of the car.
His father asked him three times what was wrong.
Finally, the boy replied,
‘That preacher said he wanted us brought up in a Christian home,
and I wanted to stay with you guys.’

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

One particular four-year-old prayed,
‘And forgive us our trash baskets
as we forgive those who put trash in our baskets.’

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

A Sunday school teacher asked her children as they
were on the way to church service,
‘And why is it necessary to be quiet in church?’
One bright little girl replied,
‘Because people are sleeping.’

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

A mother was preparing pancakes for her sons, Kevin 5, and Ryan 3.
The boys began to argue over who would get the first pancake.
Their mother saw the opportunity for a moral lesson..
‘If Jesus were sitting here, He would say,
‘Let my brother have the first pancake, I can wait.’
Kevin turned to his younger brother and said,
‘ Ryan, you be Jesus !’

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

A father was at the beach with his children
when the four-year-old son ran up to him,
grabbed his hand, and led him to the shore
where a seagull lay dead in the sand.
‘Daddy, what happened to him?’ The son asked.
‘He died and went to Heaven,’ the Dad replied.
The boy thought a moment and then said,
‘Did God throw him back down?’
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

A wife invited some people to dinner.
At the table, she turned to their six-year-old daughter and said,
‘Would you like to say the blessing?’
‘I wouldn’t know what to say,’ the girl replied.
‘Just say what you hear Mommy say,’ the wife answered.
The daughter bowed her head and said,
‘Lord, why on earth did I invite all these people to dinner?’
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

Thanks Mohit!

If you enjoy your soul food, your diet undoubtedly includes some healthy portions of giving and volunteering…

The link below shows you how Total Charitable giving in the US is doing along with the impact of Volunteerism.

Individuals continue to give more collectively than Foundations or Corporations, and sadly volunteer rates dipped last year.

Check out the real value of volunteer service in strengthening the social fabric of America:

http://www.usatoday.com/yourlife/mind-soul/doing-good/2010-11-29-sharing-by-the-numbers-graphic_N.htm#.TtakIP5zb-I.email

Thanks Heidi!

—

In the spirit of self-disclosure, here are some soul food snapshots from my week serving in a double bottom line organization focused on both financial performance AND social mission.

In November, Mission Fed set a record with our  highest member growth month in 50 years!

Earlier in the week, as part of our 50^th Anniversary, I was privileged to award the winner of our $1,000 for 50 second video contest their certificate and prize money.

The member-developed videos were quite impressive. Click here for some samples:

https://www.missionfed.com/1000-for-50/Winners

Midweek, I did a site visit of the San Diego Center for Children as part of the Mission Fed Community Foundation Board and was very inspired by the soul-filling and heart-warming work they do EVERYDAY, not just on Soul Food Friday.

San Diego Center for Children is San Diego’s oldest children’s charity. It was formerly known as the San Diego Children’s Home, before that the Women’s Home Association, and harkens back to 1887 when civic leaders joined together to help our region’s most vulnerable children live and flourish. Today they serving more than 600 children a year with five locations across the county. They turn 125 next year and could really use your help in getting the word out about the services that are available for children who have experienced trauma, abuse or have mental health problems right here in San Diego.

They provide:

• free mental health counseling and day treatment programs for children and teens in four locations across San Diego County;

• a free K- through 12th grade accredited school for special needs children

• an intensive reading improvement program for special needs children who are severely behind in reading

• a residential therapeutic treatment program for children and teens who have no home or who cannot live at home, that incorporates a full school day, intensive mental health services, and wellness activities, such as recreational therapy, recreational music making, and art programs

• a foster care placement program in which special needs foster children are given the support they need to succeed and thrive in a stable foster family environment by providing services to help them better manage their mental health challenges and reach their full potential

• a wraparound post-treatment program for children who leave the Center to support them as they successfully reintegrate into their family or foster family, and into a community school

If you are not familiar with the great work they are doing please consider supporting or volunteering & check out:

http://www.centerforchildren.org/

Thanks Rana!

—

I also had the opportunity to participate in Mission Fed’s Matching Grant at KPBS TV, where during the news hour next week, every dollar pledge made by viewers like you will be matched (effectively doubling the value of your investment in public broadcasting) thanks to Mission Fed.

Mission Fed and KPBS are both 50 year old not-for-profits that support education and community service, and you can see us on KPBS TV, Mon-Fri next week between 7:35 and 7:45 if you want to make your money go further…

We are working on a task force to Transform Education in San Diego and planning a huge event in February (more about this soon).

Finally, Saturday I will speak at the Fostering Opportunities Dollars For Scholars Luncheon for foster kids in San Diego.

Hope your week is soul filled and fun

To take you out, here is something I first experienced some time ago but is definitely worth a re-visit.  Directions for the best experience:

• Click the link below and view it twice.
• The first time keep your eyes closed, and the second time, actually “watch” the video.
• http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rvngZLF7dUs

Thanks Larry!

Pay it Forward…
Love,
Nev

This week:

Consider some non-material soul-filling gifts

Repurpose some everyday items found in elementary school to create a grab bag for the greater good, (thanks Mrs. Howard)
Enjoy a twist on the thanksgiving theme & experience some blessings based on the Platinum Rule:

“Do unto others, as others would have done unto them”

 For those of you that enjoy the wonder of nature, I am sure you will be awed by the link below

This amazing video was taken in Ireland, on the River Shannon:

http://vimeo.com/31158841

Thanks Jessica

Peace, Love and Well-being…

Neville

Holiday Season Giving and Receiving 

It is better to give than receive

A powerful human sentiment that ties nicely with the spirit of the holidays regardless of your beliefs and values 

An interesting question to ponder then is what is the most valuable gift you could give to others this year?

Here are some gifts options for you and yours…

  

*** The FIRST gift is the gift of time.

 “Just being with someone can be of great comfort to that person”. 

*** The SECOND gift is the gift of good example. 

Most people learn fundamental attitudes by observing other people. 

*** The THIRD gift is the gift of acceptance. 

People often begin to change when they realize they’re being accepted for what they are. 

 *** The FOURTH gift idea for those who are so often busy and distracted these days is the gift of privacy – that is, time of one’s own.

Too often, we smother people with questions and demands on them and their time. 

*** The FIFTH is the gift of seeing the best in people.

“How can you see a ‘fine’ picture of someone close to you – when that person doesn’t always seem to be so fine?

Often you will see what you expect to see.” 

 *** The SIXTH gift is the gift of self-esteem

Not crippling others by nagging or criticizing – especially those we love. That’s particularly a tough one for millions of people every day. 

 *** The SEVENTH gift,  might be the giving up a bad habit.

*** Number EIGHT is the gift of self-disclosure.

Bottling up feelings and resentments deprives the other person of truly knowing who you are. 

 *** The NINTH gift idea is the gift of helping someone learn something new.

It is an investment in their future happiness. 

*** The TENTH gift is the gift of really listening.

“Few of us know how to truly listen in an effective manner”. 

*** The ELEVENTH is the gift of fun!

It’s important to help those close to you to find the fun in ordinary, small events. 

*** Finally, the TWELFTH gift is letting others give to us.

 “When we let others give to us”, “and when we can accept their gifts in a gracious and mature manner, we may be giving them one of the most important gifts of all.” 

Need something a bit more tangible?

May the intrinsic value in the following items remind us simpler times and richer cultures, where each is affirmed and valued just for who they are, and where the cost of the gift had no bearing on its real value… 

If you are so inspired, you can actually create a “grab bag” of many of the following items and “gift them” to other like-spirited souls. They may prefer an iPhone 4s but they would probably benefit more from these: 

AN ERASER- Everyone makes mistakes. There will be times when we need to try something more than once-maybe many times, before we are successful.

Here’s to erasing all of our mistakes in the past year, AND learning from them 

A PENCIL- We all have good ideas. Some ideas are really great and should be written down so they are not lost or forgotten.

Here’s to penciling in your great ideas and turning them to actions in 2008 

A PAD OF PAPER- Communication is very important. We express ourselves in many ways including writing and pictures.

Here’s to improving the quality of our communications with those around us, through active listening, open sharing, and a genuine desire to hear each other’s story 

ONE BAND AID- The Band aid reminds us not to hurt others.

Here’s to Good Thoughts, Good Words & Good Deeds, and the ability to promptly apologize if we are hurtful, as well as fully forgive if we are hurt 

TISSUES- When one of us is sad, it affects us all. Let the tissues remind us to be aware of and sensitive to each other’s feelings.

Here’s to openly expressing our emotions without fear of judgment & letting others “let it out” 

A RUBBER BAND- Routine is increasingly part of our daily lives.  When changes occur-by design or default-let’s remain flexible and like the rubber band not get bent out of shape.

Here’s to flexibility in daily life in mind, body & spirit 

ONE BUTTON- Respecting one another is a hallmark of a highly developed culture. Sometimes, it may be difficult to think of something nice or appropriate to say. In these cases, the best thing to do is to simply “button our lips” and keep our mouth shut. Whoever said, Sticks and stones can break our bones, but words can never hurt me” didn’t know what the heck they were talking about. Here’s to honoring the absent and knowing when to button our lips 

HUGS & (Hershey’s) KISSES- Sometimes a smile or hug can make the difference between an “okay” day and a “great” day.

Here’s to not being stingy with our smiles and hugs, and knowing the right time, place and way to deliver them with mucho gusto! 

HAND- Raise a hand and help others.

When someone offers you a hand, take it.

Here’s to those that rise by lifting others, and to those who know how to ask for a hand when they need it

• Total value of each individual item – Pennies
• Total cost in buying a bag of each for those close to you – Dollars
• Total return on investment of applying these simple principles in a complex world- Priceless!

 

In the spirit of Thanksgiving let’s BE THANKFUL

Be thankful that you don’t already have everything you desire. 
If you did, what would there be to look forward to? 

Be thankful when you don’t know something, 
for it gives you the opportunity to learn. 

Be thankful for the difficult times. 
During those times you grow. 

 Be thankful for your limitations, 
because they give you opportunities for improvement. 

Be thankful for each new challenge, 
because it will build your strength and character. 

Be thankful for your mistakes. 
They will teach you valuable lessons. 

Be thankful when you’re tired and weary, 
because it means you’ve made a difference. 

It’s easy to be thankful for the good things. 
A life of rich fulfillment comes to those who are also thankful for the setbacks. 

Gratitude can turn a negative into a positive. 
Find a way to be thankful for your troubles, and they can become your blessings. 

-Unknown

Here are some blessings applying the platinum rule: “Do unto others, as others would have done unto them”… 

For the sacred:
“If the only prayer you said in your whole life was, ‘thank you,’ that would suffice.”
  ~Meister Eckhart
 
For the secular:
“The Thanksgiving Day is a jewel, to set in the hearts of honest men;
But be careful that you do not take the day, and leave out the gratitude.”
  ~E.P. Powell

For the minimalist:
“As we express our gratitude, We must never forget that the highest appreciation is not to utter words, but to live by them.”
  ~John Fitzgerald Kennedy
   
For the optimist:
“An optimist is a person who starts a new diet on Thanksgiving Day.”
  ~Irv Kupcinet

Happy Soul Food Friday!

Hope you experienced this week well…

It is fun periodically to see things differently and to see different things to expand our perspective about what is possible and rethink impossible

Check out this amazing example of human creativity from the 2011 Sarasota Chalk Festival

http://www.cruzine.com/2011/11/15/3d-chalk-street-art/?utm_source=feedburner&utm_medium=email&utm_campaign=Feed%3A+Cruzine+%28Cruzine%29

Thanks Brad and Allison

Even if you are not the touchy feely type, we can all use a good hug every now and again…

Always been torn between wanting to wrap your arms around a wild animal yet your basic instinct for survival overrides that fleeting idea? Here is a royal hug for you!

Interested in increasing your energy but not sure what’s either adding to yours or taking away from it?

Try this quick assessment and then act on what you learn

http://www.theenergyproject.com/tools/the-energy-audit#step1

Thanks Robin

Here’s to your creativity, well-being and energy!

Love,

Neville

Happy Soul Food Friday!

One of the greatest gifts we can give ourselves is to not take life for granted.

This TED talk helps crystallize what is important, and what becomes important when you realize your plane is about to crash…

http://www.ted.com/talks/ric_elias.html#.TrRrjWeicSQ.mailto

Thanks Peter

After that reset, enjoy some amazing images of our planet, our only home. Check out:

www.cracktwo.com/2011/04/most-stunning-images-of-earth-ever.html

Thanks Jerry

Wanted to preclude cognitive decline and keep that brain sharp? Click on:

http://www.freebrainagegames.com/

Thanks Larry

Finally, if learning how to learn, and teaching to teach are of interest to you, I think you will enjoy this

http://mindshift.kqed.org/2011/09/dont-lecture-me-rethinking-how-college-students-learn/

Thanks NPR

Be well and pay it forward!

Love,
Neville

Happy Friday!

Here are some posts to enliven your soul…

This year we are going to experience four unusual dates 1/1/11, 1/11/11, 11/1/11, and 11/11/11, one which just happened this week which was National Philanthropists Day and included an exceptional event downtown San Diego with over a thousand people celebrating the power of giving!

When it comes to unusual dates and numbers, that’s not all.

Take the last two digits of the year you were born and the age you will be this year and the result will add up to 111 for everyone!!!!

This week:

Meet a  very real Captain America and superhero who clearly “gets it”

http://www.cbsnews.com/video/watch/?id=7385646n&tag=mncol;lst;1

Thanks Cathy

Enjoy two amazing submissions from Great Britain

One with athletic flair

http://bit.ly/CrazyBikeRide

Thanks Jeff

Then wrap your mind aroundthis expression of creativity

http://www.wimp.com/sheeplight/

Thanks Larry

To the superhero, athlete and creative genius within you…

Pay it forward!

Love,

Nev

And for a little extra inspiration from some furry friends, click on this:

Inspiration

Happy Soul Food Friday!

Your soul is calling, are you listening?

Too busy to feed your soul?

Check your priorities…

How self-aware are you about your “divided brain”?

Here’s a wonderful RSAnimate talk about right brain/left brain roles: http://www.youtube.com/watch?feature=player_embedded&v=dFs9WO2B8uI#!

Thanks Rex!

—

Are you a member of the lost generation?

Find out here…

http://youtu.be/42E2fAWM6rA

Thanks
Allison!

—

Do you listen to your heart?

Watch this clip and it is inevitable…
http://www.youtube.com/watch_popup?v=SkY03n0_sD8&vq=medium

Change your thoughts, change your life!

A Story…

It will take just 37 seconds to read this and change your thinking. 

Two men, both seriously ill, occupied the same hospital room. 

One man was allowed to sit up in his bed for an hour each afternoon to help drain the fluid from his lungs. 

His bed was next to the room’s only window. 

The other man had to spend all his time flat on his back. 

The men talked for hours on end. 

They spoke of their wives and families, their homes, their jobs, their involvement in the military service, where they had been on vacation.. 

Every afternoon, when the man in the bed by the window could sit up, he would pass the time by describing to his roommate all the things he could see outside the window. 

The man in the other bed began to live for those one hour periods where his world would be broadened and enlivened by all the activity and color of the world outside. 

The window overlooked a park with a lovely lake. 

Ducks and swans played on the water while children sailed their model boats. Young lovers walked arm in arm amidst flowers of every color and a fine view of the city skyline could be seen in the distance. 

As the man by the window described all this in exquisite details, the man on the other side of the room would close his eyes and imagine this picturesque scene. 

One warm afternoon, the man by the window described a parade passing by. 

Although the other man could not hear the band – he could see it in his mind’s eye as the gentleman by the window portrayed it with descriptive words. 

Days, weeks and months passed. 

One morning, the day nurse arrived to bring water for their baths only to find the lifeless body of the man by the window, who had died peacefully in his sleep. 

She was saddened and called the hospital attendants to take the body away. 

As soon as it seemed appropriate, the other man asked if he could
be moved next to the window. The nurse was happy to make the switch, and after
making sure he was comfortable, she left him alone. 

Slowly, painfully, he propped himself up on one elbow to take his first look at the real world outside.  He strained to slowly turn to look out the window besides the bed. 

It faced a blank wall. 

The man asked the nurse what could have compelled his deceased roommate who had described such wonderful things outside this window. 

The nurse responded that the man was blind and could not even see the wall. 

She said, ‘Perhaps he just wanted to encourage you.’ 

Epilogue: 

There is tremendous happiness in making others happy, despite our own situations. 

Shared grief is half the sorrow, but happiness when shared, is doubled. 

If you want to feel rich, just count all the things you have that money can’t buy. 

‘Today is a gift, that is why it is called The Present .’ 

The origin of this letter is unknown. 

—

Enjoy some local scenes and local flight of delight

http://www.parahawkusa.com/Home.html

—

Marvel at the wonder of animals?

Experience kittens for lunch with special thanks to Larry for the last four submissions…

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ds_p52BTEsg

Pay it forward, you can’t take it with you!

Love,

Neville

Happy Soul Food Friday!

This Wednesday I experienced a San Diego educational community double header, first representing Mission Fed at the Dollars for Scholars Scholarship Showcase Reception, which was immediately followed by a UCSD Social Sciences event entitled, “America’s Changing Job Landscape: How Regions Are Reinventing Themselves.”

Dollars for Scholars

First, if you are not familiar with Dollars for Scholars, you must check them out! It is a nationwide program that provides educational scholarships for disadvantaged youth often in foster care or the juvenile court system. It is comprised of  nearly 1,100 locally based, volunteer-driven chapters serving students in nearly 3,500 communities across the country. Last year they raised $42 Million and impacted 41,000 kids in the USA.

More than $2.5 billion have been distributed to more than 1.7 million students through Scholarship America programs since 1958. 

Since 1995, our colleague at Mission Fed, Maurice Chambers has been the treasurer of one of the many local chapters-The San Diego Court Schools Scholarshi,p Foundation, aka Dollars for Scholars, which was created in 1986 to provide scholarships for Juvenile Court and Community Schools (JCCS) students that since their founding in 1986 have distributed an estimated 1,700 scholarships totaling $500,000 to deserving youth. 

We have been supporting them for decades and hearing the stories of the adversity these young people withstand to press on to become some of the first in their families to get to college, often becoming donors or mentors to this very same program for the next generation of kids are downright inspiring!

Wednesday we got to hear from scholarship recipients Sue Fang, Sherry and Andrea that because of Dollars for Scholars are able to go to USD, UCSD and SDSU respectively thanks to the mentorship and scholarship of this organization that does hugely important work right here in our community. The multi-purpose room in the Student Center at UCSD, where the event was held has banners featuring the likes of Einstein, Fulbright, Eleanor Roosevelt, Earl Warren, Thurgood Marshall, Roger Revelle and John Muir. But Wednesday it was Sue, Sherry and Andrea that were the most profound and poignant voices to be heard bringing clarity and definition to “multi” PURPOSE. Thanks to all the individuals and organizations that mentor and financially support this fine group of kids and the outstanding financial aid counseling they get to not go into massive student loan debt-currently over $1 Trillion and collectively higher than credit card debt in this country! 

Ok so once you have defied the odds and earned that college degree, what do you do with it in today’s economic climate? 

America’s Changing Job Landscape

“America’s Changing Job Landscape: How Regions Are Reinventing Themselves” featured thought leader Mary L. Walshok, PhD with a hard-hitting look at where America’s employment growth will come from, and how we can stimulate the growth our economy sorely needs. Dr. Walshok took us down an intellectually honest journey of the anomalies, paradoxes, contradictions and disconnects between higher education and effective workforce preparation.

Here are some sobering facts:

• 3.2 million jobs are currently unfilled, even though 14 million people are looking for work.
• 43% of college enrollees still do not have a degree after 6 years of training.
• 90% of the new jobs created in this country are in companies that are 5 years old or less.
• 50% of the companies on the Fortune 500 list were not on that list 30 years ago.
• 33% of the 47 million jobs we expect to create over the next decade will require a bachelor’s degree and 30% will require a community college or skills certification degree. 

Clearly, there is a mismatch between where jobs are being created, the skills and credentialing that are required, and our current investments in education and training. Sadly, the United States spends less on workforce training than most industrialized countries and values it less!

Here are some realities and limitations of our current public educational system with far reaching consequences if we really want to be competitive on the world stage:

• No foreign language and global skills requirements.
• No meaningful work experience.
• No project-based learning.
• Rewards individual performance – not team work.
• Absence of advisors/mentors in either the faculty or
  among practitioners.
• Disconnect between those who teach and train and those
  who employ and develop.
• Life-long learning valued only as a source of income,
  not as an educational commitment. 

To equip your 21^st century learner, make sure you offset these limitations… 

In her new book with Henry Devries, “Closing America’s Job Gap” Dr. Walshok provides much needed answers after visiting communities all across America in her current research, funded by the U.S. Department of Labor, NSF and private foundations. Dr. Walshok, an industrial sociologist has been inspired and in turn inspires others to explore and learn from the way regions are reinventing themselves: creating pockets of innovation and economic transformation, often in unexpected places. Mary Walshok is associate vice chancellor for public programs and dean of Extension at the UC San Diego (which does provide effective work force training by the way) as well as an Adjunct Professor in the Department of Sociology.  

Tired of our politicians fighting like “cats and dogs”?

I think that is an insult to the animals!

We sometimes denigrate animals with expressions such as fighting like cats and dogs. This next clip makes us reconsider who are the real animals and what are virtues we might want to emulate: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ofpYRITtLSg

 If only I was the person my dog thinks I am… 

In need of a soul food power bar?

My friend and professional colleague Eric Klein has a new (free) eBook- 50 Ways to Leave Your Karma: Freedom, Fear, and the Art of Getting Unstuck.

In 50 short chapters, Eric charms you with practical applications of ancient wisdom practices tailored to everyday life. The integration of personal stories with the latest neuroscience makes this an enjoyable and informative read. And Eric illustrates each point with a quirky dharma doodle that adds a humorous flair.  

This is an e-book so the author also provides links to personal practice that deepen ones understanding.

 You can get a free copy of 50 Ways to Leave Your Karma at:

www.wisdomheart.org/50Ways 

Many of you have heard me talk about paying attention to the all Green Lights in your life, as we tend to take those for granted but are hyper-critical of the Red ones.

Here is a sample chapter in which Eric reminds us to pay attention to the Yellow Lights in our lives as they have something to teach us too… 

How slowing down helps you move faster 

I was riding shotgun – sitting in the passenger seat. Aaron, my 20-year-old son, was driving. He picked me up at the airport and we were now weaving in and out of the afternoon traffic.  

Up ahead, the traffic light went from green to yellow. Aaron gunned the engine and I let out a yelp. 

To me a yellow light means slow down and get ready to stop.

To Aaron a yellow light means speed up and make it through the intersectionbefore you have to stop. We both recognize yellow lights as a warning. But this warning triggers very different behaviors for each of us. 

Yellow lights aren’t only encountered while driving around town. Yellow lights are part of every conversation you have at work and at home. 

Every conversation you have is dotted with conversational yellow lights.

Conversational yellow lights are warnings – signals that the person you’re talking to is:

• Not following your reasoning
• Not accepting your assumptions
• Not understanding your point of view
• Not connecting with your message 

How can you tell if you’re approaching a conversational yellow light?

Whenever the person you’re talking to:

• Disagrees with your opinion
• Expresses doubt or concern
• Asks a challenging question
• Voices an idea that you don’t agree with
• Sends non-verbal signals of confusion, discomfort, disagreement, or disinterest 

These are all signs that they’re out of synch with what you’re saying. You’re not influencing them in the direction you’re intending.You’re not connecting with them. They’re flashing a conversational yellow light. How you interpret their yellow light will determine what you do next. 

Many people interpret a conversational yellow light as a signal to speed up.

They see the yellow light as a threat to their agenda. They
want to move forward, not lose momentum. They believe that slowing down the
conversation will cause them to lose ground. So when a conversational yellow
light flashes, they:

• Talk more
• Argue harder
• Go into detail
• Provide more evidence
• Show more charts and graphs 

They do this because they’re afraid of yellow lights and they recognize that they’re out of synch with the other person. So they try harder and talk more in an attempt to accelerate through the yellow light. 

But here’s the problem. Whenever you blow past a conversational yellow light, you miss the opportunity to make a stronger connection with the other person, understand them better, and have the outcome you want for your conversation. 

When you hit a conversational yellow light – slow down.

Every conversational yellow light is a gift. Every doubt, concern, objection, or question that the other person expresses is a gift. By flashing a conversational yellow light, the other person reveals exactly where they’re stuck, uncertain, and how you’ve lost them.  

Their questions and disagreements tell you precisely what matters most to them.

Their non-verbal signals of confusion, discomfort, disagreement, or disinterest, highlight exactly what you need to understand them more completely.  

When people flash yellow lights, they’re telling you to slow down and shift from being convincing to being curious. When you’re curious, you naturally slow down to learn, investigate, and pay attention. 

A great way to slow down is to ask questions.

Show your interest, respect, and care for the other person by asking questions. And take your time. Ask real questions – questions that you don’t know the answer to. Take more time than feels “natural.” 

The more you slow down and ask questions, the more clearly, precisely, and deeply you’ll be able to address their doubts, concerns, and confusion. Shift your attention from making your point to exploring and understanding their doubts, concerns, and objections. 

Next, time you’re driving your agenda forward – pay attention to those yellow lights.

When you see one, put your foot on the brake, not in your mouth. Slow the conversation down, listen more than talk, ask questions, and deepen your connection with the other person. When you slow down, you’ll reach your destination much more quickly. 

Take a risk, change your life and pay it forward!

Love,
Neville