Happy Soul Food Friday!

Happy Soul Food Friday to You!
Hope you had a good week.
If you are like the rest of us, you probably really value your freedom.

On closer inspection you will notice there are two kinds of freedom:

Freedom to and Freedom from

Ironically at the end of the day, freedom seldom is free…

Speaking of freedom…

If you are local and free to join us on Thursday Feb 2^nd we would love to tap your energy- and share ours- at the Re-Energize Education event on the USS Midway.

Re-energizing Education Flyer

We now have over 400+ kindred spirits coming together to model leadership and support education with local showcase groups, student exhibits and national panelists flying in from all around the country.

Superintendents are paying for Principals. Principals are paying for Teachers. Organizations are sponsoring Individuals. More than 100 teachers are able to go at no charge. It is a beautiful thing!

You can still sign up at: http://www.re-energizeeducation.org/

Speaking of the Midway…

The Midway Islands as their name suggests are roughly midway between Japan and North America

Last year Japan really took a real hit with the trifecta of earthquake, tsunami and nuclear radiation.

We had the freedom to help and as you will see many nations of the world rallied around a common cause. A lot can happen when people come together as one…

Not insignificant to the following story is the role a teacher plays; as this individual example shines the spotlight on one person making a difference, many people coming together, and national boundaries dissolving in this outpouring of collective support.

Man’s inhumanity to man is egregious.

(Hu)man’s kindness for one another is transformational!

http://www.youtube.com/watch_popup?v=SS-sWdAQsYg&vq=medium

(thanks Chris) 

“May all beings be free from suffering.
May all beings be peaceful and joyful.
May all beings true direct experience, know the true nature of their own being…” 

Enjoy…

Neville

“The best road to progress is freedom’s road.” –John F. Kennedy

Happy Soul Food Friday!

Thanks to all my soul food friends for continuing to fill me up, and in turn give me the opportunity to share a weekly plate of soul food with you!

This week thanks go to Larry, Chris and Penny

Enjoy this a la carte option and do comment about what you like best and why…

Realize you don’t know enough of your neighbors, want to know all your neighbors better or even go wild and throw a block soul food party?

Check out this handy dandy way to learn about everyone in your neighborhood.

Good news is it is out there. Bad news it is out there…

http://neighbors.whitepages.com/ 

Need a little inspiration?

Check out “Change for a Dollar” and keep the mood change

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9DXL9vIUbWg 

Love Dogs?

You will love this deck!

Dogs!!

Need a little more super-nature in your life?
Enjoy Coyote Buttes in all its awe and splendor

Coyote_Buttes_in_Utah_Arizona_11

Here are some cartoons to give us some perspective.

You and yours might resemble some of these re-marks :)…

HOW THINGS HAVE CHANGED

Let’s conclude with some old soul words of wisdom from Mother Teresa…

“People are often unreasonable, illogical and self-centered; Forgive them anyway.
If you are kind, people may accuse you of selfish, ulterior motives; Be kind anyway.
If you are successful, you will win some false friends and some true enemies; Succeed anyway.
If you are honest and frank, people may cheat you; Be honest and frank anyway.
What you spend years building, someone could destroy overnight; Build anyway.
If you find serenity and happiness, they may be jealous; Be happy anyway.
The good you do today, people will often forget tomorrow; Do good anyway.
Give the world the best you have, and it may never be enough; Give the world the best you’ve got anyway.
You see, in the final analysis, it is between you and your God; It was never between you and them anyway.” — Mother Teresa

To your well-being!

Love,

Neville

Happy Soul Food Friday!

Hope your year is off to a good start.

Nothing superstitious for this week (that would be Ghoul food)…

First enjoy a musical interlude to keep the holiday mojo going, but check out this instrument and partnership:

http://www.wimp.com/glassharp/ 

Thanks Chris

As you think about what constitutes a successful year, you might find my work blog post useful as you define what success means to you

https://www.missionfed.com/blogs/bottom-line-blog/whats-your-definition-success

Our world is a changing. If you don’t believe in cause marketing and being a force of good, you have another think coming. Check out these stats:

Statistics Every (Cause) Marketer Should Know

Here are some statistics from 2008 to 2010 research that shed new light on doing well by doing good.

Consumer Expect Marketing with Purpose Globally – Eighty-six percent of consumers around the world believe that business needs to place at least equal weight on societal interests as on business interests. 2010 Edelman goodpurpose

Marketing Experts Agree – Two-thirds of brands now engage in cause marketing (up from 58% in 2009) and 97% of marketing executives believe it is a valid business strategy. 2010 PRWeek/Barkely PR Cause Survey

Communication is Key – 90% of consumers want companies to tell them the ways they are supporting causes. Nearly two-thirds (61%) don’t think companies are giving them enough details about their efforts, including the amounts donated and the length of the promotions. 2010 Cone Cause Evolution Study

Hispanics and African Americans Respond to CM – One-third of Hispanic and African American consumers report that they almost always choose brands that support causes they believe in, compared to just one in five Non-Hispanic Whites. Yankelovich MONITOR Multicultural Study 2010

Consumers Punish Companies with Bad Reputations: 72% of US consumers say they have avoided purchasing products from companies whose practices they disagree with. 2009 BBMG Conscious Consumer Report

People Seek Authentic Corporate Commitment – Globally 66% of people believe it’s no longer enough for corporations to merely give money away, but that they must integrate good causes into their day-to-day business. 2009 Edelman goodpurpose Consumer Study

Consumers Believe Companies Can Make a Difference – 60% of US consumers say businesses are in the best position to impact social issues, as opposed to government (14%). 2009 Waggener Edstrom Worldwide Consumer Research

Marketers Are Sticking With It – 61% of CMOs say they plan to maintain their level of cause commitment in spite of the recession. 2009 PRWeek/Barkley Cause Survey

Cause Marketing Increases Sales – Behavioral research demonstrated a 28 to 78% increase in actual purchase within the toothpaste and shampoo categories. 2008 Cone/Duke University Behavioral Cause Study

Cause Increasingly Creates Differentiation – 79% of Americans say they would be likely to switch from one brand to another, when price and quality are about equal, if the other brand is associated with a good cause (compared to 66% in 1993). 2008 Cone Cause Evolution Study

People are Cause Conscious in Many Aspects of Life – 89% of Americans state it is very/somewhat important to know about the values of companies they come in contact with – whether through buying products, working for them or living in a community in which they operate. The 2008 MS&L Global Values Study

Finally, in the spirit of thinking outside the box, here a few things I bet you wish you had thought of:

Outside the Box

Thanks Larry

Stay thirsty (for soul food) my friends!

Pay it forward…

Neville

Happy New Year!

Did you make any New Year’s resolutions to kick off 2012?
Did perpetuating the power of goodness and kindness make your ‘to do’ list as a continuation of your “naughty or nice” list?

Kindness has been part of our higher selves since time immemorial.

Almost every philosophy, human potentiality movement and world religion includes a derivative of kindness as it is a foundational human virtue.

It is 2,500 years old. Now it is the latest thing.

In the last few years, Kindness as a ‘brand attribute’ jumped a whopping +391%, the most of any attribute according to those with access to the largest consumer database on the planet.

This was followed by:

• High quality +124%
• Friendly +79%
• Socially responsible + 63%
• Leader +40%

This is as an outgrowth of our migration from mindless to mindful consumers, our move from industrial to industrious thinking, us becoming more self-reliant and resourceful, and realizing we are happier with a simpler more down to earth lifestyle.

Model all those attributes, personally and professionally, and you are changing the world for the better!

But since you are reading this blog you already knew that, and didn’t need the data to back this up (although it is useful to impress your friends and critics 🙂  )

“Intuition will tell the thinking mind where to look next” – Jonas Salk

The Power of Kindness is not just a human thing

Check this clip out (Thanks Elisa)

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=QK9Xj7eY0UU

Looking back

A little bit of historical trivia to give us some perspective.

Bet you didn’t know this… (Thanks Larry)

Did you know the saying “God willing and the Creeks don’t rise” was in reference to the Creek Indians and not a body of water? It was written by Benjamin Hawkins in the late 18th century.. He was a politician and Indian diplomat.  While in the south, Hawkins was requested by the President of the U.S. to return to Washington . In his response, he was said to write, “God willing and the Creeks don’t rise.” Because he capitalized the word “Creeks” it is deduced that he was referring to the Creek Indian tribe and not a body of water.
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In George Washington’s days, there were no cameras. One’s image was either sculpted or painted. Some paintings of George Washington showed him standing behind a desk with one arm behind his back while others showed both legs and
both arms. Prices charged by painters were not based on how many people were to be painted, but by how many limbs were to be painted. Arms and legs are ‘limbs,’ therefore painting them would cost the buyer more. Hence the expression, ‘Okay, but it’ll cost you an arm and a leg.’ (Artists know hands and arms are more difficult to paint)
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As incredible as it sounds, men and women took baths only twice a year (May and October) Women kept their hair covered, while men shaved their heads (because of lice and bugs) and wore wigs. Wealthy men could afford good wigs made from wool. They couldn’t wash the wigs, so to clean them they would carve out a loaf of bread, put the wig in the shell, and bake it for 30 minutes. The heat would make the wig big and fluffy, hence the term ‘big wig.. ‘ Today we often use the term ‘here comes the Big Wig’
because someone appears to be or is powerful and wealthy.
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In the late 1700’s, many houses consisted of a large room with only one chair. Commonly, a long wide board folded down from the wall, and was used for dining. The ‘head of the household’ always sat in the chair while everyone else ate sitting on the floor. Occasionally a guest, who was usually a man, would be invited to sit in this chair during a meal. To sit in the chair meant you were important and in charge. They called the one sitting in the chair the ‘chair man.’ Today in business, we use the expression
or title ‘Chairman’ or ‘Chairman of the Board.’
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Personal hygiene left much room for improvement. As a result, many women and men had developed acne scars by adulthood. The women would spread bee’s wax over their facial skin to smooth out their complexions. When they were speaking to each other, if a woman began to stare at another woman’s face she was told, ‘mind your own bee’s wax.’ Should the woman smile, the wax would crack, hence the term ‘crack a smile’. In addition, when they sat too close to the fire, the wax would melt . . . Therefore, the
expression ‘losing face.’
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Ladies wore corsets, which would lace up in the front. A proper and dignified woman, as in ‘straight laced’ wore a tightly tied lace.

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Common entertainment included playing cards. However, there was a tax levied when purchasing playing cards but only applicable to the ‘Ace of Spades..’ To avoid paying the tax, people would purchase 51 cards instead. Yet, since most games require 52 cards, these people were thought to be stupid or dumb because they weren’t ‘playing with a full deck.’
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Early politicians required feedback from the public to determine what the people considered important. Since there were no telephones, TV’s or radios, the politicians sent their assistants to local taverns, pubs, and bars. They were told to ‘go sip some Ale and listen to people’s conversations and political concerns. Many assistants were dispatched at different times. ‘You go sip here’ and ‘You go sip there.’ The two words ‘go sip’ were eventually combined when referring to the local opinion and, thus we
have the term ‘gossip.’
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At local taverns, pubs, and bars, people drank from pint and quart-sized containers. A bar maid’s job was to keep an eye on the customers and keep the drinks coming. She had to pay close attention and remember who was drinking in ‘pints’ and who was drinking in ‘quarts,’ hence the phrase ‘minding your ‘P’s and Q’s’.
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One more:

In the heyday of sailing ships, all war ships and many freighters carried iron cannons. Those cannons fired round iron cannon balls. It was necessary to keep a good supply near the cannon. However, how to prevent them from rolling about the deck? The best storage method devised was a square-based pyramid with one ball on top, resting on four resting on nine, which rested on sixteen. Thus, a supply of 30 cannon balls could be stacked in a small area right next to the cannon. There was only one problem…how to prevent the bottom layer from sliding or rolling from under the others. The solution was a metal plate called a ‘Monkey’ with 16 round indentations. However, if this plate were made of iron, the iron balls would quickly rust to it. The solution to the rusting problem was to make ‘Brass Monkeys.’ Few landlubbers realize that brass contracts much more and much faster than iron when chilled. Consequently, when the temperature dropped too far, the brass indentations would shrink so much that the iron cannonballs
would come right off the monkey; Thus, it was quite literally, ‘Cold enough to freeze the balls off a brass monkey.’ (All this time, you thought that was an improper expression, didn’t you.)
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Looking forward

Now fast forward the tape to the 21^st century. Unbelievable!

Check out the Social Media Revolution

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dQFMH343ORk

Did you know 4.0?

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=cL9Wu2kWwSY

After that whip lash is there a snowball’s chance in hell of building positivism in 2012?

I am being punny…

Snoball aims to encourage viral social giving via a platform enabling users to donate based on an event or action where triggers leading to donations can simply be dates – for example, on the first of every month the user will donate USD 2 to a specified charity. You can be even more imaginative. Check out: https://snoball.com/ and start your own snowball effect (thanks Paul)

Are you crafty? Turn your craft into art!

See how one person made up their mind and then made up their local stop signs- to make a difference in their community

At the end of this project, slated for the beginning of spring, there will by 100 stop signs like this all over Clairemont. (Way to go Bryan!)

http://stopsignflower.com/

Seeking inspiration not news?

Check out: www.good.is and sign up for your “Daily Good”

People are awesome: http://www.good.is/tag/paa

Here are a couple of sample stories to whet your soul food appetite…

http://www.good.is/post/ending-africa-s-hungry-season-how-family-farms-are-driving-development/?utm_content=headline&utm_medium=hp_carousel&utm_source=slide_5

http://www.good.is/post/people-are-awesome-the-teenage-girl-who-s-helping-defeat-cancer/

(Thanks Greg)

See you on the rebound!

Pay it forward,

Neville

Happy Holidays!

I hope your holiday season remains magical and full of light!

In the spirit of magic, here are a couple of tricks that should keep the awe and wonder going…

“Life is like a game of cards. The hand that is dealt you is determinism; the way you play it is free will.” –Jawaharlal Nehru

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Uh0CMcLiRkw&w=560&h=315

“I will see it when I believe it.”— Dr. Wayne Dyer

http://biggeekdad.com/2011/08/double-fantasy-magic-duo/

Triple bottom line accounting (people, planet and profits) continues to evolve, and while evolution is painfully slow this link invites us to breathe with mother earth which is changing painfully quickly…

http://www.youtube.com/embed/nGeXdv-uPaw

“Being challenged in life is inevitable, being defeated is optional.”— Roger Crawford

Whatever kind of light you choose to illuminate the holidays, here are some cool examples from around the world along with the decoding of the 12 days of Christmas Carol at the end…click the link below to see:

Holidays Around the World

There is one Christmas Carol that has always baffled me.

What in the world do leaping lords, French hens,  swimming swans, and especially the partridge who won’t come out of the pear tree have to do with Christmas?

From 1558 until 1829, Roman Catholics in England were not permitted to practice their faith openly. Someone during that era wrote this carol as a catechism song for young Catholics.

It has two levels of meaning: the surface meaning plus a hidden meaning known only to members of their church. Each element in the carol has a code word for a religious reality which the children could remember. 

1. The partridge in a pear tree was Jesus Christ. 
2. Two turtle doves were the Old and New Testaments.
3. Three French hens stood for faith, hope and love.
4. The four calling birds were the four gospels of Matthew, Mark, Luke & John. 
5. The five golden rings recalled the Torah or Law, the first five books of the Old Testament. 
6. The six geese a-laying stood for the six days of creation. 
7. Seven swans a-swimming represented the sevenfold gifts of the Holy Spirit- Prophesy, Serving, Teaching, Exhortation, Contribution, Leadership, and Mercy. 
8. The eight maids a-milking were the eight beatitudes. 
9. Nine ladies dancing were the nine fruits of the Holy Spirit–Love, Joy, Peace, Patience, Kindness, Goodness, Faithfulness, Gentleness, and Self-Control. 
10. The ten lords a-leaping were the ten commandments. 
11. The eleven pipers piping stood for the eleven faithful disciples.
12. The twelve drummers drumming symbolized the twelve points of belief in the Apostles’ Creed.

There’s your history lesson for today, and how that strange song became a Christmas Carol…so pass it on if you wish.

A bit too heavy for you? Need some lighter soul food fare and just feel like acting the goat?

http://www.youtube-nocookie.com/embed/b4_EdJ-XkUA?rel=0

See you in the New Year!

Pay it forward…

Neville

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