A Beautiful Mind…

What’s Cool?

Give a dollar. Give a damn.

I recently did an unlearn presentation for a leadership summit at my previous university and was in dire need of a strong conclusion. I decided to use a video that I watched in Grand Central Station describing the difference you can make with your two hands. The video was about Mandela Day 2009. Although it was quite relevant, I wanted to leave the audience with something to look forward to – not something that had already passed.

More recently a friend sent me a link to something that would have worked just as well… or better. Gratitude Week is happening October 12-16 with the purpose of “Doing one thing today to end homelessness now.”

“Vancouver is one of the most prosperous and desirable places in the world to live. Yet we have more than 2,600 people living on our streets. We all know homelessness is something that must end, but the problem keeps growing. And while the issues of homelessness are complex and sometimes contentious, the reality is that until people have their basic needs of safe, clean affordable housing and shelter met, the larger and more difficult issues cannot be addressed”.

I really like the idea but let’s make this a challenge. Why can’t we challenge universities, colleges, high schools, elementary schools and cities across the country? This is an awesome concept that has to catch fire. Social networking has to take its toll… and fast!

Blink

I have a good buddy that is constantly reading. He claims that he is not the fastest reader, however it seems as though he is always a few good reads ahead of me and he is always making unreal recommendations. I had the opportunity to pick up a book by Malcolm Gladwell called “Blink”. I’m not quite finished it but it has really caught my attention. Blink is about thinking without thinking. I know, it seems like quite the topic, however in a nutshell it is exploring unconscious thought.

You have no idea how much you judge people, all the time. I mean this in both a positive and a negative way.

One of the first case studies instantly caught my attention. For a number of years, Vic Braden was a professional tennis player and then he spent some time coaching. This guy could watch a tennis match between two people that he had never watched before and pick out each time the serving player was going to double fault.

First, understand that in a given match any one player could serve the ball more then 200 times. If they double fault 20 times this guy would accurately pick out 19 of 20 double faults right before they served the ball. He tried to determine what it was about that player’s serve that indicated to him a double fault was on the way but he just could not explain it. It’s unconscious decision making. It’s almost like having that gut instinct.

As expected, I highly recommend reading it. Also, I will keep you up to date on more interesting findings from the book.

Opportunity

Please do yourself a favor and listen to this song. A friend sent it to me just recently and I am going to use it in an upcoming unlearn presentation. Its called Opportunity and it’s by Pete Murray.

The Lost Generation

 

I was doing some research for an unlearn presentation and I came across this very interesting video. It is titled “The Lost Generation” and it makes perfect sense. Check it out.

Isn’t that unbelievable. I love it.

The United States Department of Energy

Check out this tid bit of sarcasm…

Welcome to a time of exponential change. Please, be the change you wish to see in the world.

Alive and Kicking

 

A friend of mine told me to read an article in Sports Illustrated titled “Alive and Kicking.” To be honest, it was a pretty lengthy article but deserved every ounce of space it took up on those pages. If you have a few minutes, take the time to read it. It really puts things in to perspective.

 

http://vault.sportsillustrated.cnn.com/vault/article/magazine/MAG1140917/index.htm

 

In a nutshell (you still have to read it), this is a story of a young woman who took a chance. She created a world of opportunity for war refugees from 24 different countries around the world. It all began when she witnessed a group of young boys playing soccer in a concrete parking lot with a beat up old ball and rocks for nets. Many were without shoes and wore left over clothing samples. She saw an opportunity. The next day at the same time and place she went with a brand new soccer ball and asked if she could play. From there she created a team called the Fugees and began on her pathway to greatness!

 

Again, you have to read this article. These two paragraphs give the story absolutely no justice. It’s such a different world we live in and some of the experiences these children have witnessed at such a young age just boggles my mind.

 

“One Fugee had seen his father gunned down by soldiers, another had seen his dad’s fingers sliced off.”

 

“My heart hurts,” the boy told Luma–the truest excuse a Fugee had ever given her.

 

Think about ways you can volunteer your time, maybe not to the same extent that Luma did but try once a week to give something back to your community. As a society we are constantly stressed about life, relationships, employment and the list goes on. Guess what, the stress you place on your life is no bodies fault but your own. Change your life and be who you want to be. Find your passion and do what you love. Don’t be afraid to be happy.

Putting Life in Perspective

 

In my last year of university I had the opportunity to present the message of unlearn to about 250 of my peers.

 

My goal: to provoke thought in the hope that it will encourage positive change.

 

To put things in perspective I asked the audience to write down everything they were thankful for. Then I played this video:

 

 

 

 

After the video I asked for a show of hands of those that could add something to their original list. The results were as expected. Everyone put up their hands. A little food for thought:

 

“Minds are like parachutes – they only function when open”

-         Malcolm Forbes

 

“We must unlearn those things that present barriers to deeper, more profound truth.”

-         Nicholas of Cusa

 

“Practice the vocabulary of love. Unlearn the language of hate and contempt.”

-         Sai Baba

 

“Whenever you find yourself on the side of the majority, it’s time to pause and reflect.”

-         Mark Twain

 

 “If everyone is thinking alike, then somebody isn’t thinking.”

-         George S. Patton

Don’t blink!

This past year I had the opportunity to develop a curriculum with a local entrepreneur. I wanted to challenge my peers to think about the decisions they make, think about how they influence the world around them, and think about becoming more engaged citizens and human beings. I prepared a 90 minute workshop outlining issues like global warming, sexuality, inclusive language, unplugging, education, racism, and random acts of kindness. I also incorporated music, an A-team, quotes, and a volleyball that helped to make the workshop more interactive and enjoyable. My message: unlearn. My mission: to provoke thought in the hope of positive change. Unlearn is open for interpretation.

There were a few friends in the room that I put on the spot. I told them that, unlike every other experience in the classroom, today there is no such thing as being wrong. I asked for their opinions and interpretations. Many shared stories and experiences within their own lives. The results were astounding. Afterwards, my peers approached me saying they could not believe 90 minutes had passed. It was awesome!

I want to show you this video that the owner of the company introduced to me. The video was created for a film festival, I believe in the U.K. and it did quite well. Let me know your interpretation.

For more information go to www.unlearn.com