Monday, August 1st, 2011

I Was Inspired

I was inspired.

Motivated.

Profoundly moved.

Let me start at the beginning…

Do you remember March 11, 2011?

The day that a mega earthquake and terrifying Tsunami devastated Japan.

We all watched with horror.

Many did what they could to help – donating time; money; service.

And then we move on – other stories take over, other tragedies dominate, other narratives catch our short attention spans.

I just came back from Japan – allow me to report.

Frankly, I wasn’t sure what I would find. People were nervous I was going.

Given the U.S. experience of Katrina and such – even years later – my expectations were not that high.

Should have known better.

Let’s be clear – there is still lots to do and years of work ahead – but that’s understood. Power is still an issue – air-conditioning and escalators and such – nice to have as opposed to necessities are still running low or slow – and that’s understood. Deep infrastructure changes are necessary and sacrifices’ will be made – and that’s understood.

Mornings as I watched CNN I found myself embarrassed watching the so-called U.S. debt crisis – I should say self-created crisis or maybe better self-inflicted….

In my home country some can’t seem to agree to any reduction in anything that might cause discomfort in the short term – but long term would save the economy – while others only want to slash and burn in the short term without any thought to damage in the long term.

And there I was with a country focused on the long term – and ready to do whatever it took in the short term – no matter how discomforting – if it assured the future.

The lesson from Japan?

Listen:

起死回生 (kishi kaisei) Literally: Wake from death and return to life.
This means: Get on with it….

継続は力なり。 (Keizoku wa chikara nari) Literally: Continuance (also) is power/strength.
This means: Don’t give up. Just continuing to hold on will yield/reveal strength and power. Continuing on after a setback is its own kind of strength. Perseverance is power.

And there you have it…

Feeling down?

Beaten up?

Reluctant to make the changes in your life you have to make?

Worried about cutting back?

Get on with it – perseverance is power and the future is bright.

Thank you to my friends in Japan for inspiring me, teaching me, motivating me…

What do you think?

Posted by David on 08/01 at 03:40 PM
  • First of all, I want to thank all of the people belonging to the network for prayers, warm notes and charities extended to Japan. My impression to 'Spend Shift', latest book written by John has dramatically changed after 3.11. Before 3.11, frankly speaking, I had felt there was a kind of psychological distance to the crisis happened ...
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    Posted by Masanori Togawa on 2011-08-02 14:34:12
  • Another change for the Japanese - because of the need to conserve electricity Japanese men are going home at 6pm and spending time with the family. This is really a revolution.
    Read more >
    Posted by Charlotte Mordin on 2011-08-02 09:42:05
  • @ Sal: Proud to be part of the Egyptian Revolution and specially "The younger FB and Twitter generation wanted to redefine the laws of the nation and they successfully achieved it." I'm really proud to be part of it...
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    Posted by Emad Mahmoud on 2011-08-02 08:14:46
Monday, July 25th, 2011

Do You Oppose Fur or Leather?

What do you stand for?
What do you care about?

I mean really stand for.
I mean really care about.

What defines who you are?
What are you ready to go to the barricades for?

What gets you worked up?
What causes galvanize you?
What issues keep you up at night?

What gets you to put your money where your mouth is?

I will leave my motivation for this ramble to your imagination – suffice it to say – just look at the news.

However…listen:

“People are more violently opposed to fur than leather because it’s safer to harass rich women than motorcycle gangs.” Unknown

I read this and was embarrassed – I’m guilty of this myself.

Latch on to the easy protest – feel good – and then declare victory.

In a world where children still starve to death; where terrorism, of all sorts, kills indiscriminately; where politicians care about nothing more than their re-election; where corruption touches every facet of life….

It’s time to go after the leather.

Note to self…

What’s your view? 

Posted by David on 07/25 at 03:01 PM
  • Well David since you asked, but I warn you passion can run deep and lengthy! I do care about something that I'm passionate about, that defines me, that keeps me up at night, that I have put my money where my mouth is and have walked the walk and not just talked the talk. That is the suffering of ...
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    Posted by Christine Michaels on 2011-08-04 21:30:33
  • 'It is easier to fight for one's principles than to live up to them. \ Alfred Adler Another view of the same thought
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    Posted by david sable on 2011-07-31 03:47:42
  • I really care about children and adults starve to death, about terrorisme, about minor traffic specially with girls, about politicians care only about their re-election not to help people to live better, about BANK corruption that is stealing the home people people, about lack of solidarity... Why if we are able to built enough pipelines to drive luxury cars ...
    Read more >
    Posted by Laura Piserra on 2011-07-26 08:58:31
Monday, July 18th, 2011

Not Embarrassed to Say…

Are you a Harry Potter fan?

Have you read all the books?

Seen all the movies? Including the newest?

Played Quidditch…?

Seriously – I am not embarrassed to say that I am.

I enjoyed the books; have seen the movies…not the new one yet…but I will.

And while I haven’t played Quidditch, I do say “STUPEFY” every once in a while….

And I’m sad that with the last movie being released now the franchise comes to an end – sort of – although much like The Lord of the Rings and such I imagine – and hope – that my great-grandchildren will find it new for themselves.

Now the truth is that Harry has always been in my presentation/speech repertoire. I have used the books as an example of how “truths” that have become holy – for example, that kids don’t read – are based on a lack of observation, and while that may be true for books with poor content – the lines around the world to buy the Harry Potter books as they came out, and their continuing success, points to the power of great writing and the ability to still ignite imaginations with the right stuff…if you will.

Yet my Ramble is not about the books or the movies or the industry that surrounds them – it’s about the author J.K. Rowling, who has been a source of inspiration to me since the first book rolled out.

You all know the story – and if not… it’s worth knowing. Poor single Mom – had an idea – pursued it – and the rest – as they say – is history.

She had an idea. She pursued it. She had no money – it didn’t stop her – but rather motivated her – and we all know the results.

Think about this – how often do we allow ourselves to be held back by budgets, by lack of resources, by other barriers that we deem insurmountable?

 Listen:

“Lack of money is no obstacle.  Lack of an idea is an obstacle.”
Ken Hakuta

All it takes is an idea. A real idea. A powerful idea. An idea that inspires. An idea that motivates. An idea that leads to more ideas.

How often do we lament our inability to get there because of the obstacles? It didn’t stop Ms. Rowling…

Time to understand that ideas transcend and trump all. If you have a real idea you have already destroyed the obstacles. All of them.

So go enjoy the movie – I can’t wait – I’m going with my daughter and my soon-to-be son-in-law…both big fans like me…

But as much as you enjoy – learn.

What’s your take?

Posted by David on 07/18 at 03:36 PM