Spirit in the Village

Michelle Obama at the G20 Conference - How to Build Self Esteem 101

Posted by Kevin Boon. Follow me on Twitter.

How do you build self esteem in children? I'm sure these young women in London will remember Michelle Obama's speech for the rest of their lives.

Being Smart is Cool

Here are some quotes from Michelle Obama:

"By getting a good education you too can control your own destiny"

"The reason why I'm standing here is because of education"

"Being smart was cooler than anything in the world"

"You too can realize your dreams and then your job is to reach back and help someone just like you do the same thing"

"Your success will be determined by your own fortitude, your own confidence, your own individual hard work"

"Communities and countries and ultimately the world are only as strong as the health of their women. Part of that wealth includes an outstanding education"

Here's the second part to this video where she is mobbed by the students. It would be nice to see the full video.

WOW! Inspiring words from an inspiring woman.

Turning Up the Light!!

Posted by Kevin Boon. Follow me on Twitter.

Alright I have a confession to make. I’ve been spending a lot of time writing and blogging lately. There’s good reason for that. Back at the end of January I was downsized from my job. In fact it was January 22nd the day I did my first complete post on the Meditation Project.

Coincidence? I’m not so sure.

I’m always a believer there is reason for everything that happens and this was no exception. I wasn’t the only one. There were others downsized and the reasons given were due to the economy. Millions of people in the past year have either lost jobs, had work cut back, are in fear of losing their job or know of someone who has. These are uncertain times for business and people as our society navigates our way out of this. What’s interesting about this economic slowdown is there are sectors that are performing well while others have suffered. Time will tell how it all unfolds.

Losing my job has been a blessing because it’s given me time to write, blog and learn about social media and networking tools like Twitter and Linkedin. The last 1-1/2 months has allowed me to lose weight (about 15 lbs), re-start my stalled exercise program, and focus on the Meditation Project. This time has also helped me gain clarity on the important question, what is it I want from life? This is exactly what the doctor ordered.

The time is right for me to find a new career, this time a little wiser and more aware of what I want.

Blogging and Finding My Authentic Voice

During my time as a blogger (2-1/2 years) I’ve been trying to find my authentic voice. What is it I really want to say? This blog started as a travel blog telling of my wife Karen and our honeymoon to France, Italy and Switzerland. As much as I love traveling we haven’t done much since and blogging about my recent trip to the grocery store would probably be a little boring.

Other topics I have written about include the environment, current events, and talks and while I find all these topics important too many people take sides and because we’re either left or right, green or oil, conspiracy or non-conspiracy. I’m not interested in discussions of who’s right or wrong. Personally I think these debates are pointless and do nothing constructive for our society.

Obama came along with a new message about unity. He impressed me so much with his message that like millions of others I became a fan and wrote about him.

Whether we make our home on Facebook, Linkedin, Twitter, our blog or wherever I’ve discovered, all anyone really wants to do is tell their story.

Blogging for me is like a painting, you create a sketch, throw in some colors and before you know it begins to look like something. My blog is my painting and it’s my opportunity to tell my story.

The light of authenticity is now fully turned on and I'm looking forward to sharing a lot more.

Barack Obama - Who Ever Thought & New Day - 2 New Songs

For the last 3 years Barack Obama has been visible on my world stage and like many who will witness in person his inauguration on Tuesday I connected to his message, his inspiration, honesty and what you can see (if you look closely) his desire to do what’s right for people and the world.

Over the next 48 hours Barack Obama will be swore in as the 44th President of the United States, bringing with him a real promise to make change not only within the ways of government but in the way America wields it’s influence around the world.

America needs this change.

After Obama won the Presidency in November I wrote a song that reflected my feelings about life and about the changes we go through as we face the unknown.

The song Who Ever Thought starts with a story of woman who decided one day that she no longer wanted to sit at the back of the bus. Her decision to sit at the front of the bus, a simple act for many of us today, resulted in riots and bloodshed and eventually a change (in the segregation laws). At the same time a preacher man came on to the world stage and through his ability to inspire helped to birth a nation into the recognition that all of its citizens are created equal.

Barack Obama is the manifestation of both Rosa Parks and Martin Luther King’s dream of a nation where all are equal. Yes it is true that still have racism, inequality and a society that serves the interests of some better than others, but if you look back on the last 40-50 years we have come a long way.

The challenge of the 21st century will be to take this same message of hope, freedom and equality to not only the citizens of America who still struggle, but to all the citizens of the world. Barack Obama is a good person to start that journey into a new phase of our growth as a global community.

Even with the chaos prevalent in the world today our planet is evolving. We’re growing step-by-step and beginning to recognize that something needs to be done. Something needs to be done about pollution and global warming; something needs to be done to create peace in the Middle East, something needs to be done to help to solve the problem of hiv/aids in Africa and other nations, something needs to be done about healthcare, job security and overall human rights.

Today, Martin Luther King day is the launch of my two new songs, New Day and Who Ever Thought.

These are two versions of the same song one with a more pop feel and the other my attempt at bluesy. The recording quality is not the greatest since I am neither a professional musician or recording artist... I used my home computer, a microphone and some recording software I bought from Best Buy.

• The Story behind the Songs - New Day and Who Ever Thought
• Writing, Recording & My Vision for the Songs
• Chords & Lyrics: (New Day) (Who Ever Thought)

Hope you enjoy…

Listen

Vote

2008 Year in Review - My Top 5 Lists

With the election of the first African-American President and the Global Economic Collapse this has been one of the most interesting years since 9-11 and even 1987 when the Berlin wall fell. Here is my Top 5 List for 2008:

My Top 5

1. The American Election

The election of Barack Obama was significant because it represents a new course for not only America but the world. Although there is still a long way to go with respect to racial or gender equality the world can finally breathe a sigh of relief and say all of us have an opportunity to achieve our dreams.

2. The Global Financial Meltdown

Unlike other economic slowdowns we have seen some of the most powerful Financial Institutions simply collapse and our traditional way of doing business seems at risk. Personally I’m optimistic about the future since many times it takes a real kick in the pants to get us off our complacency. For years we have dragged our feet by not creating fuel efficient cars, letting go of our dependency on oil and executives have just lined up at the money trough, looking at their own pocket books and sending jobs to China.

I’m hopeful that governments & corporations will become more responsible, more responsive to demands in the market place (especially car companies) and that executives will align bonuses with the success of a company.

Little baby steps will be required moving forward but I think it will be important for the voices within the global community to keep everybody honest.

3. The Shoe Throwing Incident

If you listen to the words of the shoe thrower, Muntadar al-Zaidi, the shoes thrown at George Bush where a farewell kiss from those who had been killed, orphaned or widowed in Iraq. This event symbolizes for me all the conflicts that are going on in the world from the Middle East to Somalia, to Zimbabwe, India, Pakistan to Russia & Georgia.

George Bush as a leader has never acknowledged or taken responsibility for the hundreds of thousands of Iraqis who have died and millions impacted as a result of his decisions. Whether the conflict is right or wrong today most conflict shows a lack of leadership & moral responsibility.

Only when leaders become conscious of their actions, accountable to their people and use war as the last option will you see a reduction in conflict. I’m hopeful there will be less conflict in 2009.

4. The Beijing Olympics

The Olympics became China’s shining moment and were fantastic. Like other countries China is gradually being forced to look at their human rights records, their laws for workers as well as their own environmental challenges. However 2008 was the year where China officially came onto the world stage.

5. The Rising Awareness of Social Media, Stem Cell Research & the Environment

I’ve put the 3 of these together, partly because I didn’t want to make a top 10 list but secondly I feel these 3 areas are still fairly new but primed for growth in the next few years. Barack Obama’s fundraising and campaigning success in the American election showed the real power of social media. Some of the innovations in stem cell research (without embryos) where very promising. As we move into 2009 the environment just keeps knocking on our door.

Top 5 Personal Events for 2008

1. Personal & Spiritual Growth

This has been an important year for me to develop greater clarity with respect my purpose and discovering the real creative side to who I am.

2. Social Media & Networking – Facebook, Twitter, Soundclick

The whole realm of social media has been a learning process for me and most of this year has been about reading, learning and connecting… I’ve learned so much this year.

3. Music – Songwriting, Recording & Networking

Although I’m definitely an amateur musician I find great satisfaction in creating music. Recently I recorded my first song “Love is Free” and posted on SoundClick. On the acoustic rock chart it went to #66 out of about 17,000 songs which is pretty cool. There are two more songs in the works, “Who Ever Thought” & “Broken Ego” that I hope to release early in 2009. The whole process is exciting.

4. Writing & Blog Development

My blog has been a great forum for me to share ideas and interact with others. I enjoy the writing part although the main issue for me has been time. With the advent of Twitter (and mini blogging) I’m looking forward to continuing on writing with some new ideas for 2009.

5. New Baby on the Way

My wife’s son and his girlfriend are expecting a baby in January, so effectively I’m going to be a Grandfather. :) Now besides being too young and too good looking I’m looking forward to the baby arriving…

Here are some other Top 5 lists:

Top 5 Books:
1. A New Earth – Eckhart Tolle plus 10 week class with Oprah
2. Money & the Law of Attraction – Jerry & Ester Hicks
3. The Audacity of Hope – Barack Obama
4. Influencers: The Power to Change Anything – Patterson, Grenny, Maxfield, McMillan, Switzler
5. The New Rules of Marketing & PR – David Meerman Scott

Top 5 Albums:
1. Neil Young – Live at Massey Hall.
2. Johnny Cash – Live at Folsom Prison – (new to me)
3. Bob Dylan Tell Tale Signs – The Bootleg Series – Volume 8
4. Sheryl Crow – Detours
5. Travelling Wilburys – Volume 1 & 3

Top 5 Web Blogs:
1. Webinknow
2. Problogger
3. How to Change the World
4. Intent Blog
5. The News I Read Today – Beatles Blog (my wife calls me a Beatles groupie)

Top 5 News Sources:
1. BBC News
2. CBC News
3. CNN
4. Huffington Post
5. PopURLs

Top 5 TV Shows:
1. The Hour
2. Larry King Live
3. Gene Simmons Family Jewels
4. Oprah
5. Biography

I’d love to hear your thoughts on events that impacted you in 2008. Coming in January there will be some great new changes to this site. Stay tuned…

Wishing you a Happy, Healthy & Prosperous 2009…

Canadian Democracy in Action

As people compare the recent American Election to Canadian Politics usually the American complaint is why does it take 2 years to vote in a new American President? The last Canadian election took 5 weeks from the date it was announced to ballots cast to electing the leader. However in America when the vote is said and done (regardless of the margin of victory) you definitely know you have the President for 4 years.

In Canada that depends…

As events have unfolded over the past week it is interesting to see how the recently elected Conservative Government has unravelled at the seams. The minority parties (the Liberals, NDP and the Bloc) received over 60% of the popular vote and more than half the seats and have finally been bullied and pushed around enough to say, no more, we’re going to unite. This in my view is good for democracy and good for Canada. Although Stephen Harper wanted a majority he does not have one. He has a minority government whose priority should be to lead plus also make allies, not isolate and make enemies of the opposition. Hopefully all will agree (left and right) that Stephen Harper has made no alliances within the opposition parties.

For my American friends, Canada has a parliamentary democracy and within that system if you have a “majority” government you generally have a clear mandate to lead (usually for about 4 to 5 years), however if you are voted into power with a “minority” government you still have a mandate, but it is a mandate that requires compromise and the ability to create alliances with other parties. If you don’t have those alliances you can be voted out very quickly.

Stephen Harper made a serious error in judgement.

So from the wider perspective there are a number of things we can learn.

For the Canadian Conservative Party here is the lesson:

When you govern make allies, not enemies. Barack Obama has taught us important lessons of learning to make allies with your most ardent enemies (even when you are elected and have a majority – this is good karma).
Be careful of becoming too arrogant in thinking you have the ability to make majority government decisions when you don’t have that majority. Others can turn on you and make your life miserable.

For the Canadian Opposition Parties (Liberals, NDP, the Bloc) here is the lesson:

Don’t let yourself constantly be the doormat. You’ve been pushed around for a long time now. Many people know your pain. Take initiative and know that it’s okay to say no more. Good for you for standing up for your principles. Remember that getting along with other parties and ideologies is a good thing. If you get the opportunity to take power realize what got you there: cooperation, not arguing, not complaining. And there is an important third lesson. If you get into power don’t screw it up! Work together. Make a commitment to get along.

For our American friends the learning might be more like an Oprah “ah-ha” moment!

I’ll paint the picture: Wouldn’t it have been nice when you started to see the Bush presidency was going south (ie. like when he was acting like and idiot), wouldn’t it have been nice to wipe that little smirk off his face and you’re done! You’re out of the game Jack! You’re no longer in power! Unfortunately we all had to wait a few years for that to happen. Anyway at least the landscape is looking better now.

Europeans and the rest of the world, I don’t know what can be learned here.

Anyway that’s all I have to say about this. The next couple of weeks, couple of months or maybe even in the next year or two should be interesting…

Reflecting on the American Election

Now the American election is over (and there were no surprises) we’re all able to breathe a sigh of relief which will hopefully be about moving into a new phase of national and global leadership. President Obama as the world will get used to referring to him won the race with a focus, passion and an ability to inspire a population that I’ve never seen in a political candidate, at least in my lifetime.

On elections night like millions of other people around the world I watched CNN and followed the results state by state on my laptop. In my whole life I have never been as interested in the election of an American president. Why should I be? I’m Canadian. I don’t live in the US. For some reason I felt this one really counted. For the past 8 years we’ve seen the failed policies of George W. Bush and the reality that in our global village American policy affects us all.

With the Obama effect this election was a drastic change between the politics as usual, mudslinging and the apathy that normally occurs within an election. Obama changed the way a political campaign is run and challenged many of the traditional assumptions and strategies for winning elections. He built his campaign with grassroots support using the web and the power of online communities and brought the younger voter which is our next generation to the table. The younger generation is less concerned with race or gender than the older generations and will change the future face of our society.

While race was one aspect of interest for me as the campaign evolved this became less about race than it was about the man. Had Obama been a typical politician droning party line I would have probably stopped watching. However Obama held my attention throughout the campaign and when his opponents beat up on him it became personal.

On election night, as results were coming in we started to see an Obama victory in the making. It was not however until the west coast polls closed that the results from California, Oregon and Washington State would make it official. When Wolf Blitzer made the prediction, officially saying “President Elect Obama” this is when the emotion became real for me and the election of an African-American President was going to be a reality in my lifetime. That part of me wept with joy for what feel is a very important turning point in our history, not only for Americans but for the world.

When I look at my life I was born in England in the fall of 1964. Massive change was underway: the Beatle’s had just hit big time touring America, Dylan was playing Carnegie Hall and Newport, Kennedy had been assassinated a year before, Martin Luther King was in the middle of creating the case for freedom and equality in America and Gloria Steinem was doing the same for women and equality.

Over my lifetime much has changed. Racial & gender equality have come so far and Obama’s victory from a race perspective is a line that we had to cross to simply prove that we could. Now we have the ability to move forward to a time where race and gender will no longer be issues.

I’m hopeful the Obama experience will have an impact on people not only across America, but throughout the world. Maybe we can learn from Obama’s example that anything is possible? Maybe we can accept people for who they are and stop judging by skin colour or sexual orientation? Maybe we can put an end to religious conflicts? Maybe we can put an end to the need for war? Maybe we can stop hunger? Just maybe we can learn simply to respect each other?

Wishful thinking. Maybe. Maybe Not!

I’ll end with the quote from Obama’s acceptance speech on November 4th about Ann Nixon Cooper from Atlanta. You can see his whole transcript or video.

"This election had many firsts and many stories that will be told for generations. But one that's on my mind tonight's about a woman who cast her ballot in Atlanta. She's a lot like the millions of others who stood in line to make their voice heard in this election except for one thing: Ann Nixon Cooper is 106 years old.

She was born just a generation past slavery; a time when there were no cars on the road or planes in the sky; when someone like her couldn't vote for two reasons -- because she was a woman and because of the color of her skin.

And tonight, I think about all that she's seen throughout her century in America -- the heartache and the hope; the struggle and the progress; the times we were told that we can't, and the people who pressed on with that American creed: Yes we can.

At a time when women's voices were silenced and their hopes dismissed, she lived to see them stand up and speak out and reach for the ballot. Yes we can.

When there was despair in the dust bowl and depression across the land, she saw a nation conquer fear itself with a New Deal, new jobs, a new sense of common purpose. Yes we can.

When the bombs fell on our harbor and tyranny threatened the world, she was there to witness a generation rise to greatness and a democracy was saved. Yes we can.

She was there for the buses in Montgomery, the hoses in Birmingham, a bridge in Selma, and a preacher from Atlanta who told a people that "We Shall Overcome." Yes we can.

A man touched down on the moon, a wall came down in Berlin, a world was connected by our own science and imagination.

And this year, in this election, she touched her finger to a screen, and cast her vote, because after 106 years in America, through the best of times and the darkest of hours, she knows how America can change.

Yes we can.

One More Video Before Election Day...

Nothing to say, just watch...

As America Votes a Little Reflection Time

We are moving toward a monumental time in both American and global history. I'm hopeful the events over the next week and over the next few years will change (in a positive way) the way the 21st century unfolds.

As I have watched Barack Obama give speeches, debate the issues and engage with people over the course of this election I have come to develop a great respect for this man. He stands for hope, change and an opportunity for the American people to not only re-build their economy, but he presents an opportunity for America to re-integrate into this world community as a global leader representing the values of peace, prosperity and freedom and democracy.

What would Martin Luther King think of this election campaign and the rise of Barack Obama? I tried to put myself back in that time. What was the hope? The hope was for all people to be treated with dignity and respect and have the fundamental right to live as equals in a society that provides freedom and opportunity for all. Since King's speech back in 1963 most people will agree the journey has been difficult with many ups and downs. Today I would say the hope is not that much different except I feel it goes well beyond race and gender. Today that hope embraces the equality of people within our communities, within our nations and across the planet. That hope also embraces our environment and our global community. Our test in the 21st century will be how we choose to take King's message to the next level.

Martin Luther King - I have a Dream - August 28 1963.

A friend of mine sent me the following photo and the quote.

Rosa sat so Martin could walk.

Martin walked so Obama could run.
Obama runs so our children can fly.

This says it all.

The American Promise of the 21st Century

On Friday I was at the barbershop getting my haircut.  The woman cutting my hair was Asian and we were having a nice conversation about the weather, the weekend coming up and how long she had been cutting hair.  She was a nice woman, very friendly and interested in getting to know me.  She asked me if I had watched Obama’s speech at the Democratic National Convention the night before.  I said had watched the speech and thought he was great and that it would be great to see him as President.  She was pleased with my response but then with much doubt in her voice she said, “Do you believe that Americans will be willing to have a black man as president? There still seems to be so much racism out there.”  We then talked at length expressing our own hopes of what it would mean if America could overcome this challenge.

Her response is similar to the doubts that many people feel going into this election year.  Whether Asian, White, Black, Hispanic, Jewish, Indian or Muslim, for those who believe in equality and equal opportunity we’re having a hard time believing that it might actually happen this election year. 

The policies of George Bush and Dick Chaney have shell shocked many into feeling that maybe we as a society (especially the USA) are going backwards.  Some believe that maybe we’re moving back into the dark ages and becoming more racist and that fear, war and conflict between people will always be the norm.  One can understand how the policies of the last 8 years can make one cynical to the political process but I also believe these same policies have created a grass roots movement that desires real change. 

To see Obama rise to this position at such a young age and at the same time take on the momentous challenge led by Hilary Clinton in the primaries is something rarely seen.  Obama has shown us something different and when you watch this man you feel his integrity, his respect of others and desire of bringing the US back into a place of prominence and respect within the global community.  He has been able to use the technologies to bring out the real voters and has been able to galvanize a whole new generation of voters who seem less concerned with the color of somebody's skin than previous generations.  This in itself is promising and shows the true potential of the people to make change. 

For those doubt we will ever see a black or female president we need to recognize the 21^st century presents new opportunities. The mistakes of the past 8 years do not have to be repeated.  Although the US has a history of racial discrimination so do most other countries.  Over the past 40 to 50 years a great deal has been accomplished in the areas racial and gender equality and when you compare the world of the 1950’s to the early 21^st century we have come a long way. 

Demographics are also changing where second, third and fourth generation non-white Immigrant Americans are taking leading roles in society.   It’s only a matter of time before you have the first female president, the first Black, Hispanic, Asian and eventually even a Jewish or Muslim President.   

My prediction is in 50 years issues of race, gender or even sexual orientation will likely be non-relevant when electing leaders.  Wouldn't it be nice to get there sooner (in this election year) rather than later?

Here's Barack Obama's acceptance speech at the DNC in HD. 

http://gallery.demconvention.com/Default.html?VideoID=584

or here's the same speech from YouTube. 

The 60's Generation is Hopeful - This is a Good Sign

Significant news... 

Bob Dylan is "hopeful" about Barak Obama.  This is the first time since John Lennon endorsed Canadian Prime Minister Pierre Trudeau that I remember a 60's icon who is positive about a US Presidential candidate.  This is good and I feel it reflects the optimism of many. 

Here is the question and answer as asked in the Times Online.   

"My time with Dylan is up and we stand in preparation for my leaving the room. As a last aside, I ask for his take on the US political situation in the run-up to November's presidential election.

“Well, you know right now America is in a state of upheaval,” he says. “Poverty is demoralising. You can't expect people to have the virtue of purity when they are poor. But we've got this guy out there now who is redefining the nature of politics from the ground up...Barack Obama. He's redefining what a politician is, so we'll have to see how things play out. Am I hopeful? Yes, I'm hopeful that things might change. Some things are going to have to.” He offers a parting handshake. “You should always take the best from the past, leave the worst back there and go forward into the future,” he notes as the door closes between us."  Source: Times Online

By the way Dylan's art is pretty good too.  See the article and his website.