Songs of Hope and Glory

Minds Matter

I met today with one of my Advisory Council members, Jamie Pruett. I learned that he was also serving as the President of Minds Matter. What a wonderful organization.

From their website:

Founded in 2004, Minds Matter of Denver connects underprivileged metro Denver students with adult mentors, who provide assistance with academic development, SAT preparation and the college application process; including school selection, essay writing, and interview skills. At present the Minds Matter of Denver Prep Program works with 10th and 11th grade students in selecting and applying to summer college programs, where they can bolster their academic record by taking college credit courses and experience campus life. In the fall of 2006 we began our first Senior Program to assist high school seniors with the entire college application process, including school selection, essay writing, and financial aid paperwork.

Each student is grouped with 2 adult mentors who typically have complimentary interests and personalities with each other as well as the student. Mentoring groups meet once a week during the school year, for 2-3 hours at a single location, where Minds Matter volunteers can supervise a structured session for all students and mentors.

Mentors not only guide students through the application process, but also provide a deep level of commitment and encouragement. Mentors work with students for at least one full academic year and typically through the student's high school graduation. In this time, the students often develop close bonds with their mentors and readily seek their guidance and friendship. Yet, students are not the only ones who benefit from the Minds Matter program. Our mentors also find relationship building with both the mentees and with other volunteers a satisfying and rewarding experience.

Jamie started as a Mentor in this program several years ago. What a wonderful way to make a difference.

Oprah Winfrey

Oprah deserves to be honored twice. I put this up on my main site, but Oprah also deserves to be here on Songs of Hope and Glory. She is simply extraordinary. How incredibly inspiring she is by living by example.

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I've been thinking a lot about Oprah Winfrey over the last few weeks. I've never seen her TV show but know that it is popular. She  routinely makes the top 50 lists of the most powerful women in the world hosted by Forbes or Fortune. I am always interested in how people in such positions decide to use their power.

Oprah made headlines last month for some alleged abuses by a head mistress at the Oprah Winfrey Leadership Academy for Girls she opened in South Africa in January of 2007 (wikipedia link).

Back in July of 2006, I shared my dream of boarding schools, such as that built by Oprah, being safe havens for any who need them. This idea, for me, started back at least a year prior in an international entrepreneurship class where we were asked to come up with international franchise opportunities. I presented a scaled down version of a non-profit boarding school that grew during my visionary leadership class as described here.

My thought on hearing about the scandals at Oprah's school was not "oh the horror" but "oh my gosh she built my dream!" Oprah started this dream back in 2000 after a meeting with Nelson Mandela. She almost gave up when people could not see her vision for this school. She built a magnificent learning center for young women in South Africa. The mission of her school is simple.

The Oprah Winfrey Leadership Academy for Girls - South Africa supports the development of a new generation of women leaders who, by virtue of their education and leadership, will lead the charge to positively transform themselves, their communities and the larger world around them. To accomplish this goal, the Academy provides a rigorous and supportive educational environment for academically talented girls who come from economically disadvantaged backgrounds. The Academy strives to equip its learners with the intellectual and social skills necessary to assume positions of leadership in South African society and beyond.

I can already envision the impact these young women will have on the future of our world.

You can learn a lot about a person by observing how they react in a crisis. When Oprah learned of the alleged abuses at her school, she literally dropped everything and went to South Africa. The headmistress accused of the assaults was fired. Oprah apologized to the students and their families. Each student was provided a cell phone and Oprah's direct number. The girls were told to call her with any problems or concerns. It is so uncommon these days to see leaders taking responsibility. Oprah completely owned this problem, claimed it, and empowered all in her care, even if really they are only in her care in name only, to contact her directly.

I think that all of our educational leaders could learn from Oprah's response to this crisis. The next time you see a bomb threat or shooting on a college or high school campus, could you imagine the principal or president responding in this way? You might think that these people could not possibly have the time to answer so many phone calls, to personally talk to each person who is concerned or affected. I used to think so myself. But if Oprah has time to do this, how could they not? In the face of this extraordinary example, how can any of our educational leaders do less.

Colin Farrell

It's easy to find news of celebrities taking a moment at the holidays to work at a soup kitchen or helping the homeless. I'm not discounting those deeds as any service is  worthy. But there are certain celebrities who seem to treat their service to others as more than just an annual photo opportunity. Colin Farrell is one of these. 

Almost every month, I come across stories of Colin Farrell quietly (or not so quietly) doing for others. Back in September, Colin made news for taking a homeless man, Stress, a man he'd met several years ago, in Toronto on a grand shopping spree.

Colin apparently has a son with Angelman Syndrome, a rare genetic disorder. I teach my students about this disease but being able to point to someone whom it affects will certainly have more impact. While I may study such disorders from afar in the laboratory, Colin has been working with the Special Olympics since before his son's birth.

More recently Colin was in the news supporting an Irish child abuse prevention charity.

Thank you Colin, for all that you do.

Funky Winkerbean

I read the comic Funky Winkerbean each morning on the Seattle Post Intelligencer. The creator, Tom Batiuk, has been unafraid to write and draw about difficult issues: teen pregnancy, adoption, alcoholism, divorce and most recently death of a beloved wife and mother (Lisa) from cancer.

Lisa's Legacy Fund for Cancer Research and Education has been established to support the University Hospitals Ireland Cancer Center in Cleveland, Ohio.

From the Funky Winkerbean website:

The University Hospitals Ireland Cancer Center is one of only 40 comprehensive cancer centers in the United States, as designated by the National Institutes of Health. Currently in its 19th year of operation, it is a leading center for patient care, cancer research, and community education about cancer care. One hundred percent of the donations to Lisa’s Legacy Fund will go to cancer research and education at Ireland Cancer Center. Ongoing research includes work on the development of a vaccine for breast cancer, a blood test for colon cancer, breakthrough chemotherapy treatments for all types of cancer featuring new drugs developed by the Center’s clinician-scientists, and new approaches to radiation treatments. Ireland Cancer Center is one of only eight cancer centers in the country to have access to a pipeline of new drugs through the National Cancer Institute for early phase clinical trials.

Batiuk, a cancer survivor himself, said, “Anyone whose family has been affected by cancer knows what a gut-wrenching experience it can be. While great strides have been made in the fight against cancer, there is still much work to do. I’ve received hundreds of letters and emails from people who recognized themselves or loved ones in Lisa’s story. She came to represent the many individual battles against cancer that people fight everyday. Beyond the emotional impact that Lisa’s story has had on people, Lisa’s Legacy Fund will now have a real impact on the continuing fight against cancer.”

You can support Lisa's Fund by donating directly to the Cancer Center or by purchasing Tom Batiuk's new book on Lisa called Lisa's Story: The Other Shoe.

Memory Walk

My cousin's husband is raising money for Alzheimer Disease research by participating in their Memory Walk 2007 Event.

From the walk website:

We are determined to make a difference! By participating in the 2007 Memory Walk®, we have committed to raise money for Alzheimer research and to care for people with the disease.

Currently over 5 million Americans have Alzheimer's disease. Unless we find a way to change the course, 16 million Americans could have Alzheimer’s by 2050.

We want to fight this devastating disease, but we can’t do it without the help of people like you. Funds raised at Memory Walk support research that is on the brink of promising new treatments to slow and prevent Alzheimer’s and local programs to improve the lives of individuals living with the disease.

On behalf of the millions of Americans who are living with Alzheimer’s, thank you for supporting our efforts.

If you would like to help support Chris, you can do so here. Alternatively, I'm sure there is a walk in your own neighborhood that you could participate in.

Thought, Word or Deed?

Thought. Word. Deed. One of my long term goals in life is to have these three things in perfect harmony. I have a good handle on deeds. I can be careless with my words at times. My thoughts need a keeper. I figure with time that I can at least get my words and deeds in harmony. Every once in a while I feel somewhat guilty about the thoughts that flit through my brain, especially if they are petty or unkind. This is not the person I want to be and yet still these thoughts leap out from somewhere.

Last week I read an article that made me wonder whether the thoughts matter. David Van Biema wrote an article in Time Magazine on the life of Mother Teresa. I grew up hearing of her sacrifice and dedication to the poor. Her efforts won her the Nobel Peace Prize in 1979. Recently, letters that she had sent to colleagues expressing her doubts through the years have been compiled into a book: Mother Teresa: Come Be My Light edited by Rev. Brian Kolodiejchuk which will be released on September 4, 2007.

In these newly released letters it appears that Mother Teresa lost her faith or at least her certainty of her connection to God, soon after she started ministering to the poor. And yet, she continued, for years, decades. Her fears and doubts were shared with her mentors but her service and public persona were unwavering during these years. From the Time Magazine article it seems these letters will stir up some controversy on her life and acts. Excerpt below:

Although perpetually cheery in public, the Teresa of the letters lived in a state of deep and abiding spiritual pain. In more than 40 communications, many of which have never before been published, she bemoans the "dryness," "darkness," "loneliness" and "torture" she is undergoing. She compares the experience to hell and at one point says it has driven her to doubt the existence of heaven and even of God. She is acutely aware of the discrepancy between her inner state and her public demeanor. "The smile," she writes, is "a mask" or "a cloak that covers everything." Similarly, she wonders whether she is engaged in verbal deception. "I spoke as if my very heart was in love with God — tender, personal love," she remarks to an adviser. "If you were [there], you would have said, 'What hypocrisy.'"

As someone who generally considers myself atheist or at best agnostic (I lean Buddhist but practice nothing), I am left simply amazed. Here is a woman, who thought that God spoke to her, asked her to do this thing (i.e. leave her haven and minister to the poor and sick) and then abandoned her once she’d begun. In spite of this she kept at it year after year after year. Her public words and actions caused so much good, so much inspiration. She provided so much care to others. Do her thoughts matter? Do any of our thoughts matter or merely our actions? Or shall we simply judge her and be inspired by her actions?

I am inspired.

CPR Saves Lives

A story in my local paper caught my eye today. A two year old boy was hit by a truck. A neighbor, Jennifer Elder, heard the thud and ran to the scene. She came across a man holding his lifeless bloodied son, sobbing. Jennifer administered CPR and mouth to mouth respiration and the boy's heart began beating again. The boy is now in serious condition at Children's hospital. Another person prevented the vehicle that hit the boy from leaving. This driver is suspected of driving under the influence. Heroes all.

To find CPR and other first aid classes in your neighborhood, try the American Red Cross.

Anonymous Heroes

My local newspaper has a news story, by Katie Kerwin Mccrimmon,that police are seeking two men who came across a car accident. Normally, when the police are looking for someone, this is not good news for the people being sought. This time is different.

Aurora police are looking for two mystery men who pulled up to an accident scene on a cold, rainy night in mid-May just as eight other men were trying to lift a mangled car off the female driver, who was barely breathing. The good Samaritans happened to have a hydraulic lift on the back of their pickup. Within seconds, they pulled the car off the woman just as emergency workers arrived on the scene at East Iliff Avenue and South Sedalia Street. Minutes later, before anyone could get the heroes' names, they vanished into the dark night.

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The Aurora Police Department wants to give the men an official commendation.

The woman who was under the car, Arleen Meyer, incredibly, is going to make it. She has numerous injuries but suffered no damage to her brain or internal organs.

The two unknown men are not the only heroes from that cold rainy night. Joe Rogers, a former Colorado Lieutenant Governor, also stopped at the crash. He and other good Samaritans flagged downed others - the  8 men who futilely tried to lift the car off of Arleen before the truck with the hydraulic lift arrived.

Heroes all.

Spreading Joy

I have come across a number of websites and blogs dedicated to increasing joy and happiness. If you know of others that I have missed, please let me know and I will add them. Some of these have a self-improvement or personal growth focus. It is my opinion that happiness follows from having the courage to follow your dreams, from being comfortable in your skin. These are ideas that most all of the personal growth and development websites promote.

The Happiness Blog - Secrets of a Happy Life

Feel Good - Dedicated to Helping you Find Happiness

The Happiness Project - daily tips for improving happiness

Live your Best Life - more of a self-improvement focus, but happiness follows

Christine Kane - Be Creative. Be Conscious. Be Courageous. Great ideas for living more thoughtfully.

Cultivate Greatness - again more personal development oriented.

Colm OReilly - true, lasting, inner confidence

Ririan Project - personal development for the purpose of a more joyous  life

Clayton Lowe - poet, inspiration, adventure coach

Goodness Graciousness - Sharing and spreading goodness and graciousness throughout the world

And finally, if humor is more your thing:

The creator of Dilbert, Scott Adams, maintains a terrific blog.

If picture humor is more your thing, perhaps this will bring a smile to your face.

Breakfast of Champions

Last week I attended the annual Breakfast of Champions event held by the Mile High Down Syndrome Association in conjunction with the Eleanor Roosevelt Institute. The goal of this event is to raise money and awareness for people with Down syndrome whether for research or family support services.

Often the keynote speaker is a person or family member of a person with Down syndrome such as Annie Forts who spoke last year.

This year was different. This year a professional motivational speaker, Sam Glenn, gave the keynote presentation. I have never seen anything like this. There was a large chalk board on the podium. After the introductory speeches, the lights went dark. Two spot lights were turned on and illuminated the large dark board. Inspirational music echoed through the room. Sam leapt onto stage and donned a glove and a mask. For the next ~15 minutes he drew in vibrant colors. At first it was difficult to make out what the image would be. My brain kept trying to make recognizable shapes from the swirls of color. At first I thought it would turn into some psychedelic stuffed animal but slowly the scene emerged, much like this image. You can view a video clip of his light house drawing process complete with inspirational music. But that was not all, when the drawing was complete the light show began, with the score from the first Star Wars movie playing in the back ground. A spotlight from the light house moved across the water. The birds flew out of the picture. Compelling words and ideas flashed across the image. The mood in the room, which had been somber after a mother shared her experience of learning that her newborn unexpectedly had Down Syndrome and the health problems she had faced, lifted.

After the drawing and light show were complete, Sam Glenn regaled us on attitude. To lighten up. His humor was somewhat crude and yet the tension flowed out of the room. He spent time telling us, and showing us, how a single person, through his or her words and actions can completely change the feeling of people all around. He mesmerized. One person, with his or her glum and unhappy attitude, can bring down all those around them. So too can one person with a bright smile and a kind word raise up the mood of everyone within the sphere of his or her influence.

Who would you rather be? Who would you rather spend time with? Be that person.