Evolving Perspective

So it feels like months have passed since I last blogged from my hotel room in Kingston, New York. It’s been a whirlwind three weeks since I came back from work stoppage duty in upstate New York, and I honestly don’t even know where to begin.

I surprised my daughter by picking her up at school (I had not told her I was coming back), then Lee and I took the next day off work and spent some serious time catching up (yes, that IS what the kids are calling it these days), and then it was back to the ‘real world’ and easing back into my daily work routine.

There’s been soccer practices and helping the kids with their homework. There’s been catching up on all work projects that were on hold because of the work stoppage. There have been get-togethers at our friends’ house for football, BBQ, and beer. Football season is once again upon us, and it feels so good to have that diversion back in my life every weekend.

It’s all starting to feel normal again.

But this past weekend has challenged my perception and understanding of what normal is. This past weekend reminded me of the burning ideas and passions inside of me, and that greatness is oftentimes not found in normalcy.

I had the extraordinary privilege of taking part in a three day brainstorming session for Epic Change. It was an experience that left me inspired to say the least, and got the creative juices flowing in terms of what we can do to affect positive change in the world. Yes, the world. Not just my neighborhood, not just my city, not just my state; but rather this nice little place we call planet Earth.

Although both big ideas and even bigger challenges came out of our summit meeting, so did the reminder that through love just about anything is possible. That got me thinking of what it is that truly geeks me out (or more eloquently stated, gets me off). The reality is the answer to that question is not found in the 8 – 5 mundane world of my current professional career. So much so that I had a conversation with my boss today about how I don’t see myself in my current role long term. As much as I would like to stay with my current employer, for both financial and logistical reasons, I can hear the grumblings inside my head telling me it’s time for a change.

Of course, these grumblings don’t pay the rent, don’t provide the health insurance, and don’t grant me the flexibility to work from home. Making a change, as enticing an idea as that is right now, can also be overwhelming given the state of our current economy, not to mention my current debt to income situation.

So I am resolved to make the best of the situation and try to change the world – or at the least play my small part in doing so – one action at a time. Through service to others, through the donation of my writing talents, through the giving of my time and resources; it all begins with love and the burning desire to make better that which is in front of us.

Over the course of the next several months, you may see a varying array of blog posts from me on this site. It’s all part of a journey I have decided to take with my friends as we set out to generate love and make a difference in the lives of others. I invite you to come along for the ride. Be careful, however. It’s my understanding inspiration can be quite contagious.

Epic Thanks Tampa: An Exciting New Endeavor

Asante.

It’s a simple enough word to say. Even without knowing what it means or the language from which it comes, there’s a rhythmic flow to the three syllables that make up the word.

Asante.

It’s all too easy to get lost in the clichés of our day to day. The rat race, the hustle and bustle, the daily grind; we so easily allow ourselves to be consumed and enveloped by the arbitrary parameters these clichés impose on our lives. We’re too consumed to notice, and so oftentimes too busy to care, about not only the environments and communities in which we live, but also the many individuals that stand to benefit from our actions.

When I stop to look back at my life and the many blessings with which I’ve been graced, it’s overwhelmingly apparent to me that much, if not all, of what I have, value and possess was made possible by others. Parents, sibling, spouse, friends; they’ve all contributed in small part and in large to the life I find myself living today. My moment of reflection and introspection can best be summarized to just one word. To three little syllables. Asante.

Thank you.

The list of things for which I am grateful is endless. From the smallest item to the largest accomplishment, I am thankful for the combination of opportunities, series of events, and generosity of others that made it all possible. It’s with complete gratitude on which I look back on my life, and it is in the spirit of this gratitude with which I set forward on a new and exciting endeavor.

I am so thrilled to be a part of the team working on Epic Thanks Tampa (ETT), an event scheduled to take place on November 19 to celebrate all it is for which we are thankful. ETT is also a charity fundraising event to benefit both the EpicChange organization as well as a local change-maker in our area. What is a change-maker? A change-maker is a person or group that selflessly devotes their time and resources to positively impact the lives of others. In keeping with the mission of the EpicChange, the ETT event seeks to identify one Tampa area change-maker and amplify their voice and impact on the community. There is a lot of work to be done between now and November 19, but we are confident that we’ll not only get it done, but also the event will be spectacular.

There is a ton more information about Epic Thanks Tampa (http://www.epicthankstampa.com/) coming soon, as well as the efforts currently being made in Tanzania by EpicChange, so please stay tuned for more details. I also hope the efforts of all involved inspire you to contribute in your own way, because at the end of the day, it’s all about gratitude.

Asante for reading.