Open Book Project

Remember that time your loneliness and disconnection subsided because someone was honest with you about how things were for them? 


The Open Book Project is an initiative from The Reach Foundation combating the experience of isolation. Anyone can be involved. 


When you contribute you may never discover the impact your openness has; maybe there will never be the words of gratitude to describe the affect you have created by sharing a part of yourself. Your  honesty will connect with someone as honesty has found its connection in you.


When you take in what someone has offered, you may never be able to tell them how great what they did was for you, but thats ok too. There will be times you wont know about the great impacts you have had. When you get the chance to say thanks: take it. 
Or pay it forward. 



Jim Stynes Intro Video from Tribal DDB on Vimeo.

Smart is the New Sexy

In 2007 I was apart of the Australian Make Poverty History 07 Roadtrip. After months of planning 700 young Australians roadtripped across the nation spreading the message of Make Poverty History, engaging local communities carrying out Australia's first photo petition with great success. It was a week of inspiration, empowerment and action.

Future Prime Minister, Kevin Rudd, spoke and listened to us. Missy Higgins and the John Butler Trio honored our crusade with an intermit concert at the Sydney Opera House.

Knowledge and friendships blossomed, flourished and propelled us forward.

As the youth of the new millennium we are the first generation in history who has the potential to put an end to extreme poverty- we don't need any more motivation. But to be successful we need universal support and action.
If the governments that signed the MGD (Millennium Development Goals) for-filled their promise the world would be poverty free by 2015, just four yeas from now- can you imagine?

Poverty eradication isn't an exclusive club- Get involved. Small actions DO alter lives.

Learn more at:
Make Poverty History
United Nations- MGD
One Campagin

After the 2000 Sydney Olympics we were the only ones granted permission to project onto the Sydney Opera House.  After us the Opera House was heritage listed and so no one will be granted permission in the future.  This is my favorite from the slideshow, I carry a picture of it in my backpack.

Back to the Future

Check out photographer Irina Werning's project  Back to the Future. 


I'm all about knowing where you've been and sharing stories. This project allows its stars to share an honest insight into themselves with humor and nostalgia. 


I knew immediately which photo I will remake... now just to find the perfect opportunity- I'm pretty excited :)

These photos are cool too...http://thestrangeattractor.net/?p=7071

Conditions Change

I went skiing tonight afterwork and it was such a reminder that conditions change and for anything good to happen I have to keep my eyes open and stay engaged in the moment that is actually before me. 


It doesn't take long to do a run but each time I reached the top of the mountain I was presented with new conditions;
1. cold but not to windy, less than prefect visibility, nice snow
2. not too cold, limited visibility at the top, good snow
3. really windy and cold, perfect visibility, wind blown snow


Conditions can change quickly, switch on and ride what you have.  

A Change is as Good as a Holiday

I have never decided if "a change is as good as a holiday" like the proverb tells us so this week I did both- I really needed it.

Going somewhere new and different if you are open to it and safe is AMAZING. We took 2 days away from the 'bubble' that we live in on this snowy mountain; changed climate, culture, landscape and returned immeasurably refreshed and happy. It may be scary to do something different but get brave; its worth it.

It helps it you have someone fantastic to share your time with- Thanks Dave! 

Feedback

I love feedback. It can be communicated in so many forms; a couple of honest words whispered, an email, catching a glimpse of yourself and not recognizing yourself, really feeling what your finger tips are touching, a hug, a shove, receiving nothing. All these forms of feedback have been true for me in the past week. 

On Sunday night I committed to a new idea by making it my facebook status:

Dallas is kicking the drama out of my life, this month at least.

Within an hour it had 14 'likes' which made me think it was a good idea (thanks facebook friends who I love and trust). So for this month I will do what it takes to repel uninvited drama into my life. I'm not nervous that I will miss out on any fun but I am nervous that I may offend people by not indulging them... I'm about to find out if its worth it- but I think I already have my answer. 

International Women's Day

This is my favorite photo of my Nana and I

Today, March 8th is International Women's Day. For the past 100 or so years March 8 has internationally been recognized as the day to celebrate, appreciate and see women in all their capabilities, challenges and individualities. A day of solidarity, bonding, expression and action. In the fast paced world so many of us live in it is interesting to look back at the pursuits and progress of women over the past century (you can do it at www.internationalwomensday.com.)

Closer to home we each have 100+ years of family history. For some of us we are carrying the torch lit by the women who came before and for others it is us who are igniting a torch to light the way. 

I grew up almost entirely surrounded by women so since the very beginning who I am has been mostly shaped by the women in my life. I am blessed to have so many women to appreciate and celebrate but here is one of my absolute favorites- my Nana. 

She was the woman who taught me that I am ok- in just being who I am; I forgot as an angst-ridden teenager but what a blessing it was to come back to.

She is the reason I will recognize unconditional love when I see it again. 

She is the one person who brings me to tears, nearly every time, because I can’t help but think how wonderful she was.

Because of her I look forward to the magical life I can live when I am old. And if I can have that much fun when I am old I better have at least that much fun now I figure!

She leaves me speechless but with a calming feeling that is complete and needs no words. 

Maybe you have this person or maybe you are that person. If neither spring to mind keep searching. We are all capable of being and having this- my Nana wasn't a super hero, she was just my Nana. 

Mark International Women's Day in your calendar for next year; give yourself 2 weeks notice so you can enjoy celebrating a woman that has made a positive impact in your world- she deserves to know she is doing a good job.

"Inspiring others towards happiness brings you happiness" -Buddha

HAPPY INTERNATIONAL WOMEN'S DAY

New York City, August 2010

Wisdom from my friend Carsh, a man of few words:


"Attention people that talk too much. SHUT UP! . If you actually took some interest in the person you are talking to, instead of talking about how awesome you think you are, a lot more people would like you."


The BEST lesson I have ever learnt was that by talking less people understood me better and as a result like me and enjoy my company so much more. I would often explain things multiple ways and use a lot of 'fluff' to try and expose a part of me people would want to connect with.  It rarely had the desired effect but I didn't know what else to do. It was a really hard lesson but Elise  and Mika will forever be goddess's in my life for staying with me though that learning. 

“The question isn’t who is going to let me; it’s who is going to stop me.”

~ Ayn Rand

Amazing 95-year-old Bronx sprinter sets world track record By Chris Chas

Ida Keeling may be 95 years old, but she looks, acts and runs like a woman 20 years her junior. 

The Bronx native set a world record last week by running 60 meters in 29.86 seconds, the fastest time ever for a 95-year-old. Setting records is nothing new for Keeling. Three years ago she broke the mark for the fastest sprint ever by a runner over the age of 90.

Keeling started running in 1983 when she was a spry 67. Even then, she says she was the oldest person around. Her daughter convinced her to take up the sport after her two sons were killed in drug-related incidents and her husband died of a heart attack. Since then, she has been competing in meets across the globe.

When she's not running in the corridors of her apartment or on the track, Keeling said she eats well and lifts weights to maintain her healthy lifestyle.

"My secret is, feel good about yourself [and] have a good attitude about yourself," she told ABC News. "I just close my eyes and say count your blessings, Ida. Count your blessings. Stay alert and focus and that's it."

That's sage advice for folks of any age