Recycled Music: A Story of Passion and Innovation

The town of Cateura, Paraguay, is built on a landfill. Residents sort through the garbage to find items that can be sold. One day an orchestra director and music teacher came to town to teach children how to play violins and flutes. But they didn’t bring enough instruments for all those who wanted to play.

The town’s scrap dealers found a creative solution to the challenge. They built violins, violas, guitars and horns out of junk found in the landfill. The music that emerges from these recycled instruments rivals the greatest orchestras in the world.

As the orchestra director points out in a video about the project, it’s a valuable lesson in recognizing the potential value in much of what we consider to be “garbage”. It’s also about recognizing the value of every human being, the potential for growth and passion that exists in each one of us, regardless of where we live and the circumstances in which we live.

May you and your family enjoy the blessings of  good health, shared joy, and beauty this holiday season.

Together … In Perfect Harmony

In the city of Montreal, people are discovering the joy of collaboration. A team of designers installed twenty-one swings near a bus stop. When people sit on them and begin to swing, music starts to play.

Each swing triggers different notes. The full piece of music only emerges when everyone swings in unison.

The project is bringing together people of all ages and backgrounds, drawn by the opportunity to swing like a child and to make music at the same time. As they swing, people begin to discover the different notes and realize that, by moving as one, they can create a beautiful symphony.

The design team is in the process of creating a travelling version of the swings so that these collective moments can be shared around the world.

This project gives me reason to dream bigger. If 21 strangers can create beautiful music together by synchronizing their movements in Montreal, imagine what we could do if we worked together for the common good in our neighbourhoods, communities, countries … !

Everything is possible. It’s up to us. One word, one step, one action at a time.

The Gift of Secret Santa

I remember watching a Christmas movie a few years ago in which a television reporter visited a small American town to try and discover the identity of the community’s Secret Santa. It seems that, for many years, someone had been anonymously meeting the needs of those in need.

Recently, I read several newspaper articles about a Secret Santa visiting some of the poorest towns in the U.S. as well as communities that had been hard hit by Hurricane Sandy. Secret Santa was handing out $100 bills to strangers, asking no questions, simply suggesting that they share some kindness with others in their lives.

He apparently took up this role following in the footsteps of a good friend who, for many years, had handed out money at Christmas to people in thrift stores, food banks, and shelters. When his friend died in 2007, he had given away more than $1 million dollars.

“The money is not the point,” he said. “It’s about random acts of kindness. I’m just setting an example. Anybody can be a Secret Santa.”

It doesn’t take a million dollars to make a difference in the lives of others. Nor does it only have to happen during the holiday season. The greatest gifts are usually the ones that come from your heart. How can you share something of yourself and brighten someone’s day today?

The Stuff Dreams Are Made Of

In 1980, the American Helicopter Society International established the Igor I. Sikorsky Prize to develop a human-powered helicopter. It’s an international competition with a prize of $250,000 pledged by Sikorsky Aircraft Corporation for the first controlled flight that meets stringent requirements.

The flight must last 60 seconds and reach a height of 3 metres (9.8 ft) while remaining in a 10 metre (32.8 ft) square, and it must be certified by a member of the Federation Aeronautique Internationale.

To date, no one has been able to claim the prize, although many attempts have been made.

Competition is currently close between two contenders – the Gamera II designed and built by students at the University of Maryland, and the Atlas designed and built by AeroVelo, a team of Canadian students and professionals.

On August 28, 2012, the Gamera II unofficially flew for 65 seconds on one flight, and reached a height of 8 feet on another.

On September 3, the Atlas demonstrated the first controlled, non-tethered flight of a human-powered helicopter, lasting 17 seconds.

Both teams continue to refine their design. The Atlas is powered by national speed skater, Dr. Todd Reichert, on a super-light bike frame designed by Toronto’s Cervelo Cycles. He performs endurance and power cycle training for three hours a day in order to prepare for “take-off”.

“Many people have said this prize is impossible,” Reichert says, “but if we succeed, that has the power to inspire.”

Make My Day!

Go ahead. Make my day. Not in the way Clint Eastwood insinuated with that glint in his eye and the gun in his hand.

You can make my day by sharing a good news story. I love hearing how people take the time to surprise someone with delight, or make a dream come true.

Here’s a story that made today special for me.

For two years, a 10-year-old boy in Massachusetts had been saving his money for a particular Lego set. He plays with Lego every day, and has been since he was four. He had seen the Emerald Night train set online when he was eight and decided he had to have it. His parents insisted that he save his money for it.

“I kept all the money I got for birthday and holiday gifts, some of my allowance and some money I got for a research project (he has Asperger’s Syndrome). At last, a couple of months ago I had my $100 and was ready to buy the Lego set of my dreams.”

That’s when he learned that the set had been discontinued. He and his parents checked Lego stores in their area as well as online. The only place they could find them was on Ebay, and for double the original price.

So he wrote to corporate headquarters and asked if they had one there. The reply letter confirmed that Lego was no longer making that set.

Disappointed, he decided to use his money to buy a different Lego piece, but he couldn’t forget about his dream set.

Two days before his 11th birthday, a package appeared on the family’s front door step. It was from Lego. Apparently they had managed to locate one Emerald Night train set and had shipped it to the unsuspecting boy.

To say he was excited would be an understatement. His dream had come true.

So, go ahead, make my day! Share a good news story with me.

Breathe Like You Mean It

No matter where you are right now, or what you’re doing, pause.

Straighten your shoulders, lift your head and your eyes, and take a long,

s-l-o-w, deeeeeeeep breath in. Exhale gradually.

Now, do it again.

One more time.

There, doesn’t that feel better?

Before you resume your activity, notice what has shifted. How does your body feel? What’s different in your mind?

If you find your mind is still racing, and your adrenaline is still high, try a few more slow deep breaths.

As you breathe, focus on the act of breathing. Notice the air entering and leaving your lungs. Is it warm or cold? Dry or moist?

Close your eyes and listen to your breath. It’s an action that occurs unconsciously for us. Thank goodness, because sometimes we get so distracted by life and details that we forget to breathe. We end up taking short gulps of air, just enough to keep the body functioning. The lack of oxygen affects our ability to think clearly, and our stress load builds.

All it takes is a few minutes to pause, straighten our posture, and breathe like we mean it. And then the mind clears, the body grows calm, and we are able to move forward in a much more productive way.

Such a simple act. Such a profound impact.

Shifting Perspectives

I was reading a book lately and came across a question that helped me shift my perspective. Like many people, I tend to take life too seriously. I get caught up in stress and worry about money and deadlines. I find myself trying to squeeze just a few more hours into the work day. And when something happens to change my plans, it can throw my whole day off.

Then I saw this question.

“Will it matter a year from now?”

Such a simple question. Yet each time I say it, I pause.

A year is a long time. It’s made up of 365 days. Each day has 24 hours.

Will this stressful situation matter 8760 hours from now? I doubt it very much. In fact, I probably won’t even remember it in a week, let alone a year from now.

Sure, some of the decisions I make now will have an impact on what I’m doing in a year’s time. Since that’s true, I’d better make sure that those decisions are based on what brings me joy rather than worry.

So how can I take this situation and shift it?

First, by realizing that it’s not as important or serious as I might think initially.

Second, by asking myself, what is needed to bring more joy into this moment?

And then taking action based on that.

It’s all about living with joy and ease – the Dream Bigger life.

Finding The Hidden Treasure

“Imagine that every person in the world is enlightened but you.

They are all your teachers, each doing just the right things

to help you learn patience, perfect wisdom, perfect compassion.”

~ Jack Kornfield

Hmmm, that quote is  a little hard to swallow when you apply it to the driver who cut you off this morning on the way to work, the salesperson who tries to bully you into buying a product you don’t need, the co-worker who gossips about everyone else at the office, or the obnoxious family member who seems to ruin every family gathering.

And yet, it applies equally to all of them, just as it does to your wonderful best friend, your generous next-door neighbour who always shovels your driveway in the winter, and even your beloved dog, waiting patiently for you at the door at the end of the day.

It’s just that the lessons in patience, wisdom and compassion aren’t as easy to take when they come from a challenging source.

It may help to see each person as a gift in our life. Some gifts come wrapped in pretty paper, while others may look very unattractive. It’s what’s on the inside that counts.

And if you take the time to unwrap the gift, you will find unexpected treasure hidden deep inside.

So the next time you’re dealing with a challenging person, pause for a moment. Remember that they are human, just like you. And they serve as a teacher for you. What can you learn about kindness, generosity, compassion, and patience from this person or this situation?

Boldly Stepping Forward Into The Vision

“The world lies in the hands of those who have the courage to dream

and the audacity to live their dreams.”

~ Paolo Coelho

It takes courage to dream, doesn’t it? In a world that focuses on practicality and being realistic, it’s not easy being a dreamer. There are always those who will criticize or make fun of you for having pie-in-the-sky ideas. But where would we be without dreamers, visionaries, people who have the courage to imagine new ways of doing things?

The geniuses of our past, like Einstein and Leonardo da Vinci for example, were dreamers who believed that what they imagined could become real. For them, the impossible was always possible. It was just a question of time.

What set them apart was their ability to take the dream and turn it into action. And that’s where audacity, or boldness, comes in.

In order to try something new, you have to take a risk. Often it means going against what others believe to be true. Sometimes it means making mistakes and having to start over. You may feel as if you are alone swimming against the current of common opinion.

And yet, you carry on. Why? Because the dream matters. And you can’t imagine living your life any other way.

Here’s to the dreamers, who are changing our world in immeasurable ways, with their boundless vision and energy.

The Evolving Dream

In my last post, I wrote about the dilemma faced by Peter Brother after his bike was stolen in Peru. Suddenly his dream of cycling from the Yukon in northern Canada to the southern tip of Argentina came crashing down around him. He had managed to complete two-thirds of his journey, and now had no bike to finish what he had started.

It’s a good example of what can happen as we pursue a dream. Sometimes life gets in the way. Circumstances beyond our control pull the rug out from under out feet, and we’re left dazed and confused, asking why. And wondering what to do next.

At first, Peter was shocked. He spent a few days trying to come to terms with this change in his plans. Then he decided to see if he could get a bike built to meet his needs in Peru. He also explored the possibility of having a new bike, identical to the specialized one he had bought for his trip, shipped to him from Canada.

Neither option worked out.

At that point, he could have give up. So close to achieving his dream, and yet so far.

Instead, he decided to revamp the dream. He realized that he still wanted to go to Chile and Argentina. He wanted to continue the journey. However, now he would do it by bus. He felt it would give him plenty of opportunity to meet people, and to do some hiking.

So, for the past few weeks, he has been hiking in the mountains and the desert, exploring caves and glacial lakes. He will also be trekking to the world’s largest canyon in Peru, the Lake district in Argentina, Patagonia in Chile and a number of other locations.

His dream continues to evolve. In a recent post, he wrote,

“While in Hauraz, I had a couple of significant dreams, that seemed to me to indicate I want to continue cycling for part of the journey through Chile and Argentina. I am now rethinking about biking.  I will go by bus to Nazca and Arequipa in Peru and then bus it to Santiago.  Then I may pick up a “new” bike there.  Then go to Mendoza, down to the Lake District and cross back and forth between Argentina & Chile, biking and hiking.”

It’s important to be flexible and open while following your dream, yet keep in mind your focus, the main reason you started on the journey in the first place. In this way, you’ll stay open to possibilities and … those possibilities are endless!