Playing for Change: Daylight

Adam Levine and Maroon 5 share the spotlight and the profits with "Daylight (Playing for Change)."

Playing for Change is a music project that brings musicians together from across the globe. All profits from their work go to a nonprofit foundation that builds music schools for children around the world.




I became an Adam Levine fan as I watched him on The Voice, but I'm genuinely impressed with all that he does to share his talents to make the world better for others. I wouldn't have known about this project without his involvement and it so fits with the Optimist International mission of helping children reach their full potential that I wanted to share it with you.

Currently, there are 8 programs that are funded by the foundation. It serves communities in Ghana, Nepal, Rwanda, Mali and South Africa. Its mission is to create positive social change through music education. In addition to providing a "creative alternative to the struggles that many of these children face daily," Playing for Change creates jobs. Each school belongs to the community and they use local teachers and labor for the buildings. Community members are the administrators. Whenever possible, the instruments are made by local artisans with local materials.

Some say it takes a village to raise a child. I say it takes a village to accept change. Playing for Change shares the universal language of music in an effort to affect change, bring peace to communities, and peace to the world.

Happy Birthday, David Bowie

This week's selection for Music Sunday at Experience Optimism is obvious. Given the new year and my pondering about change, I chose to highlight a classic recording, "Changes" by David Bowie.

When I found the song on YouTube, I was a little surprised at how normal Mr. Bowie appeared on the record cover for this album. In my mind, he has always been the flamboyant, almost psychedelic character Ziggy Stardust.

Wanting to give a glimpse to you of how he looks now, I discovered that today is David Bowie's birthday and as he turns 65, he is contemplating a tour in 2012. Well, perhaps his fans are contemplating a tour more than he. The adage, the more things change, the more they stay the same, remains startling true.



If you are considering change in 2012, I hope you remember to always be true to yourself. Be sure that the picture of you that others retain in their memory is the one you want preserved.

Jane Fonda and what comes next

In this Tedx Talk, Jane Fonda coins a number of apt phrases speaking about "The Longevity Revolution" and "The Third Act," but what touched me most was her assertion that most persons over fifty are happier because they have come to terms with their lives.



Is it possible that we can live in this world for so many years, constrained by others views of what we should be and then only when we start to review our lives do we let go and become our true selves? If so, it is truly a blessing that we are given that third act to discover what is real.

As I started off the year searching for direction, asking where do I take this blog from here, this video has helped me realize that what I need to do is be more authentic about how I relate to the experiences I have with optimism. How have conducting, reading about and promoting such activities changed me? Do such activities positively affect others? Do they truly make a difference or are they merely a means to occupy our time? Is occupation the purpose of living?

I'll be fine tuning the format in the next few weeks with the above questions in mind. Please feel free to comment; let me know if I'm heading in the right direction. And as always, please tell us how you have been touched by optimism.

Changing the way Optimist Club members learn

This week marks the end and the beginning of a year in the life of an Optimist Club member.  Thursday is my last day as governor of the Pacific Northwest District-Optimist International.  It's been  a good year, full of challenges and the rewards that come from knowing that I gave it my all. I am happy and sad with the transition that will take place later this week.

On October 1, new Optimist Club and District leaders will launch their fresh approach to serving their communities. That's a good thing. We all need enthusiasm and new individuals to lead our charge. For the first time ever, Districts have been asked to forgo their usual quarterly meetings in place of a regional gathering. Incoming International President Danny Rodgers has been actively promoting the "Parallel District Conferences" and information from the International Office remind us several times a week to register for the "PDC - coming to a region near you."

For my entire career in Optimism, I have always believed that the beauty of the organization is its local impact.  In fact, hands-on support for the clubs in my district was a major part of my work plan this year.  I realize we live in a global society. I value the connections I can make from a larger network. But I still wonder if trying to drive Optimist Club member participation from a central point is a good thing. It's not a bad thing; but it is different, and as much as I encourage people to be flexible and adapt to change, I believe it is okay to ask questions and determine what is right for you and those who are in your care.

Good luck to the regions with PDCs. Good luck to the one region without. I look forward to reviewing the outcomes next year at this time.

Change for the better

When I awoke today and checked my email and Twitter accounts (in that order), I saw the Barack Obama quote that I have listed as the quote of the day: We are the ones that we have been waiting for. We are the change that we seek.  This quote spoke to me on the day following Independence Day and reminded me of a saying often mentioned by a fellow Optimist Club member, "If it is to be, it is up to me."

My friend credits the latter statement to a past international president of Optimist International, but I found that the quote actually belongs to a man named William H. Johnsen. Although no biography appears readily available for Mr. Johnsen, it is quite apparent from entries on Wikipedia that he had something to do with building, flying and/or documenting military aircraft.

It seems to me that Optimist International leaders often have a legacy of military service. Military leaders are excellent managers. They know how to command and motivate troops to follow orders that often take them into harm's way. Military leaders and their troops accept the on-the-ground responsibility to get things done and they are accountable to those whom they serve. Rising through military ranks is very orderly, based on a do this, this and this and then you are eligible for that premise.

My thought for today for Optimist International or any service club or organization is that model doesn't work anymore. The first reason it doesn't work has to do with critical mass.  With declining numbers in traditional service clubs, there are not as many people available who have fulfilled the "this, this, this and then that" role.

The second reason it doesn't work is since the Baby Boomer generation began, our country has raised independent thinkers and doers. It is widely accepted that with the right amount of encouragement and passion that anyone can be an entrepreneur. The same is true for thought leaders: people create their own forums and generate their own followers. Individuals are less likely to follow the "this, this, this, and then that" model and even if they do, they do so at a much quicker pace than those who came before them.

The third reason this model no longer works has to do with attitude. Consider the very slight difference in these words:

• If it is to be; it is up to me 
• We are the change that we seek

Both recognize that personal involvement is crucial; however, one is self-centered while the other is altruistic. One says I can do it alone; the other says I want and need help from others. 

Consider the latter for a moment. If we have collectively become a nation of entrepreneurs, when we ask for help and embrace the contributions of others, we are in fact recognizing their different skills and abilities. We therefore inherently accept that others can and will exceed our abilities and perhaps rise to greater power. That is the true essence of change. 

I believe that is the true essence of change for the better. 

Are we too tired to change?

Change.  Is it inevitable?  If so, why are we so resistant?  According to Fast Company, the reason that we resist change is because change requires self control and self control is exhaustible.  When we get tired, we lose self control or the desire to do something different and we fall back into comfortable, routine habits.

If change is important to you or your cause, then plan accordingly for the exhaustion factor. Take time to ease into the change that you want to see.