Young at Heart Chorus

We just got back from seeing the documentary Young at Heart. What a beautiful movie. I hope I grow old this way. It's a documentary about a great group of people, who happen to be 70 years old and up, performing rock songs, yes rock songs.

It's great to see what we are capable of in old age. There is no limit to how far we can take ourselves, which should remind us that there is no reason not to do things when we are young.

My favorite song in the movie is actually when they sing James Brown, I Feel Good. Can you imagine?! Makes me want to practice it on the karaoke.

Warning, it's a tear jerker no matter who you are. Coldplay should feel honored for this great rendition of their song. That sound in the background is the guy's oxygen tank pumping air into his lungs.

Craig's List

I sold on Craig's List for the first this week. Brilliant. Sold an old table and dishwasher in a matter of days. Classifieds are the optimal way in the "story of stuff" because things are being shuffled around from those who don't need it to those who do. It's the ultimate form of recycling.

I also noticed how nice it was to interact with random people in the community. In the two transactions, I always shook someone's hand and got a small piece of their story. I have several close friends and family who are always befriending strangers anywhere they are, whether it's with a smile or an entire conversation which has sometimes continued to extended friendships. Now, I have a better understanding of why.

Geoff McFetridge at Olympic Scupture Garden

Geoff McFetridge's installation at the Olympic Sculpture Garden in Seattle. My photo was shot through the glass because it was a Monday.

The Dalai Lama

Needless to say, April just wizzed by. So many things happened. One of the hilights, seeing the Dalai Lama! Kinda neat.

This annual trip to Seattle (Jon was there too, but we did not see him) just happened to coincide with Seeds of Compassion, a conference in which the Dalai Lama was the honored guest. We decided to crash the party thinking there may be empty seats on a Monday at 1pm and we were right. The panel included His Holiness, as he is called, and a group of business leaders, the most noteable being the president of Costco there to discuss bringing compassion to the workplace.

It was amazing to see how humbled these business execs were to be in the presence of His Holiness, who happened to be the most humble of them all. It was quite ironic, because he frequently spoke about how industrialism was the begining of the man-made problems of war, violence, anger, hatred, and jealousy. What could these businesses do bring compassion to their employees, how would that affect the customers and ultimately the bottom line? The truth is that before before industrialism, more importance was placed on a healthy mind, compassion, warm heartedness. This made for healthy and thriving societies with a more wholistic view of world. To back it all up, science is now proving that emotion is so important to creating this well being.

The conference was focused on the youth, parents, and caregivers. By teaching the youth compassion at an early age, they will show that same compassion towards others through out their lives. "Early child development, after all, is the foundation of community development." And if we can inspire them early, we might be able to soften the soul-less effects of industrialism.

I know so many people having babies lately, this is a great message.