Genuine Insights

Why they walked

Sometimes the great big fat moments in life are actually very small moments that touch your soul in a profound way, making you different than you were the day before. This past Saturday I experienced one of those moments as I served as the announcer for this year’s Help the Homeless Walk in D.C.

The entire experience from the start—which for me was 7 a.m. that day—was powerful, invigorating and a massive reality check on what really matters. Homeless men and women came up to me requesting that the names of their shelters be mentioned as they passed the finish line. Priests came up to me and asked for the names of their churches to be mentioned, too. Hundreds of children asked for their school names to be mentioned and most moving were the thousands of social workers and service providers who were walking with their families and clients, smiling and saying thank you as they passed the riser where I stood, doing my best to represent those smiling faces. What a deeply humbling experience.

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Posted Nov 23, 2009 Tagged under: charity and community service, events, volunteerism

Who’s got your back?

When asked the question, “Who’s got your back?” you may find yourself quickly thinking of your family and close personal friends. But if you dive further into your mental Rolodex of deep, meaningful life long relationships you might realize the answer to this question may very well include, thinkers, influencers, mentors, neighbors, spiritual advisers, connectors, friends and wise souls who you’ve had the honor and personal privilege of knowing, working with or even just having a few meaningful, yet brief encounters with. Author, Keith Ferrazzi is releasing a book in stores on May 19th on this very topic and I can’t wait to sit down with it for a good read.

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Posted Apr 26, 2009 Tagged under: charity and community service, fat brains, volunteerism

The Ball, a short film from Mozambique a gift to you for Mother’s Day

In celebration of Mother’s Day I wanted to share my favorite film of Pangea Day, which if you were not able to tune in was one of the most amazing film festival experiences I have ever encountered. Shout out to Current TV for helping make it happen and for airing the 4 hours of extremely moving shorts. I watched the festival with best friends visiting from NYC for the weekend and we laughed, cried, cried some more and discussed some of the universal commonalities we all share. Watching the films collectively, live, while millions watched in over 100 countries was powerful.

As a mother of a two year old son, Lucas, I especially appreciated the film, The Ball which is about children in Mozambique who have found an interesting way to make a football. Click above to watch this amazing film about the power of the desire to “play.”

Posted May 11, 2008 Tagged under: charity and community service, relationships

Pangea Day: Largest Global Film Festival in History: May 10th! Watch, listen, learn and share

Like most global modernists, I love indie flicks and can’t get enough of their edgy content. So when I learned about Pangea Day, I realized I had to participate in spreading the word about this historical event.

If you have not heard, Pangea Day (May 10th, this Sat folks!) will be the largest global film festival in history.

Festival Mission

To help build global unity – through the power of film. Got to love that!

Details

On May 10, 2008, locations in Cairo, Kigali, London, Los Angeles,Mumbai, and Rio de Janeirowill be linked for a live program of powerful films, live music, and visionary speakers. The entire program will be broadcast – in seven languages – to millions of people worldwide through the internet, television, and mobile phones. The 24 short films to be featured have been selected from over one hundred countries. Details on the Pangea Day films can be viewed here. The program will also include a number of exceptional speakers and musical performers.

What Will Happen After Pangea Day

People inspired by Pangea Day will have the opportunity to participate in community-building activities around the world. Through the live program, the Pangea Day web site, and self-organized local events, everyday people will be connected with extraordinary activists and organizations.

What can you do?

Watch, listen and share! I am sure we all will enjoy the multi-sensory experience.

Posted May 6, 2008 Tagged under: art and music, celebration, charity and community service, inspiration