She said it was like a warm rain. Today, as the rain falls here in Boise I am reminded of a missionary I once met who described a trip she took to serve in Haiti. She shared with me a story of an incredibly hot summer and a deeply personal experience that felt so intimate it has always resonated inside of me; so intimate and so touching it is what I think about anytime I see or feel the rain..
She described the summer days in Haiti as hot, a hot many of us are not capable of understanding. An unbearable hot, a hot that burns and a hot that created a thirst that no drink of water could quench. It was like an unrelenting sun, a harsh humidity, that left her arms and shoulder reddened and burnt. She told me that at the end of the hottest week she had ever experienced the clouds rolled in and a warm rain poured over the village. She said as the warm rain drenched her she stood there absorbing the warm rain, staring up to the sky smiling. She told me this in a visually descriptive way, as she physically began petting her face; her palms imitating the rain and describing the warm rain as it poured over her hair, down to her burnt shoulders and arms. She said this warm rain was so soothing, so comforting she had never felt the Grace and Love of her Higher power than those moments she stood under that warm warm rain.
She continued to tell me that Love and Grace should feel like a warm rain in the hottest part of summer. We should let it wash over us, drown out our ill feelings of the tribulations we struggle with. She said there was no other way to physically describe that Love over us; it's just like a warm rain quenching every thirst, satisfying every emotional need, soothing the burns of the hot days we face.
No matter what your struggles, what your issues, what your burns are caused from, there is always Love like that; there is always that Love that is ready to be embraced and experienced, a Love that can comfort you, sooth you, and heal the burns caused by any emotional battles or feelings of hate you may have; a Love like a warm rain.
Thursday, April 26, 2012
Thursday, April 19, 2012
The Project Proposal
The Story
Every person has a calling. Some people are called to help those in need, locally and globally. Global Citizen is the story of a man's journey as he seeks to understand those individuals who sacrifice everything to serve the oppressed, the poor, and the disadvantaged. While narrating the production through a daily journal and video blog Gabe will travel to three tormented regions of the world and meet the individuals who attempt to help. He will assist in the day to day chores they typically do, observe how they live, how they interact with friends and family members back home, how they spend their free time, and their motivations to live the life of a Global Citizen and the goals they have for their future.
Follow his journey to the most desolate villages deep in the African Jungle where he will assist in the daily chores of running a refugee camp. Watch as he joins in the aid and construction of a hospital and orphanage in Haiti. Learn from their stories as he makes an emotional connection with the individuals responsible for running a New York City rescue mission. Transform your heart and spirit as you take this life changing discovery of finding your own calling to serve, inspire, act in any capacity your heart calls you to do. Look inside yourself and determine your own destiny and become a Global Citizen.
Storyline
Our story starts in a New York City inner city project, that has been long known for it's poverty, crime, and marginalization. The host will meet those responsible for helping keep the project running. We will spend quality one-on-one time with a few individuals who truly define the character of a Global Citizen. The host will interview these individuals during the normal activities that keep the project running ie; cooking, cleaning, preparing food, going out to the street, meeting the disadvantaged etc. Through a set of conversations we will discover what purpose drives these individuals to serve and act.. We will also spend time with the individuals who have been influenced by their organization and how their life has been changed and impacted. We will meet the people who have been affected, and meet the people who still need desperate help.
Our story will dramatically change as we step off the plane in Haiti where the recent devastating tragic earthquake has left this nation-state in a constant condition of reconstruction. A small passenger aircraft will transport us to the far end of the country to a village that heavily relies on foreign aid and support. It is a relatively small town, where an orphanage and hospital are under remodel. Like NYC we will learn from the epitome of Global Citizens as they show me around, teaching me and the audience the history, culture, and political infrastructure of the area. I will delve into their very being, and search for the purpose and drive that calls them to serve. I will see what it takes to live abroad; the transition, communication with family, technology, culture barriers etc. Similar to NYC we will meet those affected and those whose life has changed as a result of these Global Citizens.
The third pillar of our story climaxes in the heart of Africa, in a country riddled by poverty, disease and civil war; the Democratic Republic of Congo. This war torn country is brittled by the lack of governmental institution and relies significantly on outside aid and humanitarianism. A small aircraft will transport us into one of the most desolate parts of this tropical nation during the wettest season of the year. We will abruptly adjust to the conditions foreign to us; the culture, the poverty, the conflict, the lack of public knowledge.
As Gabe adjusts to the harsh living conditions the Congolese are faced with, this will become the most heartfelt portion of our story as he creates the most powerful emotional connection of the film with the Global Citizens responsible and the audience. The audience will discover the commonality between all of these amazing and inspiring individuals who sacrifice all and receive nothing to make this world a better place. We will finally discover what it takes to be a Global Citizen, and how any person can live a meaningful and substantial life through contributing to society in any form, local or foreign, near or far. This is the story of finding a person's calling to serve, to inspire and to act, locally and globally.
Every person has a calling. Some people are called to help those in need, locally and globally. Global Citizen is the story of a man's journey as he seeks to understand those individuals who sacrifice everything to serve the oppressed, the poor, and the disadvantaged. While narrating the production through a daily journal and video blog Gabe will travel to three tormented regions of the world and meet the individuals who attempt to help. He will assist in the day to day chores they typically do, observe how they live, how they interact with friends and family members back home, how they spend their free time, and their motivations to live the life of a Global Citizen and the goals they have for their future.
Follow his journey to the most desolate villages deep in the African Jungle where he will assist in the daily chores of running a refugee camp. Watch as he joins in the aid and construction of a hospital and orphanage in Haiti. Learn from their stories as he makes an emotional connection with the individuals responsible for running a New York City rescue mission. Transform your heart and spirit as you take this life changing discovery of finding your own calling to serve, inspire, act in any capacity your heart calls you to do. Look inside yourself and determine your own destiny and become a Global Citizen.
Storyline
Our story starts in a New York City inner city project, that has been long known for it's poverty, crime, and marginalization. The host will meet those responsible for helping keep the project running. We will spend quality one-on-one time with a few individuals who truly define the character of a Global Citizen. The host will interview these individuals during the normal activities that keep the project running ie; cooking, cleaning, preparing food, going out to the street, meeting the disadvantaged etc. Through a set of conversations we will discover what purpose drives these individuals to serve and act.. We will also spend time with the individuals who have been influenced by their organization and how their life has been changed and impacted. We will meet the people who have been affected, and meet the people who still need desperate help.
Our story will dramatically change as we step off the plane in Haiti where the recent devastating tragic earthquake has left this nation-state in a constant condition of reconstruction. A small passenger aircraft will transport us to the far end of the country to a village that heavily relies on foreign aid and support. It is a relatively small town, where an orphanage and hospital are under remodel. Like NYC we will learn from the epitome of Global Citizens as they show me around, teaching me and the audience the history, culture, and political infrastructure of the area. I will delve into their very being, and search for the purpose and drive that calls them to serve. I will see what it takes to live abroad; the transition, communication with family, technology, culture barriers etc. Similar to NYC we will meet those affected and those whose life has changed as a result of these Global Citizens.
The third pillar of our story climaxes in the heart of Africa, in a country riddled by poverty, disease and civil war; the Democratic Republic of Congo. This war torn country is brittled by the lack of governmental institution and relies significantly on outside aid and humanitarianism. A small aircraft will transport us into one of the most desolate parts of this tropical nation during the wettest season of the year. We will abruptly adjust to the conditions foreign to us; the culture, the poverty, the conflict, the lack of public knowledge.
As Gabe adjusts to the harsh living conditions the Congolese are faced with, this will become the most heartfelt portion of our story as he creates the most powerful emotional connection of the film with the Global Citizens responsible and the audience. The audience will discover the commonality between all of these amazing and inspiring individuals who sacrifice all and receive nothing to make this world a better place. We will finally discover what it takes to be a Global Citizen, and how any person can live a meaningful and substantial life through contributing to society in any form, local or foreign, near or far. This is the story of finding a person's calling to serve, to inspire and to act, locally and globally.
Dr. Ashis Brahma on Global Citizenship
African Spring 48: What is a global citizen?
Kampala, Uganda, April 19, 2012
Mr Gabe is asking himself and plenty others the following question: “What is a global citizen?” One of Mr. Gabe’s conclusions is the passion to serve. To follow up on that thought he is aiming to make a documentary in three places around the world: Democratic Republic of Congo, Haiti and an inner city in the United States. Here he will be serving in construction, education or any other role he can in smaller and bigger projects. These short working visits will be filmed and made into a documentary on what drives people to serve humanity. Does that make them global citizens?
To me there are many ways to define a ‘global citizen’. I would say the following components give you a good chance of becoming someone who engages fully by truly connecting on a multitude of levels to others around the globe:
1. A sense of humor about yourself, your culture and the amazing (tragi)-comedy that this world is. A smile opens many doors and is the key to the heart and soul of the ‘other’ .
2. An ability to listen, observe, smell, feel, taste and learn at all times. The senses can put the cerebrum in place preferring the inner voice and heart.
3. An openness of mind will lead to a natural connection, dialogue and therefore deeper communication.
4. The patience to be, just you in the sea of unknown so it can become known.
5. An acceptance that we are sometimes solitary beings, but most team players.
6. A flexibility to accept and initiate change
7. Multilingual skills will reduce confusion in understanding
8. A will and the skills to lead
9. A love of art, nature and humanity
10. A willingness to lead by serving
Two people I would like to write about to as examples of global citizens. Those sources of inspiration show that country of origin, gender, race or age are of the least importance.
The first person is Dr Dickson Ssenoga, Ugandan physician, husband to Liz, father of a brace of kids, founder of a private health clinic, an NGO and an orphanage. Crossing borders to aid in South Sudan from time to time. His passions are taking care and improving life of people living with HIV/AIDS in his ancestral home of Mubende/Mityana, near Kampala. For that for the last 10 years he has worked hard to bring dozens of clean water systems (pumps, box springs) to his region. Personally visiting the houses of his community to bring the medicine, medical care and extra food, often funded from his own pocket. Then there is the orphanage where 20 kids live, who grow their own food on their plot of land, go to school together and live, love and learn as one family
The second is F.S. , when I met her in Minneapolis, Minnesota she was 8 years old. She had heard about the genocide in Darfur and started making arm bands to sell for the people in need. Raising over $1000 that was donated to the Genocide Intervention Network. Seeing her speak at an event with around 800 people was just inspiring. Her spirit radiating as she spoke of girls of her age that should not suffer.
We do not have to travel to be a global citizen. All that is required is a willingness to listen with an open heart and act. Think/feel global, act local, be glocal. Be a glocal citizen.
Namaskar,
Ashis
Thank you very much Ashis for your special blog. Please visit Dr. Brahma's personal blog @
http://www.africashispring.blogspot.com
Kampala, Uganda, April 19, 2012
Mr Gabe is asking himself and plenty others the following question: “What is a global citizen?” One of Mr. Gabe’s conclusions is the passion to serve. To follow up on that thought he is aiming to make a documentary in three places around the world: Democratic Republic of Congo, Haiti and an inner city in the United States. Here he will be serving in construction, education or any other role he can in smaller and bigger projects. These short working visits will be filmed and made into a documentary on what drives people to serve humanity. Does that make them global citizens?
To me there are many ways to define a ‘global citizen’. I would say the following components give you a good chance of becoming someone who engages fully by truly connecting on a multitude of levels to others around the globe:
1. A sense of humor about yourself, your culture and the amazing (tragi)-comedy that this world is. A smile opens many doors and is the key to the heart and soul of the ‘other’ .
2. An ability to listen, observe, smell, feel, taste and learn at all times. The senses can put the cerebrum in place preferring the inner voice and heart.
3. An openness of mind will lead to a natural connection, dialogue and therefore deeper communication.
4. The patience to be, just you in the sea of unknown so it can become known.
5. An acceptance that we are sometimes solitary beings, but most team players.
6. A flexibility to accept and initiate change
7. Multilingual skills will reduce confusion in understanding
8. A will and the skills to lead
9. A love of art, nature and humanity
10. A willingness to lead by serving
Two people I would like to write about to as examples of global citizens. Those sources of inspiration show that country of origin, gender, race or age are of the least importance.
The first person is Dr Dickson Ssenoga, Ugandan physician, husband to Liz, father of a brace of kids, founder of a private health clinic, an NGO and an orphanage. Crossing borders to aid in South Sudan from time to time. His passions are taking care and improving life of people living with HIV/AIDS in his ancestral home of Mubende/Mityana, near Kampala. For that for the last 10 years he has worked hard to bring dozens of clean water systems (pumps, box springs) to his region. Personally visiting the houses of his community to bring the medicine, medical care and extra food, often funded from his own pocket. Then there is the orphanage where 20 kids live, who grow their own food on their plot of land, go to school together and live, love and learn as one family
The second is F.S. , when I met her in Minneapolis, Minnesota she was 8 years old. She had heard about the genocide in Darfur and started making arm bands to sell for the people in need. Raising over $1000 that was donated to the Genocide Intervention Network. Seeing her speak at an event with around 800 people was just inspiring. Her spirit radiating as she spoke of girls of her age that should not suffer.
We do not have to travel to be a global citizen. All that is required is a willingness to listen with an open heart and act. Think/feel global, act local, be glocal. Be a glocal citizen.
Namaskar,
Ashis
Thank you very much Ashis for your special blog. Please visit Dr. Brahma's personal blog @
http://www.africashispring.blogspot.com
Wednesday, April 18, 2012
Hero
Ever since I was a child, I wanted to be a superhero. I got a kick out of watching the X-men, Superman, Spiderman, all of the famous Marvel and DC characters we've grown to love. I guess if you would have asked me what I wanted to be when I grow up I would have told you, Batman.
So when January 2009 came around I was thrown into a project I had no idea I could be capable of leading. I was enrolled in a Model United Nations class at Boise State University and we were elected to represent the nation of Sudan in a mock UN Caucus in New York City. I honestly didn't know much about Sudan; I guess to be honest I didn't know anything about it. I knew that there were protests from time to time, people complaining about a genocide, or something. I don't really remember I didn't pay attention, I didn't care.
I told a man I worked with that my class was representing Sudan, but more importantly, we would be going to New York City in the Spring, and well wasn't that exciting? He told me I should have Dr. Ashis Brahma talk to my school about Sudan and the genocide that is going on. Then I asked him "what genocide?", "what's going on?" We had this dialogue back in forth, me asking questions, him perplexed to why I didn't know anything about it. The genocide in Darfur, "What is Darfur?"
It wasn't until I started researching this Dr. Ashis that I started caring. I saw an interview he gave on 60 minutes, then I saw he was traveling around the entire United States telling students and members of the community what was happening in Sudan. Coincidently he would be arriving in Boise in 3 weeks. At this point I knew I needed him to come and talk to my school. I always felt pretty knowledgable, but how did I not know there was a genocide happening. How is that possible? I thought Rwanda was the last one, How could this be? I knew if I didn't know what was going on, there were thousands of other students as well.
In a matter of weeks I secured an auditorium for Dr. Ashis to speak; Darfur: Take a Stand Against Genocide. I fundraised over $1500 from students. Flyers, pamphlets, news outlets, and when the night came Feb. 24th there were over 300 students and members of the community in attendance. Dr. Ashis touched many lives that night, mine included. He inspired a complete auditorium full of mini-activists who want to help and to serve and to spread awareness on everything awful and evil in the world. It was an amazing night.
When I realized how many people cared about those issues, I started an organization called HERO, the Human Equal Rights Organization. We became one of the most active student organizations on campus and became recognized. More importantly it gave me my sense of calling to be the HERO I wanted to be when I was younger. I realized I didn't need a bat belt, or bat mobile, the ability to fly, or any other amazing super power. All I needed was to Love, and that superpower is the greatest superpower of all.
So when January 2009 came around I was thrown into a project I had no idea I could be capable of leading. I was enrolled in a Model United Nations class at Boise State University and we were elected to represent the nation of Sudan in a mock UN Caucus in New York City. I honestly didn't know much about Sudan; I guess to be honest I didn't know anything about it. I knew that there were protests from time to time, people complaining about a genocide, or something. I don't really remember I didn't pay attention, I didn't care.
I told a man I worked with that my class was representing Sudan, but more importantly, we would be going to New York City in the Spring, and well wasn't that exciting? He told me I should have Dr. Ashis Brahma talk to my school about Sudan and the genocide that is going on. Then I asked him "what genocide?", "what's going on?" We had this dialogue back in forth, me asking questions, him perplexed to why I didn't know anything about it. The genocide in Darfur, "What is Darfur?"
It wasn't until I started researching this Dr. Ashis that I started caring. I saw an interview he gave on 60 minutes, then I saw he was traveling around the entire United States telling students and members of the community what was happening in Sudan. Coincidently he would be arriving in Boise in 3 weeks. At this point I knew I needed him to come and talk to my school. I always felt pretty knowledgable, but how did I not know there was a genocide happening. How is that possible? I thought Rwanda was the last one, How could this be? I knew if I didn't know what was going on, there were thousands of other students as well.
In a matter of weeks I secured an auditorium for Dr. Ashis to speak; Darfur: Take a Stand Against Genocide. I fundraised over $1500 from students. Flyers, pamphlets, news outlets, and when the night came Feb. 24th there were over 300 students and members of the community in attendance. Dr. Ashis touched many lives that night, mine included. He inspired a complete auditorium full of mini-activists who want to help and to serve and to spread awareness on everything awful and evil in the world. It was an amazing night.
When I realized how many people cared about those issues, I started an organization called HERO, the Human Equal Rights Organization. We became one of the most active student organizations on campus and became recognized. More importantly it gave me my sense of calling to be the HERO I wanted to be when I was younger. I realized I didn't need a bat belt, or bat mobile, the ability to fly, or any other amazing super power. All I needed was to Love, and that superpower is the greatest superpower of all.
Tuesday, April 17, 2012
Like a city on a hill
A city set on a hill can not be hidden.
It took me awhile to finally discover what drives someone to help others fervently, passionately, and unrelenting. I always thought it was like an addiction. There is admittedly a certain rush when serving others but that seems selfish, doesn't it? It seems we shouldn't serve out of selfish reasons or out of the feelings gained, we should serve humanity out of Love and only Love. We are either serving out of Love, or we are serving out some psychological attraction toward it, and we can't do both. If we fail to let Love guide us than it is us missing out, and it is us that can be led astray. Think of the greatest advocates and leaders of all time; they were all driven by Love. Think of the worst and most brutal leaders, they were all driven by hate. The most influential people of all time were driven by love or driven by hate and it is impossible to serve two masters.
The greatest leaders of all time only served one master which is Love in the highest sense of the word. Pursuing Love and everything it means to Love can only force someone to serve. Love thy neighbor is practically the most simplistic value taken from the bible, yet why is it the most challenging. Its because this world would be absolutely free of sin if we Loved like we were designed. Every commandment, every golden rule and every platinum rule is based on the principle of Love and Loving one another. If we let our heart Love with all that it can than all good things will flow from it.
If we find that Love that we were designed for we become like the Light of the World, like a city on a hill that can not be hidden. Where if you have it, if you have that Love like a fiery passion, people will search for it through you, theyll see the Love you have and desire it and yearn for it. And thats how you change the world, one small step at a time. You Love people.
It took me awhile to finally discover what drives someone to help others fervently, passionately, and unrelenting. I always thought it was like an addiction. There is admittedly a certain rush when serving others but that seems selfish, doesn't it? It seems we shouldn't serve out of selfish reasons or out of the feelings gained, we should serve humanity out of Love and only Love. We are either serving out of Love, or we are serving out some psychological attraction toward it, and we can't do both. If we fail to let Love guide us than it is us missing out, and it is us that can be led astray. Think of the greatest advocates and leaders of all time; they were all driven by Love. Think of the worst and most brutal leaders, they were all driven by hate. The most influential people of all time were driven by love or driven by hate and it is impossible to serve two masters.
The greatest leaders of all time only served one master which is Love in the highest sense of the word. Pursuing Love and everything it means to Love can only force someone to serve. Love thy neighbor is practically the most simplistic value taken from the bible, yet why is it the most challenging. Its because this world would be absolutely free of sin if we Loved like we were designed. Every commandment, every golden rule and every platinum rule is based on the principle of Love and Loving one another. If we let our heart Love with all that it can than all good things will flow from it.
If we find that Love that we were designed for we become like the Light of the World, like a city on a hill that can not be hidden. Where if you have it, if you have that Love like a fiery passion, people will search for it through you, theyll see the Love you have and desire it and yearn for it. And thats how you change the world, one small step at a time. You Love people.
Friday, April 13, 2012
The Question
Today Ive gone around the city of Boise and asked the Question. What is a Global Citizen?? Since there is no real definition, people often have to ponder what it means before they can answer. This is why I want to ask the question. I want people to hear the term and know what it means. I wish Global Citizenship could be a household term or definition that people could instantly connect to or relate with. Most people I have met with have said, they know what it means in general yet they do not feel they are a Global Citizen. Why not? As a citizen of this planet, this globe, each and every one of us are Global Citizens and have the capability to be the definition of what we decide. It's interesting how critical we can be toward ourselves on how we act and treat others, and I'm incredibly excited for the results of this social experiment. Follow the link below and find out what people think it means to be a Global Citizen.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=E8vBsTFA_ew&feature=relmfu
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=E8vBsTFA_ew&feature=relmfu
Thursday, April 12, 2012
What is a Global Citizen?
All over the world there exists individuals who sacrifice themselves to help others. Who are they? Why do they do it? What motivates these extraordinary people in giving all of themself to a people, to a culture, or to a cause? Where does this passion come from? I want to know. How do you gain that type of passion to care more about others before yourself?
I want to talk to these people. I want to get to know them and find the common thread between them and see if this is something each and every one of us are capable of. I want to travel across the globe and seek them out and hear their experiences, their stories, and capture the moments that make their lives meaningful and substantial. I want to visit with people locally and globally and see if there is a commonality that calls people to serve.
For now I will beg the question to you, What is a Global Citizen? Is there a definition? Is there definitive answer that clarifies this question? What does a Global Citizen mean to you. Stay tuned for the video blogs I will bring you as I ask people; What is a Global Citizen?
I want to talk to these people. I want to get to know them and find the common thread between them and see if this is something each and every one of us are capable of. I want to travel across the globe and seek them out and hear their experiences, their stories, and capture the moments that make their lives meaningful and substantial. I want to visit with people locally and globally and see if there is a commonality that calls people to serve.
For now I will beg the question to you, What is a Global Citizen? Is there a definition? Is there definitive answer that clarifies this question? What does a Global Citizen mean to you. Stay tuned for the video blogs I will bring you as I ask people; What is a Global Citizen?
Tuesday, April 10, 2012
The Story
Global Citizens: Discover a person's calling to serve
Everyone has a calling. Some people are called to help those in need, locally or globally but why? This is the story of my journey to seek a deeper understanding of the individuals who sacrifice everything to help the oppressed, the poor, and the disadvantaged.
Follow me abroad to one of the most desolate villages in the Democratic Republic of Congo where I will assist in the daily chores of helping a refugee camp function. Watch as I help in the aid and reconstruction of a hospital and orphanage in Haiti. Learn how to make an impact in your own community as I spend a week with the individuals responsible for running a New York City rescue mission.
Discover what makes life substantial and fulfilling for these Global Citizens and prepare to be inspired to act in any capacity your heart calls you. This is the true life-changing story of what it means to be a Global Citizen.
Everyone has a calling. Some people are called to help those in need, locally or globally but why? This is the story of my journey to seek a deeper understanding of the individuals who sacrifice everything to help the oppressed, the poor, and the disadvantaged.
Follow me abroad to one of the most desolate villages in the Democratic Republic of Congo where I will assist in the daily chores of helping a refugee camp function. Watch as I help in the aid and reconstruction of a hospital and orphanage in Haiti. Learn how to make an impact in your own community as I spend a week with the individuals responsible for running a New York City rescue mission.
Discover what makes life substantial and fulfilling for these Global Citizens and prepare to be inspired to act in any capacity your heart calls you. This is the true life-changing story of what it means to be a Global Citizen.
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