Garry « Young Black Professional Guide

10 Easy Ways to Change the World

By: Garry
March 27, 2009
3 comments

Ok, do I think the list below will change the world? Not exactly. I do think opening our minds to ways to improve ourselves, our relationships and communities is the beginning of changing the world. I am fairly certain we cannot change other people. Only ourselves. Our own minds. If I want to see more honesty in our politicians/leaders, I have to be honest. If I want to see less greed on wall street, I have to be more conscious of how what I do affects others. I cannot expect a behavior I am not demonstrating. As my Dad put it to me at a very early age, “if you want to have a nice day, you have to be nice.”

credit: colinwhite

10 Easy Ways to Change the World

1. Find the opportunity in every situation: A friend at church was scolded once because the person in front of him found his tambourine disruptive. Instead of taking offense my friend noticed an opportunity and now “reserves” the seat in front of him and warns anyone who gestures to sit there that he plays his tambourine. Or my friend who remembers the day no one let her into traffic when she was rushing to see her father in the hospital. Now she makes it a point to let people in. Everybody wins. Don’t take things personally, take them to the next level.

2. Non-perishables for the homeless: It’s hard for me not to give something to panhandlers. But, some time ago a friend (himself a recovering addict) advised not to give money. Now I carry mini boxes of cereal, small bags of chips and packages of ramen noodles in my car to hand out easily. They sit in the pocket of my door ready to hand out at a moment’s notice.

3. Say and Spread Thank Yous: How easy is it to complain when something goes wrong (esp. if we know a discount or freebie is coming our way)? Try the opposite. When you have excellent service at a restaurant, call the manager over and let her know. If your mechanic is the best in the business (like mine), write the Better Bus. Bureau in your area, leave positive reviews on websites (like citysearch or Angie’s List), and let the service-person know himself.

4. Goodsearch.com: You search, they donate money. Easy squeezy!

5. Find Good News: Check out the Good News Network, Daily Word, Good News Daily, or Daily Om and input some positivity. When you have a cold do you eat poorly, stay up all night and drink beer? No. You drink renewing fluids, sleep and eat well. Same with your brain. You want good thoughts? Put in good news. You want a sunny disposition? Put in sunny delight (though not necessarily the beverage :- )

6. Be a kid again: Let go. Take it easy. Chillax. However you want to put it, enjoy the world again. We aren’t here to run the show, we are here to enjoy it. Laugh. Dream. Get dirty. Play harmless pranks. Dance like no one’s watching. Make honey-drippers. Have sleep overs. Go camping. Lose control. And then do it again the next day!

7. Pay with cash: More so for small businesses. If one of your favorite spots is a mom & pop, cutting down on their visa transaction costs will help them, especially in this economy.

8. Save Paper: Make notepads out of “to-be-recycled” office paper. Reduce margins on printed materials to save number of printed pages on documents not requiring standardized margins.

9. eCards: Go to Hallmark.com (or the eCard site of your choice) and (pre-)schedule random eCards to be sent to people in your life. Spend a few minutes now, warm and excite the people in your life all year!!!

10. Dry cleaning bags and hangers: Tie the end of the bag then use it as a trash bag. Also, most dry cleaners will take back shirt hangers to reuse.

This is just the tip of the iceberg. What small steps do you take to help change the world?

Editors’ Note: Earth Hour 2009 is tomorrow from 8:30p.m. to 9:30p.m. Check the video below for more information.

Posted in: Featured

on LENT …

By: Garry
February 28, 2009
1 comments

I know it’s a few days late, but you can start whenever you want. I know it’s typically considered a Catholic tradition, but there is nothing denominational about fasting (or abstaining) or spiritual introspection. I have been a part and heard of many traditions (e.g., my former Baptist churches) that recognize the Lenten season.

Our minister (Unity) always comes up with fascinating ways for us to think about Lent. Last year he quoted “Let’s Eliminate Negative Thinking.” So I offer the parable he shared with us on Ash Wednesday (Feb. 25th, 2009):

“An elderly Cherokee Native American was teaching his grandchildren about life . . .

He said to them, “A fight is going on inside me, it is a terrible fight and it is between two wolves. One wolf is evil—he is fear, anger, envy, sorrow, regret, greed, arrogance, self-pity, guilt, resentment, inferiority, lies, false pride, competition, superiority, and ego.

The other is good —he is joy, peace, love, hope, sharing, serenity, humility, kindness, benevolence, friendship, empathy, generosity, truth, compassion and faith.

This same fight is going on inside you, and inside every other person, too.”

They thought about it for a minute, and then one child asked his grandfather, “Which wolf will win, Grandfather?”

The Elder simply replied, “The one you feed.”

Lent doesn’t have to be about giving something up; it can be about adding, or focusing, on something you want: a new habit, way of thinking, or activity. Either way consider taking this reflection period to nourish the people, ideas, practices, and dreams you want and to release and deny those you do not.

Posted in: News

Ty’sheoma proves we have a chance. Obama agrees!

By: Garry
February 25, 2009
2 comments

Reading about Ty’sheoma Bethea in Howard Witt’s Chicago Tribune article, I could not help but be reminded of a quote by Charles Schwabb:

I have yet to find the man, however exalted his station, who did not do better work and put forth greater effort under a spirit of approval than under a spirit of criticism.

A 14 year-old picked up on that, which is why a portion of her letter was deservedly read during President Obama’s recent address. It is clear from her words that she was starting to feel the weight of negativity and doubt, rather than the inspiritment of hope and possibility:

“People are starting to see my school as an hopeless, uneducated school which we are not,” Ty’Sheoma wrote. “We finally want to prove to the world that we have an chance in life just like other schools and we can feel good about what we are doing because of the conditions we are in now we can not succeed in anything”

We get what we reward. And, right now we are rewarding the same old tired story of what is wrong with America, the economy and whatever else. We forget that our children are listening, and it is our responsibility to show them differently and to encourage them. We can overcome anything. We are capable of great things. The current climate is fertile soil for innovation, ingenuity, and new and better habits. Obama read these words of Ty’sheoma:

“We are just students trying to become lawyers, doctors, congressmen like yourself and one day president, so we can make a change to not just the state of South Carolina but also the world,’” Obama said. “We are not quitters.”

(Getty photo by Alex Wong / February 24, 2009)

Posted in: News

Don’t Divorce Us!

By: Garry
February 24, 2009
2 comments

rings in heart Marriage: pledge of union for mutual benefit

Courage: valor

Divorce: separation; disunion

Fidelity: faithfulness

Which of these would you like to see more of in the world? What would you like to see multiplied?

visit the Courage Campaign for more information.

image via getty images

Posted in: News

Domestic Violence: Be a part of the solution, not the silence

By: Garry
February 12, 2009
7 comments

You are currently on the internet, so you probably know the most recent allegations surrounding two of our successful, beloved superstars (Rihanna and Chris Brown).

The telling thing about this story is that you can be wildly successful, rich, famous, and respected and still (allegedly) make one of the poorest possible choices on a night you are set to perform and possibly win a major award. For some reason we just don’t get it.

credit: heraldpost

Domestic Violence Awareness

We are talking about emotional, physical, sexual, and psychological violence. Violence is never an answer. Threats, assault and battery are not shows of strength, power or desert. They are evidence of weakness, insecurity, low self-esteem, and an inability to control ourselves, our emotions and our surroundings. All of us have our struggles and our challenges; and we must remember that abusers have often suffered or witnessed abuse in their pasts. However, if an individual is aware of an inability to control a temper or anger, or is somehow predisposed to abusive behavior, then that person has a personal responsibility to seek help and the appropriate resources.

No matter what is said or done, no one should ever be hitting anybody: not because of a money, insecurity, an STD, a lie, a chore or someone cheated. Violence is NEVER an appropriate response to any situation. A human being can NEVER deserve it. A person can NEVER have it coming. It can NEVER be justified.

Let me be very clear; any psychologist, lawyer, or doctor will tell you that the greatest single predictor of future behavior is past behavior. If he has hit you before, he will hit you again. If she has thrown things before, she will throw them again. And often domestic violence escalates. Abuse is not an accident. People die. We all know how hard it is to change basic habits. So, imagine the dedicated work it will take to redirect a willingness to respond to stress or frustration with violence. Changing the pattern of thought and response-behavior will only come as a result of sustained, focused intervention; not just one session with your pastor/family counselor or “promising” never to do it again.

We do not know the full story surrounding the two celebs who have once again brought this issue to the forefront. But, it is not special or unique. There is no abuser or victim profile. It is happening every day and you might know someone it is happening to. It is not an easy issue to navigate. Professional help is available. Contact the National Domestic Violence Hotline (1-800-799-SAFE) if you want information, help, or assitance because you or someone you know is a victim. Contact someone. Being the change you want to see means doing what you can to be a part of the solution, not the silence. Our families, our friends, our loved ones, our community and our world need you, and we all need you to survive.