You see me as an optimist. I see creative realist.

A pessimist sees only the dark side of the clouds, and mopes; a philosopher sees both sides, and shrugs; an optimist doesn’t see the clouds at all – he’s walking on them.

Leonard Louis Levinson

Recently I had a chat at the dinner table with some of my teammates and friends about the possibility/impossibility of international peace. Of course, I was outnumbered about 20 to 1 with the (20) making their appeal that world peace is simply impossible because of the human inclination towards the idea of "self first." They brought up valid points that it only takes a couple people to disagree completely with the idea of peace and commit a violent act or disrupt the peace. The boys also talked about the difference in religions, cultures, attitudes and things that are important to some and not others. As I was listening, all I could hear was the pessimist coming out. They would retort "well I would LOVE to think it IS possible but it's just not."

Is this what the human race has come to? What happened to the dreamers? I know you're out there. I know there are people in this world, like me, who see an issue like World Peace and smile and go after it. People are often intimidated and frightened by the enormity of a project or the "impossible." If dreamers in the past didn't do the "impossible" and accelerate the human race forward, where would we be?

Of course the challenge of world peace is not easy or else it would have already been done but too often our problem is we get in this LANGUAGE problem. If we only learn to change our language about a subject then maybe we can start seeing things in a different manner. For instance, when speaking about this issue you often hear the words "us" and "them". This is subtle but as you can see already generates separation. Another thing people fail to realize is that, more often than not, their first inclination is to give all the reasons why something CAN'T happen and then are self proclaimed REALISTS. Everyone is already aware of why it WON'T work because it never has been done and won't get done unless we have a paradigm shift towards why it WILL work.

If you ever feel inspired to do something to change the world then DO IT and don't ask yourself why it won't work... ask why it WILL.

One Love,

Jeb

Calling All People (Especially Athletes)

I want to first begin by saying that anyone who thinks that Peace is just too optimistic of an idea or not realistic enough for the human race (I know you all are out there) Think Again. Being rational beings, humans are capable of more than just the primitive nature we so often display.

So this is MY calling out to all the athletes around the world. *As a side note, I know many athletes who look beyond themselves and have made a substantial impact on the world and others through their generosity and for that I commend all of you. However, there are still many athletes in this world who would rather sit on the "sidelines in life" and watch other people be the helping hand.

Being an athlete at the highest level, I can now look around and see the huge impact we can have on the world around us. Forget the fame, forget the glamour... what are YOU going to do that changes the world for the better and leaves an everlasting effect on this planet. Yes you worked hard to get where you are today (the blood, sweat and tears) but this is also happening to men and women all over the world who have no voice. They work until they collapse just so their sons or daughters can have an extra bottle of water or an extra piece of meat per month.

We are the privileged, we are the lucky ones and we must look at the struggles of others and see that they need a helping hand sometimes. It starts at home with you and your family. If you have kids, instill love and compassion in them so that they will grow up in a world not knowing what it's like to HATE someone. Everything starts at home and eventually we will all realize that this Earth is OUR home. We are all brothers and sisters (no matter how cliche that is to say) and we must treat each other that way. Yes, brothers and sisters quarrel sometimes but in the end the level of respect and compassion we have for one another prevails. This is no different than the homeless man/woman on the street begging for change. If you saw your sister/brother on the street desperate for scraps what would you do?

Don't give in to that little voice in the back of your head that tells you all the reasons why NOT to do something. "I'm too tired. I can do it tomorrow. Someone else will probably stop and help. It has nothing to do with me." I've heard them all and the fact of the matter is... Your heart is NOT too tired. Tomorrow is too LATE. Someone will say the same thing you did and NOTHING will get done. It has EVERYTHING to do with you as a human being.

I once heard, "People aren't remembered for what they got, but what they gave." This couldn't be more true and I know that athletes in specific have such a unique opportunity to give. Go out of your way to be that hero for someone else. Don't listen to that voice in the back of your head telling you all the reasons why you shouldn't and just do it. No excuses. Be the Change.

One Love,

Jeb

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Thank you for spreading the infectious power of peace! Be fearless in changing the world for the better :)

--Jeb

"Imagine all the people living life in peace. You may say I'm a dreamer, but I'm not the only one. I hope someday you'll join us, and the world will be as one" ~John Lennon

As we begin settling into the year of 2011 and continuing the ever present work of promoting peace and youth leadership there have been many new developments for us at Peace Pandemic. We have made contact and set up more sites for camps around the world including Nicaragua, Guatemala, and Nepal. Our first two camps are planned for the coming summer months of 2011 with the destinations of Tanzania and Israel. We continue to network and gain exposure with many supportive people for which we are very thankful! Our website is finally underway and soon will be up and running. We are also excited for the opportunity to attend the World Youth Peace Summit scheduled for July.
Whether by donation, words of encouragement, personal project, or learning about a cultural different from your own, help us bring understanding and bridge the gaps between cultures, countries, and human differences. Be the Peace!
Hannah