People For Good

Check out this website// People For Good

A movement with the goal of making the world a better place, one good deed at a time.

Make someone's day!

Waiting on the World to Change

"Everything we feel deeply must be expressed"

In 2007 the top 10 dancers of a popular American reality TV show, So You Think You Can Dance, performed solo routines to the song "Waiting on the World to Change" by John Mayer. The dance was choreographed by esteemed choreographer Wade Robson and his inspiration was to promote peace through the expression of dance.

Lacey - "Peace"

The dancers were also given the opportunity to interpret bits and pieces of the choreography to "express their individual feelings." They wore t-shirts with the word of their choice spray painted on the back; the words included humility, love, communication, hope, trust, understanding, honesty, patience, compassion, and peace.

Neil - "Humility"

Lacey's and Neil's performances were my favourite, but you can check out the other 8 solos on Youtube.

We all express our goals, dreams, emotions, etc. in different ways, and I found these dances extremely moving and inspiring.

"One day our generation, is gonna rule the population, so we keep on waiting, waiting on the world to change" 

Peace&Love.

Words of the Weekend

images via weheartit

Be the change.

The Power of Sports

One of the goals of Peace Pandemic is to use the positive power of sports as a way of teaching nonviolence, promoting social justice, and encouraging dialogue all over the world.

A recent blog post from a 2012 Olympic hopeful, high jumping athlete Nicole Forrester (2008 Olympian, 7-time and reigning Canadian Champion) highlights the importance of sports and how sports has influenced her life.

"Sports you have created a fire in me, which is committed to achieving excellence. I know no barrier thanks to you! When someone tells me it can’t be done, I think "Where there’s a will there’s always a way, and I just have to find that way.” Sports you have taught me the importance of caring for others and the responsibility we all have as a society to volunteer…. Striving for altruism. I am committed to helping others achieve excellence! I walk with confidence and assurance because of you Sports. I feel blessed beyond words."

Check out the whole letter and her blog here; "The Power of Sports: A Letter of Thanks to Sports"

images via weheartit

Let's use sport to change the world! Let's be the change!

"In Gandhi's footsteps..."

Stumbled upon two great articles in today's edition of the Vancouver Sun:

"In Gandhi's footsteps..."
"Cut from the same non-violent cloth" by Giles Hewitt//
An article about anti-corruption activist Anna Hazare and his fast in India as a form of non-violent protest, encouraging "the youth to come forward and speak up against a rotten system"

"As long as we have compassion..."
Another amazing article,"Combating the 'culture of despair'" by Douglas Todd//
This article follows a visit to Vancouver from Buddhist monk Thich Nhat Hanh and his conversation with Canadian environmentalist David Suzuki touching on the 'culture of despair' filled with people concerned about the future of the world - war, ethnic conflict, terrorism, economic crises, and more.

Daily Inspiration

DREAM.

ACT.

img via SFU

INSPIRE.

Give a little bit

Check out Jeb Brovsky, a few of his teammates from the Whitecaps FC (and even a special appearance from 2010 Olympic Gold medallist, Ashleigh McIvor!) at the send off for players representing Canada at the 2011 Homeless World Cup of soccer in Paris.

The women and men were beyond appreciative of the support from Jeb and the Whitecaps FC players who found it just as inspiring to play with the homeless and learn and build a relationship with them.

Good Luck to TEAM CANADA in Paris!

Small things with great love

This past week Jeb made a trip to Vancouver's Downtown Eastside to scrimmage with players from the Vancouver Street Soccer League. Joined by a few Whitecaps FC teammates Shea Salinas, Jonathan Leathers, and Bilal Duckett, Jeb had the opportunity to meet and play with some of the VSSL players heading to the 2011 Homeless World Cup this month.

"To be on the same field as them is as inspiring to us as it is to them" - Brovsky

Shea Salinas, Jonathan Leathers, Jeb Brovsky, Bilal Duckett, and members of Vancouver's Street Soccer League

The VSSL provides the homeless, the addicted, and others deemed at risk with a chance to use soccer as a vehicle for inspiration and empowerment.

images via Whitecaps FC and 365q

Media:
Vancouver Sun//Article: "Scrimmaging with homeless squad players inspiring-Brovsky"
The Daily Gumboot//Article: "Whitecaps FC connects with Street Soccer community"
WhitecapsFC//Article: Whitecaps FC attend Homeless World CupTraining Session
The Metro Newspaper//Article: "Homeless soccer teams thankful for the pitch"

Daily Inspiration

images via Lyrics2LiveBy and 365q

What's inspiring you today?

Shifting Paradigms

Here at Peace Pandemic we are committed to making the world a better place. People often say that and then their plan goes to waste or they leave it for someone else to take care of. The key to making the world a better place, in our humble opinion, is to make small, passionate changes in the way we see the world interacting and then we are able to reach the masses.

Our approach is Futbol. Futbol is a commonality shared by all religions, ethnicities, ages, nationalities.... EVERYONE. We look to bring the passion of the game to all corners of the world while showing the importance of nonviolence and connection with other human beings.

Peace Pandemic camps are focused towards youth all over the world. The youth movement is a social powerhouse that is capable of shifting the future towards the direction of tolerance and peace. With boys we focus on the power of solving conflict nonviolently and being responsible leaders in the home and community. With girls the focus is more on team-building and empowering them to be leaders. Futbol is the beautiful game that serves as a boundary-crosser and medium for all of this to take place. Run by the local leaders in the community, the camps provide a clearing for understanding and global dialogue to take place.

Prospective camps will be held in Tanzania, India, Israel, South Africa, Costa Rica, Guatemala and many more. In North America, 3v3 tournaments provide funding and awareness for the camps abroad and the youth of both feel the connection across the world with their fellow camper.

Disbanding stereotypes and stigmas here in North America about the global population is a huge step towards tolerance and peace. When children can see the positive effects of their giving, they feel more inclined to keep doing it. We want the youth of the world to see the impact of even the smallest donations and acts of giving. Whether it be money, equipment or the most precious gift of time, Peace Pandemic wants to enroll the global youth in a movement of peace.

The idea of peace is often looked at as "hippy" and taboo in a sense. We want to prove otherwise. Peace is a "cool," fashionable idea that the youth can make their own. Help spark this movement and help the Peace Pandemic spread.

One love,

Jeb