"Your time is limited so don't waste it living someone else's life. Don't be trapped by dogma - which is living with the results of other people's thinking. Don't let the noise of other's opinions drown out your own inner voice..."
"And most important, have the courage to follow your heart and intuition. They somehow already know what you truly want to become. Everything else is secondary."
Today is the United Nations designated International Day of Peace!
"Because if you can find it in yourself to do something for Peace Day, September 21st, no matter how big or small, then together we can create a day of global unity. And that unity will save lives."
Today is "an opportunity for individuals around the world - particularly young people - to become involved in the peace process."
"It isn't enough to talk about peace. One must believe in it. And it isn't enough to believe in it. One must work at it." - Eleanor Roosevelt
"If we want them to observe it, then we the people are going to have to act and become involved. And if we become involved, they will follow. But they won't do it if we don't do it. The time is now."
"World peace must develop from inner peace. Peace is not the absence of violence. Peace is the manifestation of human compassion." -Dalai Lama
"A dream you dream alone is only a dream. A dream you dream together is a reality"
The Playing for Change Foundation strives to advance John Lennon's vision of peace by engaging artists and audiences from around the world to contribute to music education programs worldwide.
The foundation works to build music schools, support music teachers and programs, purchase instruments, and connect schools for cross-cultural learning and conflict resolution across borders.
This foundation is truly amazing and inspiring. Take a moment to check it out!
A friend of mine recently came across a truly inspiring video of a group of kids on a soccer team called "L'equip petit" or the Little Team. L'equip petit brings a whole new perspective to the way I look at sports... How often do we forget that what we're doing is fun?
"It's fine. They play, they have fun, they learn, they know how to respect the opponent, how to respect their team-mates, they collaborate with the team. We haven't scored any goals yet, but it's fine."
To quote my friend who shared this video with me,
"The game of soccer is in these kids, its their spirit."
"We don't care if we don't score because we have fun."
L'equip petit reminds us of what sport is truly about - learning, growing, respect, teamwork, perseverance, leadership, and being able to show your joy, passion, and love for sport.
"Its up to our generation to build the foundation for a united world" - Jeremy Gilley
The month of September has arrived quickly and September 21st is the UN International Day of Peace - an annual day of global ceasefire and non-violence.
This peace movement established by Jeremy Gilley (British actor and filmmaker) began in 1999 with his film "Peace One Day" with the goal of establishing a day free of conflict and war (a global truce day) also promoting non-violence, compassion, humility, acceptance, and of course, peace.
Eventually, thanks in large part to Jeremy's efforts, every member state of the United Nations adopted the day of "global unity." The UN announced that every September 21st would be "Peace Day" or a day of "Global Ceasefire."
Peace One Day is endorsed by philanthropists, actors, singers, performers, fashion designers and athletes all over the world all hoping to create awareness.
Jude Law is an official ambassador of Peace One Day
Supporters include Jude Law, Chris Martin of Coldplay, Angelina Jolie, Paul McCartney, Marc Jacobs, Stella McCartney, the Dalai Lama, Kofi Annan, and Ban-Ki Moon, to name a few.
Various events happen on Peace Day such as peace walks, discussions, poetry readings, assemblies, and sport and dance events; at the same time life-saving activities like immunization clinics and programs are carried out on this day.
To depict the power of these life-saving activities - in 2007, the ceasefire enabled UN agencies and the Afghan government to give polio vaccines to 1.4 million children in areas of southern and eastern Afghanistan.
Lenny Kravitz at a Peace One Day celebration
Jeremy describes this day as "an opportunity for individuals around the world - particularly young people - to become involved in the peace process."
Peace One Day is taking the initiative one step further and calling for a Global Truce for Peace Day in 2012 to help institutionalize Peace Day and "engage unprecedented numbers of people regardless of national, cultural, political, or religious identity."
Make the pledge here.
Perhaps the greatest thing about Peace One Day is that anyone and everyone can participate. Activities occur in the form of sports, dance, film, class and school activities, and you can organize your own event to raise awareness.
Peace One Day One Goal
"Because if you can find it in yourself to do something for Peace Day, September 21st, no matter how big or small, then together we can create a day of global unity. And that unity will save lives."
Watch this moving video from Jeremy:
"If we want them to observe it, then we the people are going to have to act and become involved. And if we become involved, they will follow. But they won't do it if we don't do it. The time is now."
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.
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.
"If we want them to observe it, then we the people are going to have to act and become involved. And if we become involved, they will follow. But they won't do it if we don't do it. The time is now."
The foundation works to build music schools, support music teachers and programs, purchase instruments, and connect schools for cross-cultural learning and conflict resolution across borders.
This peace movement established by Jeremy Gilley (British actor and filmmaker) began in 1999 with his film "Peace One Day" with the goal of establishing a day free of conflict and war (a global truce day) also promoting non-violence, compassion, humility, acceptance, and of course, peace.
Various events happen on Peace Day such as peace walks, discussions, poetry readings, assemblies, and sport and dance events; at the same time life-saving activities like immunization clinics and programs are carried out on this day.
