Invincible

During the Christmas Holidays I was able to spend a few days with my friend Sam, a former Pastor from Yale University. Sam, a veteran of the Infantry, helped Italian villagers during post-WWII reconstruction, and spent most of his life helping the poor and needy in his community, as a leader of the YMCA and the United Church of Christ.

Our friendship goes back to 1989, when he helped me with my research work for a thesis on racial discrimination and protest movements in the U.S. He opened doors for me to talk to the Dean of Yale Law School, former Black Panther activists and members of the Kennedy Administration, including Burke Marshall, RFK's right-hand at Justice. I owe him a great master thesis that earned rave reviews at my college in Urbino, Italy. More importantly, I owe him 22 years of great friendship, even if keeping in touch has been a challenge sometime.

On a rainy afternoon of December 26, Sam and I tried to decide where to go – kind of an awkward day, with most acquaintances and friends already having plans with families. We were talking about my last couple of years in hell. He was moved by my description of my sister’s courage fighting a "monster" disease for almost 4 years. Despite pains and setbacks, she was able to compose music, write books, help people in similar situations and conduct a semi-normal life with her loving husband. We talked about the end of my marriage, after almost 18 years, and my efforts to refocus my life and be a good father to my children. Suddenly an idea jumped at me. I proposed to go to a local movie theater for the showing of Clint Eastwood’s latest film, Invictus, a movie on Nelson Mandela’s early years as President of South Africa.

The movie was excellent. It revolved around how Nelson Mandela joined forces with the captain of South Africa's rugby team to help unite their country. Newly elected President Mandela was faced with a nation racially and economically divided in the wake of apartheid. Believing he could bring his people together through the universal language of sport, Mandela rallied South Africa's rugby team during the 1995 Rugby World Cup Championship match.

Driving home after the movie we shared our thoughts about the film and what meant to us. To me, meant resurrection, coming back from life’s pains and adversities, sticking to principles and becoming a role model for others. Mandela was able to walk alive from 27 years of confinement in a small prison cell. He led his Country out of apartheid and brought democracy and freedom to people who never experienced it before.

To Sam, the film meant defying injustice and bringing freedom and democracy to millions of people. He visited South Africa during the Apartheid and experienced first-hand the ugliness of discrimination. He described the great changes the Country benefited from in the last 17 years.

Invictus sends more than one message but they’re all on target. Strength, courage, perseverance, leadership and humanity: Nelson Mandela’s outstanding life meant so many things to so many people. That is the power of a man whose head was bloody but unbowed under the bludgeonings of chance (Invictus). Nelson Mandela led his people yesterday - his example is leading me today.

Stefano

Trying to Save Lives in Port-Au-Prince

Doctors Without Borders (MSF), the highly respected international medical humanitarian organization has been in Haiti for years. Their help is needed now more than ever.

Wall Street Journal Op-Ed: Trying to Save Lives in Port-Au-Prince - by: Jeanne Cabeza and Michelle Chouinard, Wall Street Journal

Doctors Without Borders in Haiti: Why Couldn't They Land? - by: Mona Gable, The Huffington Post

Situation in Iran - A Message From Sting

Amnesty International Bulletin Posted by Amnesty International USA

I was shocked to hear reports that Iranian security forces arrested 29 mothers and their supporters who were silently mourning children killed in post-election violence this summer.
These Mourning Mothers gather peacefully each week to call for an end to widespread human rights abuses and justice for their dead children.
The disturbing news of their arrest brought to mind profound memories of the Mothers of the Disappeared in Chile and Argentina. Like the courageous mothers in Iran, the Mothers of the Disappeared faced threats and harassment for seeking justice for their children kidnapped during the Dirty Wars in Chile and Argentina.

My song "They Dance Alone" is dedicated to the Mothers of the Disappeared. I had the honor of performing it with them in 1988 during Amnesty International's Human Rights Now! Tour.
Dancing on stage with the Mothers of the Disappeared in Chile and Argentina was one of the most moving moments of my career.
I am heartbroken to see that once again others have to face the anguish that the Mothers of the Disappeared endured. I am compelled to speak out again. I hope you will too: http://bit.ly/7tgwQt

What gives me hope is knowing that Amnesty International is fighting on behalf of the Mourning Mothers and others threatened with abuse in Iran and around the world.
As you read this, Amnesty International is investigating and reporting on the human rights situation in Iran. It's publishing the names of prisoners of conscience and documenting the use of brutal force to crush dissent -- even as it continues to respond to human rights emergencies across the globe.

The people of Iran deserve to speak peacefully without fear. Show them they are not alone. Donate to Amnesty International today. Click here: http://bit.ly/7tgwQt

Sincerely,

Sting

A Site with a Cause

Almost 4 years ago, my 36-year old sister, Barbara, discovered to have ovarian cancer. Her life and the lives of those close to her changed forever. Since th

at day in July 2006, we have traveled along a route of sudden turns, real hopes, false hopes, illusions, disillusions, laughs, cries and a lot of learning. The purpose of my

new blog – or site – is the one of becoming a meeting point for people going through the same tough journey. A place where we can share information, links and stories about people like my sister and their families.

The symbol of New Life is a “stem”. Stems hold flowers together and bring nutrients and new cells to them. All the experts seem to agree that stem cell research is the future in the fight against

cancer. Hope that, one day, a “new life” will start, is what keeps warriors like Barbara fighting.

Visit New Life

No Separation

"…Oh God, what if we harm these whales? What if we did that, oh God, what if we arm this coast? What if we did that? Then directly in front of me, about a hundred yards out, a lone whale gave me for spouts. Silence. A minute afterwards, off to my left, a whale rolled over in the ocean four times. And then there was nothing. I knelt there for the longest time. I felt as if I was bleeding from an open wound. I felt my heart was completely open and had merged with those of the whales. There was no separation between us. I remained in that open state of intense compassion for a long time, feeling as if I were in a great cathedral. I knew that I would never be the same again." -Presence, P. Senge, O. Sharmer, J. Jaworski, B. Flowers

L'Infinito

I made a collage of quotes, excerpts from poems, videos and songs, from Bible to Buddhism, from Romanticism to Pop. At the end there is one common denominator...

There are things that we only get close to if we pause, feel what is around, look

within ourselves.

"Always dear to me was this lonely hill

And this hedge, which from me so great a part

Of the farthest horizon excludes the gaze

But as I sit and watch

I invent in my mind

Endless spaces beyond

and superhuman

Silences

and profoundest quiet

Wherefore my heart

Almost loses itself in fear

And as I hear the wind

Rustle through these plants

I compare

That infinite silence to this voice

And I recall to mind eternity

And the dead seasons, and the one present

And alive, and the sound of it

So in this

Immensity my thinking drowns

And to shipwreck is sweet for me in this sea"

- L'Infinito

Giacomo Leopardi (1798-1837)

Actor Dustin Hoffman's interpretation of Leopardi's "L'Infinito"

"Ego could be defined as whatever covers up basic goodness [...] Egolessness is a state of mind that has complete confidence in the sacredness of the world. It is unconditional well being, unconditional joy that includes all the different qualities of our experience." Pema Chodron (Buddhist Nun)

"I am the light that shines over all things

I am everywhere

From me all came forth, and to me all return

Split a piece of wood, and I am there

Lift a stone, and you will find me there..."

Jesus - Gospel of Thomas v. 77

"...You created the world

to serve humanity's needs

and to lead them to You.

By our own fault

we have lost the beautiful relationship

which we once had with all your creation.

Help us to see

that by restoring our relationship with You

we will also restore it with all Your creation." - Prayer of St. Francis

-

"Oh God, what if we harm these whales? What if we did that, oh God, what if we arm this coast? What if we did that? Then directly in front of me, about a hundred yards out, a lone whale gave me for spouts. Silence. A minute afterwards, off to my left, a whale rolled over in the ocean four times. And then there was nothing. I knelt there for the longest time. I felt as if I was bleeding from an open wound. I felt my heart was completely open and had merged with those of the whales. There was no separation between us. I remained in that open state of intense compassion for a long time, feeling as if I were in a great cathedral. I knew that I would never be the same again. "

- Presence

P. Senge, O. Sharmer, J. Jaworski, B. Flowers

"The Indian prefers the soft sound of the wind darting over the face of the pond, the smell of the wind itself cleansed by a midday rain, or scented with pinon pine. The air is precious to the red man, for all things are the same breath - the animals, the trees, the man."

Chief Seattle

"At the moment of surrender

I folded to my knees

I did not notice the passers-by

And they did not notice me

[...]

I was speeding on the subway

Through the stations of the cross

Every eye looking every other way

Counting down 'til the pain would stop

At the moment of surrender

Of vision over visibility

I did not notice the passers-by

And they did not notice me" - Moment of Surrender
Song by U2 (2009)

Cancer Won't Wait

By Lance Armstrong, Special to CNN
(CNN) --
On October 2, 1996, I was diagnosed with advanced testicular cancer. Like many 25-year-olds, I was fearless, ready to conquer the world and without health insurance. I was lucky. One of my sponsors, Oakley, stood up for me and threatened to take all their business elsewhere if their insurance carrier refused to cover me. Without their help, I might not be alive today. Or I might be completely broke, still trying to dig my way out of a massive pile of medical bills. That kind of luck shouldn't have anything to do with whether the 1.5 million people in the United States who will be diagnosed with cancer this year go broke trying to get the treatment they need to survive.
Go to full article

Leadership - The Mark Wahlberg Youth Foundation and The Gentlemen's Fund

Caring, constructive guidance should not be a privilege limited to those of stable communities or of financial means.

Together, The Gentlemen's Fund ® initiative and Mark Wahlberg are supporting the Mark Wahlberg Youth Foundation, which-by offering leadership now-provides kids with the skills to become leaders in the future.

Through financial and community support, the Mark Wahlberg Youth Foundation aims to eliminate barriers that prevent youth from succeeding.

This collaboration is not a quick fix; it gets to the root by helping young people find their way. The Gentlemen’s Fund® initiative raises support and awareness for issues that are essential to modern men. Established in 2007 to commemorate GQ's 50th anniversary, The Gentlemen's Fund encourages men to become agents of change by contributing to charities that champion these causes.

Visit the Gentlemen's Fund

Visit the Mark Wahlberg Youth Foundation

The Battle Within Us

TWO WOLVES - One evening an old Cherokee Indian told his grandson about a battle that goes on inside people. He said, "My son, the battle is between two wolves inside us all..." - Read More

Source: www.legacydad.com

A similar theory is offered by Tom Rath and Donald with the acclaimed publication: "How Full Is Your Bucket?"

The Last Lecture

On Sept. 18, 2007, only a month after doctors told him that he had three-to-six months to live following a recurrence of pancreatic cancer, Randy Pausch, a professor at Carnegie Mellon University, presented a lecture called "Really Achieving Your Childhood Dreams" to a packed auditorium at Carnegie Mellon.

He shared his insights on finding the good in other people, working hard to overcome obstacles and living generously. "If you lead your life the right way, the karma will take care of itself," Pausch said. "The dreams will come to you."

The video appeared on countless websites and has been viewed by millions. Appearances on the Oprah Winfrey Show, ABC's Good Morning America and the CBS Evening News followed.

A book version, "The Last Lecture" co-written by Jeff Zaslow of the Wall Street Journal (and a fellow Carnegie Mellon alumnus), became a best-seller.

Randy Pausch died at 47 on July 25th, 2008, he has inspired countless students in the classroom and others worldwide.

Randy Pausch's Home Page
The Last Lecture and other resources
Really Achieving Your Childhood Dreams